Summer in December
Last Monday, December 1st, was the first official day of summer here, and we have been having some very pleasant weather.
It has been "back to work after the holiday" week for us, which, as always, is a bit of a shock to the system. The build up to Christmas is not as intense here as in England, but we are starting to notice it and things are getting busier.
On Tuesday evening I Nicky and I went to the airport for a quick coffee/tea with friends of ours from England, Geoff and Liz Duck, who have been holidaying here with some other friends. It was the only opportunity we had to see them before they flew back to the UK and it was good to catch up.
On Thursday Claire picked me up from work so that I could bring my Mac home. It has been in for diagnosis as it has developed a problem. I now have to see if I replace or repair it, depending on how well the saving goes. This is not my first call on what I can save as I have also been for an interview at the NZ College of Massage for the course I want to do, and am now quietly optimistic that I will be offered a place. I just need to get a medical check-up because of my back problem, and to be able to pay the course fee. Starting this course will be a big change for all of us as I will have to give up my "day job" in order to do it, and concentrate on earning from self-employment. The course is only 2 days a week for 20 weeks, but quite intensive with a lot of studying required.
After Claire picked me up we went to St. Lukes mall together (she was seeing a film with friends and working there later) and had lunch before doing some serious Christmas and birthday present shopping (serious by my standards - purchase of more than 1 item).
On Saturday our road was closed for much of the morning for a Santa parade. Many of the floats and participants congregated at the end of drive before setting off, and finally I got sight of the man himself:
A friend of Nicky's joined us for lunch, and then Paul and Jenny joined us for dinner by bringing a Chinese take-away along with the fridge/freezer they were delivering to us from the home of an elderly lady. She is having to go into a rest home so P&J have done much of the clearing of her house for her and we snapped up the chance of a fridge/freezer.
Sunday was my work's Christmas doo - much food and swimming and relaxing at the home of the owners of the business in glorious sunshine. So I was late home hence the late posting of the blog.
Bye for now,
Rick
It has been "back to work after the holiday" week for us, which, as always, is a bit of a shock to the system. The build up to Christmas is not as intense here as in England, but we are starting to notice it and things are getting busier.
On Tuesday evening I Nicky and I went to the airport for a quick coffee/tea with friends of ours from England, Geoff and Liz Duck, who have been holidaying here with some other friends. It was the only opportunity we had to see them before they flew back to the UK and it was good to catch up.
On Thursday Claire picked me up from work so that I could bring my Mac home. It has been in for diagnosis as it has developed a problem. I now have to see if I replace or repair it, depending on how well the saving goes. This is not my first call on what I can save as I have also been for an interview at the NZ College of Massage for the course I want to do, and am now quietly optimistic that I will be offered a place. I just need to get a medical check-up because of my back problem, and to be able to pay the course fee. Starting this course will be a big change for all of us as I will have to give up my "day job" in order to do it, and concentrate on earning from self-employment. The course is only 2 days a week for 20 weeks, but quite intensive with a lot of studying required.
After Claire picked me up we went to St. Lukes mall together (she was seeing a film with friends and working there later) and had lunch before doing some serious Christmas and birthday present shopping (serious by my standards - purchase of more than 1 item).
On Saturday our road was closed for much of the morning for a Santa parade. Many of the floats and participants congregated at the end of drive before setting off, and finally I got sight of the man himself:
A friend of Nicky's joined us for lunch, and then Paul and Jenny joined us for dinner by bringing a Chinese take-away along with the fridge/freezer they were delivering to us from the home of an elderly lady. She is having to go into a rest home so P&J have done much of the clearing of her house for her and we snapped up the chance of a fridge/freezer.
Sunday was my work's Christmas doo - much food and swimming and relaxing at the home of the owners of the business in glorious sunshine. So I was late home hence the late posting of the blog.
Bye for now,
Rick
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