The end of May approaches

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It has been another quiet week. Moving into autumn here doesn't seem to be as manic as it was in the UK. We always felt that the pace picked up as the schools went back in September, and then after the October break it was a fast and furious rush into Christmas. We don't have that here with there being no major mid-winter national holiday. Admittedly, Claire's first semester is drawing to a close and my course only has 5 or 6 weeks to the conclusion of formal teaching (and I still feel like I have only just started!!), but the pace of life still feels more gentle than I associate with this change in weather.

Speaking of which, it has certainly changed this week. A significant drop in temperature has encouraged us to break out the heaters and get on with using them. We are having some cool, almost crisp mornings, but if the sun comes out the lounge still gets well warmed by mid morning.

The major event of the week was Nicky meeting the Prime Minister, John Key (lucky lad). It came about because one of our neighbours from Matata Street is an out-patient of a hospice. She asked Nicky to take her to an afternoon tea there which the PM would be attending. Off they duly went only to find it was much more sophisticated than Nicky had expected. The PM seemed to be very good at trying to get a few words with everyone, and it was an enjoyable afternoon. Nicky also fitted in a quite visit to Mary Drillion as it was her 94th birthday on the same day.

Our Sunday evening viewing is just starting - Merlin followed by the concluding episode of Whitechapel (the modern day ITV Jack the Ripper drama) so I shall grab my mug of tea and settle down.

Bye for now,

Rick

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