Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

Our biggest news this week, notwithstanding any alternative facts, is the reorganisation being planned at Nicky’s work. A major re-structuring of nearly all jobs, their functions and hours is beginning. The direct consequence is that all staff will be applying for jobs similar to the ones they already do, but an inevitable result will be fewer people and lower pay. As you can imagine this is causing great concern for all involved as it is not at all clear how it is going to pan out on an individual basis. On a brighter note, Nicky won two tickets to the premier of Pork Pie, a remake of a classic Kiwi film, Good Bye Pork Pie. This was on Thursday evening at The Civic while I was at D&M at Galbraith’s, so Marilyn who she works with went along too and they had a great evening. Apparently the film is good too. The rest of Nicky’s work week has continued to be very busy, but the school’s open again next week so that will make a difference. I have had a moderate amount of work o...

It’s the weather. Summer is not getting it together at all, especially towards the end of this week when we have had a major storm system bringing rain and high wind. In fact it is the wind which is the most noticeable feature at the moment. Even when it is warm and sunny, if you don’t get out of there wind it is tiring and chilly. However, this does mean when it isn’t raining I can get the washing dry in a couple of hours. This doesn’t stop the natives complaining though. The library has continued to be busy with the schools being on holiday, and I have had a moderate amount of work. Our local telco has changed some of its security systems and that is causing some of my customers to have issues. We have had dinner on the Rattigan a couple of times, and a few visits from Jancis. Our evenings have been occupied watching The Level, which was shown as five episodes from Sunday to Thursday. Yesterday we decided to go and have a walk to the Fairy Falls, which are about 30 minut...

My week has been dominated by one Mac with a failed hard disk, which I replaced. However, the restoring of the backup has proved quite intense to get configured back to a working condition. I am hoping my visit tomorrow will be the conclusion. I have done a couple of other jobs too, assisted Jancis, washed clothes, shopped and cooked and squeezed in a quick swim at Herne Bay. Nicky’s week at the library has been as school-holiday busy as ever. John Clearwater’s Monday bug talk went very well which was very gratifying. Our first Deep & Meaningful discussion of the year was heavyily over-subscribed so I ran a parallel session at a different location (Galbraith’s) which went well, even with me “in charge”. The weather has been variable, with some cloudy starts and lovely sunny periods. We have managed dinner on the Rattigan a couple of times, and had breakfast and dinner there yesterday. We didn’t have any fixed plans the weekend which was just as well, as Pat rang to...

This week has been our return to work week, though for many people that has yet to happen. The weather has been been up and down, but statistically as warm as usual at this time of year - it just doesn’t feel like we are properly into summer yet. To finish off the holidays after Nicky had had a stint stacking books in the library on Monday morning we had a trip down to the hot pools at Miranda. We had a very good long wallow (along with drizzle) and then fish and chips at the local and famous Kaiaua chip shop on the way home. On Tuesday evening Nicky had a bring-a-plate and games evening at one of her fellow staff members’ homes. She made an Eaton Mess which went down well and they had a very enjoyable evening. Wednesday was back to work for both of us. I already had a job booked and another one came in during the day, followed by another one on Thursday. I have also been helping Jancis get her technology settled in, along with my usual house husband activities. The library wa...

Happy New Year dear reader, and may your 2017 be as glorious and exciting as possible, which I am sure it will be if you keep on reading this blog every week!! I am going to do this post a little differently from usual, as Nicky has been on holiday all week. This is not due to some benevolence by her management, but because the library has been closed all week. In addition, I haven’t had any requests for my presence. The weather hasn’t been fantastic, but it has been dry most of the time, thought not ALL of the time, and we have managed lunches, dinners and even a breakfast out on the Rattigan. We have had time at home, and some time out. We have done our London Underground map jigsaw again (lost a piece in the wind outside), played Trivial Pursuit and had a walk down to the BHB beach with Stella and Katie, and popped round to see Tanya (who Nicky works with with) and her husband Steve and had some gorgeous smoked salmon. We have been reading, the newest Jack Reacher, Bill...