Wow!!! Your last blog updates are unbelievable and I mean that. It has sent shivers up me and all what you are seeing is what I want to do. I have got to get myself to New Zealand and I am going home to tell Eric tonight. He won't need persuading!! Guys it looks like you are so cosy in your van and having the time of your lives and actually just seems like you guys are completely settled with the way of life. I know you are half way but look at how much you have done in half your journey and keep going for it. Sea lions on the beach, WOW!!!!!!!!! Love you guys and miss you loads. Mexxxxxxxxx
Wow! I haven't been on the blog for what seems like forever! I am so jealous of what you guys have been up to, whales, seals, white water rafting once in a life time opportunities. Soph it seems like you are teaching martin well - the chilli looked fab, we'll be expecting an invite for dinner once you get back!! I promise i won't leave it so long to read about your adventures again it certainly beats working!! Take care of yourselves lots of love Natalie and Chris x x
Queenstown / Fox Glacier / Glorious Nature! Hey guys. Mayzos party was fun. I got very drunk! whoops! I dont think I made too much of a dick of myself! Im sure someone will tell me if I did!!!!!!! I bet the rafting was great. funny about the instructor. Sounds good. I cant believe you keep seeing loads of people that you know from work etc!!!!! such a small world. Around the other side of the earth and you see people from Plymouth!!!! Crazy town!!!!!!! I bet it is nice to see familiar faces. I'll tell you what, the artistic photography is really coming on!! The tree shot is a beauty!!!! The lake, valley and Fox Glacier look awesome. So beautiful. Its like a geographt lesson everytime I log on!!!!! Mart and Soph the Trees of Knowledge!!!! he he he!!!! The longest swing bridge in NZ looks flimsy!!!!!! i would be a little scared going over. fun. Pancakes!!! Its shrove tuesday tomorrow. I hope that you will batter yourselves up and have some pancakes. Ive just had some!!!! I love pancakes!!!! dont have them nearly enough!!!!! Anyway. Keep enjoying. Looking forward to the next blog. Loving your work. love ya. housey x x x x x x
Fab Party We had a good birthday bash with Stef a fun night with all your friends. It still looks amazing and all the natural beauty and wildlife to enjoy. Mart I cannot believe what you did to the guide but it really made me laugh, it sounded a real fun experience also Soph was not too scared to do this as well. Glad the weather is being kind to you which is not the case for us. keep enjoying Love Mum Dad Bruv
Beautiful photos! Martin and Sophie, Nice to hear from you and hear that you are keeping well and enjoying your trip. You are very lucky, you both, to see such wonderful sights. Keep well and see you soon. Love Grandad Michael
Breathtaking! Wow guys these photos are amazing. You are so lucky to be seeing all those beautiful sights. Plymouth has plenty of ice around itself at the moment but it's because it's been -2 overnight and it's grey and dull rather than sunny and hot! Bet you're not missing the great british weather at all! Well I'm off sick at the moment - have Vertigo so feel constantly dizzy and as if I'm travel sick. Already not looking forward to the 10 hour flight to Las Vegas but it will be worth it to meet you both and I've got another 6 months to prepare myself! White water rafting sounds fun but rather you than me and lucky there were no sea lions out there with you. Can't believe you met someone else you know - those Princess Yachts guys obviously get paid far too much to be able to travel the world - Soph you need to keep your eyes open for someone you know next. Keep on 'living the dream' as you say take care lots of love Helen xxx
sun seekers Hi martin sophie just read the latest blogg no need to rub it in the tempature here is 4degrees.Today friday 1st feb the first drop's of snow yes snow.The rafting experience sound's fantastic{would like to have a go} mum and helen said ho no thanks.The pictures are brilliant and you are getting a proper david bailey.ha ha.did you cook the fahietas martin you need to practice a bit more.Can'nt wait for you to treat us with your cooking skill's when you get home!!!!!!!!!!take care love as allways mum and dad cocks
Yo! Hey, i haven't been on the blog for ages, you've scene and done so much its unreal. Loving all the photography, Cocksy you're getting a bit artistic with it mate. Played the SUB last night so i'm hanging out today, do you remember work?....it sucks! So much going on at home as i see people have updated you with. We're going go karting tomorrow for Mayzo's 30th (grandad!, only joking mayzo - you're a hero!) which will be class, although it may be snowing and i'm bad enough in good conditions. It could get messy!
Love to you both, Browny and Laura. xxxx
South Island Hey guys. So nice to hear how much you are enjoying the South Island. I can't believe that after all the amazing things you have seen and done over the last 5 months that you are still experiencing new and once-in-a-lifetime moments - like watching Sea Lions on the beach and white water rafting wow. So nice to speak to you on the weekend and hear your excited voices. Look forward to the next update - keep up the great photography. Love you lots, take care Helen xx
Queenstown / Christchurch Good Evening Friends. Loving the white hat! Soph I cant believe you didnt post a photo on the blog of you!!! I wanted to see MTA Soph!!!!!! ha ha!!! The Jet boating through the canyon sounds class!!! will be exhilerating!!! class!!! Great that you pitched up next to a couple from the whale boat, Hope you had a great night out in Queenstown, Im sure it was fun. It has been a beauty day today in the muff. Went on a bike ride this morning with bandy and grayzo, rode to the Rock Inn at Yelverton then rode back through bickleigh, down through Plymbridge then home. I reckon about 7 / 8 miles!!! Feel great for it. a nice few hours. Such a sunny and warm day. Then met Kades in town and bumped into your mum and dad mart. Had a catch up about their holiday plans in Cancun and their trip to USA to meet you guys. Very jealous. All sounds great though. Last night went to a gig at the Cherry Tree, was fun as usual. They love it in there!!! funny. Loving the photos in the magnification strip!! Jackie's right, it is like those mirrors at the fair! Anyway, gotta go, loads to do tonight. Take care, still loving the blog. A quote from you guys: LIFE IS SWEET AS!!!!! x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
argyle HI just a quick one to let you know Argyle lost 2-1 today against Portsmouth away it was but it was not their fault as they played the better football but that s that eh, just got home from work been busy as well bloody nuisance , amazing pictures of the whales what a memory box you 2 are going to have will blog later in the week lol marion n PA PA Roch xxxxxxxxx
Saturday 5 p.m. Hi you two just read the latest blog looks like you are still having a cool time in South Island.The scenery is fantastic so keep sending the photos.We all love to see what youve been up to but Martin you look like youve been to the fair ground recently with those wierd photos taken through the magnifying glass of the van.The cadburys world was a lovely and comforting place to visit lots of people have done that in England but its a place dads not ever bothered about doing as you know he never eats chocolate unlike me.Enjoy the extreme sport adventure what ever you decide to do i am sure we will hear about it soon.Take care wont you, you know we do still worry, ive decided its best not to know to much then we cant.The weekend here has been a lovely one so far for a change, a proper spring like day and another one forcast for tomorrow.We have a Burns Night tonight at the ELM which should be good fun for the eighty odd people there they even have dancing planned for the end of the evening, after they have eaten a three course meal and killed the haggis after the scottish piper has piped it into the room.Helen is off in Southampton for the weekend with Laura and Natalie so it is very quiet home here with just the two of us.We have just heard that Argyle have lost 2 1 to Portsmouth in the F A Cup.Shame.O K speak to you soon.Take care of each other love mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
wow wow guys what sights you have seen, it is amazing, cannot believe that is just there in the ocean. It is good though that they are not on display in water parks. Well i must say soph you sound very knowledgable when talking on the blog i have learnt quite a lot from you blog enteries. ha. I havent sent you a message for a while but i am always on checking what wild and wonderful adventures you have been doing. I thought the shooting clip was good i was laughing when i watched that, you can see the power from the way it jerked your body soph. Anyway just about to leave school now, so will write again soon. No news to tell really from this end. Rubbish weather, dark mornings and dark early evening, so it is feeling proper wintery at the moment. I cant wait for the summer already especially after seeing you two enjoying loads of fun. Oh and by the way the van looks class. Stefan had a new volkswagen camper van the over night from work it is amazing, it sleeps 4 people it has a little fridge, a mini wardrobe, and it comes with a little picnic table and chairs. We are going to plan a little adventure in one. I have been inspired by your van touring. So i will let you know how it goes. Love ya miss you both Kady x
Hey guys!! Well, where do I start! So much is going on for you guys and it has been real hectic home here too. The views, meals and fires altogether look like all big memories forming to make the most unbelievable experience of your lives. I am so doing it!!! The gig sounded amazing and boy Eric loved the update Mart. He was gutted when he found out that smashing pumpkins were playing at the O2 areana and I had already planned to take him away for a few days for valentines. Well home here we have loads on. Nat Pook's weekend to London, Claires ski adventures for her bday and we have planned a £10 holiday to Newquay for Phil's. So many diary dates and January hasn't even finished yet. Love the lifestyle and the hecticness and no I haven't changed as yet! Well I'll send you a longer email soon to catch up properly but for now I will love you loads and leave you. Take carexxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello from Grandma, Grandad and Sharon xx Hi Martin and Sophie! We are down at Mums and have just had a lovely roast meal. Sharon was late because she had been working so we ate before she got here. Have seen the latest blog about the whales and seals. Auntie Sharon is jealous as she would love to see some whales. We all bought lottery tickets in a syndicate of the Euro Millions rollover but we didn't win so we won't be meeting you any time soon. We are thinking about booking a holiday to Ireland though after our £10 weekend on May Day with all the family but you aren't the only ones who won't be there (if we get it) because Sharon is working all weekend that weekend. We miss you both very much and think about you often on your travels. I'm wearing Grandad out decorating our bedroom. Auntie Sharon is looking forward to a ski trip in two weeks time to Bulgaria where there is lots of snow this year, so should be good - she says she wishes you were with her. Keep enjoying yourselves and take lots of care. Love you lots from Grandma Lily, Grandad David and Auntie Sharon xxxxxx
What a start to the South Island indeed!!! The photos are awesome. You are right Soph it is no SeaWorld!!!! Amazing. That is a proper experience!!! They must have been massive. I was laughin when you said about the Seal on the path. I can imagine you guys screaming and running away! ha ha ha!!! They are massive though! Funny-Scarey encounter!!!!!! Mart the Chilli looks lovely, the cooking is obviously coming on. The sun rise is also beauty. My screen saver on my computer is the Petronas Towers, such a contrast from there. It looks beauty. Just the first few days in NZ south. So much more to see. I look forward to the next instalment. Love you. Housey x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
scarey fire Hi my dears sorry its been so long but as I said I was going on holiday we went to Egypt Sharm El Sheik and it was really lovely although a bit windy but I had a nice rest so I am happy bout that as I needed a rest , whilst we where in Egypt we went over to Israel and Jerusalem we had a swim in the dead sea and I could actually float as I do not normally swim so this was quite nice to put no effort into staying afloat , we then went on to Jerusalem and saw the 14 stations of the cross this was really interesting as I am not what I would say very religious but it was amazing to see where Christ had once been and the history of his life/death, we also went to the wailing wall and had a wail of some sort or rather a pray for family members that have since left us we pushed a prayer into the wall and then walked away from it backwards as you are not allowed to turn your back on it as a mark of respect , we then saw jesus,s final resting place , it was holy day on the Saturday when we went so there was lots of services and chanting going on ,it really was quite a privilege to be there in amongst it all , and there was a strange feeling of calmness and serenity that I had never experienced before it was quite comforting ,it must be so nice to believe in something like that and get so much out of it Robert did some snorkelling and saw some nice fish , the hotel was lovely all inclusive nice food , we went down to Naama Bay a couple of times went to the Hard Rock Cafe and also TGI ITS friday also some great food at both of these ,Well it looks like you 2 are still having an amazing time the fire looked well scarey glad you 2 where ok I paid £3 today to park on the barbican just thought you should know that ha ha and it was only for 2 hours how bad is that , Isla was 4 today she had a little party at jump then the clay art shop on the barbican she loved it ,Plymouth Argyle drew today although Rob said they should have won as they was all over the opponents still funny old game is football as you well know , well I must go as I am at work and as you know I have an important job saving lifes one way or another OH forgot to say went to see James Blunt last night at the Pavilions he was great very good entertainer thats enough news will blog you soon take care of each other and be happy love from Marion n PA PA Roch xxxxxxxx
Wellington & and the Kings Gig Hey traveling friends.
Firstly, the year long travelling tans are clearly well established now and I think that is quite enough!!! You are making me very jealous as my Wispy Styler tan cannot keep up!!!!! ha ha ha!!!! loving the blog. So sorry i haven't left a comment for ages. I have been reading the blog but just putting my efforts into Uni work and emails etc. I will make more of an effort from now on.
Alzo the van looks like a hero! Mart the photography is coming on really nicely, Alzo looks great in the sun set. The pics from the Kings of Leon gig look great, any crowd surfing Soph? Mart? The fire looks big. U must have s**t it thinking it may come over to u guys only 200 metres away and all! Wellington sounds and looks gorgeous. The mountain looks awesome. So the South Island beckons with Whale watching and Lord of the Rings scenery. Keep enjoying guys and I look forward to the next update from NZ South Island. Loving your blog work. Missing you. Love Housey x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
That was Wellington. Hi you two, your trip to Wellington and your stay there looks lovely.The pictures are very good.Although the fire in the abandoned house must have been very scairey for everyone who saw it.At least it was kept under controll and extinguished evenually,like you said with all the very dry weather of late it could have been a lot worse.These thoughts must come into your minds too.The views of Wellingon looked great nice bright and clean, just like the rest of N.Z.You are well on your way around South Island by now it looks like it will be very mountainous with lots of lakes and rivers to discover.Enjoy all that lovely scenery and take lots of photos as we do enjoy sharing your adventures.Another very wet weekend is forcast for all of England as if we havent had enough rain already,your definatley in the right place at the moment, what some of us would give to be in your shoes.We are all missing the sunshine, and everyone seems to be planning holidays of some discription to cheer ourselves up.Everyone is fine home here except for the odd heavy cold which seems to be doing the rounds in every household at the moment.Keep well and drive carefully, speak to you soon.Lots of Love mum xxxxxxxxxx
Hi Guys! Hay both. Sorry we haven't left a message for a while but moving takes a lot of your time up as you will know, moving Trudie's things in and all. Hope your both well, the pics all look amazing, love mart's artistic sunshine through the van shot, looks great mate. Hope you both had a great Christmas and new year although it seems like that was ages ago already, where does the time go! We're all really well, well sort of, nat and I have both got the dreaded lergie, which is okay but we can't shake the bugger off. Moving out is fantastic! The house is coming on really well, we've got Denise's Dave coming round to fit the alarm today and then we're all done - finally can sit back and relax! I'll get Nat to send over some pics soon so you can see what we have done, but we love it, apart from all those bills but hay, well worth it! Anyway dude's enjoy the south island sounds like it will be beautiful. Love the work and love you guys, take care, Chris and Nat x x x x x x
Hey guys, glad your still enjoying yourselves. Good going on the shooting Sophie, looks like fun. Brand new year and lots getting planned. Some of us are going to London in May for Nat Pooks Hen Party so planning that, also of course not like i'd have to remind you but my birthday is coming up soon (well 3 months) and i'm thinking hard about what i might like to do for the 26th! (how old!!!!) Thanks for the emails Sophie, its great to get them as i have been a little slack at checking the blog recently and so your emails give me a prompt to check it.
Enjoy your time in the south island and post us some pics soon.
Take Care Love Claire and Phil
new year continued with girl flu not as bad as man flu of course they are going back tomorrow off for awalk around rainham marshes not as spectacular views as north island but you can see the m25 from there all our love as always speak again soon fuaxxx
happy new year happy new year from windy and wet hornchurch.new zealand looks lovely and you really arehaving a great time.grandma grandad and sharon are with us at the moment having brought with them the pressies we couldnt fit in the car when we came back after boxing day.we had alovely time in plymouth it made a nice change and millie and bill enjoyedit too. we went argyle with dad and grandad and it was very exciting with argyle scoring the winner in time added on.new years eve millie went back to uni she works in a pub part time and was there new years eve and day. bill went to a mates party while jackie and i went round jacks dad for a chinese and saw the new tear in together how romantic.we are all keeping well bills back too school still plays for nis footy teamand got aps3 for xmas so its fifa08 each night on our tellyat the moment. having said that sharon poorly ahh lying on our sofa
Happy New Year Hello travellers, Happy new year to you both. Hope you enjoyed Christmas and new year, Bet it was totally different but lovely at the same time im sure. Thanks, i had a good Birthday, The usual night out, Few blank memories!! Was wierd that you were not a Princess Yachts Xmas doo, As always Me and John didnt win in the raffle but how embarrassing when i thought they called out my number... '37' so i was up the front cheering saying thats me thats me then they re-anounced it was actually number 137!! John had already realized so was hiding away so it didnt look like he was with me. What a fool! Feel bad not to have writted on your blog since you first left but we have been looking and enjoy reading through and looking at the lovely, some crazy photos you have taken. You are both looking really well anyway, nice tans and smiley faces. Take care of yourselves and we will write soon. Lots of Love Kerry and John XX
Happy New Year! Just to let you know Sophie that the original (and best) members of the Recruitment Team have been following your adventures and we often talk about what you've been up to. We're very impressed and pretty jealous! We send you all best wishes for the New Year and hope that the trip continues to be as brilliant as it obviously has been so far. Take good care of yourself.
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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Laura
non-member comment
Wow!!!
Your last blog updates are unbelievable and I mean that. It has sent shivers up me and all what you are seeing is what I want to do. I have got to get myself to New Zealand and I am going home to tell Eric tonight. He won't need persuading!! Guys it looks like you are so cosy in your van and having the time of your lives and actually just seems like you guys are completely settled with the way of life. I know you are half way but look at how much you have done in half your journey and keep going for it. Sea lions on the beach, WOW!!!!!!!!! Love you guys and miss you loads. Mexxxxxxxxx