Hello everyone. A few days ago we went on a safari. It was in one of many national parks. I saw elephants, monkeys, leopards, mongooses and lots of birds. Later on in the day we went to my great uncle Michael’s grave and bungalow. We also went to the bird sanctuary that Michael found and built. Did you know he tied a python to his bed to keep his guns safe? Or that he had a bed that opened up and hid his guns and hunting knives? Amazing huh?

Hhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeellllllllllooooooooooo people of New Zealand what’s up (or what’s down). Today the family went snorkeling. We saw absolutely heaps of fish. It was fun. In fact, it was supercallerfrajilisticexpialladoshus. And we didn’t just see fish. Oh no, we also saw sea slugs. Who would’ve thought! And we also saw………………drum roll please. Da-da-da-da-da………………………………………………..rocks. It’s a miracle. Who would’ve thought! Now, changing the subject, today we saw a snake. Not a caged- up- in- the- zoo- fancy-nancy-I’m-sooo-rare-and-pretty snake. No, this was a humble, common but wild, proper, full-on rat snake. Now, changing the subject a couple of days ago we went to the silk factory. Not fake silk. No, this is fresh out of a silk worm silk. Now the white things on the leaf are silk worms. Now AGAIN changing the subject (what, so I do it a lot) the last picture is one of which shows how high the tsunami was.  Dangerous times! P.S. The red line shows how high it was.

Hello anyone who is looking (or reading) at this. Today the family went to the turtle hatchery in Bentota. As you would expect, it had lots of turtles. Who would of thought? Any way, we saw an albino (means lack of colour) which is very rare. Like in 2000000 eggs, only one would be albino. I would like to tell you a story of survival. Well, it happened on Boxing Day 2004.The day was going well. No-one knew that they were about to plunge into peril. Suddenly, all the water in the beach went rushing and gushing out. Everyone (except the people who knew what was happening) ran outside to see what was going on. That was there big mistake. Suddenly, an 8 metre wave came rushing in. Someone grabbed that exact same albino and sprinted as fast as he could up the nearest hill and that is how this extraordinary animal survived this humongous tsunami. The hatchery didn’t just have albinos. They had green turtles, hawks beak turtles, Oliver Ribly turtles and leather back turtles.

What is going on in New Zealand? Or should I say how HOT (or should I say cold?)is it? Any way, it is at least 28 degrees. I heard it was only 4 degrees a few days ago. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! And yesterday I thought 28 degrees was a bit nippy. I don’t want to go home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick note: i have changed the "comment" settings to allow anyone to post, and added a few email addreses that somehow were left out. Cheers, Gary.

This mans name is Jim. He is an old family friend. And when I say old ,Imean old. Like,at least 80 years old . He was in the army. He worked in the tea buisness with my great grandad. He had some funny stories about a bear ,a python,a horse ,a dog and a bedroom. It didn't go well for the dog. He ,ahhh sort of got eaten. Poor dogy-wogy.

Hey-ho you guys, whats been going on? We are on stop two of goodness knows how many, we are in Colombo. Its the largest city. Its about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, which means it ia about midnight back there. Its very humid, which means you sweat A LOT!! It is a very exciting and busy place. More soon. Nick

When Nick gets out of the pool, he promises to update his blog. In the meantime,here are some of his pictures. Gary.

Hi this is just a tester but man I am excited!One Week to go...

Before we go...

a test post to nicks blog