Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

As I sit down to start writing this weeks post, it is two years ago yesterday that we left the UK and flew to Washington, DC. We were stressed, exhausted, and heading into a new unknown - life in NZ. The previous few weeks had been hectic. I woke on the morning of August 1st having sold my business to Keith (a great bloke), the day before. I still had a few loose ends to deal with from WKDS which took the rest of the week. Then, on the following Monday I began with the two key tasks which had to be done and would occupy me for 8-10 hours a day: disentangling ourselves from the UK, and planning how we were actually going to get to NZ. I seemed to spend the whole of each day just emailing and phoning. I hadn't realised just how involved closing down the gas, electric, rates etc., would be. It was of course worse than just moving house because we had bank accounts and insurance's and other financial issues to deal with too. We had already been in touch with a travel agent in Notti...

I have had a very quiet week this week - no work and then coming down with a cold. I have been getting my business administration into a better state of order and doing the usual household things - laundry, shopping and cooking. Nicky has had another busy work week and is continuing with her sinus rinsing and steaming to get them in order. Claire has had her last week of the first half of the University semester. In celebration one of her lecturers arranged a "gathering" on Tuesday evening which went down well. Nicky joined a family working party at Clare Cottage on Saturday and came home very tired but feeling that things had been achieved. We had a very restful day on Sunday (I am writing this Monday morning because I forgot last night due to enjoying watching The Big bang Theory too much), which I think was good for all of us. The weather is staying quite mild, but when the sun is out it is getting warmer. On Friday, the 21st, there seemed to be a significant change in the...

This week hasn't turned out as planned. Nicky had been called for Jury service a few weeks ago, due to start on Monday. So, Nicky arrived at the court on Monday morning along with around 250 other people. There were two cases planned, a five week and a two week. Around 50 people were called for one of the cases and then it was announced that the other case had been postponed, so Nicky went off to work. Unfortunately, she has picked up another bug and so had Tuesday and Wednesday off work, but is on the mend now. Claire was also called for Jury duty a couple of weeks after Nicky, but was excused with the assistance of one of her lecturers because of its impact on her studies. She has also been suffering with a bug and took Saturday off work. I have had a couple of modelling jobs this week, 7 hours at AUT on Tuesday, and then a couple more at The Tin Shed on Saturday morning. The Kumeu group at The Tin Shed are a good bunch to sit for as they are quite interactive. I have also done a...

Ah August. Bit like February in England - not really. We are starting to see the first signs of spring - daffodils for example. Storms are still forecast, but the weather people are also saying the worst of winter is over. If that is the case, it has been a much more tolerable winter than last year, dryer and sunnier. We shall see. Nicky and Claire have both had "business as normal" type weeks. I have had a really good week, earning from all three of my "income streams" - Mac support, massage and modelling. I also have a few jobs booked for the coming week, so I am hoping that these are the green shoots of my business ventures. On Wednesday evening we had some of Nicky's work colleagues over for a bring-a-plate meal. We had a good evening and it was good for Claire and I to meet them and put faces to names. On Saturday Nicky and I visited Earthsong in Ranui (http://www.earthsong.org.nz/). This is a cohousing community which also practices sustainable living with...

Well, we are into August now, so we are probably approaching the worst part of the winter weather. We have had some great sunshine today, but storms are forecast. It has been another quiet week. Nicky has had another full week at work and is feeling much better, but she is still not quite right, particularly with congestion. Claire has had a full and productive week at University, and has been into work this evening doing a stock take. I have had a busy week with MacOnSite work, which has been good, but no massage business on Friday. I am starting to look at other ways of promoting the business, but it will take awhile. Our most exciting news this week has been Paul and Jenny's daughter Naomi announcing her engagement to Doug, but we don't have a wedding date as yet. We have also been helping Steve and Ros celebrating their 10th anniversary with lunch and a Harry Potter quiz, along with the obligatory Scrabble today. I have been reading Piers Morgan's book "God Bless A...