Its been lovely to travel along with you both. Hi, i have just read the last blog and it made me so proud of you both. You have both done so very very much over the last 11 months and its nice to see how much you have gained from your experiences. You have both come home more confident and independant happy young people, and still the very best of friends which eveyone can see. If you dont get to holiday for a long while now, what memories you have to look back on and remember, which will cheer you up during our horrid British winter at least.
Back to work already for dear Sophie, she knows what she wants out of life (only the best will do eh! Sophs). Martin back to reality for you on Tuesday when you return to Princess Yachts and settle back in to what you were trained to do many moons ago eh! One day back and its like you have never been away.
I wish you all the luck in the world in the future, and hope all your dreams come true always.
Lovely to have you both back home with us all.
We have all loved the blog and will miss it terribly, as we have been travelling along with you every step of the way.
As usual take care always love you loads and loads
Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Not long now! Hey guys, cant believe its only a couple weeks now and your home!!! That year has really flown! Got your email Soph, let me know when you want your hair done il get you booked in! Im really looking forward to seeing you. Take care xx
big bears Good Day to u both , well its actually a rotten miserable day here in Plymouth It hasnt stopped raining for about 3 days they call it summer I think not , it wont be long now till you are in Vegas when Martys family join you it will be so nice for you all to be together hope you win a fortune in the arcades you will win more money there than in the Mainstone one armed bandits thats for sure ,I cant believe that you actually saw those bears how marvelous glad it was from afar ,you just take care driving through death valley and reach Vegas safe and sound have a great few last weeks lol Marion n PA PA Roch xxxx
Not long now Hi ya,
Well you were very lucky that there were no fatalities after the strongest earthquake to hit California since 1994 when 54 people died i believe. Also no noticable damage to property either whaw what a lucky escape. I don't think i would like to experience an earthquake any time in the not to distant future although that latest quake was felt even in Vegas they say.
Glad to be moving on now no doubt, the first stop is Death Valley where the temperature is in the 40s and very sunny at the moment the same as Las Vegas. You will be aclimatised way before us as its raining once again here in good old Plymouth and has been for the last 2 days solid, and no change forcast till Friday at least.
Enjoy the last few weeks of your adventures to the max as it will soon come to an end in New York in two weeks time. Then you will be back home and back to work before you know it. What a horrid thought, but reality just the same.
Only 4 more sleeps till we see each other on Sunday, till then take care always,
Love Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxx
Not long now! Hello to you both, Cant believe how quick your travels have gone, You have done so much but just seems like weeks ago you were leaving! So you are gona be home real soon now, cant wait to see you and catch up! Good luck with the gambling in Vegas, bet you will have lots of fun there and will be nice to see the cocksey side of the family! Take care and enjoy the rest of your time. look forward to your next update lots of love x x
COUNTDOWN As everyone will know I am always on countdown when your journey started when we met you in Hawaii and now your coming home. Only 15 days but you have still more excitment with Jackie John Hels and Ash and I am sure your journey of the last year will end in style with the family.Just remember when you are having a little flutter in Vegas if there are any big winnings remember your mum and dad !!!! All the experiences you have had how wonderful, some so exciting and now an Earthquake !!!!! But as they say no place like home and I know you are looking forward to coming home but sad it must end,we are all looking forward to your homecoming have a safe journey all our love xxxxxx
New York Hi sophie and mart, having a ball i see, lovely to keep up to date with what has been happening. When do you travel to New York?, we still need to do that list for you, On hols at the moment in Cannes, will do it when we get back (11th Aug) if you need it sooner email us cos we havent got your email address with us. Sorry for delay and we hope the info has been of some help to you.
Dave and Joy
Your time is going so quickly now Hi you two, hope all is well with you both. Just read the last two blog up dates and smiled to myself again. The birthday one is lovely and appriecated by the birthday people im sure. It is so difficult to remember everyones birthdays but you have done a fantastic job remembering the ones you have, and those you've left out will forgive you both i'm sure.
The blog on Yosemity had great photos, it did look like a wonderfull place to visit if only once in a lifetime. Then the coldplay concert was awsome as ever. Wonder if we will see anyone in vegas (only Cher is there to my knowledge) although there are plenty of free shows to see, which will keep us occupied i'm sure. As for a national park there is always the Grand Canyon that is a must see i've been told.
Hope you have really chilled out this last week and relaxed on those Califorian beaches, as when you get to Vegas and New York your holiday will be a little on the manic side with so much to see and do in both places. We do have a pool in the hotel Paris so i expect you'll discover that soon enough when you need to cool down in the Arizona dessert heat. It all sounds wonderfull doesn't it we all can't wait, only 6 days to go now, and within a few minutes i feel sure it won't feel like we've not seen each other for 11 months.
Enjoy your last few days in California, and take care driving to death valley, (the car looks just the job for that) make sure you have plenty of gas and water for the journey.
Speak soon
Love you lots and lots
mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
nearly home now Hi my dears still having an amazing time talk bout living the dream you 2 most certainly are that , and why not your a long time dead I think you will be getting home around Justins birthday as its his on the 13th August , so glad you have had a lovely trouble free trip other than you poor Marty breaking your foot , still it got you tickets for Coldplay hope you enjoyed it , We have just returned from holiday to Turkey with Justin n Sarah n kids we stayed in Altinkum it was so so hot it was a bit unbearable for me as I am in the menopause state I think so it was not too good for me as I am always hot any way thank god for air con , we had a lovely time we went to Dave Pooks place in Akbuk it is very nice and peaceful there lovely pool got lots of potential , Well the days will go really quick now and you will soon be back in cold England although the weather has been ok since we came back from Turkey , your parents will be glad to see you both back nice and safe it will be lovely to see you both well must go keep enjoying your last few weeks there and savour the delights of it all love to you both lol Marion n Pa Pa Roch xxxxxx
latest blog Great to hear all your news of USA, congrats on sending so many blogs and wondeful photographs, so nice to read all about it as I have plenty of time to play on the laptop. Just back from the villa in Spain and saw our jet-setting friends. John said, 2 must-see places he think Steve should make sure he takes me to: Las Vegas and Venice!! You're doing one of those soon so maybe Europe next year or have you had anough travelling for a while? Continue to have fun you lovebirds!! Take care, love from us all xx
California looks class. So glad to hear you are having fun fun fun! The steep hill streets remind me of the views in the film Mrs Doubtfire I'm sure they use those scenes in plenty of films. Alcatraz must have been such an eery experience but a must see I guess. Can't believe you are going to see Coldplay how class and you'll probably be right down the front with a perfect view if you have special seats. You want to keep hold of that boot so you can get keep getting preferential treatment! Hope you've had your foot checked though to make sure it's all right. Keep the updates coming. Love you both lots Helen xxxxxxxxxxx
California Dreaming on such a lovely day Hi ya you two hope all is going very well with you both. The latest blog is just brilliant, glad to see you both enjoying California so much. It has lots to offer the holiday maker whether you are on the coast or in land. The wild life is quite surprising to come across, and so different to seeing anything in this country. Alcatraz sounded scarey (all the strories they tell you), bet you were glad not to be left behind. The giant red woods were awsome a sight not to missed if you are in that part of the world. The pics are good especially San Francisco with the roads going down to the water front. Trust you are both well and enjoying the last few weeks of this around the world tour, which will be at an end before you know it (now thats scarey too). Speak soon, love you loads, Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
wish we were there!! Keep living the dream untill the end it will be down with a bump in a few weeks. Weather is like winter, credit crunch crisis talked about every day. But as they say no place like home and we cannot wait for you to be back. Your blog has been a tonic your two number one fans being your mums. More excitment soon when Jackie John Helen Ash come out wish I could fit in a case but feel sure that would be excess baggage!!!!!!! Try your luck in Vegas then Mart could buy one of those cars he drools over. Keep enjoying all our love Mum Dad xxxxxx
Rocking America Hi you two just read the last blog and caught the pictures too. You look and sound like all is going really well, and so far you have enjoyed every minute of America, appart from the hire car experience, but thats all sorted now. How those celebraties live eh! one day who knows your time may come and you could be driving farraris ect too. YEH!
The weather is beautifull i see lots of time to get a fabulous sun tan but don`t forget to cream up even though you are tanned already. The weather here is absolutely horrid
you are in the best place, take it from me. British Summer Time your having a laugh. Not long till Vegas only 3 and a bit weeks to go now. We are all getting excited just thinking
about it, and i know Barbara and Tony are looking forward to seeing you both too. We all can`t wait. Enjoy chilling for a few days at Manteray Bay before you move on to Sanfrancisco where it will be hussle and bussle once again. Speak soon. Love you lots, take care always, Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Birthday Thanks! Hey Gus - just wanted to say thank you for our birthday message. We've had a nice weekend very chilled out as the weather is horrific - rain, rain, rain and near gale force winds! No BBQ's for us! Take care lots of love Natalie and Paul x x x x x x x x
California here we come Hi you two hope you are both well and enjoying all that Californian sunshine. Hope the foot is well on the mend and not stopping you from doing anything Martin. The photos from Hawaii are great, and last night i saw Sandies photos from the holiday which also were very good, you all look really happy in all of them. You are now well on the way to discovering most of the sights California has to offer its visitors, but i think you are wise to give northern Mexico a miss. I recall a story of people going over the boarder but not being able to get back because of paper work and bribery. Drive carefully as American Hiways are usually 4 laned and they over and under take you which takes some getting used too.The Elm fundraiser tomorrow night for the Sunday Football team is the biggest event of this weekend i think, and it will be good to see everyone there and catch up and have a boogy, and a bit of of light refreshment too. Take care always will speak soon. Love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
we are back What a fab time we had could have done with another week hence the journey of 24hrs travelling but all worth it. We were greeted with a phone call and that they had a surprise!!! we were trying to guess. Sharon thought they had got engaged and was ready to ring Katy. John had her pregnant and anything else that would wind me up. I just sat in anticipation then in hops Mart. It never spoilt our wonderful time with them. The shops were fab Marion, but my suitcase was no heavier we brought back all Martin and Sophies purchases and it was Allans case that was overweight, had to transfer into Johns case. We even brought Marts surfboard home, and upon checkin left it to Al as he looked the most likely one to have been riding the waves. No tears when we parted so happy to have shared their memories with them.
All living the dream Hi ya, glad all is well in hot, sunny, and beautifull Hawaii. Lovely pics of you all having a fab time together on the latest blog. Pearl Harbour is a must see when you are in Hawaii, even though it is sad, the rest of the days trip was good seeing the pineapple and nut farms, and those lovely views and beaches. Not long now untill Sandi and Al return home and i for one can`t wait to here all about the fun and games you all have been getting up to during the last fortnight. Enjoy the last full day together, and then you will be moving on to L.A. not long after. Hope the foot is mending nicely as you`ve a lot of sight seeing to do in America Martin, and Sophie will be driving you everywhere once you get there, so start brushing up on your map reading skills again. Give our love to everyone, and keep enjoying living the dream. Love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxx
laineys stag night laineys stag night is on the 5th july, down the barbican, obviously i doubt you can make it but it is hawaii theme so i suppose you can join in for real, any chance you can send us some flower garlands and coconuts ha ha ha
HEY YOU GUYS Hello to all 6 of you now, Bet you are having great fun and such a laugh, Looks like you are anyway! Oh no Martin bet the leg situation is doing your head in, hope it is better soon. We are so so jealous now looking at the photos, the lovely white sandy beaches and the blue sea. This is definately something that you will never forget! Our engagement party was on Friday and we had a really good time. . . . until it got abit messy at the end, Far too many sambukas!! Thanks for the cards and money we really are grateful and will put it towards something when we finally find our first home. Keep enjoying your extra long holiday and we can now say we will be seeing you quite soon!! Lots of Love xxx
aloha Hi you two Hawaii looks fantastic.Your foot ware looks different martin your flipflops are getting bigger.Hope the leg is getting better and you ar'nt playing on it to much.Take care and will see you soon.Love mum dad
broken foot n hawaii Hi my dears say Happy Birthday to JOHN from his love chick in England hope you are all having a superb time you do all look very happy Soph especially to see your parents it must be so nice to have them over there with you , so sorry to hear bout your foot Marty still it looks like you are getting the right treatment now , you will be in competition with Shirley she has the same sort of boot like you as she broke her ankle as well she is getting better now though ,the beaches look wonderful over there gorgeous blue sky and azure sea what an experience. John looks well settled there he could be a native over there I expect he will be looking for work over there a bit similar to the Isle of Scilly [NOT ] nice picture of you girls on the beach what do you think you all are Bond Girls ha ha . the weather has been a bit inclement over here sunny days then the next wind n heavy rain wish it would make up its mind still thats all to do with the climate change I presume .I am glad Marty can take his boot off and still go in the water how cruel would that be to be in such a beautiful place and not enjoy the sea n pool well I will blog off for now wish you all a great last few days together ,ask your mum if she can bring me back a fridge magnet please if she got enough room in her case after she has bought a load of clothes from the shops over there wish them all a safe journey back home you all take care n enjoy lol Marion N Pa Pa Roch xxxxxxxxxx
So pleased for you all Hi ya you two glad to read the latest blog. I know alls a lot brighter now Martin and the foot has been sorted. We can tell by the writing Soph that you are over the moon at the moment with seeing the family, it seems like you are smiling just sat at the computer, it is really lovely to see you all so happy in the photos too. By the way doesnt the beach photos look wonderfull, clear blue skys, we can just tell it is hot hot hot. Good to hear that the food is reasonable too, because we`ve always been lead to believe Hawaii is expensive so that great. As for the shopping no doubt everyone will go mad for the named clothes at bargain prices, hope your mums got lots of room to bring stuff home with her. You are now 11 hours behind us, which is the first time in 9 months of travelling this has happened, as untill now you were always ahead of us time wise. We all will get used to it quickly im sure. Have a great time tomorrow on Johns birthday doing the sailing day trip, and not too many beers for Martin remember, when you go out to eat in the evening. Send John our best wishes for a lovely day too will you. Speak to you soon and enjoy every minute of Hawaii.
Love to everyone,Take care.
Mum. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Martin Cocks and Sophie Penwill both from Plymouth, Devon, England. Martin 24 and Sophie 22.
We have both always wanted to go traveling and decided last Christmas to set of this Sept 2007. We have saved really hard and have sacrificed a lot this past year, but not working for the year to come and experiencing all that we will see and do is so worth it!!!
We are both very excited and hope you enjoy reading about our adventure and looking at the photos we take along the way.
We will miss you all very much
Xxxx
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Mum
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Its been lovely to travel along with you both.
Hi, i have just read the last blog and it made me so proud of you both. You have both done so very very much over the last 11 months and its nice to see how much you have gained from your experiences. You have both come home more confident and independant happy young people, and still the very best of friends which eveyone can see. If you dont get to holiday for a long while now, what memories you have to look back on and remember, which will cheer you up during our horrid British winter at least. Back to work already for dear Sophie, she knows what she wants out of life (only the best will do eh! Sophs). Martin back to reality for you on Tuesday when you return to Princess Yachts and settle back in to what you were trained to do many moons ago eh! One day back and its like you have never been away. I wish you all the luck in the world in the future, and hope all your dreams come true always. Lovely to have you both back home with us all. We have all loved the blog and will miss it terribly, as we have been travelling along with you every step of the way. As usual take care always love you loads and loads Mum and Dad xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx