Rick, Nicky and Claire in NZ

We have had a good week this week. So, where do we begin? Work I think. Nicky's week has been much better. It has been a quieter and calmer week for her, but the last few weeks have taken their toll and her sleeping pattern is still erratic. On Friday there was a big meeting called for all Council employees to discuss the findings of the Royal Commission. This has been looking into the future governance of Auckland and has recommended the the current nine regional administrations be amalgamated into one "super city". The Government is very likely to accept this recommendation. This means that sometime in the next 18 months or so the Waitakere Council which Nicky works for will no longer exist. The direct implication is that she will have to re-apply for her job. We will see what happens. Claire got her first essay back this week with an A, which she is very pleased with as it is around 2 years since she last wrote an essay. Then later in the week she did a listening test ...

It has been a busier week for me. Along with my 2 days at college I have had a couple of MacOnSite jobs, and today (Sunday) a six hour modelling session at ArtStation on Ponsonby Road. College was different this week as both days were taken up with our compulsory First Aid course. This was the first time I have done a First Aid course and it was interesting - I finally got to do CPR. At the end of the course we had time to do an accident simulation. I was one of the two "volunteered victims". The tutor strapped a very realistic open wound to my leg and used make-up and copious amounts of fake blood on a head wound. This was so effective that one of the students was almost sick when she saw me! Nicky has had another up and down week at work. This has been caused both by borrowers and staff and has lead to a very tiring week. Today she dropped me off at ArtStation and then went and picked up Ruth from St. Andrews and took her to Bethells Beach. Ruth hasn't been for many yea...

We have two anniversaries this weekend - 18 months in NZ and the 100th post on the blog. So, we have done a few things by way of coincidental celebration. While Claire was at work on Saturday, Nicky and I went to a lecture by Linley Dodd, NZ author and creator of the Hairy Mclary books amongst others. This was interesting and enjoyable, and to see inside the University of Auckland Business School was also quite an experience. In the afternoon, Jansis from Loughborough came round for a final brew with us before returning to the UK on Monday. It has been good to get to know her and we are looking forward to her coming back again next year. Then in the evening, Nicky and I went to the beach at Piha for a lantern parade and "free laser light spectacular". It was not quite as dramatic as we expected, but interesting none the less. The weather was a overcast and at times drizzly yesterday, but today has been clear, warm and sunny for most of the time. We had Nicky's godmother R...

It is Sunday evening. Claire is out at a restaurant celebrating a friends 18th, Nicky and I have just been watching Stephen Fry in America, and I have just come out of the shower and realised I haven't updated the blog. I also need to get something out of the freezer for tomorrow night's diner. Anyway, the better weather has returned this weekend after a very wet Thursday and quite damp Friday morning. Nicky and I have taken advantage of the Waitakere Open Art weekend today and been to some artists galleries. We went to the one we wanted to see the most first - Tony Ogle. He is out near Bethals Beach so it was also the furthest away, but it was well worth the trip. Some of you may be aware of the print we bought 10 years ago of Roberton Island while we were in the Bay of Islands. It used to hang in our bedroom so we could wake up and see it every morning and remind ourselves of a very memorable weekend. It was painted by Tony Ogle and all the other work of his which we saw (and...

It has been Claire's first proper week at University this week, though she hasn't been having tutorials, they start next week. All appears to have gone well with the lectures and transport arrangements, and she has even got some course work done. Nicky's and my weeks have been much the same as usual, as I settle into my college routine. I haven't done any MacOnSite work this week, but and making some progress with promoting the business and have bough some on-line advertising. We have finished they week with some of the family coming over for lunch and to meet Bruce and Wendy, Canadians who have been visiting NZ. Bruce is Peter Cocker's cousin and we have had a good afternoon exchanging stories, family histories, and looking at photos. So it has been a quiet week, largely nice weather though we caught the edge of a storm system from late Friday through to Saturday afternoon, and had some showers this morning but the afternoon has been warm (26C) and sunny. Bye for n...

It has been another busy week here in Blockhouse Bay. Nicky has done here usual 40 hours at Ranui Library, seen the physio about her shoulder, quilted with the ladies who quilt on a Thursday evening, and did a Saturday morning shift to fill in for a colleague. Claire has had a couple of days on Campus doing a Flying Start course. This aim to arm new undergrads with what they need to know about the university and studying, in preparation for term starting next week. Claire has found it interesting and useful, though a little daunting in terms of the essay writing expectations. However, we are sure she will get to grips with these once she gets started. I have completed the second week of my massage course and passed my first practical assessment. This was more related to set up and "managing the client" than actual massage, but it means I have passed M1: Massage Stage One. Only 4 more to go! Claire and I did a big shop together for the first time in ages which was good. We als...

Even though it has been a week of major change for me, I have to start off with the weather. The humidity and temperature rose steadily through the week until on Thursday it was the hottest day in Auckland for 137 years! - allegedly. The official top temperature was recorded as 34C, but felt like 38C because of the humidity. The cloud cover which was hiding the sun finally turned to a good rain storm in the evening, and the mozies went mad. I think some have been cross-breading with hobbits because they had second breakfast on my left shoulder. Friday was so fresh it felt chilly, Saturday started very wet, but then today we are back to lovely warm sunshine and mid-20 temperatures. This week I have started my massage course and become "officially" self-employed. I am in college on Tuesday's and Wednesday's each week. This week started with orientation on Tuesday morning, and then spent the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday in practical sessions. After giving and receiving ...