Aarghh... Well, needless to say I envy you BIG time, but it's good to see you guys beaming.... even the koala is all subdued (can you bring it back?).
Bon, see you on 2nd, big big hugs!!!
Nxx
Amazing It's great reading your blog, especially when the rain's pouring down out side! I love the picture of you with the koala. You'll have to buy a stuffed one. Shame no one took a picture of you on that wave, Mark. You both look really well, enjoying all your adventures. Life will seem very tame in Manchester. Take care of each other, looking forward to the next episode.
Mum and Dad. xx
jealous! This update has made me most jealous out of all of your updates! Probably cos I was in that part of the world a couple of months ago and I can really relate to it. Barrier Reef sounds good - as you know I'm into my scuba. I did 3 half hour dives to about 10 metres but it sounds like you've still managed to see loads of stuff just snorkelling. Sounds like you've got the bug too! We've just had a weekend away in the Lakes, last chance on our own before Xmas and the new arrival. 5 weeks to the due date now! The rain here has been mental. There's been loads of flooding in the Lakes the last couple of weeks but the bit we were in was ok. Caz has now only got 3 weeks left at work and most of that she's working from home, and then it's over a year off! She really can't wait. Anyway, I'm off to hopefully see Arsenal get something off Chelsea after just being disappointed with your poor display against Liverpool. Never mind mate, you might make top half if you're lucky! Enjoy Singapore and Thailand and hopefully you'll be back to wet the baby's head. By the way, what's your new mobile number? Have you got one? And good I need some games of squash, I've done no exercise since you left!!! Nightmare! Take it easy. Pilko.
YES its still raining here Enjoying following your journey - and all the photographs. Chris is a shade of green - and that's from thinking about the river trips too. Loved hearing about the cold weather... but the scenery sounds tremendous, especially New Zealand. Penguins in Australia? Don't they get eaten by the crocodiles? But how lovely to see them. Your mum told me about a certain incident when you saw the whales - glad Mark saw them, but say no more!
All well at this end, usual colds and sniffles. Enjoying a late Indian summer at the moment, or were until today. Monsoon rains have started. Manchester, we love you!
Take care, both of you, and don't eat too many Macdonalds,
Love, Chris and Margaret. XX
Hey You Guys! Hey you too, great to finally get in touch! We didnt realise you were sending us these blogs but I just got onto them and theyre great! How are you and were are you now?! Looks like you had an amazing time in NZ after fiji, sorry to hear you didnt make it to Milford Sound :( We´re in Peru and just just got back froma trek to machu picchu, loved it up there but sooo many midges!!!
Just facebooked you both too, glad we found you!
Hope its all good and keep sending us the blogs! Let us know where you are for any more advice we can send you (and vice versa!)!
Rich and Lou
Re new Zealand Hi Christine and Mark, Thanks for all your blogs and messages. What a wonderful adventure you're having . You'll be incredibly fit when you come home. Makes Dad's and my walk along the cliffs at Cornwall a little stroll. I can't believe you're doing all these amazing things, Christine! So proud of you. You both look really well and the pictures are great. Looking forward to the next chapter as you fly to Australia. How quickly the time's gone. Love to you both, keep on taking care of each other.
Love Mum and Dad. xx
South Island Hi you two
Thanks for the Blog - It was great talking to you Mark the other day - you sounded so well and happy. South Island looks glorious - I am quite green with envy!
Love to you both.
Take care and enjoy your flight to Australia.
Love as always Mum (A) xxxxxxx
Face fungus Marky Mark, glad to see the beard is still there - I was expecting more of a David Bellamy by now!? You two look to be having an awesome time, bringing back fond memories of Welly and Rotorua (the smell may make you recall the Bolivian van experience!). Make sure you check out the Monteith's brewery in Greymouth, one of the glaciers, Wanaka and of course Queenstown. Throw yourself off something high and give yourself a reason to party!
What next??? Skydiving? Bungee-jumping? Mountaineering? Travelling by bus? What next? Makes our holiday walking in the Cotswolds look a bit tame.
Glad to hear you are both enjoying yourselves so much - really looking forward to seeing the photos, so take plemty!
Love to you both,
Chris and Margaret.
Wow! looks like you're both having a fantastic time! the views look amazing. The spa sounded great, not sure about the smell though!!! probably smells a bit like stockport sewage works i imagine?? Well done on the sky dive, you're both very brave!! enjoy the rest of your trip.
Christine and floella xx
Hi Mark and Christine
great to hear from you- You have seen some wonderful sights and done some exciting things and you both look so well. I like the beard Mark and your tan suits you Christine.
I tried to send a private message but not sure whether it went OK
Will send an email to mARK
Looking forward to the next instalment - Give my regards to Emma when you get to Nelson.
Love to you both
Mum A xxxxxxxxxxx
Sounds awesome again. Even more jealous now.
Apples - what is that bloody fuzz on your face?!?! I suppose you're in the right country for an old hobbit impression.
laters......
you tightarses!!!!! Hey up dudes!
There's a real theme going through your blog and that's all about the cash! Apples you got a right royal payoff from the Coop, treat the lady properly!!!! Although there's nowt wrong with a tight woman ;-)
Anyway, it all sounds pretty good and similar to our trip to California. We stayed right by the walk of fame, and yeah you're right, it's not the best area. And we also did the cheesey tour including all the famous people's houses. Except when we did ours, we saw Michael Jackson's house before he died!
I've had a right busy few weeks. Me Caz and Amelia had 4 days in Portugal at the end of August. Janet and Dom and one of his kids were there too so the kids were occupied. Had a really good time, just too short. Got back for the 20 week scan, and looks like it's another girl!!!!
Then I flew out to Australia with work. Had the most amazing week. The place we were staying was beautiful, had its own private beach. After 5 days doing all the work stuff I had a day's scuba on the barrier reef. Did 3 dives which was awesome. Forgotten just how much I love it. Then did 24 hours in Sydney. Got really lucky with the weather and also some amazing pictures of the sunset through the harbour bridge. Also got up at 6am to see the sunrise over the Opera House which was pretty special. And then just walked miles before heading home. Landed in Manchester 10am and was at my desk for 12!!!!!
And now back to reality and I'm sat at my desk wishing I was somewhere else.
Anyway I suppose I better do some work. Keep the updates coming, I'll email again at some point.
Oh yeah, I'm guessing about now you're on the verge of splitting up or you're about to pop the question! I reckon it's pop the question, and if it's not happened yet, it will do soon! Or maybe you had a quickie in las Vegas? And I don't mean your usual performance between the sheets boom, boom!!!! Sorry mate, couldn't resist embarrassing you, or maybe you can hide this from your lovely missus!
Right, that's it, keep enjoying it and will be in touch.
Pilko.
Have a great time! Hello Christine and Mark!
Lord, you two seem to be having a good time. Sorry about the delay posting but its been very busy in London village! Well, as I write this, Nicolas is on the sofa bed with his leg in a cast after having his operation - its not as bad as I feared and he's behaving well so thats all good! We had a great time in Provence and didn't get sunburned (for once) though it was 40 degrees! Not comparable to your adventures though!
All is well here and the family are fine. We're actually watching a David A documentary about New Zealand now so to say we are jealous is something of an understatement! I'm well proud of both of you and am so pleased it's going so well!
Don't forget to keep the blog posts coming and keep us informed of all your adventures !
Love always,
Martyn
x
Love the blog Sounds like you are having a great time - we are both a deep shade of green!
Enjoying reading about your adventures. It is still raining here - I bet you are missing the weather, and can't wait to put up an umbrella.
Love,
Chris and Margaret.
Fiji Bitter Hongi,
Sounds like you are having a top time so far with Fiji being a bit more laid back than the US. Did your volleyball skills improve whilst in Fiji? (I know you are into spiking Yardo) Did you have a go at the Kava?
Me and Patti made it to Nabua lodge and I recall one of them saying that I was the most visibly attractive man that they had ever seen on the island, so I'm guessing that honour still stands now you have left for New Zealand!
The cricket was good and we got some good weather in London so had a bbq and few drinks whilst watching it, which was nice (been watching repeats of the Fast Show recently).
I went to Everton on Sunday (proper fan) and was buzzing afterwards, I think a last minute goal winning goal always papers over the cracks, but to be fair in the second half we battered them and their were some good performances, Saha, Fellaini and Rodwell being the pick, which was nice.
Back in work after bank holiday today, so definitely hanging downwards at the moment.
Have a great time in New Zealand and make sure that parachute is well packed and bunji rope is nice and tight.
Take it easy.
Oz
Unbelievable Can that be right? Christine in shorts? America is certainly having an effect! Aunty Margaret says you look great - keep it up!
Yes, we are jealous, it's been raining ever since you left. It stopped briefly this morning and then made up for it. But never mind, United won at the weekend. And the Ashes are ours - please tell the Australians they need to give us a proper game next time, and not roll over and die.
Lovely to hear all your news, and that you are both enjoying yourselves,
Love Chris and Margaret.
Hi Mark and Christine,
Great to hear from you. Glad you are enjoying yourslves. It doesn't seem possible youve been gone for two weeks already. Everyone is well here. Dick is due back from Cyprus today. Missing you loads. Looking forward to your next message. Take care. Love to you both.
Love Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Alcatraz! I know the prison is closed now but I thought they'd keep you in at least one night Apples!!!! (I thought I'd get that in before anyone else) Glad to hear you're enjoying yourselves. I'm also surprised you didn't go on the tables. You did say to me you were going to put all your spends on black didn't you? All the best and keep us posted.
Si.
PS. There is something wrong with football on Merseyside at the mo. Still the upside is that at least Everton and Liverpool will be up for a title challenge next year in the championship.
A week already! Hello Apples and Jarvo :-) Sounds like a kids TV programme, a quality one obviously.
So when are we gonna get our first update then? Hope you're having a fantastic time.
We thought about sending you a text but got your San Fran postcard today (cheers!) so thought we'd leave it as it's only been a week,
Guessing you'll be drunkenly married and heavily in debt by now in Las Vegas,
Take Care, Dave x
Have a Good One Nice pic...like siamese!! Have a great time both - sorry I couldnt spend much time out on friday night. Louise passes on her regards too. Take care and dont burn all the funds on the poker table in vegas!!
Heading off on our travels round America, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand and thought you might want to be kept informed with our adventures!... full info
CheekyFrog
non-member comment
Aarghh...
Well, needless to say I envy you BIG time, but it's good to see you guys beaming.... even the koala is all subdued (can you bring it back?). Bon, see you on 2nd, big big hugs!!! Nxx