Hello

Hi G&G,

Lovely to see you on Saturday and looking so well. You both looked tanned & relaxed though I hope you have more visitors soon. We got home on the train without trouble though we had to go up the line one stop to Banbury to catch the fast train back to Oxford. Surprising efficient rail timetable.

Talking of trains, the website I bought our Oxford- Brighton train tickets was from Virgin trains (www.virgintrains.co.uk). As we went weekday off-peak I bought the 'Saver' ticket type. We actually found after trying a few combinations that buying two singles was cheaper than buying a return so perhaps try that. (£62 was the total ticket price for two people).It was the cross-country route and you can reserve your seats online. I recommend sitting in the quiet zone carriage as people aren't allowed to use their mobiles and people have to wear headphones if using their ipods; so its easy for everyone else to have a little snooze. The route our train took was Oxford-Reading-Kensington (olympia)-East Croydon-Clapham Junction-Gatwick-Haywards Heath-Brighton, though I don't know if it differs depending.

Clive and I have the post-holiday blues which isn't helped by the incessant rain and our boiler troubles. Oh well the landlady is sorting out a man to come round and fix soon.

Funny sight on the way to work this morning. Walked over Magdalen Bridge as usual, and there was Jo Brand off the telly speaking into a camera. They were recording as we walked past so you may see the back of me and Clive's head on tv very soon.

Good news on the rally charity front. Clive's Auntie Ros and Uncle John donated some money so I've sent them a thank you. I think there is only another £250 odd to be raised so Dad and Will aren't far off meeting their obligation to the charity. I hope we hear from them soon but am sure no news is good news in this instance, due to mobile phone coverage or well lack of it in Outer Mongolia.

Off to see the new Batman film tomorrow as its 2 for 1 Wednesday tickets. £7.50 saved - Hurrah .

love Gem and of course Clive xx