Lagged

Now four days since my arrival in UK. Sleeping better and cycle coming around.
UK seems familiar and unfamiliar at the samer time. All the places are instantly recognisable, but do not seem so real or “usual”. Obviously hard to put into words. Maybe as I have been away for last 2 years and effectively 3 years, it is not normal anymore.
London is a busy, bustling and dirty place. I soud like a bumpkin, but it does not appeal. This is not new I suppose but dates 7 years.
Anyway trying to enjoy self while awaiting movement of the bureaucracies to let me work.

Weird World

So much happened since I laast wrote a note. Trip to South Island was success, and it seemed we were “so lucky with the weather”.
We had fun with walks and managed tio squeeze in two days of skiing. The fisrt at Hamner, which is a non comcercial venue so with lesser size and facilities. Having to use a rope pull and nutcracker cintraption to get up the hill has abit too much for all concerned. However, noraml service was resumed at Mount Hutt, with large fields, chair lifts, lessons for the children and one for Dad, and everyone made progress and “got back on the the bike”. The weather was glorious, how one imagines it should always be.
Since then I have travelled to the other side of the world. I am up at 4am as I cannot sleep, despite lack of hours under the belt.
Here’s to a return to sleep patterns.

Countdown

Two more days of work, then it is holiday time. Some in the world may be currently enjoying their summer fun and beach time, but we arte offf to the South Island for a family relax, fresh air, leg exercise and a bit of skiing.
Tomorrow is another chance to catch the beauty of the MArlborough Sounds on the ferry, then off to Hanmer Springs, and probably next up Mount Hutt skiing.
Roll on the holiday as the countdown to trip up north continues.

Weekend round up

Short trip to the Basin on Saturday to witness Conrad Smith back in action for OBU, as he returns to playing after braking his leg during the super 14 in February I think it was. Sure looked bigger on the pitch than most centres, me included. However he did remind me of me with his running, skilled passing and controlled firm tackling. I expect I will se him next in the flesh possibly at twickers, or when he is running aroud in France in 2007.
I continued my own rehab programme for the knee with a gym session, including pumping a bit of iron, and a swim down at Oriental Bay. However, after the walk on Mount Vic, the couple of pints at the Brewery is not what most recuperating athletes have written into their programme.
However, the legs are aching so I hope some good work has been done.

Touchine insights

From our guest correspondent:

Touch line conversations at rugby always provide useful for us sporting mothers. A chat with a Mum of another boy who plays with Joe, works in the Department of Labour which includes the Immigration department proved interesting. It would appear we are not unusual in leaving. The latest report shows that as many people leave NZ as arrive, going back to their country of origin, with the most common lengths of stay being 3, 5 and 10 years. Apparently the report states the top three reasons we Poms leave are because it’s too cold and there isn’t any heating in the houses (although that is changing and “European type heating with radiators” is now being advertised on the TV), Kiwi driving is appalling and finally its very expensive to live here – all of which sounded very true and reasonable to me (having recently paid the equivalent of 2 quid for a telegraph cucumber!!). Her other interesting comment was that in general Kiwis have the perception that people don’t leave so as a consequence are not willing to address the issues raised by departing immigrants . Interesting stuff and food for thought……

Quizmaster

Did my community thing on Sunday night. I volunteered to organise the quiz night for the parish.
I was ably assisted by my glamourous life partner.
Used a bit of technology to present some question-name the artist from the pictures round, and few others.
One participant had to be ignored at times but otherwise went ok.
Many areas of life covered including mnaming the Popes of the 20thC, celebrities rubbish about Prince William and current partners, and such like. The TV round included who was Basil Brushes’ first straight man, whose roundabout was it in “The Magic Roundabout” and who were the characters who drove the Sting Ray.
Answers on a postcard to……….

Rugby Supporter

A bit slow with this one as have been busy.
Went to the Westpac with TanaJoe and his Mum on Saturday to se the mighty ABs playing the”Boks”, as already reported by TanaJoe.
It is the first time I have seen them play live and wanted them to win. Remember the phrase, I think form Spitting Image (with the accent) “I’ve never met a nice S…….A……”.
I have seen them live five times before, when they had beaten England three times, the Lions twice and Ireland once.
So now I am 7 from 7.
I enjoyed the game. Tana loved it with his All Black jersey, beanie and tattoes on his cheeks. It was very cold, though not too windy but he would not put a coat on, as that would cover his AB shirt! Typical Kiwi-would rather be cold.
Weird experience, with SA scoring within about thirty seconds. The place was stunned and so……. quiet. It happened right in front of us. I expect I was on the tv again!
Tough game, very disjointed but ABs deaserved winners, and not playing their best team again.
Can anyone stop them? I doubt it.

Is it windy….shit yeah!

I have found a current weather map to allow those capable to undersatand current appalling weather(thanks to xtra.co.nz)
Heavy rain and gale force winds last 24 hours, and expected to continue. Gusts of 100+Km/hour.Sleet and snow expected,and may fall on Mt Kaukau, the big hill behind where we live. A high of 7C today, but I dread to think how low that becomes with the “wind chill factor”. Cold last night despite standard bed attire-long sleeve thermal top, second layer, P-Js tucked inside socks-only one pair last night. Of course not helped by co-bed person nicking the covers!
Interestingly, weather site also says UV rating 5.7, when six and above, sun protection recommended!That would be a sight-sun block on the face with heavy coat, over-troussers, beanie and scarve and gloves.
Please send some of your heat here.