Rugby or a rave???

Well we have finally finished the deck and it's looking very nice and inviting. The last couple of days have been busy drilling, cutting, staining and fitting bits of wood but it's all come together now and looks lovely. We have all worked hard on it and Sam looked hilarious in a pair of bright orange workmans overalls, but has got on brilliantly with the drill and has passed his apprenticeship in carpentry.

On an evening we have been really tired and have been going to the RSL for tea. Every town in Oz has an RSL (returned Services something or other) you have to show your passport when you go in and you aren't aloud to wear flip flops but that aside the serve amazing food and it's pretty cheap. We can get a three course meal for $17 (£11 ish)and for Sydney that's pretty good. The RSL's are like social clubs as Sydney doesn't have nearly as many pubs as the UK. After the food we came home last night and Sam was forced to watch the Royal Wedding but actually I think he enjoyed it and it was great to see London in all it's glory.

Today we worked on the deck and then we jumped in the van and headed off to try and catch a Super 14's rugby match which was being played at the stadium in Sydney. First we went and found food and in true traveller style ate it in the front of the van down a side road. Sam munching a KFC and me and Will a Pad Thai, then we drove to the match. It was super busy and all the car parking was full but eventually we found a spot along a side road. Will made us practically run to the stadium which was not fun on a bellyfull of Pad Thai. The road was filled with people and some of them seemed strangely young and drunk to be going to a rugby match but we thought perhaps that's what the young folk in Sydney do of a Saturday. We found the stall selling tickets and ran up to it, 'Do you have any tickets left' asked Will, 'Um yes,' said the girl looking slightly confused, 'Great we'll have three please' said Will desperate to get in, 'are you sure?' asked the girl, eyeing Sam suspiciously. 'Yes, three tickets for the rugby,' shouted Will growing more agitated by the second...'Oh the rugby, that's about 100m up the road. These are tickets for Creamlands.' For those of you who don't know Cream Lands is a huge rave which started in Liverpool and now tours the world. I can't believe we nearly bought tickets for a bloody outdoor rave with Sam. We wandered up the street, past the blue flashing lights and the heavy base, past the young girls with their short skirts and the guys with their day glow sticks and into the welcoming, family friendly atmosphere of the rugby stadium, never have I been so pleased to be at a rugby match.

The game was good (I think) I can't tell you who played, something like the Woolamoos and the Rebels. The Rebels lost. The atmosphere in the stadium was pretty subdued but it was nice to be there and Sam enjoyed himself (although he would have had loads more fun at Creamlands but we may have lost Will for a few days!!) So after a lovely evening we headed home and of course got lost and took in a late night tour of the botanical gardens before we stumbled onto the right road and drove home.

Tomorrow we are going to watch Much Ado About Nothing at the Sydney Opera House as part of Sam's English work as the next topic is Shakespeare. It's a hard life travelling the world at 13.

Picture above Sam at a famous surf spot called Snapper Rocks.

Almost time to wave goodbye...

We are now back in Sydney with Chris. We set off from Corindi a couple of days ago and spent 9 hours driving down to Newcastle. It was Anzac Day (which is like the Aussie remembrance day and where Anzac biscuits come from). Sadly as we were driving we missed 'Two Up' which is a game that is played in the pubs on this day and this day only. It replecates heads or tails which is what the soldiers used to play in the trenches. Basically there are three coins and people place bets on weather when they are flipped it will land with at least two heads or at least two tails. The whole thing is just run on trust and people gamble amongst each other, it sounds like loads of fun, but unfortunately we were all squished into the van singing songs and missed the whole thing.

Eventually we arrived in Newcastle and spent a couple of lovely days (well rainy days actually) but still very nice days with the Vallenders. Highlights included Michelle's amazing cooking - particularly the date pudding with butterscotch sauce and cream!!! Sam couldn't believe that when presented with the dish her kids were just like, 'Oh thanks Mum', Sam thought it was the most amazing pudding he had ever seen (and so well presented it should be served in a restaurant). Yesterday Me and Will went for a bike ride through the bush which was really nice, actually it was really nice when we swapped bikes and I got to ride the cool, speedy one!! Meanwhile Sam had stayed behind with the boys and spent the afternoon building a skate ramp on a derelict patch of land (he also managed to stand on a nail but went to the lady who lived next door (who he had never met) and asked her if she could clean it for him!! Who says travelling isn't good for confidence) Don't worry though he has had his tetanus and it looks fine and only hurts when he stands on it (and I'm not sure that's true as he seemed fine on it when he was riding his skateboard this afternoon).

So we set off this morning for Sydney and we are now back with Chris and Will is planning the next build of our travels, her balcony. So tomorrow we are off to the hardware shop to buy wood and nails and stuff - whoopie!! Hopefully the balcony will be done and dusted by Sunday so he can catch the good swell and meet up with his friend Ferg.

Picture attached of Will and Sam on the scary ride at Wet and Wild.

A day in the life of Sam

Sam has found some good friends here and yesterday morning got up at 7:30 (yes, 7:30) to go out body boarding with his friend Ethan who lives across the road. The beach here is so close and Corindi is so safe that they can walk down by themselves and spend a good hour in the water without us having to worry (the biggest hazard is the brown snakes which live in the sand dunes but lets gloss over that one).

After body boarding he came rushing in to tell us that he was now going to the skate park, 'Don't you want breakfast we asked?' who was this child that had jumped out of bed at the crack of dawn and wasn't demanding food?

'It's fine' he said, rushing out of the door with skateboard under arm, 'we shared some chips earlier.' and so he disappeared to the skate park for a few hours.

It was Ethans Grandads birthday yesterday and we knew they were heading out for lunch so planned to drive to Woolgoolga to pick up some supplies. After the skate park Sam rushed in again, 'they've invited me to go for lunch,' he said excitedly, 'can I go? I told them that I didn't want to impose.' Good word I thought, proud of our progress in English, 'But they said it was fine,' he continued, 'so can I go.' After a hasty change into a clean pair of board shorts and a T-shirt with just a small hole in the side (his smart clothes) he disappeared with a $50 note and instructions to not order the most expensive thing on the menu and we wanted at least $30 change. We know what Sam's like let loose and wouldn't put it past him to order the fillet stake with pepper sauce and a side order of your finest prawns please waiter - but it was ok he just had the ceaser wrap and came home with the correct change.

Meanwhile me and Will went into Woolgoolga and bought Sam his easter egg and a few other bits and pieces. We also wandered around the local market and I managed not to buy anything (not even the beautiful leather belt which had pockets for storing things and would have been very handy). Then we drove to the golf course because Will had seen loads of kangaroos there yesterday. It's brilliant playing golf in Australia. You hire a golf cart and go into the bar and ask for beers. The barman fills up a cool box with beers and ice and off you go for your round of golf. Along the way there are literally hundreds of kangaroos on the course, lying in the sand bunkers, stood around the tees and the holes watching the shots, they are so close you could touch them and if they are in the way you just shoo them to the side. We sat in the club house in the sunshine and watched the golfers negotiating the kangaroos, brilliant. They come to the golf course because the grass is cut regularly and they like to eat the new shoots.

After a couple of beers we drove home and I went across the road to give Sam his anti-biotic. Of course it was John party and so we were invited in for a drink. And so we stayed until about 9:00 chatting, drinking beers and eating a sausage sizzle (lovely). We wandered the short distance across the road home and fell into bed.

Our plan was to leave today but yesterday Sam was showing signs of a cold and this morning has woken up with puffy, red, weepy eyes and a runny nose - he has a proper head cold (not that that will stop him playing with his friends) but we have decided to stay another day to aid his recovery (and because as usual we are crap at leaving). Tomorrow though, we will get up early, pack up the van and head off to Newcastle (I think!!!)

Picture attached of Sam and Mr Mick Fanning, surfing champion extraordinaire (and a man with a lovely chest I think you'll agree)!!

Random stuff

We are now back in Corindi and Sam is having the best day playing with his friends in the street. This morning he got up and went body boarding with them whilst me and Will went for a romantic stroll along the beach (a 13 year old is such a great age to take travelling (apart from the moods) because they are so much more independent and don't need constant supervision) after his body board he came home grabbed a piece of toast and has spent the rest of the afternoon skateboarding in the street and knocking on peoples doors and running away!!! In fact he is having so much fun he even turned down a game of golf. Will has just gone with Mark for a quick game and then this evening we are headed back to the Red Wok for a chinese.

Yesterday was interesting, one of those days where things feel like they are backing up against you. Sam has a sensitive gum so we took him to the dentist. Turns out he must have bumped it a few years ago and has exposed the nerve (something like that) anyway he is on anti-biotics and may have to have root canal (we are keeping our fingers crossed that this won't happen until we get back as it's bloody expensive to have dental treatment out here but we'll have to wait and see). He isn't in any pain at the moment which is good news so he will just need to be extra careful. His ipod also hasn't arrived after 3 weeks!!! A few weeks ago I woke up at 4am with cold sweats thinking the company we sent it to may not be legit and have taken our money and scarpered, I was so worried that I got up at 4am and called Barclaycard to see if they had cleaned us out - but it's ok - the ipod is now on it's way to Sydney so we should have it back soon.

We also now have a plan, we are leaving Corindi on Sunday and heading back to Swan Bay for a few days and then on to Chris where we will build the balcony and then we have a few days with ferg before we fly out to Perth.

I was just looking back through some of our films whilst we have been away - all very funny - and can't believe how much Sam has grown. The Flip has been brilliant (the Flip is a little hand held video camera) and it made me think about other useful items that we have brought with us so I thought I would write about them for any Lonely Planet readers thinking of doing a similar trip.

1)One of the most use items has been the sowing kit (not because I have fixed many clothes - although we have fixed a few) but the pin has been brilliant for removing splinters and we have picked up a few of them as we spent most of our time in NZ barefoot. It's just a little kit that I picked up free in a hotel. Also take tweezers, again, brilliant for the splinters.

2)The medical kit has also been brilliant with easy access to plasters/savlon/mozzie bite

cream/antihistemines and veruca treatment stuff. This is also a neat little travel sized bag which also contains surgical needles and things for more drastic treatments, which we thankfully haven't yet needed.

3)The head torches have been amazing for late night reading (especially in the van) and for power cuts in Central and South America. Have enough head torches for everyone though because otherwise fights break out as to whose turn it is.

4)Sleeping bag sheets. These are silk sleeping bag liners so are very cool to sleep in but meen that you don't have to lie directly on a dodgy looking bed, they also should be big enough to reach over your head if like me you are afraid of bugs and spiders crawling on you in the night. They fold up really small (get different colours for different family members).

5)The computer. We have a Netbook Acer and it has been fantastic for what we want. Which is basically uploading pics, checking internet and updating blog etc. We also watch movies on it on rainy days and the screen is big enough to do this even though it's only about 10 inches. The Netbook doesn't have a disk drive but this has only been a problem because we haven't been able to listen to Sam's French CD (much to his joy!) So far it's been reliable and the battery life is still pretty good.

6)Document folder. I have a small, document folder, a green plastic wallet which is great for filing things such as hotel confirmations, flight details, passport copies, insurance documents and receipts from treatments to claim back on insurance. Basically any important paperwork is kept neatly stored in this little folder (plastic is best because it stops it getting bashed).

7)Our rucksacks are brilliant. They are side loading so you don't have to shove it all in the top and then unpack everything to find something. I would agree with all the other travelling bloggers who say no matter how many clothes you think you will need, half it and then half it again. We don't have much but still have way too many clothes.

8)Guide books (Will disagrees with this) but I think they are amazing for finding the little things along the way that you would otherwise miss. For example in Central America we stayed in a little town called Montezuma. It was pretty touristy and not that great but we checked Lonely Planet book which directed us to a little restaurant on the beach front and here we had one of my favourite meals of the trip. If it hadn't been for the guide book we would have eaten overpriced garbage in a tourist trap instead.

9)Playing cards. Of course this is super important not just for boring waits in bus stations/airports etc but also good for nights out as people join in and it's a good way to meet new friends. Also a good way to occupy a bored child. Variations of card games are also useful and one of our favourites has been the Monopoly card game.

And that's about it. Make sure it's all travel sized and packs neatly away and you're laughing. We travel with just two backpacks and three day packs (although one is completely filled with school books)...oh and of course we also have the three surf boards, the fishing rod, the skate board and the yoga mat... but they are optional.

Above is an arty picture taken by Sam on the way to Byron...although I look like I'm about to sleep (yes Debs, eyes are closed again!!) and Will's head looks MASSIVE.

Sorry Byron...

Ahem... well I guess I owe Byron Bay a little bit of an apology, perhaps I was a little too hasty to criticise it quite so severely, because as it turns out we have had a brilliant time there (inspite of the rain). So following my little rant the other day we spent a hideous night on a camp site in Byron and lay awake listening to the base from the nearby club, thumping away until 1:00am (which as you can imagine added to my feelings of desperation)....However, the next day we called Will's friend Luke and went round to his house. Luke and Will met in Brazil and he is married to a lovely Brazilian girl called K and they have a gorgeous little boy called Tex who is almost two (and as big as a four year old).

They invited us to stay at their house which is just outside of Byron. This was perfect as it got us away from the hoards of people. It turns out this is the busiest time of year for Byron due to the Easter holidays and the Blues Festival (Bob Dylan is playing there!!!) so as you can imagine there are literally thousands of people in one very small area, however staying outside meant that the claustrophobia lifted. Their house backs onto the ocean and is painted in yellows and blues, very welcoming, very relaxing and way better than the inside of the van. We have spent the last couple of days with them, surfing, chatting and sitting at the beach.

This morning we got up at 6:30 and drove to the Lighthouse in Byron. From here we walked along to the furthest point East to look for wales as it's their migratory season and they can sometimes be seen passing this point. The sun thankfully had decided to shine and although we stayed for about an hour and didn't see any sign of wales, we did see pods and pods of dolphins swimming along and playing in the ocean. It's very relaxing to watch dolphins swim as they have such a fluid, gentle movement...anyway.... eventually we headed back to the house and had a BBQ breakfast with tomatoes, bacon, fresh juice etc...mmmmm. After this we went to the beach and then had a couple of beers in a bar overlooking the ocean.

On the way back to Corindi this afternoon we were chatting about the trip and all agreed that it's the people you meet who really make the trip memorable. We often have a choice, do we want to see everything, in which case it's a whistle stop tour, taking in all the tourist attraction. Or do we want to travel at a steady pace, taking in the occasional tourist attraction and getting to know people. We agreed that for us the latter is definitely better. We will all remember our time in Byron, but now, not because it was crowded and rainy, but because we met up with friends and shared dinner and wine and stories. Once again we spent the journey home singing and chatting and eating McDonalds, but we were all pretty sad to leave so soon.

We also can't believe how quickly the time is going. We have two weeks left on this coast and in that time we have to drive 1,000 km to Sydney (something like that anyway) and stop in and see the lovely Vallanders (hopefully) and Will's friend Ferg, and build Chris her balcony, if she has the materials. Then we fly to Perth for two weeks and then we are off on the final leg of the trip to Indonesia and then before we know it we will be home again. The time is flying by.

Rainy Byron Bay and a touch of claustrophobia...

What can I tell you? We have now left the Gold Coast after an amazing time - Coolengatta was lovely and the boys had lovely surf and beautiful weather. The day before we left we went to 'Wet and Wild' which is a huge water park with the biggest scariest slides you can imagine. Sam's favourite was one which was a plastic tube with a vertical drop. You stood at the top and a trapdoor opened lauching you vertically downwards and with such force that you did a loop the loop. Naturally I sat that one out.

Will's favourite was a surboard type ride which launched you into the air on a horse shoe shaped track - whilst spinning around - it looked horendous... and my favourite was the Tornado.

The three of us sat in a big inflatable ring and you are launched down a dark tunnel into a vertical drop and then up the sides of a horizontal cone before being sucked through the base of a tornado.It was right bloody scary and I screamed my head off - which was actually quite nice - fairground rides are the only time you can officially scream as loudly as your lungs allow. We had a fab time at the water park - got there when it opened and left just as it was closing.

Then we headed down to Byron and this is where things took a turn for the worse. There are a few reasons for this 1) It's pissing down and there is nothing worse than being stuck in the van in the rain...except when combined with 2) It's ram jammed here - seriously it's like a tourist trap - i'm sure once upon a time this was a nice hippy community but now it feels like a place that's trying a bit too hard to recapture it's lost youth (as are many of the people who live here). There's nothing worse than a load of drug addled 40 somethings riding around on skate boards with no shoes. I'm sure when I was 18 I would have thought this was the coolest place, now it just makes me feel claustraphobic and makes me want to cry (or maybe that's the weather!). Anyway I have managed to escape the confines of the van and have found a coffee shop with free wi-fi whilst Will and Sam surf. There are actually loads of coffee shops here which of course would usually mean heaven but all of them are full to bursting because it's the Easter holidays and some stupid Blues Festival is taking place here. Hopefully we will only have to stay one more night and then we can escape to another place where there is space and fresh air and nice walks and room to breathe.

Will and Sam are currently surfing and I have left the van locked up so will have to depart and unlock it for them - but first will have to fight my way through the crowds of people who are also huddled in the coffee shop to escape the rain... So sorry to moan again but I hate the bloody rain. Hopefully a more chipper update next time (but don't hold your breath because it's not meant to brighten up until Weds).

Having a Fanningtastic time...

We are staying at a place called Coollangata just north of Byron Bay where NSW meets the Gold Coast. The beaches here are gorgeous and go on for ever. The sea is crystal clear and across the bay, through the palm trees sits Surfers Paradise a skyline across the ocean, outlined against the clear blue skies. It really is paradise...and even more so because there aren't just good waves for Will, but also good waves for Sam... and friends... and a coffee shop nearby.

Yesterday we spent a lovely day wandering through the town. In the morning we went for a surf and then went to the cafe where Sam did his maths, then as we walked back down to the van we saw Mick Fanning coming out of the sea (for those of you, who don't know like me, Mick Fanning is 2 x world surfing champion) anyway Sam had his picture taken with him and you should have seen his grin it stretched from ear to ear (Sam's not Mick Fannings, I'll put the pic up soon). In the evening we had a Thai and it was nice to eat out again after all that wholesome home cooked food we have been having!!

We have had another lovely day today just relaxing by the beach and Will has a bit of heat stroke he thinks, oh and sore lips, oh and a surfing rash, oh and a broken toe...not that you would know because he never mentions it!!!!! So another night on the campsite here and then off to Surfers Paradise for a couple of nights and a trip to Wet and Wild (think that's what it's called) a big water park near Surfers Paradise with loads of hellish slides.

Also met a guy today who gave us loads of telephone numbers for Indo, a driver, a guy to renew the visas and a cool place to stay...lovely.

Yeeeeehaaaaaw...

Well we're back on the road and have assumed our usual, familar position in a McDonalds Cafe. The world feels right again as we tear down the motorway (well, that's an exaggeration as Will doesn't tear and slow lorries overtake us regularly) Sam and Will throwing punches as we sing Oasis at the top of our lungs. Sam gives the thumbs up to road side workers and we are free free free...

That said it was a wrench to leave the comfort of home, the re-runs of Top Gear and umm The Brady Bunch were unfortunately very appealing. But here we are exploring again all squished uncomfortably into the front of the van and loving it.

We are headed to Byron Bay or maybe beyond. Will has drivers fever and won't stop (except for food) and wants to drive as far as he possibly can - hopefully he will stop soon as there is an awful long way one can go in Australia. The van, is sparkly and clean (apart from the dodgy, smelly cushions)and doesn't smell quite so much of sick. So who knows where we are going to stay tonight, but that's just the way we like it - a little bit of the unknown!! The weather is overcast but even that can't dampen our spirits and I'm looking forward to a sing a long to Simon and Garfunkel for the next leg... 'Iam a Rock I am an iiiiiisland,'

Only a quick update as Will needs to email his friend and I am in a race against a Big Mac!!!

Moving on...

This morning we planned to leave Corindi and head up the coast to Byron. We got up and started to sort all our stuff out ready to leave. Will mowed the lawns and tidied up the tools and the garage. I washed all the sheets, another load of clothes which were hiding from me in the bottom of the suitcase, and cleaned the kitchen, the bedrooms and the bathroom. Sam did his school work online and then me and Sam cleaned out the van. Washed the curtains, Sprayed all the sides and wiped them down and mopped out the floor... and by the time we had finished it was 3:00 and we were starving...and so we had lunch and in true 'us' style, decided that we should stay another night and head off tomorrow morning.

So now we have another evening to relax at the house which is cool because we still have a few bits to sort out online etc. Yesterday turned out to be a really nice day. We went to the curry festival in Woolgoolga. There were lots of stalls selling curry and hundreds of people there. It's odd because curry isn't as big here as it is in the UK so there wasn't much variety. Most of the stalls sold butter chicken and a generic lamb or veg curry with white rice, and that was about it. We queued for 10 mins and had a very disappointing small portion of curry with congealed rice...and we paid about £7 for it!!!

We decided to abandon the festival (but not until Sam went on a fairground ride and ended up sat next to a at kid who looked like he was going to puke all over him...brilliant) than we headed to the beach with Mark and Trilby for a surf. Later on Mark and Trilby came over for pizza and Sam was invited to a BBQ at his friends house. We watched the film Australia which was really good (but then anything with Hugh Jackman is amazing).

Picture above is of the completes fence (well one side of it)!!

A bright rainy day

Things are looking up, Sam's demonic mood seems to have lifted and once again we have back, lovely, smiley Sam (who is also a bit more helpful). The teenage hormones are starting to kick in though and spots are starting to appear, not many, just one in his nostril and one on his nose!

Today it's raining but we have had a really nice day. We drove down to Coffs Harbour to all go swimming but when we got there the waves were really good and so Will decided to have a surf. He dropped me and Sam at the pool and we had a great time swimming. Sam was teaching me to front crawl and it all went well except I can't swim in a straight line, I can't keep my right hand flat and when I try to breath I look like a fish gasping for air - I think we can safely say that I didn't glide through the water. Anyway it kept Sam entertained because he was laughing his head off at me (which was brilliant because it echoed all around the pool and I'm sure everyone else was smirking). After the swim we went for a cake and drink in the local cafe and did the cross word in a magazine whilst we waited for Will to arrive.

The fence is now pretty much finished, we just need to fit locks to the gates and so that's a relief. The fence actually looks fab - Will is very very good at making fences! The other news is that I have started writing again (just to shut my parents up) and actually it's quite enjoyable. So i'm aiming for 1,500 words a day, this is not too difficult as long as Sam is not wittering in my ear.

I'm really looking forward to going to Perth and then Indo, it doesn't seem too far away now. We watched Top Gear, Bolivia special last night and it was brilliant. It was good to see them driving over the Andes and dealing with the altitude, driving on the long dangerous windy roads and through the Atacama and to be able to identify with it all. It was especially good for Sam. So onwards and onwards... I leave you with a picture of the jolly fishermen on a much brighter, sunnier day.

Grrrrrrr.....

God, this is moaning post after moaning post but I ask you, how the hell do you get a teenager motivated to do anything? I have tried gentle persuasion, I have tried rational talking, I have tried shouting and I have tried withholding fun things (which got the best response) but seriously it's like banging my head against a brick wall, a really tough, thick brick wall!!

Sam is the master of excuses and his laziness is not a nice quality at all, but it's also a really difficult trait to shift. As a result, the days become a series of battles, Sam doing his best sucking up job to get what he wants and then not doing a thing in return...well perhaps he offered to get a glass of water for someone, or begrudgingly went around to the shop but to him that qualifies him to do bugger all to help for the rest of the day!! Now we all know that Sam has always been lazy but seriously it's exaggerated at the moment.

So aside from Sam being a little S*!% at the moment today was nice. It's mothers day and we finally got out of Corindi and went to Yamba which is a town about 100k up the coast. Yamba has beautiful beaches and really nice little cafes and shops so we had a nice lunch in a cafe and a little walk to the beach and then home. It's funny in Australia because we have the radio on in the van and they play the same songs as in the UK but the don't bleep out the swear words, seriously, it makes us feel very prudish when we are in the van and there's effin' and jeffin' on the radio and me and Will give each other raised eyebrows every time a rude word is said... it's just something you don't get used to and makes me feel like about 60 years old!!

We are also setting up plans for the next few weeks which are loosely as follows: perhaps another week in Corindi and then up the coast to Byron, then back down with maybe a few more days in the house and then back down to Sydney via Swan Beach again and then away to Perth on 4th May.

Picture attached of Sam looking like a little angel (not!!)

Too Settled??????

Today has been pretty nice, we woke up this morning and Sam did some Maths with Will and then me and Will finished varnishing the fence. After this we went into Woolgoolga and Sam had a surf, we picked up a couple of pairs of cheap shades as I think me and Sam should start wearing them to protect our eyes from the sun and then we came home and now Will is watching a surf video and Sam has gone to the skate park... and you know what... I'm a bit bored. I'm not very good now at just sitting still. I like it when we are all out walking in the sunshine along the beach, or climbing up some ancient ruin or volcano, sitting in front of the telly is just not for me, never has been really, I get bored too easily.

This is when we all start getting edgy with each other as well. We have all got on brilliantly for so long perhaps we were due a rocky patch but who would have guessed it would have come when we were all nicely settled into a comfortable house, or perhaps that's the point. Being in a nice house is easy, we don't need to support each other to pull each other through unfamiliar territory or to boost each others morale. We can all just sit on the sofa and snipe at each other. Terrible isn't it? So i'm not quite sure how to pull us out of this one or perhaps the best thing to do is to wait for it to pass... see, it makes me worried about when we get back because we are so much nicer to each other when we are all squashed into a little van. Perhaps we should sell the houses when we get back and just buy ourselves a little caravan which we move around Bristol every few days!!!!

Think I'll go do some yoga and see if I can breath my way out of it.