Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

 For the last three days tropical storm Tam has been dominating our weather. In the north of the island this has meant heavy rain storms and flooding. For us, here in Whanganui, it has brought 27ºC highs, sunshine, mid-teen night-time temperatures, and wind that feels like standing in front of a giant hairdryer. It has almost been like summer all over again, just with added humidity. I was scheduled to have Monday and Tuesday off work, but had to spend Monday morning moving three and a half tonnes of coal down to the wharf. Nicky cleaned at church and then did some laundry which we helped dry by having afternoon tea in the garden. Unusually, we had boiled eggs for breakfast together on Tuesday morning. While I did the shopping Nicky swept the drive and paths before starting her sewing. I finished cutting the back garden grass which I had started on Monday, and then made Humble Pie for dinner - basically cauliflower cheese in a pie. In the evening Nicky went into church to set up ei...

Monday began with some showers and Nicky going to church to do the cleaning of the vestry and the brass with Dale. We had Phil and Kristina coming for dinner so I shopped in the afternoon in order to feed them. Steak and Philly cheese stuffed Yorkshire puddings with roasted veggies were followed by spotted dick and custard, all accompanied by good conversation. Tuesday was dominated by heavy showers, then sunshine and wind. Nicky made fruit slices for the evening’s Vestry Meeting, while I did a big supermarket shop. In the afternoon Nicky went to see Sue in hospital and had Home Group at Dale’s. We had an early dinner so that Nicky could get to church to prepare supper drinks for Vestry. I had planned for over a year to buy myself a new Mac when I retired, to replace my 13 year old laptop. However, with the news reports of Trumps tariffs I decided to bring the purchase forward in case prices increase dramatically. I took delivery of my lovely new laptop on Tuesday afternoon, so setting...

 Monday this week was the second of our three significant 2025 Mondays. MacOnSite, my computer support “business”, ceased trading at the end of the financial year. My self-employment has spanned a little over 27 years; 17 with MacOnSite and 10 with WKDS back in the UK. It has been both a rewarding and challenging experience. Though I do feel a little sense of loss, I have been looking forward to shutting up shop since moving to Whanganui. To mark the event, at the end of what was a busy day for both of us, we had a bottle of dessert wine. This was accompanied with a packet of luxury nuts and dried fruit while we sat on one of the benches on a green area just up the road overlooking the river. The day had been pleasant and sunny. I had done two sailings, and Nicky had cleaned at church, been to the hairdresser and had Louise over for lunch a Pastoral Care update. Tuesday and Wednesday were days off from sailing for me, as the season is starting to quieten. After doing the supermarke...

 This week has been a little different with all my weekday sailings scheduled for 1pm departures. The later start to the working days has meant a little more time in bed and a few things (like grass cutting) done before going to work. The weather has been pretty good all week, with mainly dry and sunny days. This has enabled Nicky to do laundry and spend time weeding in the garden, when not occupied with her regular commitments. She saw Dr Rose on Monday for an update to all her regular prescriptions, and hosted home group on Tuesday. She staffed the Community Library on Thursday but only had one borrower. We came 9th at the quiz this week with 83 points, but enjoyed the event all the same. We have watched a NZ police drama series (The Gone) most evenings and are just waiting for the final episode to screen next week. It will also be the Great British Bake-Off final screening. This week’s semi-final was as good, as were the earlier rounds. Nicky’s church routine has been diff...

 Our week has again been routine and busy. Nicky’s sleep pattern is still suffering as it does after the news of a death. Nicky’s cousin Lynne in this case. She wasn’t feeling great on Monday morning so didn’t go to clean the church with Dale. Nicky had a sleep before Sue came over for lunch. The nice onion soup that Nicky prepared for her and Sue also did us for dinner along with the lovely focaccia. Her time was taken up on Tuesday morning stewing more apples before hosting and Leading Home Group in the afternoon. It was my day off from sailing, so I roasted a joint of pork for dinner. On Wednesday it was laundry, weeding and ironing. In the evening we helped our quiz team to 5th place with 88 points. On Thursday Nicky staffed the Aramoho Community library. My week has again been dominated by sailing every day, apart from Tuesday and today. The only really notable event of the week on the boat was a rope-handling disagreement with the skipper when we were tying up at Upokongaro. ...

 No doubt you are already probably aware, Dear Reader, that 2025 is going to be a year of change for us. Three Mondays are a significant part of that change, and the first one of them was this week. After sailing in the morning I applied for my NZ Superannuation in the afternoon. This was done on-line, including undergoing a facial recognition stage to prove I am a real person! I now have to wait to see what the response is from WINZ. My week has again been dominated by sailing on six days. Yesterday was the longest with a 12hr+ shift river cruising three sailings. With the final one (A Country and Western themed cruise) we tied up when it was almost dark. The sunset had been wonderful to watch as we came down the river, which itself looked like a mill pond at times. It was not only a very good trip, but also probably my final evening sailing as a member of the Waimarie crew. I was very pleased to be joined by John from our quiz team. Tuesday was a busy day. We went to the cinema t...