Wot no pictures? Great to hear that you are still in the land of the living but it would be even better to see where you are talking about or do we have to wait until you get back to Blighty?
Keep on runnin'.
X Sue
WOW Greetings from the ICT suite!!!!!!!!!! We have just scanned through your latest blog....come on, when is the next one?? It's nearly April!! So where are you at the moment? We like the sunset photographs, lovely :) The boys are wondering who your 'friend from Wellington' is......? Ben's hair is getting curlier by the minute, we will have to show you on Skype! We have just finished a literacy lesson on The Simpsons, writing a playscript linked to a youtube clip. They have done a good job. We like your poses at the summit. Aimee says that you should not be having hangovers! Tut tut! Speak soon on Skype....the children have lots to tell you (about their new schools in September!!!)
BYE!!!! X
NZ Matt where is the blog where you went with your parents We loved meeting up with you both hope Michael is not bringing you down to his state of disorganization
all the best for the rest of your trip
Madeline
Greetings from the Pickards! hi it's harry pickard from randlay (last year) pics look awsome. I wish i was in new zealand!!! glad your having a good time, keep posting the great pics!!!
from harry, jack and tom
michele@lochrin.com Matt. Really enjoyed your latest instalment to your blog.
Happy days no doubt. Better you than me...............!
Keep up the good blogs....... I love them.
Best of luck,
Peg.
Greetings Not a comment on the blog but a 'hope you are all OK' message in light of the terrible earthquake in Christchurch. I can't think of another way of saying that we're all thinking of you and hoping that you are a long way away from all the tragedy.
Lots of love
Sue X
magical place Hi Matt
Love the latest instalment - sounds like you had a Christmas to remember. Love your account of the hang gliding, I imagine you will be repeating it soon, but maybe not in such a hungover state! What an action man you are- climbing, hang gliding, kayaking...wow! Like the sound of hangi - seen Ray Mears on tv do similar, seems like many cultures have a similar type of cooking, bet it tasted great! Look forward to the next instalment. xxx
Next Thursday's dinner! And YOU were the one who kept asking "what's for tea" ?
Now safely back home we're riding the rollercoaster of jet lag and looking forward to telling all about what we've seen.
Hope Mike's parents have such a good time. XX
Pining for the fiords. I am so jealous. You bring back alot of memories and also hint at things that weren't there when I was thi..rt..y years ago... Monty Python was the comedy of the moment and I recollect a very long car ride to the conversation of dead parrots, aardvarks and other silly things. I did get to the top of the cable car but there was certainly no hang gliding - it sounds wonderful. Enjoy the bar work - everyone should do it at some time in their life and give my love to your mum and dad when you next see them.
Love
Sue
Christmas Greetings On reading this at 7am on the first day of the holiday? I am prompted to write that I am so pleased that you carried out your plans to travel to NZ. It's obvious that you are having a wonderful time and meeting some great people. Well done you!!!! I'm pleased to be able to send you best wishes for a fantastic Christmas, especially as I haven't quite got round to sending them to your mum and dad yet but... that is a job for this weekend. Take care of yourself and think of us in the freezing north. Peter was out snowboarding in Bangor, north Wales yesterday in 30cm of snow. He's worried that he won't get home but I'm sure that he will. We had a week off school last week with an average 20cm of snow and freezing temperatures but that's all gone and there's only a sprinkling today. More is forecast and we've still got the minus temperatures which make getting around very tricky. We are however having a traditional 'white' Christmas. I wonder how the bookies have fared? Got to go now - the teapot is calling. Have a good one no matter where you are.
Love Sue, Nigel, Peter, Dvid and Megan XX
Do I have to think of a title? Hey Matt, I've just managed to catch up on your blog, its great and v. well written! It sounds really amazing and sort of awful all at the same time, don't fancy the required pitching of tent in car park much!! The Randlay children are loving reading about you and your school experiences, can't believe we break up for xmas on Friday this term has flown by. Ready for the rest though, the KS1 production of 'The Smelly Sprout' took all I had to give emotionally! ha ha. Missed you at the disco! Enjoy yourself buddy, take care! Kirst. xx
re NZ I have truely enjoyed reading your blogs and feel i know the country before going there We are finalizing our plans and shall be in picton on the 22nd Feb to pick up camper van and head south have a great Xmas in Queenstown with Mike
AT LAST Great to read that you're teaching & broadening your repetoire. Your desciption of 6ft Maori boys made me LOL. Absolutely loved the desciption & photos of your little treck!!
We're off on our trip to Lanzarote soon. Expect we'll explore the volcanic landscape BUT it won't be extreme hiking!
Enjoy South Island.
your travel blog is good reading Hi Mathew , your travel blog is such good reading , keep going even though you are not traveling distances at this point . All good here , not as much fun as you are having.
Mountain bagger Oi, Less of the smart photography sonny boy! Have you thought of trying a 'haka' next time you walk in to a class of 6 foot Maori kids? Either you establish authority/respect instantly Kiwi style, or, much more likely, a very tricky situation develops involving several large bodies piled on top of one smaller body - mmm better not eh!
Unbelievable! This is the young man who, when a boy, could only endure hill walking if accompanied by a football and a dad prepared to pass/throw it to him throughout the walk or if he could spend the WHOLE walk planning the party for his next birthday (10 months away!). And now he's metamorphosed in to a proper mountain bagger! (Is that how you spell 'bagger' or should there be a 'u' in there somewhere?). Up t'Owls.
Dad
x
What a great travelogue Matt, we are eagerly awaiting the next chapter. Its as good as a Bill Bryson book, are you going to publish or just use it as Geography lessons for the next 10 years. atb Barry.
At least a level 5! It's good to see you're back in the classroom - your writing has developed those tell tale signs of 'what makes a good story'. But humour aside it's good to know that the Kiwis are benefitting from your teaching Having done similar in the UK with similar age groups it can be quite scary. You really have to put the right head on every day. But glad to hear that your intrepid explorer activities are not losing out with the 'earning an honest crust' Hang on in there.
Love
Sue
Yo hey Matt,
I bet you were loving teaching people who were bigger than you!!! Ha ha, i bet yo unever thought that would happen when training to be a primary school teacher!
Once again a superb blog, you talking about your walking reminded me of our adventures, particulary Snowdon!!
Glad you have settled in and have found some routine,
Speak to you soon
Ed
Ps, I'm gonna try and get a skype thing, i'll let you know when i have.
Hello You Hiya Matt, enjoying reading your blogs and looking at your photos. OMG can't imagine what it must be like to be teaching four different age groupsat one time. You seem to be having the time of your life. Kirsty is really missing having chats and giggles with you. KS1 xmas performance this year is called THe Smelly Sprout!!!! MMMMMM! I wonder where that idea came from? LOL. Take care LV Dawn.xx
WELL DONE YOU! Hey Matt,
First of all, well done on your HUGE trek!!! We have just been talking about Ben Nevis in class, as we have been comparing UK with USA (so as you can imagine, I am in my element with the theme work at the mo!!)
Glad to hear teaching is going well and that you have experienced a wide range of year groups....6ft 13 yr olds though? SCARY!!!! HA HA!
Talking about 6ft boys, Zac is getting there!!! I heard him chatting to his table the other day, and he still really misses you! Bless him.
The kids are doing fine anyway, will show them this blog next week. They really did love reading about the sumo wrestling!!!
Loving the photos as well :o)
Hope you enjoy the rest of the term....I am SO on countdown to 17th Dec! We're having another Christmas curry at Cafe Saffron, yippee! We'll miss you there though. Take care, Jo x x
G'day mate (sorry is that an Auz term?) Matt,
Great to hear the trip is going good - some great photos (Mikes cottage is is postcard picturesque!!).
Just split up for half term now - and my first weekend of no gigs (quite nice to actually have a weekend off and chill out!!). Anyway, talking of music, If you have time take a look at my website www.joeseager-acoustic.com (maybe I can spead my wings to NZ!!). Anyway - my attempt at international promotion!!lol! Let me know on your thoughts......remember only positive comments are allowed!! lol!
Anyway, mate stay safe, good luck with finding a teaching job!!
Up the hammers!!
SEGA
BTW - Rooney is staying at United after much speculation. Sources are saying the deals worth £65 Million!!!
Useful Sheffield Wednesday Hyperlinks!! (As know your interest has dwindled since your travels ......mmmm...I better watch what I say lol!!)
http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/LeagueTable/0,,10304,00.html
http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10304,00.html Hyperlink to fixtures & Results.
Hello Matthew At long last Michael and I send our love and best wishes . Have read all your blog . Resisting cutie pie and cool comments as I am the oldie generation !! Am following , mostly via your Mum all your exploits but wish you all the best for work in the schools . It must be lovely summer with you now . Hope you are not missing England at all. Wayne Rooney is about to leave Man .U . Chancellor has proposed massive spending cuts but education is spared . Chloe /Sarah etc and Moi /Michael are down to Devon this w/end for 2 nights . Sophie and all are ok . The hot spot of the week is Anne Widdecoombe on Strictly Come Dancing .Very brave elephant she is ! Much love Jane (aunt )
I am a 25 year old teacher, taking in a trip around the world to China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and then who knows?!House cleared, goodbye hugs given and a strangely light bag is packed.....I guess it's time to start the adventure then!... full info
Sue morgan
non-member comment
Wot no pictures?
Great to hear that you are still in the land of the living but it would be even better to see where you are talking about or do we have to wait until you get back to Blighty? Keep on runnin'. X Sue