It's only me

I now have three regular callers whose opening gambit when I answer the phone is “it’s only me”. They are all female, so I have categorised them thus: Southerly it’s only me is number one daughter, Claire. A phone call while she commutes on Shanks’s Pony, usually at the end of the day. Northerly it’s only me in number one sister, Gill. These calls were more frequent while they were here in NZ. Management it’s only me is number one wife. These are usually calls requesting delivery of pertinent items to place of work, e.g.: hearing aids (see can’t see without ‘em). Such is the rich tapestry of my life dear reader.

Nicky has started at Blockhouse Bay library this week. As you can imagine there is lots to learn, and new faces to associate with names. This is the first time Nicky has worked in one of the libraries that used to be in Auckland Central, and even though the libraries were all “amalgamated” with the formation of the supercity, the library systems and procedures are still a work in progress. There are still books on shelves and borrowers with left field questions, but their the similarities end. It has also meant a change of routine for us. The library is less than 5 minutes walk from home, and going in the car would probably take longer, so Nicky is now completely independently getting herself to and from work. In addition, this also means that she can come home for lunch, so like me is often having fruit (possibly with yoghurt) so our bread consumption has gone down even further.

The weather has been good for Nicky’s daily commute. We can tell that summer is coming to an end however because the days start cooler, and the the heat of the sun now only lasts for 6-7 hours, but mid-afternoon it is still very hot when the sky is clear. This all changed on Friday night with the arrival of tropical storm Lusi, with lots of horizontal rain, but we didn’t have any damage.

Our other exciting news this week is that we have each won $20 in this month’s Bonus Bonds draw. It was Nicky’s first win so she was understandably excited.

I haven’t had a great deal of Mac work this week, just some jobs on Thursday and Friday. I am trying to get to grips with some new website creation software so that I can do some site updates. Making ironing, doing some shopping and cooking have also featured, along with a very nice walk along Bethalls Beach and over the saddle (where the sand was very hot) to O’Niells where I also had a swim. On Monday I manned (or is it personed these days?) a naturist stall at the UniTech Student Orientation with Donna from the Auckland Outdoor Club. One of our visitors was Damian from Auckland Sun Club who I have met before (more later). We had mixed reactions from the passing students, from very positive to embarrassed giggles and stunned amazement that being naked is a wonderful experience in itself and not just for having sex. Youngsters today!

Friday was a mini momentous day. Lilly had her warrant of fitness, service and four new tyres. I expect the bill when it arrives will be in four figures too. It was also exactly six and a half years since we arrived in New Zealand.

With the wild weather being generated by Lusi on Saturday, we took the advice of the authorities and stayed home, having a quiet day doing the ironing (well I had gone to all that trouble to make it), reading, a jigsaw, watching the rain and enjoying some TV. Nicky started the day by going for her ‘flu jab and got thoroughly soaked.

Today started cloudy but the sky began to clear late morning and though still a bit windy, it hasn’t been cold. Nicky was in prison this morning, and then Scrabbeling at Stella’s this afternoon. I went over to Henderson with her to take up the invitation that Damian had extended to me on Monday to visit the naturist club in Oratia. I had a swim, and cup of coffee (briefly in the sun), and some time in the spa before retiring to collect Nicky. A very pleasant afternoon.

Take care,

Rick