I’ve forwarded Tan’s mails to you at FSMail.

So, onward to Greymouth? (I wonder if you’ll find anywhere as agreeable as Nelson, apart from Kerikeri, that is …)

The Iraq war has begin, by the way! (Just in case you’re out of touch; though that’s unlikely, come to think of it, if you’re travelling on a bus with loads of peaceniks.)

Did you buy the jacket?

Mama has sent you an email.

I mowed the lawn today – sign of summer coming.

Buy the leather jacket. It gets colder the further south you go. That glacier’s made of ice, remember.

I’ll look into the game cube once you’ve started picking fruit – you can’t say fairer than that!

I think you’ll find the 9 days is a minimum and that it might take a bit longer.

Hopefully not, though, as that would delay your progress to KK and the beckoning Kiwifruit …!!!

The washing machine died the other day.

Today, we went on a bike ride through the mud and came across a washing machine in someone’s yard. Mama asked if she could have it; the owner said yes; she also said it was in perfect working order.

We hotfooted it back home and Liv and I jumped into Tan’s horseless carriage and sped off to collect it. On closer inspection, the crappy piece of merchandise was minus its pump and drivebelt. So we came home empty handed.

The moral of this story is have a good look in the mouth of any gift horse before returning to collect it.

Remember to read Mama’s letter below …

Dear Julio,

It appears, according to my book, that the area around Nelson is full of alternative sort of people, drawn there in the past by cheap smallholdings.
I am really surprised that in the land of prime lamb meat, bountiful fish and shellfish and a vast array of fresh vegetables, you only manage to eat at McDonald. Honestly!!
Anyway, for your birthday (if you’re still in Nelson) go to Chez Eelco, 296 Trafalgar Road and eat a bowl of their recommended fish soup or something else if you like at my expense (I will pay it into your account). The Redwood Cafe in Kerikeri north of the town is also good, in case you don’t make it to Chez Eelco.
Did you walk to Tahuna Beach 5km from Nelson? One of the nicest, apparently.
A good thing to take for your health is the special NZ honey: Manuka honey; one spoon a day. Have you tried the special drink L&P (lemon)?
You could try and buy some whitebait (small fish, bishiques) clams, mussels, crayfish, a little butter and garlic. Five minutes cooking and there you are (Bob’s your uncle).
Apparently, there is better sailing to be had in Kerikeri.
Yesterday, Daddy was so bored thast I caught him watching something at random on the tele. Dear me!
Looking forward to details of day 3 of your walk!

Grosses Bises,

Mama