A quick update for those that are interested.

Here is the final output of the 2 days of filming that went on earlier last month. In our defence, I have to add that the four two-minute videos are distilled from about 8 hours of conversation…(and a few glasses of wine!)

http://newzealandnow.info/uk

N.B. you will have to select 'UK & Ireland' from the ‘view a [different] country’ list if you don’t see us listed in the profiles. (And have your speakers turned on..)

LETTER from NEW ZEALAND 5*

*With continued apologies to Alistair Cooke

Kia Ora, again. Time to update the log, Captain. I thought I’d just remind everyone that for the moment, it’s my intention to update it on a monthly basis - it’s boring enough without dribbling on at a weekly level. So I’ll try and update the site on or near the 5^th of each month.

A bit of light reading, less boring than the blog:
http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/mg18524911.600?GXHC_GX_jst=8258c07850ea6164

A little game to entertain you also:
http://www.plasticmartians.com/play.php?gameID=5

A fact I thought I’d share with you all:

On the 4th of May, at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.

That won't ever happen again in our lifetime, in fact it will be approx. 400 generations before it happens again. There, now you know….

So, what has been happening with us? Well I certainly failed the NZ test the other weekend. We bought some sports equipment for Adam for his birthday, a good deal from a shop just opening in Lower Hutt (north of Wellington). Adam & I were also invited to the ‘sausage sizzle’ opening on the Saturday morning. As one of the bits of ‘kit’ was cracked we decided to go and: (a) get a new bit and (b) to feed ourselves, as Liz was in Wellington on a course.. (This is Liz: of course, they couldn’t just cook themselves something. . .).

Well, all was going well until I went to get the new bit; as I walked in, this guy nodded a hello to me and I thought I recognised him as one of the sales people who had served us the other evening. I went over and explained the situation….as I was in mid-sentence I got the feeling that he wasn’t who I thought he was, so I said… “You don’t work here do you…” He shook his head.

“Are you a rugby player?” I asked… He nodded his head (We were getting on like a house on fire by now). I pressed on… “Are you one of the All Blacks?” Another nod.

I then had to explain the story of us just coming from Edinburgh. That did the trick, he had been over in Edinburgh playing at Murrayfield and loved it. Of course, on seeing Adam, his immediate question was “Do you play rugby?” (basically it was a case of, if not why not!). His advice was to get to work on the gym equipment and get playing, “we need guys like you…”) Needless to say Adam, like any sane person, respectfully declined, wanting to keep his, as yet undamaged body, undamaged.

And who was this individual? http://stats.allblacks.com/Profile.asp?ABID=1033

I got him to sign one of his promotional photos, just for proof, of course.

Some Pics

I’ve decided to add a few photos to distract from the ramblings; it lets you know how things look over here.

View from front balcony 1

*Reminder, if you click the pictures you get bigger ones...

Living room

dining/family area

View from front balcony 2

View from front balcony 3

Digging Panama Canal. Adam & I are still involved in project Panama Canal, digging out a trench for drainage hoses under the house.

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Hopefully this will be completed soon, once the pipe has been laid a few tons of gravel have to be put over it, another exercise in labouring for Adam and me. Then I get the fun job of insulating Adam”s wall with Pink Batts, a torturous fibreglass substance to keep precious warm & dry. The house is slowly evolving into what we want. We still have to experience a winter and I think that will generate more changes, enhancements. We still have to get a large quantity of firewood delivered. Stacking and storing it will be more fun!.

I also thought I’d show my attempt at a panoramic view of the railway station (Paremata) that I get my train from. Unfortunately the weather hasn’t been as good as the day I made the decision, so here’s my effort on a cloudy day.

Wasabi peas

We have discovered a new delicacy ( for us) called wasabi peas, basically dried peas coated in dried wasabi paste, very tasty, provided you eat them one at a time (otherwise your eyes water). Here is a link for those wishing to know more..http://www.vinetreeorchards.com/wasabipeas.htm

The Weekend

We have just got through the weekend; our social life is certainly on the up, out on Saturday night - Liz had her first experience of Karaoke, and did very well, I have to add. It was the usual ‘I can’t do that’ situation, then up on the floor in a stylish duet with one of our new friends. ( Jennifer, for Lorna & Jim’s info). ‘Leaving on a Boat Train '(Oops, It was meant to be Jet Plane, thanks Debs), will never sound quite the same. (Well it sounded like Boat Train!)..... Out Sunday morning for drinks and nibbles at some more friends (with a house to die for!). Out Sunday night for dinner with friends (and ex-neighbours) who are now trying the city apartment lifestyle in the heart of Wellington. Back late and ‘bang’, Monday again…

Achievements:

Got permanent residency.

Liz got New Zealand Driving licence.

Liz sang karaoke

Things are still on the up……

Until next month...

E noho ra