JohnandVal's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 30th May 2010
Welcome back
It has been fascinating reading - I wonder if you enjoyed writing it as much as we enjoyed reading it ! It would be good to see the fabrics Val and I would love to understand how patience was achieved whilst the selection was being made. Anyway, have a good rest and keep in touch !
From Blog: Back in Blighty
Welcome back
It has been fascinating reading - I wonder if you enjoyed writing it as much as we enjoyed reading it ! It would be good to see the fabrics Val and I would love to understand how patience was achieved whilst the selection was being made. Anyway, have a good rest and keep in touch !
From Blog: Back in Blighty
Date: 21st May 2010
Phooey
>>Australian’s stick to the speed limits Now that's funny. The #1 bane of my driving life is how everyone wants to go faster than me! I clearly read the speed signs wrong, I always thought they were referring to the maximum limit, however I'm sure they must really mean the minimum speed you must drive at... This makes your comments about the NZ drivers even more horrific. >>put their foot on the gas We call it petrol :P Steve
From Blog: Reflections on Driving Down-Under
Phooey
>>Australian’s stick to the speed limits Now that's funny. The #1 bane of my driving life is how everyone wants to go faster than me! I clearly read the speed signs wrong, I always thought they were referring to the maximum limit, however I'm sure they must really mean the minimum speed you must drive at... This makes your comments about the NZ drivers even more horrific. >>put their foot on the gas We call it petrol :P Steve
From Blog: Reflections on Driving Down-Under
Date: 13th May 2010
We can't believe how fortunate you have been with the weather! So much better than our more or less unrelenting wind, rain and grey skies in November! Hope your luck lasts!
From Blog: What’s the Gaelic for Edinburgh?
We can't believe how fortunate you have been with the weather! So much better than our more or less unrelenting wind, rain and grey skies in November! Hope your luck lasts!
From Blog: What’s the Gaelic for Edinburgh?
Date: 12th May 2010
Bad Hair Day
Those trees just look so much like my hair first thing in the morning.
From Blog: Deep South
Bad Hair Day
Those trees just look so much like my hair first thing in the morning.
From Blog: Deep South
Date: 12th May 2010
Zip that lip
You just can't help yourself, can you? We've just bought a minature sewing machine, it fits nicely in the cupboard! It's possible it may see a bit of material at some time in the future. But doubt it will ever make a q..lt. Mustn't say the word don't want to pick up these Valerisms.
From Blog: What’s the Gaelic for Edinburgh?
Zip that lip
You just can't help yourself, can you? We've just bought a minature sewing machine, it fits nicely in the cupboard! It's possible it may see a bit of material at some time in the future. But doubt it will ever make a q..lt. Mustn't say the word don't want to pick up these Valerisms.
From Blog: What’s the Gaelic for Edinburgh?
Date: 11th May 2010
It's not that I don't read them...
... I don't read them all :) There's so many! :) See you in two weeks :)
From Blog: Deep South
It's not that I don't read them...
... I don't read them all :) There's so many! :) See you in two weeks :)
From Blog: Deep South
Date: 10th May 2010
I'm the best child!
I read them *all* - favoritism permitted xxx
From Blog: Deep South
I'm the best child!
I read them *all* - favoritism permitted xxx
From Blog: Deep South
Date: 10th May 2010
hello possums!
wow-can't imagine legal killing of possums in Australia-they are protected! even though for those of us with any sort of garden and or trees overhanging roofs they are a pest! it's illegal even to just catch and move them!
From Blog: Sounding Off
hello possums!
wow-can't imagine legal killing of possums in Australia-they are protected! even though for those of us with any sort of garden and or trees overhanging roofs they are a pest! it's illegal even to just catch and move them!
From Blog: Sounding Off
Date: 9th May 2010
Watties, Watties everywhere....
Hey you two. I've been trying to catch up on your blog and have been really enjoying all the NZ posts. Some great piccies and it's all brought some great memories back for me. Glad you're into the birdlife. That's (NZ) where the obsession started for me and there's no going back. Hopefully you've seen some South Island Robin's. Friendly little chaps. Enjoy your rest of the time in the great country and I look forward to speaking to you when you return. Jason.
From Blog: Pining for the Fiords?
Watties, Watties everywhere....
Hey you two. I've been trying to catch up on your blog and have been really enjoying all the NZ posts. Some great piccies and it's all brought some great memories back for me. Glad you're into the birdlife. That's (NZ) where the obsession started for me and there's no going back. Hopefully you've seen some South Island Robin's. Friendly little chaps. Enjoy your rest of the time in the great country and I look forward to speaking to you when you return. Jason.
From Blog: Pining for the Fiords?
Date: 8th May 2010
I enjoyed your NZ post. It made me want to go there. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have any time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric
From Blog: Pining for the Fiords?
I enjoyed your NZ post. It made me want to go there. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have any time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric
From Blog: Pining for the Fiords?
Date: 5th May 2010
What no quilts
Hooray, found a page that doesn't mention quilts, do duvets count?
From Blog: Go West Young Man!
What no quilts
Hooray, found a page that doesn't mention quilts, do duvets count?
From Blog: Go West Young Man!
Date: 1st May 2010
Oh yes it is!
Glad to see your pilgrimage to Marlborough was everything you hoped! From (admittedly hazy) memory, Selaks was the first place we called into on the way down from Picton: deffo in the Blenheim / Wairau area but might have been a little apart from the others. Anyway, hope you have better weather down the West coast than we did - Greymouth was very aptly named! Am enjoying the photos John :-)
From Blog: All Calm Over the Cook Strait
Oh yes it is!
Glad to see your pilgrimage to Marlborough was everything you hoped! From (admittedly hazy) memory, Selaks was the first place we called into on the way down from Picton: deffo in the Blenheim / Wairau area but might have been a little apart from the others. Anyway, hope you have better weather down the West coast than we did - Greymouth was very aptly named! Am enjoying the photos John :-)
From Blog: All Calm Over the Cook Strait
Date: 27th April 2010
Disgusted, of Suffolk
If you carry on not partaking in rugby activties I will disown you... xxx
From Blog: To The Southern Tip of the North Island
Disgusted, of Suffolk
If you carry on not partaking in rugby activties I will disown you... xxx
From Blog: To The Southern Tip of the North Island
Date: 22nd April 2010
bird!
Finally - Jeff says umm- probably young black kite....
From Blog: Watching Thrombolites
bird!
Finally - Jeff says umm- probably young black kite....
From Blog: Watching Thrombolites
Date: 22nd April 2010
Still with you - with pleasure!
I can't get over what you and John are doing - filled with admiration. Want a 'customised' postbox, want a little penguin from under the bridge in Oz, want that view of the beach and sea every morning - and am so tickled by your sense of humour Val - or John - laugh out loud many times. Especially your digs at John Val, Val John. The flip flops and the spending money and the dangers of the sea - keep em coming please - love, Maureen.
From Blog: Zooming past Auckland!
Still with you - with pleasure!
I can't get over what you and John are doing - filled with admiration. Want a 'customised' postbox, want a little penguin from under the bridge in Oz, want that view of the beach and sea every morning - and am so tickled by your sense of humour Val - or John - laugh out loud many times. Especially your digs at John Val, Val John. The flip flops and the spending money and the dangers of the sea - keep em coming please - love, Maureen.
From Blog: Zooming past Auckland!
Date: 21st April 2010
What's no1 & 2?
They're not birds are they? xxxx
From Blog: Swimming with Dolphins
What's no1 & 2?
They're not birds are they? xxxx
From Blog: Swimming with Dolphins
Date: 21st April 2010
Picasso vs Gaudi
Who won? xxx
From Blog: Bay of Islands - Finally Arrived (hoorah!)
Picasso vs Gaudi
Who won? xxx
From Blog: Bay of Islands - Finally Arrived (hoorah!)
Date: 16th April 2010
I enjoyed your post. I have always wanted to travel around the world. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have the time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric and Heather
From Blog: Welcome to the Land of Sav Blonk
I enjoyed your post. I have always wanted to travel around the world. My blog is looking for travel photos. If you have the time, email us some at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric and Heather
From Blog: Welcome to the Land of Sav Blonk
Date: 16th April 2010
Warning
For goodness sakes don't tell any sheep jokes and watch out for any comments that use the word 'six'. BTW: Direct currency conversion is an inaccurate estimation of price differences between the UK and Australia. All it does is convert coin value and you loose a little. You've not mentioned how much cheaper fuel was here did you? £1.20 average per litre ULP (average for Ipswich) = AUD$1.99 AUD$1.29 average per litre UPL (average Cairns QLD) = £0.77 Remember that most of our goods are imported and transport costs per capita are much higher than the overpoputated higher sales market that the UK is . Road transport costs to the various CBD and country towns in Austrlia is much higher than those in the UK owning to the huge distances. The SOE is somewhat different, so stop being a whinging pom :P (that's a tongue-in-cheek emot) Cheers Steve
From Blog: Off in Search of the Kiwi
Warning
For goodness sakes don't tell any sheep jokes and watch out for any comments that use the word 'six'. BTW: Direct currency conversion is an inaccurate estimation of price differences between the UK and Australia. All it does is convert coin value and you loose a little. You've not mentioned how much cheaper fuel was here did you? £1.20 average per litre ULP (average for Ipswich) = AUD$1.99 AUD$1.29 average per litre UPL (average Cairns QLD) = £0.77 Remember that most of our goods are imported and transport costs per capita are much higher than the overpoputated higher sales market that the UK is . Road transport costs to the various CBD and country towns in Austrlia is much higher than those in the UK owning to the huge distances. The SOE is somewhat different, so stop being a whinging pom :P (that's a tongue-in-cheek emot) Cheers Steve
From Blog: Off in Search of the Kiwi
Date: 15th April 2010
The boat on the reef
They've arrested the captain and the officer in charge at the time for taking an illegal route across Oz waters and for putting a1km gash in the reef. The boat has been floated and towed to anchorage, tested stability of the hull first! xxx
From Blog: Lazy Days and Sundays
The boat on the reef
They've arrested the captain and the officer in charge at the time for taking an illegal route across Oz waters and for putting a1km gash in the reef. The boat has been floated and towed to anchorage, tested stability of the hull first! xxx
From Blog: Lazy Days and Sundays
Date: 12th April 2010
COON
Indeed it was nice to catch up.. If I hadn't seen the earlier pictures in this Travel blog I may not have recognized Valerie, her hair was shorter than I remembered :) Re: COON "The cheese is said to be named after its American creator Edward W. Coon of Philadelphia, who patented a method, subsequently known as the Cooning process, for fast maturation of cheese via high temperature and humidity. Former manufacturer Kraft, and later Dairy Farmers, have vigorously defended the trademark." I do recall having a a good belly laugh when I first came to Australia and seeing the trademark name. Incidentally, the most popular regular cheddar cheese these days I think is BEGA Cheese, though don't quote me - I rarely eat the stuff. Though Dairy Farmers would never admit it. Steve
From Blog: Meeting the Relies
COON
Indeed it was nice to catch up.. If I hadn't seen the earlier pictures in this Travel blog I may not have recognized Valerie, her hair was shorter than I remembered :) Re: COON "The cheese is said to be named after its American creator Edward W. Coon of Philadelphia, who patented a method, subsequently known as the Cooning process, for fast maturation of cheese via high temperature and humidity. Former manufacturer Kraft, and later Dairy Farmers, have vigorously defended the trademark." I do recall having a a good belly laugh when I first came to Australia and seeing the trademark name. Incidentally, the most popular regular cheddar cheese these days I think is BEGA Cheese, though don't quote me - I rarely eat the stuff. Though Dairy Farmers would never admit it. Steve
From Blog: Meeting the Relies
Date: 11th April 2010
Comparisons...
You've just called yourselves numpties by comparing yourselves with Americans... 1) they're dumb enough to do anything and 2) They couldn't have been American, they don't know the way out of America... xxx
From Blog: Rabbits Go Home!
Comparisons...
You've just called yourselves numpties by comparing yourselves with Americans... 1) they're dumb enough to do anything and 2) They couldn't have been American, they don't know the way out of America... xxx
From Blog: Rabbits Go Home!
Date: 9th April 2010
What to do in Cairns!!
Hi, glad John is getting a rest at last. When I was in Cairns I was a lot younger and fitter - but one of the things I would recommend is taking the train up to Kuranda on the Atherton Tablelands - the views are amazing and there used to be a craft market up there - but it may be out of season. Catch up soon, love, Sarah
From Blog: R&R Rules OK!
What to do in Cairns!!
Hi, glad John is getting a rest at last. When I was in Cairns I was a lot younger and fitter - but one of the things I would recommend is taking the train up to Kuranda on the Atherton Tablelands - the views are amazing and there used to be a craft market up there - but it may be out of season. Catch up soon, love, Sarah
From Blog: R&R Rules OK!
Treen and Jeff
non-member comment
The fantastic voyage
Welcome home both, I have been checking up on your progress regularly and enjoying every minute of the descriptions - what a fab (almost) 5 months you have had to be sure... Val, I didn't realise what a way with written words you had (Obviously I knew about the verbals!) and you have something here you can not just use to look back with but also reads so well too. Give me a ring when you've washed all the smalls, watched all the rugby and slept all the sleep - lunch next week? xxx C
From Blog: Back in Blighty