woe are we As ever, it sounds like you're having a wonderful time out there as we approach sub zero temperatures back in Blighty. Out of interest can you tell me how much a Starbucks over there is in sterling?
Tomorrow Mum, James and I set of to see the rest of the clan at Lindsay and John's new home. Wendy found a monkey doormat whilst she was down with me last weekend. Not sure if it will go with period Victorian features but it will just have to be a nod to tastes and Lindsay's bizzare (note correct spelling) tastes. Wish you could be there with us as it's been an age since we were all together, sure you're happier where you are though. I will endevour to take some suitable pictures to forward to you assuming your e-mail account is working. I predict scenes of the Mums eating, drinking, talking and never both looking at the camera simultaneously. A debauched night somewhere in Portsmouth. And if you're really lucky, a picture of Lindsay with a plaster on her forehead, do you remember that? Hello to James, I realise we've never met but I'm sure on your return we will.
Andrew xxx
Alexa's Klute reference Alas poor Alexa Klute no longer accepts Durham residents. One has to had a valid student card to get in. Even more tragic news, since the opening of "Loveshack" - please don't even get me started on the place, Walkabout has become some sort of haven for rogues with lots of rave music. I am still recovering after an innocent trip there last night.
Poor Joanna and her tooth, good plan with the white Russians though. Shall bare that in mind for the future. I've just got back from a hennight in Dublin. Ridiculously expensive- was it that much when we went there? Although I did have hazy memories of most of teh pubs we went into.
Back to school tomorrow for an 8 week half term not good. Think of me on your travels, Jordan was going to his Dads to watch the exorcist last week and will more than likely reinact (re-inact? reenact? how is that spelt!!!) many scenes
Poor Tooth You poor thing !!
Glad it is getting better though. Hope it is now sorted for the rest of the trip.
Leeds 2 - Other team 0
Hull 0 - SUNDERLAND 1 Goal in last minute, then scorer sent off for celebrating in the crowd.
Mam finished her marathon in 5hrs 10 mins , even with a gammy knee in last 4 miles.
Wowee! Hey Joanna (and James!). Looks like you're having a super fantastic time! Korea's beaches leave something to be desired compared to Thailand tho the people passed out on the beach does sound familiar...the tramps here really know how to party!Have been keeping an eye on your blog- gonna use it for travel tips after my year here is up so thank you! I have to admit I've followed in your footsteps, have a blog on Travelblog too- search Alexa Morton or Midget and I should come up- keep having fun and staying safe and I'll see you in Klute Christmas 2007!
Hello!! Well done both of you on your scuba expertise, yet again the pictures look amazing.
Very quick update harvest went fantastic - to quote one critic (ok a parent but I can dream) "That's the best harvest festival I've ever seen, the children really looked as if they were enjoying themselves." I shall be ruling the world by the time you make it home with my fandabydosy harvest festival/vegetable dance routine.
Seems your dad has filled you in on football scores with the exception of the Conroy league, where Castleside have won 4 out of their 5 matches. Beating Burnhope 5-0!!!
green with envy reading latest adventures inspired envy and admiration inequal measure! Our e-mail does not seem to be working so other message is - orange still semm to be debiting joanna's account,please contact me. looking forward to seeing Andrew this weekend ans news today of poss get together at Portsmouth on 4/5 Nov. Keep searching for that perfect beach! love from me and Barney (just stayed for weekend)X
sorry andrew sorry andrew, i accept my smacked wrist!!everything is written is a bit of a blur in email cafes so that's my excuse!my sore tooth must be karma for having too much fun.dentists are even more depressing in thailand when everyone else is getting massages and sunning themselves! hope brighton gets cheerier now xmas is getting nearer!no xmas decorations yet? xxxx
hello sorry my emails don't seem to be getting through. i got an undeliverable message from you the other day too - you don't have a virus or anything do you, hotmail seems to be working? i will keep checking this site so that we can comunicate!yeah we can dive anywhere now, although not sure i will as just spent two days at dentist getting sore tooth sorted as it got worse after dive...woe is me!too much pressure down in the sea. got to say i'm not having much luck this holiday, but still having fun. had to come to koh samui to go to dentist...ick! its making us wish we were back on koh tao! only a week to go on thai visa no. 2 so we are reading up on malaysia for next week! re. searcing for paradise nothing needed to be added really, sometimes you just wish you could take the restaurants from some beaches to the next beach as they are so yum! xxxx
spelling Having foolishly not proof read my comment I did not notice the singular r and double p mistakes. As you read these before they are posted for others to see, could you please ensure that any future mistakes are corrected on my behalf, or did you miss them yourself? Raining here, bored to tears at work as the place is like the Marie Celeste.
Love Andrew (still) Bitterdike
Things Sunderland lost 2-1 A to Stoke midweek, but beat Barnsley 2-0 H ton Saturday, so are now hovering just above the relegation zone. Poor old Leeds have lost the last four, have no manager and Luton put 5 past them. Oh, dear.
Well, that's the bad news out of the way, so how are you two clever divers spending the time now? I think you are very brave, as you know how uncomfortable I am in the water. Does it now mean you are allowed to go diving by yourself anywhere and any time?
The view from your beach hut looks idyllic (sp), and if you are still searching for paradise......... what needs to be added?
We are probably going to Lindsay's in early Nov, so we are busy collecting all her stuff to take to her new house. She still seems to be enjoying it, but is eating from knees, so the table is a must.
All for now, let us know about e-mails.
everyone turns into their mother Glad to get an up date on your travels and pleased to hear there was no unfortunate stingray incident. I assume you heard about Steve Irwin, James went to a fancy dress party as him shortly after. Not necessarily tasteful but certainly head turning. I have come to the conclusion that TravelBlog is the work of the Devil as it only serves to point out how dull and uneventful life back home is. So in retaliation I would like to point that on the third picture you have adopted a typical "Mums" pose; food in one hand with bizare gesturing and the classic eyes closed for the camera. Appologies to Wendy and Mum if she ever sees this but you both know what I mean, something of a Harris sister trait. Good luck with future travels and please feel free to report all bad weather, animal attacks, loss of luggage and any tropical diseases you may contract. Love Andrew Bitterdike. xxx
It gets worse! We lost 4-1 to Preston on Saturday and I'm now half way to 50 and running the school's all singing all dancing harvest extravaganza, what happened to talking about fruit and veg???
Well done Joanna's mum on best female athlete!
Thank you for my birthday present, how you managed to post the zimmer frame I really dont know!!
Sarahxx
dead or alive? Where are you? Do you not realise I live vicariously through your blog? E-mail was nice hope you got my reply. Going to make your mum ride in a tuk tuk with her friend. How I lament the passing of the Burberry tuk, it's name was actually Chav. xx
Hello Hi guys. Sounds like you are having an awesome time. Sorry I haven't been in contact but sadly boring old life goes on in Leeds. No real exciting news from over here. Went to the Armouries the other day with Alon's nephew. Bet you are missing it soo much! I'm going to Germany in 3 weeks which is the most travel I can pack in. But it should be fun. Anyway, keep entertaining me with your excellent stories. Missing you lots. Ali xxx
It's RAINING Looks fantastic, especially the tree with roots creeping over the edge of the temple- very creepy if you ask me.
climbing the main temple looks very daunting, but two young folks like you should have found it a doddle.
yes, the POWs had a hard time of it , no wonder so many of them found it hard to forgive the Japanese after the war.
our news.
mam has won best female athlete at The Striders. As usual she is talking herself down, but I am not in the least surpised that she won. She deserves it.
Sunderland lost 3-1 away to Ipswich but beat Shef Wed 1-0 at home and are comfortably settled in mid table.
Leeds are at the bottom and managerless so sorry James.
more later .
Enjoy the roads and seaside.
hello mum and dad and linds and everyone else!! hi hopefully we will be able to get more pics up soon when get fast connections. internet is cheap as about 40-50p an hour except here in bangkok where more. glad cardiff is fun, hope weather has been too. hotmail is down at mo so we can't send emails, but we are fine, in bangkok but leave tomorrow to go to bridge over river kwai (!) we were very confsed by all the soldiers when we arrived yesterday though - we thought it was for a ceremony. so out of the loop, only found out today!!love to everyone from both of us! xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
eek! Glad the close encounter ended with a win! Pics very good.Hope you are still able to go to planned places despite the coup. Your blog is very informative - keep it up. Does internet access cost a lot there? There are not many places here in Cardiff - and none at all down at the bay. However we did see the Senate in action yest. in it's brilliant new building - will attach pic at home. Take care, Rowells XXXXXXXXx
re. burberry tuk tuks hi andrew
got your email, thanks! so sad about the tuk tuk i was looking forward to it when i got back, some of them out here are like mobile discos though with their flashy lights so that will have to suffice for now! they also all have stickers advertising gun clubs which i'm not sure you get in brighton???! hope things are good in brighton and the weather is fair. lots of love jo xx
Love the slippers! Hiya, just logged on and seen your site. Didnt realise you were blogging so frequently! Pictures look great, i'm dead jealous :)
Didnt think you would have much time to write so much!! Liked the toilet slippers pic although I am not suprised with Joanna's love of cute/strange/odd things!! I am expecting more!! Please don't disappoint! Hope you are having an amazing time. Keep us updated. Loadsa love
Gilliano xx
Burberry Banished If you received my mail this will make sense. The Burberry laywers have forced the tuc tuc off the road. Bit of a PR gaff I think. Hope you're both well.
wales is where it's at! We are really enjoying Cardiff. Have walked LOTS - my legs ache, ut it's very scenic. Have walked (and run) over the bridge to the bay 4 times now!
Just done guided tour of Millenium Cente - excellent. Currently in Tourist Office - where else would I be? After finding some lunch shall visit castle this afternoon. Has been greyish but warm here.
Pleased to see inlast photo that my top has come in Handy,
No word re the house yet but L not due back in town til today so may get news.
Mu/am xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hope you are still enjoying yourselves , especially the monkey place.
love the Buddha in the tree, it must have been there a long time for the tree to grow round it.
Where are you going next. We are going for lunch at Weatther spoons.
Bye for now
DAD xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
This is the travelblog of James Thorpe and Joanna Rowell. On 1st September 2006 we set off on a year long adventure.
Our planned itinerary is as follows:
Japan > Thailand > Cambodia > Malaysia > Singapore > Australia > New Zealand > Cook Islands > United States > Canada
Thanks for checking up on us and please add a comment or send us an e-mail we’d love to hear from you!... full info
andrew
non-member comment
woe are we
As ever, it sounds like you're having a wonderful time out there as we approach sub zero temperatures back in Blighty. Out of interest can you tell me how much a Starbucks over there is in sterling? Tomorrow Mum, James and I set of to see the rest of the clan at Lindsay and John's new home. Wendy found a monkey doormat whilst she was down with me last weekend. Not sure if it will go with period Victorian features but it will just have to be a nod to tastes and Lindsay's bizzare (note correct spelling) tastes. Wish you could be there with us as it's been an age since we were all together, sure you're happier where you are though. I will endevour to take some suitable pictures to forward to you assuming your e-mail account is working. I predict scenes of the Mums eating, drinking, talking and never both looking at the camera simultaneously. A debauched night somewhere in Portsmouth. And if you're really lucky, a picture of Lindsay with a plaster on her forehead, do you remember that? Hello to James, I realise we've never met but I'm sure on your return we will. Andrew xxx