Hi Guys. Hope Dan and the lads arrived safe and well in Thailand, should think they are exhausted after 2 days without sleep. When you read this they should of arrived on the island with you all, ready to dive the China Sea and swim with the reef sharks!!! seems that is all you have seen of Thailand Mark at the moment is the bottom of the sea!!! Hope the 40 degree heat is not too much to bear, sure you will all have a ball at the New Moon party at the weekend, I will try to do the same in Whitby on the beach looking out at the North Sea!!! Looking forward to seeing you all soon, enjoy the next few weeks as your 7 month journey comes to an end. Take care, love mumxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Mark think you will be cruising around the Barrier Reef on a yacht at this time, sounds fantastic, wonder if you will have time to see Eric in Sydney before you leave Aussie on the 22nd. While you are suffering in baking temperatures, we are freezing with minus temps and thick snow - its wonderful. We are all ok here and looking forward to March 22nd when I plan to come down to meet you and stay overnight, so will book a hotel near Heathrow. Take care and talk to you soon, Mum xxxxxxxxx

Well, here I am wishing my travelling nephew a very Happy Birthday - it is 7.30am Sat 24th and I am wondering where you might be and how drunk you are!! Amazing travel blog - sounds like you are having the time of your life! And back home....well, defrosting cars, turning up the heating, finding more woolly gloves and thinking 'does wearing three hats really suit me....'!! Very cold here but hey....its winter!

Garry and Dan shooting today and meeting up tonight for the annual shoot dinner - hoping to see Dan for a few bevvies! Hope you celebrate your birthday well and we are looking forward to seeing you very soon!.

Lots of love

S & G

xx

Hi Marki such a great blog and has put a smile on my face today, just what I need on a wet, miserable day in January. Dad let me know you have a job in Brisbane for a few weeks, not sure about the decorating !!!!! hope they know what they are letting themselves in for!!!. Have a good week and a nice birthday next weekend. Love to hear that it is only 69 days until your back home. Take care xxxx

HI MARK just looked at all your new pictures new year lookED amazing there hope you had a good christmas to !!!

se you in 3 MONTHS !!!!!

love

ANDREW AND FAMILY

Hi Mark, Just read your newest blog. Glad that you had a good christmas and the turkey was ok. We keep up with all your news through Mum and Dad as well as the blog. Always good to know how you are doing. Happy New Year, enjoy Sydney, we shall raise a glass to you. Lots of love

MAG AND DER and all the Hinches

Well a big HAPPY CHRISTMAS from us in the Yorkshire Dales to you in sunny Oz! Sounds like you are having a fab time and your travel blog and photos are great. Just received your land line number in Melbourne from your Mum so I am about to ring you and wish you Seasons Greetings! Take care of yourself, enjoy Christmas and New Year 'down under' and we cant wait to see you in 3 months time!

Lots of love

S & G

xx

Hey Mark

Love reading your blog as it sounds like you are having such a great time and I hope that you have a great Christmas and New Year over there.

However, I do have a request from everyone here that you need to come back and dress up as Santa again!!!!!

Take care bud.

Liz

Gday Mate!

Reading your blog has given me some much needed enjoyment over the last four months. Keep them coming!

Hope you have HAPPY CHRISTMAS! with you friends and hope the new year brings more wonderful experiences for you.

POP X

PS. Please wear your Hull City shirt on Boxing Day at the Aus v SA Test match in Melbourne. We will look for you on TV if we are up early enough! also City will be in Manchester that day collecting some more points we hope!!

Now then mate,

Just had a quick read of the updates you are putting on, sounds amazing wish i was there!!

Hope you have a merry christmas and a happy new year!!

All the best mate

Colly

x

Hi Mark

Just been watching your NZ photo's there are some awsome pictures. I think you have found your niche! Travelling obviously suits you your looking well and very happy. Hope you have a fantastic christmas and a great new year. Keep safe . The Garnetts x

Hi Mark Hope all is well in Aussie. Dad said you had rang and had a good chat yesterday, telling your tales of sleeping under the stars and bedding down in an opal mine for the night, must have some wonderful stories to tell. Sounds like you will all be in Melbourne for Christmas and off to Sydney Bridge for New Year - lucky you. Had a super, intoxicating weekend with your aunty - again, Russ due in Portsmouth today with a big welcome party down there. Chrissy shopping with Daniel this week - last minute as usual and working at the christmas market in fancy dress this weekend at the Humber Bridge which should be fun. Take care and keep in touch. xxxxxx