Life's A Beach

Happy Birthday to Meeee

Thanks to all for the birthday messages, have had the best birthday in years.

Pressies:   Sandwich toaster,  book on NLP, new bed (finally arrived yesterday, bliss!).

Birthday meal was garlic bread by Wor Lass, spag bol by The Boy Genius, chocolate cake by New World supermarket, and bottle of red wine by a vineyard in Hawkes Bay.

Today I dine well, for tomorrow I sign up at the gym and start working off that alarming podge.

Auckland Helicopter Crash

A helicopter putting up the Auckland Christmas tree crashed this week, naturally captured on film.  Thankfully the pilot's only injury was a scratch on his hand.  Santa is still in intensive care, but expected to pull through...

 

Settling In

Dear UK,

Not a lot to report at the moment, still settling in to the new flat and trying to keep expense to a minimum until the first paycheck comes in.  We have broadband now so can get to the Webs, and should have a cheap calls phonecard soon for ringing home to catch up on the UK gossip.

Elections were held at the weekend over here, looks like the ever-smiling John Key's National Party won again, though with MMP it's more complicated than trying to play Risk when stoned. (So I hear.)

Weather's lovely and sunny, but blowing a gale most of the time. Great when you're on top of a tall building.

Other than that all good.  Love to all back home!

S & K.

I've Been Internalizing a Complicated Situation in my Hid

A Kiwi drink driving ad doing the rounds which will no doubt turn into the next catchphrase.

 

 

Damn That Commute

After a tense few days of kissing frogs in our search for decent accommodation we finally found our prince and have moved into a flat in the center of Wellington.  It's the top floor of a commercial building and DEFINITELY NOT ON TOP OF A NIGHTCLUB. 

It's quite strange not having anyone else around us except huge aircon units (which thankfully switch off after working hours) but the place is well furnished and comfy so Wor Lass is over the moon.  I'm sleeping on a futon, which is Japanese for "unwelcome guest's bed" so may be investing in a mattress topper, but otherwise pretty good. 

Also a bonus that I'm less than 5 minutes walk from my desk.  Or a McDonalds ....

.... and There Again

Made it safely back to Wellington after 2 days of travelling, and despite a few BA delays the journey wasn't as gruelling as we'd feared.

Facing a 2 hour wait at Heathrow we treated ourselves to a VIP lounge, and getting away from the crowds was lovely.  I had a back massage while Wor Lass snoozed in "the Snug".  Very civilised!

The flights were turbulence-free -- right up to the bumpy landing at Wellington, which is par for the course -- and comfortable, though we did eye up the Business Class seats with envy.

We are now residing at serviced apartments overlooking Lambton Quay, right in the middle of town, and currently trying to filter out the noisy b*stards in the bar across the road.  I'd forgotten that Kiwis slip into "Party Mode" when exposed to alcohol, turning to volume up to 11. 

Ah well, house hunting has already begun so it should only be for a few more nights.  Having said that the two places we've looked at this weekend were NASTY!  Looks like we'll have to pay pretty steep rent to get a place without damp, mould & 1970's furniture.

I'm also amazed by the hike in prices over here -- £11.50 for one takeaway curry, £4.50 for a small glass of wine -- which is probably naive of me given the global economic enema we've all endured.  Just hoping our reserves last until pay day!

So in summary: we're here, we're tired, we're living out of a suitcase but we're fine.  Onwards and upwards!

The Hobbit - Behind The Scenes

Been back in Wellington 2 days now and still not had a call from PJ offering me a part in The Hobbit - shucks.  Until he gets in touch I'm keeping up to date with progress by following his fascinating behind the scenes video blogs.  How on Earth does the guy find the time?!