Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

We have had a number of significant events this week. Mike Cox and his friend Tom arrived Monday lunchtime to spend their last few days in NZ with us, before returning to the UK via a week in Fiji. They spent Monday afternoon sorting out travel plans and money for Fiji. On Tuesday they met up with some of the trip organisers that they came over with and some of the other travellers, and then on Wednesday had a quiet day preparing to leave. They both seem to have enjoyed their months in NZ. On Wednesday it was our 26th wedding anniversary. As this coincided with Mike and Tom's last day in NZ we had steak and garlic chicken with courgette provençal and mushrooms in a white wine sauce for dinner. The sauce didn't turn out quite right so I need to do a bit of research to figure out what I did wrong, but the winter pudding went down very well. The treacle tart and golden slices also worked out quite well as they were not too sweet. We had the last bottle of excellent Champagne which

We have had a slightly quieter week this week. Claire has been on study leave and did exams on Tuesday and Wednesday. Her last one is next week. Nicky has had another full and busy week at work, especially Friday. Along with working Friday evening, during the day Len Brown, the SuperCity Mayor, was doing his "Mayor in the Chair" outside the library, and inside a graphic designer was doing a special event for over 50 school children. Nicky was very pleased to get home and put her feet up. I have been doing some Mac work at home this week on some old kit for a customer, and just one on-site job which took most of the middle of the day on Saturday. I have also had to restructure our network here due to a possible equipment failure - I think my AirPort Extreme might be dying. On Monday evening I was at the monthly camera club meeting, and then on Tuesday I was modelling at Western Springs again. This was even more enjoyable than last week and I came home feeling quite invigorated

We started this week with a day off, courtesy of the Queen's Birthday. In celebration Nicky and I had a very lazy day, which included breakfast in bed and a very late lunch. We made some progress on the Wallace and Gromit jigsaw but didn't actually finish it until Friday night. The black edges and perforations turned out not to be as bad as I expected as the jigsaw is well cut and the pieces have distinctive shapes The finished item was just brilliant: Nicky has had another 5 day week at work which we are very pleased about. Claire is on study leave and has been preparing for her exams next week. I have only had one Mac job but I have done two modelling sessions - one on Monday night in Helensville for the Art Club there which was good, and then Tuesday night at Western Springs College which I have done a number of times before and is always enjoyable if a little strenuous. Watching Apple's webcast of the Lion - iOS5 - iCloud announcements at the WWDC and reading articles d

Sorry, I forgot to update the blog last night. I was distracted by doing the Wallace and Gromit jigsaw which my sister sent me for my birthday, watching the last episode of the BBC's Sherlock which has been airing on NZ TV for the first time, and the knowledge that today is a public holiday due to the Queen having another birthday so yesterday didn't feel quite like a normal Sunday. Well they are my excuses anyway. So, how has the week been? Well, Nicky has been well and has had another full week of working at New Lynn library. Claire has had her last week of lectures for this semester so is now on "study leave". I have had a little Mac work, but I think more phone support than on-site work. On Monday evening I had a camera club committee meeting, and I think due to the weather and the re-arranged date that were only 5 of us present. The impact of this was that we had some very good and lively discussions, which made for an enjoyable evening. On Tuesday evening Nicky