* Once again, sorry Mr CookeHi Folks, long time no update. Thought I’d give a quick end-of-year update for those who still make the effort to check the Blog. The updates have been conspicuous by their absence, mostly due to us getting on with life, which has been quite ordinary and not really worth reporting on – you’d have been bored to death.
Well, what’s been happening recently: quite a bit actually, we have survived the year, lost one family member from the house and gained a new one. Adam moved out and Bruno (aka Puppy from Hell – PFH) moved in. Empty nest syndrome kicked in after 5 days…
For those back in the homeland, I’d just like to say that it’s New Year’s Day, 10.30 in the morning and a brilliant, totally becalmed, sunny summer’s day. The cats are stretched out on the ‘dick’ and Bruno the PFH is asleep beside me.
Adam is now living in Wellington, where he has million dollar views from his place overlooking Oriental Parade beach. He is well established in his job in the design team at Weta Workshop (Lord of the Rings, King Kong etc.) and enjoying it. He went to Hawke’s Bay for Hogmanay with some friends, so not sure when he gets back. (Hawke's Bay is on the north east corner of New Zealand and is in the region that is the first in the world to greet the new year).
* Remember if you click on the images you get a bigger picture..
Oriental Parade
We have taken the plunge and bought five and a half acres of land further up the Kapiti Coast, opposite Kapiti Island (King Kong film location, see a thread developing here?) We intend to start building a new house there in a few months time. Liz is returning to UK to sell our house in Edinburgh, and then the process can start. The land sounds big; however, apart from the flat building platform, the rest is a steep hill with regenerating bush. Not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s what we want; don’t need to be charging around that amount of land on a ride-on mower! It also gives us space and privacy which was at the top of our wish list.
The view from our side of the hill.
PFH, Bruno, is a 10 week old cross German Schnauzer/ Labrador. We’ve had him since four and a half weeks and we are still going through the ‘I’m in charge’ phase. We originally had his lovely sister, Ruby, as well; however she has been re-homed with a nice family (that’s another story). Bruno starts puppy pre-school next week, so we shall see what havoc he wreaks there – we feel sorry for the other owners and their pups who will be there . . . . Cleo has taken the new arrival OK, and she’s been very good – not even swiped at him yet, just hisses a lot. However, Max has been totally traumatised and has been in the vet hospital twice in the past few weeks – he’s had x-rays, blood tests, etc. and we now think it is purely stress from, first of all, the 2 puppies’ arrival, and latterly from Bruno being alive! But he seems to be recovering his equanimity, is off the steroids and the cats now sleep in our room (we are gradually being taken over by our furry family). I’ll put some photos on here of PFH so that you can feel sorry for us.
I’m still working for the same organisation and enjoying it. The commute will take on a new dimension once we move; however, it will be worth it.
Well, that's all for now folks, hope everyone has a good and prosperous new year.
I'll add some pictures to the cats blog for those who are interested.
http://andersoncats.blogspot.com/
