Busy Blogger

It seems like an age since I last blogged, so apologies. But Will is much worse at it than I am!!

So, where to start?

Unemployment is an interesting thing.

Having cleaned the house from top (well, the bits I could reach) to bottom (except for Gordon's supervillain base in the cellar), I have had a busy time. I have taken up breadmaking. By hand and elbow grease, none of this mod-con machinery to help. It is a very satisfying form of cooking/stress-relief/exercise. Will is getting very used to it. I'm not making it every day, but there hasn't been any shop bread for a few weeks.

I met up with Sam, an old schoolfriend, who was in NZ for a flying visit to meet her new niece. We pootled around Auckland in the morning and drove to Hamilton in the afternoon to see her family. Sam's parents were there and I haven't seen them since I was about 15!! Very strange!

Will and I have been enjoying a couple of Stat holidays - one for Auckland Anniversary, which had a boat festival in the harbour, and a second to celebrate Waitangi day - marking the signing of the treaty.

Late on Waitangi day Jen and Martin arrived from London. Pooped and pleased to be back on solid ground and not being fed fish and noodles for every meal!!

All 82 of our packages were delivered on Thursday morning, meaning that Will and I only had to spend one cold and uncomfortable night on the lilo. Jen and I put the bed together (priority 1!) and unpacked the iMac (priority 2) and a few other bits. Most of it is staying firmly put for the moment as we may be moving house again before long. The teapot and cafetiere have come into their own again, but they were easy to find - British removals persons get the sack if the pack the teapot at any time before the last minute. So there it was, in Box 82.

Will is in Welly on a course and is back for long enough to do the Lake Taupo run at the weekend before heading off to Melbourne for a few days.

I have taken up pottery and singing at night school, so lumpy earthenware and (hopefully) more tuneful singing are on the agenda. But all good fun and a good way of meeting people.

Gordon is a very happy cat these days. He gets to stay out all night sometimes and has been terrorising the local sparrows. He has lots of cardboard boxes to hide in/behind/fight with. He is enjoying having extra people in the house - more people to persuade that he hasn't had breakfast!!

I'll write again soon - promise.