Visitors, work, house and stuff

Posted on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 05:07 - Post Comment

Fireworks

It is so wierd having fireworks night when it is 15 degres outside.  The first year we went to Brighton Beach where they launch a great public show from the pier.  That year it was just like the UK - a stiff breeze, about 3 degrees (or so it felt) and driving rain!  This year was a completely different story - a lovely sunny day was followed by a still evening which meant the warmth was held around the city.  We headed up to a friends house on the hills, let some fireworks off there, and watched the Brighton show which was as impressive as ever.  The only diff is that here in NZ air rockets are banned, so there are no 30 quid missiles to fire into your neighbours back yard.  Which is a shame ;) 

Triathlon

Since I ran the 1/2 marathon I've been lax - no training and lots of eating (all in spite of Toni's amazing weight loss efforts - I have severely failed in the role of supportive husband!) has meant that my fitness has nosedived.  In spite of this, my mate Brent decided midweek last week that he and I should do the 'BlokesTri' series (www.blokestri.co.nz) which I did last year.  So with no running behind me I dug out the runners on Thursday and went for a jog.  Well it nearly bloody killed me, and so I tried again on Friday.  That went slightly better, but I was still gasping when I finished that one.  The Tri itself was this morning, and I was a little dubious on how I would do.  Still, come the race I put in a good effort and completed the 200m swim, 15km cycle and 4km run in a smidge under 1hr and 4 minutes.  A good 20 minutes (!!!!!) behind the winner, but I didn't die or cough up a lung so my fitness is still there lurking which is good news.  The next is mid December and so rest assured I'll be doing a few training k's between now and then.

Work

Toni's high value is still being recognised at her current teaching placement.  She was originally offered a 2.5 days a week contract with the school thru till Christmas, however this has now been made a full 5 day week which is great for both Toni's involvement with the school (she is now teaching choir, in addition to the usual day to day) and our income.  Woo hoo!  There are murmers of permanent roles being made vailable for next year, and T has firmly got her eyes on one of those prizes, however we've been here before so will take it as it comes all the while keeping out fingers crossed.

My work is improving as things take a turn up economy-wise, plus we always get busier towards Christmas.  As the world stops turning in NZ over the festive season, everyone wants to get their orders filled and wok done before knocking off on December 24th, many not to return untill the 19th of Jan.  Nice!  Shame it's not like that in the UK for you lot eh? ;)

Visitors

We have just kicked out old buddies Andy & Christie out after they came up from Dunedin to stay with us for the weekend.  We've had a great - and very relaxing - time.  Went to the beach on Saturday, followed with some Christmas shopping in town to get a head start on gifts to send to family in the UK.  The afternoon was great - relaxing in the garden, sun bathing, and then having a great feed of lasagne before heading out to a couple of parties to watch more fireworks and eat / drink far too much.  It's been great seeing them both - this house is made for visitors and we look forward to maybe seeing them again over Christmas.

Oscar

Bless little Oscar.  He is the sweetest cat, and this must come across when he is fronting up to other cats in the area.  A few weeks ago he got his arse well and trul kicked, and has been healing from a number of nasty bites and scratches.  Just as he is starting to come right from them, he now seems to have some other sickness which has put him off his food and drinking way more than he used to.  We're going to give him some anti-biotics, and if he's still not right come Tuesday then it's off to get ripped off him checked out at the vet.  Hopefully it's just something he's eaten recently and that he'll come right soon.

Get well soon Oscs!

Hens

Thechooks are going great guns, with us having between 2 and 3 fresh eggs (or should that be iggs? ;) every day.  They do seem to be getting a little bored in their enclosure though so if anyone has any chicken enrichment ideas then I am all ears.

Veggies

Whilst we are on the subject of self-sustinence, the veg patch has been relaunched this spring. It has beans, peas, beetroot, radish, cabbage and tomatoes in there so far, with room for some corgettes and possibly chillis still to go.  I continue to follow in my old man's footsteps in this - I find growing and eating my own veggies almost as satisfying and catching and eating my own fish.  The cauliflowers planted over Winter have just been harvested and they taste brilliant.  We have put so many tomato plants in that if even 1/2 bear fruit then we will have them coming out of our ears.  A great opportunity to knock up our own sauces etc - and I am looking forward to it!

Movember

I don't know if this is something that's covered in the UK, but Movember is proving to be a winner each year here in NZ & Aussie.  Each November, blokes raise money and awareness for The Cancer Society and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.  The idea is that you start the month clean shaven, and then throughout Movember, you cultivate your mo(ustache) into a truly awesome sight for all to behold. 

My slight issue is that I have never had to shave more than about once a week, and there is a large question mark over whether my upper lip can support anything more than an embarrasment!  To keep a track on progress, and donate to this cause (PLEASE - I am currently on a feeble $0!), visit my Mo page: www.nz.movember.com/mospace/380246/

Otherwise, that's about it from us really.  I got up to Kaikoura for a spear fish a few weeks ago and got a decent haul.  We've just eaten some fish, a cray, and a paua for lunch today and it was very tasty.