HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY PATRICK

HOPE YOU MANAGE A CELEBRATION - AM SURE YOU WILL. I'LL TAKE YOU OUT FOR LUNCH OR THE LIKE ON YOUR RETURN.

TAKE CARE AND HAVE FUN

AUNTIE SAL, UNCLE JOHNNY, AMANDA AND ALL THE CREW XXXXXXXXXX

Merry christmas from perth, WA

Hi Patrick, So you are in my homeland at last and I hear have a job - well done. Liked reading your plans especially Canada - excellent spot to spend some working time. Taking your dear Mum out for her birthday lunch on Friday at the usual place where we go round and round! Will no doubt hear anymore up-dates on yourself and El. Take care and keep the thermals handy!!

Much love

Auntie Sal xxxxxxx

We all know how the pessimist sees the glass as half empty, the optimist sees it as half full and the engineer simply sees the glass as twice the size it should be. Here is another take on the psyche of the engineer:

A priest, a doctor and an engineer frequently played a round of golf together. One day, as they were out on the course enjoying such a get-together, they came up behind a small group of chaps who seemed to be taking a long time to get on with their game. The three friends waited and waited, noting the terrible lack of skill of those guys in front. The engineer commented, "What's wrong with these blokes? They seem to be taking forever. I suggest we play through and leave them to muddle on." The priest and doctor were more inclined to patience. So they waited.

Finally, they agreed that they should do something about the inordinate delay, and approach the amateurs in front. Just then the grounds man came by and the doctor called him over and complained about the chaps in front and how long they were taking etc. The grounds man said, "I understand your frustration, but those chaps were members of the local volunteer fire brigade who saved the clubhouse from fire recently. In doing so, they were badly injured and lost their sight." Silence. Then the priest said, "That's very sad. I will say mass and pray for them." The doctor said, "I'll have a word with some ophthalmologist friends of mine and see what can be done for them."

The engineer said, "Why can't they play at night?"

seems u werent to keen on those guys u had to travel with in the baltics. where did u find them? where did u leave them?

Just thought I'd get one up on Emma on the 'commenting on Patrick's blog' race... sounds like you're killin it over there Patty! Making me jealous... might have to stop uni next year and come over too! Have fun in Lithuania.. hope you love dill!

Hallo Patrick I bereiten Ihr blog über Ihren deutschen Kurs vor, und ich muß sagen, daß ich Supereifersuechtiges bin. Ich möchte sagen, daß diese Anzeige ein Produkt meiner Fähigkeit, gesamte Sprachen an 4 Tagen aufzuheben ist, aber traurig, nachdem München mein Deutscher noch nur hallo ist, danken gute byes und kein yous

Hi Pat, enjoyed reading your article. Sounds a facinating place. Just though you may like to know that Geelong are in the Preliminary Final.

Stay well and enjoy.

Your Personal Trainer

Hi again Pat, So sorry you didn't get my birthday message - I honestly did message you on the day so hope it was a good one. You've made it up with Tomatina though! Still good reading and brings a smile to our faces.

We are off to Queensland for ten days R & R on Thursday - yeh!

Much love Auntie Sal and all xxx

Hey Patty,

Thanks for the postcard. You were right we did like it - and by we I mean me of course.

Catch you in a couple of months!!!

Your blog was spot on.. You don't want to offend but how can you not when you are seen as huge walking wallet??

Wait until you get to London, people that hassle you there will either be trying to sell you drugs or be giving you a sob story so they can get money to buy drugs... Don't bother to smile or be polite then!

It's not so much of a whole.. There's just a few cracks and crevaces in a few places!!

Hey Rat I can't believe you're off again you b******! Makes me feel lazy!

Keep up the good work on the blog.

Since you're so technologically advanced this time (oooh, a laptop!) send me a message via internet while I'm on XPD.

Whitsundays, 800km, starts Wed 22nd Aug.

Stay away from the UK for as long as possible, it's really a hole in disguise!

D