A Real Yocal

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It has been a week of constants. Nicky has been constantly busy with work at the library. I have been constantly busy delivering census forms as well as some Mac work. The weather has been constantly wonderful. It has been dry and sunny all week, with only occasional clouds which haven't lasted long. As I start to write this at almost 5 in the afternoon, the HRV control panel tells me that it is 27°C in the hall (which feels cooler than the lounge) and 40°C in the roof. The grass is a nice shade of brown, and we are now starting to get a decent quantity of homemade tomatoes.

Bruce and Wendy were with us on Monday. I had hoped to be able to spend most of the day with them but this turned out not to be, as three of my Mac customers were in need of urgent assistance. Nicky was also expecting to have her annual appraisal at work (this didn't end up happening) so hadn't booked the day off. So Bruce and Wendy amused themselves with an amble round Blockhouse Bay. I was able to join them for lunch and by the time I got back in the afternoon they had gone of to Mt Eden to meet some friends who were flying in for a family wedding. Nicky and I caught up with them there, before driving over to Kingsland for a meal. Bruce and Wendy took us to a Thai restaurant which had been recommend. Before we went in Wendy cornered the head waiter and gave him a major grilling re-MSG. She was assured that they did not use it in any of their dishes, and that they had a very nice table available in the back courtyard. Both turned out to be true as we had a lovely evening, a wonderful meal, and Nicky didn't suffer any ill effects. 

We were all up early on Tuesday morning, even though Nicky had the day off work (why comes soon, don't worry dear reader, I will get to the major excitement of the week eventually), as Bruce and Wendy were off to the airport to meet their daughter Megan. They all returned to us for breakfast and then around 9am the headed off to Tauranga to Wendy's mum.

Tuesday was my Citizenship Ceremony, and the Council officers in Henderson. I was allowed to take two guests, so Claire took some time off work (at the Archives) and came to us so that we could drive over to Henderson in one car. We knew parking could be an issue, and it was, so just parking the one car helped. The guests were ushered to the rear of the council chamber, and the new citizens were seated in order at the front (I was very pleased to get a front row seat so that I could stretch my legs). Oaths and affirmations were taken and then we were all individually presented with our Certificates of Citizenship, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. There was a finger buffet afterwards, but we had another bite to eat when we got home. I them completed my New Zealand passport application and got it up to the post office just before they closed.





I don't know the bloke in the shirt, but I was very envious (of the shirt).

On Wednesday Lilly was booked in with the garage to have her brakes attended to. The ABS light and system has been coming on when it shouldn't. I took a bus to Ponsonby to have a look at a server, and then continued with census form delivery in the afternoon. I have now delivered over 1000 forms to 274 households. I hope to finish by Tuesday. Census Day is March 5th. 

Nicky was at house group on Wednesday evening, and then on Friday evening started a listening course being run by Jancis. This continued through Saturday and into the evening, so with me also out delivering we didn't see much of each other yesterday.

Today it has been more census work for me, church and Scrabble for Nicky. Jancis joined us for lunch, which was good.

That's all for now,
Take care,
Rick

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