Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

The beginning and end of the week have been wet, but in-between we have had some lovely clear winter days, though a couple started with some fog. Things have been quieter at the library with the school’s having gone back, at least until 3-ish when they close. I have had another quiet week too, doing two on-site jobs which filled my Tuesday afternoon. Nicky was at prison prayer group on Monday night; Tuesday night we watched the Stephen Hawking film and Wednesday night “Pride”, both on DVD and both much enjoyed. Thursday night Luna was out - up at the garage - her service and warrant revealed new front suspension mounts were required. We were re-united on Friday afternoon so I celebrated with some food shopping. Wednesday was an interesting day. Nicky had a couple of visits to make for work - the Blind Foundation in the morning and a Staff Feedback meeting in Kelston in the afternoon. As I didn’t have any worked booked and parking in that part of Parnell is very difficult, ...

It has been a mixed week, one way and another. We have had sunshine, major rain and flooding (at the library and other parts of BHB), quiet days and busy days. I did a Mac job in Red Beach on Monday afternoon, then nothing on-site until Thursday afternoon, and then two “emergency” jobs over the bridge on Friday morning. Due to men working on an over head power-line in Devonport, it took me an hour and three quarters to do a 30 minute trip home. I was ready for my lunch when I got back. The rest of my time has bee occupied with work admin, laundry, shopping and cooking. On Tuesday I roasted a joint of beef which went very well with the Yorkshire Puddings, and made some excellent gravy. I combined my Thursday afternoon job with my trip into town for my MeetUp group. Nicky has been very busy at work again with the schools being on holiday. We had a major rainstorm on Thursday night and the drains in the courtyard at the library just couldn’t cope, hence the flooding as water overflo...

…because it’s warmer than that coming out of the cold tap! Well almost. It has been a cold week on the whole, with overnights lows of 2° and 3° and even frost one morning. The ice indicator even came on in the car this morning when driving to the beach. On the upside, the clear skies have made for lovely sunny days and much better than the rain that started the week, but the southerly wind has been icy and only relented yesterday. It has also been a very quiet week. I have only had one Mac job which was on Friday morning. We have had no social commitments in the evenings (Nicky didn’t feel up to Te Reo on Tuesday), but she has been very busy at work - the schools are on holiday. So I have been doing the usual shopping, cooking, washing and ironing, while also starting to work “on the business” (as oppose to “in the business) to try and generate more work. I went out for my first morning constitutional on Wednesday down to the beach. The tide was so far out I was able to walk alon...

Co-ordinating work and laundry has been the theme of the week for me, as the weather has not been overly helpful, and I have been quite busy with work. I did a very expensive (for me) food shop on Monday, stocking up on items on offer which I don’t buy very often. Having been paid made cash flow a bit easier. It was Thursday before I had much time at home so spent 3 hours preparing the filling for the Hairy Biker’s steak and ale pie - it’s worth the effort. I then went into town to do a quick job before going onto my MeetUp group for the evening. I had all of Friday at home, a man came to fix the door on the dish washer, and I got the ironing and more shopping done, before making up the steak and ale pie. I went up to The Block for a drink later. Nicky has had a busy but reasonable week at work. I dropped her in Henderson on Wednesday morning for a “meet the boss” meeting with the new Auckland Council CEO, and it went very well. Nicky had a hair dressing appointment on Tuesday eveni...