Glanmire December

I returned briefly to Sydney to finalise the project report at the end of November and it was a good time to say goodbye to many of the friends I had made during this trip - so many people went from acquaintances and colleagues to friends -Robin and Penny, Betty, Elizabeth and Phil, Anne, Gunilla, Joan, Keith, Tim and Rosa - thank you for so much for hospitality and some wonderful memories!


Once Peter arrived he headed up to Glanmire, and the trusty car made its last trip over the mountains. After my conference I joined him up there and it was great. Samantha had her dance recital and she looked so different with her hair slicked back, and in her pretty costime - hope Catherine sends me a photo of the dancing girl - we were not allowed to take photos in the theatre which was a pain but understandable.

Josh and I made playdough volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar ( see below but you need to turn your head on the side) and both boys proved theya re still hot shots at Kuan Kan the card game. Josh also makes a mean cheese muffin - he must just about know the recipe off by heart by now. Sean is growing up, nearly as tall as his mother, good at school and I was there for the 11th birthday sleepover. Samantha and I enjoyed our walks as usual, wish I had the camera when we saw the 1m long goanna!

Brian and Lorena came out for tea, good to see them and have time to just sit and chat. We didn't get flooded in like most of NSW so managed to get the Christmas shopping done and put under the tree.

Back down in the train, through the Blue mountains which were a sea of yellow daisies and lots of fresh growth on all the gum trees. Good to be met by Kiri and Adrian - we had oodles of luggage to take back to NZ.

Overnight with little Pete and his daughter Kiri - and then off back to sunny Auckland. ( well the sun lasted about 2 days and it has been raining ever since!) If this is climate change - yuk!

Report almost written and so a quick bus trip

After spending the last two weeks devoted to my computer trying to get the first complete draft of our project report done, finally made it at 6pm on Friday - so a quick meal and we were off. The first night we stopped at the Gulf Harbour parking lot by the boat ramp. A grey morning, but very still and the fishermen were out in droves. After a leisurely start we drove up through Wenderholm for lunch, and on to a great little patchwork shop in Kaiwaka "The Apple Basket" where the applique and embroidery on this prizewinning quilt reminded me of the beautiful work Diane does.

Afternoon tea at Mangawhai with my brother and his wife and then Peter thought we might go up to Kerikeri and see his brother. So off we went, stopped in at the Hundertwasser toilets in Kawakawa - unreal having a toilet as a tourist stop - but they are quite unusual!! Tiles, glass, bottles in to the wall and even some stained glass!

After parking over night at Bill's place and admiring his almost totally self sufficient garden we headed back home via the scenic route. Through the BAy of Islands, Paihia foreshore beautiful in the sunshine this morning, then over on the Opua car ferry and in to Russell for the lunch stop.

Carried on driving round past lots of beautiful beaches, the one in the photo is Oakura, and through the hills to Whangarei.

After a pretty straight run down we made it home by about 6pm, a long day - possibly too much driving but Peter enjoyed catching up on all the family news ( although most of it seemed to be who had died!)

I am off to Australia tomorrow with Peter to join me in about 10 days. Be good to see the family again.

Gosh, not long till Christmas - just a bit more work and I will be a lady of leisure! Well almost.

Well another adventure. I flew into Los Angeles on the way to Washington and arrived just after a beautiful sunrise. Uneventful flights - that is always a bonus and I did get some sleep. Then on the Washington DC where I met up with Anne from UTS. We had one night in a hotel on ly two doors away from the apartment I spent 6 weeks in while on sabbatical. We travelled over to Arlington the next day for the beginning of the conference.
Conference went well - I think finances were hitting some of the US universities as some of the people I expected to see werent there which was a pity. But lots of other good conversations and met up with some familiar faces. Might be my last US conference so it felt a bit like a farewell performance. I think our presentations went well.
Found out the Washington International Horse show was on at the Verizon Center ( usually houses basketball) so Anne and I dashed away on Friday evening. Metro station at the door so it was easy - and lo and behold I found a stall selling Ariat boots which Cas wanted - right inside the entrance! And there was one pair which fitted! And the price was not dreadful!

horse show was great to watch - very patriotic announcer who cnstantly spoke of fundraising for our "Wounded warriors". The Jack Russell Terrier race was hilarious! They ran so fast a couple went head over heels!.
Dressage to music was like dancing and all in all a great evnening.
HAve just spent Sunday morning at Old Town Alexandria - very Goerge Washington oriented and LOTS of historic buildings.
Leaving in two minutes for Dulles airport - hope another uneventful set of flights.

Back in Auckland-

Back in Auckland , after Catherine and her friend Rebecca did a marvellous job of packing up my bits and pieces in Sydney and removing them all up to Glanmire on the ute. Feel a bit like a displaced person - keep looking for things in the wrong place, andunpacking and sorting took a while. Finding stuff from the shift will be an ongoing process, but a marvellous opportunity for cleaning out. Set up my new office - the photos below are the view from my sunroom/office. Weather a but wild and woolly after a promising start. Peter has been doing heaps to the garden, we are going to have a splendiferous veg and fruit garden on our small patch!

Took the opportunity on Saturday night of running away in our bus/motorhome - the cream and black one in the photo, to go to the hot springs and park overnight on the shell banks at Kaiaua - known as the seabird coast - but not too many of the migratory birds have shown up yet. Got a bit cool and windy on the Sunday so set off after a very leisurely start, home via the Pokeno markets.

And now it is down to work - at my desk by 8:30am and off for an interview this afternoon to claim my "NAtional Superannuation" entitlements - my how the time flies - I do NOT feel like a pensioner!

Engagements, banyan trees and central queensland

The last five days have been busy but very interesting. They started with a breakfast on the beach on Saturday at BrightonLeSands with my friend from Brisbane who had bought an almost new Landrover Freelander - wow, I have never seen so many electronic extras - and what a lovely ride!

Then followed an engagement party at the Ettamogah pub - if you cant see the words in the photo they say...

Beer mate....

It tickles the palate, it tickles the tongue, it cleans out the carby, it eradicates fruit fly...Pattersons curse...cattle tick...codlin moth... and tastes good too mate!

Renee has grown into a lovely young woman and got engaged to her high school sweetheart - Courtney is also growing up, and it is hard to believe it is over sixteen years since she was born.

An interesting evening, people (including me) sneaking a peak at the big screen with the NRL semi final decided by one point difference - and passionate supporters on both sides. Tigers versus Dragons.

Then, next day flew up to Rockhampton - beautiful flight, although I was surprised by the amount of water lying on the low land surrounding Rockhampton. Lots of "occasional water". My friend Liz's husband picked me up and we visited the Botanic gardens which were amazing, the banyan trees were the biggest I have ever seen and several other species most unusual. They also have a native animal zoo, with wombats, koalas, Monitor lizards ( goannas), snakes,wallabies, beautiful parrots and birds = quite a surprise!

The house was a beautifully restored old Queenslander, amazing - it is for sale - I would really love to live in a place like that - fabulous! Magnificant kitchen, theya re both engineers and I have never seen such an efficiently designed kitchen, it won awards, justifiably! Inside all beautiful varnished floors, and use of timber, lots of space and feeling of space and air and somehow a very loving feeling. Rockhampton is known as the Beef capital of Australia, and there are statues of Brahman bulls all over the place. I did my patriotic bit by taking my host to dinner and we had Wagyu beef steaks (the smallest on the menu at 200g) - really nice!. Rockhampton is much prettier than i thought it would be and the university campus is lovely.

Oh yes, I did do two days of flat out work and flew back to Sydney Tuesday night in a storm with plane delayed, missed a conection but got another. So I am tired but once again, grateful for lovely experiences.

Back in sydney and new photos of Callum!

I am back in Sydney after an overnight trip to run a focus group in Melbourne. Knee is getting better, but still way too sore if I move the wrong way - but i am being really careful.

Lovely surprise when I found lots of new photos of Callum on Facebook - isnt he a cutie! - I just love the one in the towel. At 5 months old he is so alert and perky! I am looking forward to seeing him much more often.

Knee healing I think

Well the good news is that the Xrays at Bathurst hospital suggest I havent got structural damage to the knee or major arthritis but I have overdone it over the last couple of months and possibly inflammation. Doctor not sure why it got so bad unless the Arcoxia was masking the messages my brain was getting saying "I need a rest". Anyway the doctor said he beleives it will heal most effectively if I just rest it and take Neurofen instead of the pills I was taking. So I am using the crutches, taking it easy - no walks in the bush and although not able to bend it much yet I did get a much better sleep last night and hopefully in a few days will feel it safe to return back down to Sydney to stairs and trains.

Been really pleasant up here - sun shining today and the rain has stopped. I will miss the kids badly when i go back to NZ.
Everybody is watching football tonight - Sydney has three big matches in cluding the All Blacks playing the Wallabies - at half time the Wallabies are winning ( hopefully a miracle will happen and the ABs will catch up else I will have the kids giving me heaps).

A pain in the knee

Had a busy few days preparing documents for our external evaluator and now churning through all the writing and paperwork of tidying up all the strands of theproject. HAving a major problem with left knee, seem to have done it an injury beyond just "arthritis" - after hurrying toa train on Monday night it has got much worse and this morning it was almsot impossible to walk on and got worse during the day. Consequently I took a taxi home from work and have driven upto Bathurst where I can sit in a one level house, with a few grandchildren to wait on me ( heres hoping) . I will go in to the Bathrust public hospital tomorrow ( as a "visitor" i am not entitled to private doctor so I need to go to a hospital) and hopefully can find out what I have done to it and whether I need crutches, rest, or just what I should do.

Have good internet connection here and can use the computer and carry on working - only hiccup is whether I can get the car across the creek in the morning to go to the hospital. Rainin again - Australia needs it - they might even have water in the Murray!

A wet weekend

Drove up through the clouds to Glanmire on Friday after ahectic week of interviews and writing a conference paper which got submitted Friday morning. Rained pretty steadily all day Saturday so three children indoors all day! I watched ac ouple of movies with them, and was Samanthas slave some of the time. We made Anzac biscuits again, and a fruit cake for Brett. Sunday had visitors and drove back in sunshine to Sydney.No photos this time, forgot the camera but starting on a bit of a countdown now until I return home.

Front page for Jonny!

My son Jonathan is rather amused by making the Dominion (Wellington Newspaper ) front page - amazing what some reporters will do for a front page story! But doesn't he look good. Love the heading!

Judo champion, blind, unarmed and dangerous!

He cannot see his opponents but that hasn't stopped Jonathan Godfrey winning a swag of judo medals. A chance meeting with a Palmerston North judo coach on a plane 3 1/2 years ago inspired Dr Godfrey, now 38, to give it a go. He won gold and bronze medals at last year's national judo championships and has two silvers from other competitions.

He believes blind people can compete in judo on a par with sighted people.
"There is no real difference. Blindness has not affected my ability to pick up moves, but does mean I have to be shown things in a different way. Being the demonstration model is a good way to learn.

"You have a hold on your opponent to do anything, it is what you do with your grip that counts."
Dr Godfrey is led on and off the mat and helped into position. Because judo competitors are in close contact during bouts, he can rely on touch to anticipate his opponents' next moves.
He has suffered from a degenerative eyesight condition since he was a toddler but was active in school sports.
"If you are an active blind person wanting a bit of rough and tumble, a substitute for rugby, judo ticks all the boxes."
With a PhD in statistics, he lectures at Massey University, is a Foundation of the Blind board member and vice-president of The Association of Blind Citizens.
Jenna, his german shepherd, accompanies him to competitions and attracts her own fans.
"She has only put her foot on the mat once during a training session – we were running around in circles and she wanted to join in. Normally she sits happily and watches very carefully. People look out for her at competitions."
Breaking his thumb in his first competition and injuring a foot when he accidentally kicked a competitor have not dented his enthusiasm.
Commonwealth Games medal winner Wayne Watson says Dr Godfrey is a very strong professional.
"I don't consider he is blind or give him an inch when I am fighting him. If you did he would take advantage of you."

Anyway thought you might all think this was interesting!

Art gallery and abstraction

Last weekend spent Sunday working with the friends who have made up the Rainbow Connection quilting group - I got to sew the strips on the "Mr Men" quilts. Starting to look really good - when finished they will be given to the Child cancer unit.

This weekend after doing some overdue conference paper reviews, went to a Trivia night and was in the winning team - some people know the weirdest things! then on Sunday did another couple of jobs and went with flatmate to the NSW Art Gallery to see an exhibition called "Paths to Abstraction" - quite fascinating actually, although I dont think I will ever buy abstract art for my wall. I did like "Discs of Newton" by Kupka . Apparently the colours and pattern is meant to evoke the same sort of feelings and appreciation that music can. Must go back to the Art Gallery sometime, there was heaps i havent seen.

Beautiful day in Sydney although nippy wind, and it was good to get out of the house and away from the computer.

Brief stop in Brisbane to see new baby

After leaving NZ I flew to Brisbane to a meeting then spent Saturday with my brother's two daughters and their children - they had set up a beautiful pinic at Wynnum beach - even had tablecloths on the picnic tables and wine ( in real glasses!). Vass did a couple of beautifully barbecued NZ lamb boned legs and Olivia kept the older three children occupied with a treasure hunt of buried toys on the beach - nice thinking. Felicia and the 11 day old new baby Xianeysa were so relaxed and settled it was a joy to see. I really appreciated the effort they had made for (Great) Aunty Liz. I didnt know Brisbane could get cool - will pack a warmer jacket next time! A beautiful day - thank you!

Back in Auckland

Back in Auckland to see do some work, babysit our lovely grandson and finish unpacking. A busy week but it was such fun to see little Callum, growing and such a contented little chap. he loved his jolly jumper, and is very alert and strong. The new house works well for visitors except those without a car - but only 25 minutes to the Auckland CBD ( non rush hour) and 17 min to the airport. ( and 1 km to a train satation). Rained a lot so didnt get to walk in the park but when the sun came out the new deck was a great place for sitting and sunning.

Catching up with the cousins Sophie and Zane was also fun - they have grown and I think they will enjoy interacting in the years ahead.

Got lots of unpacking and sorting done and I have a sunny place to work when I come home and the garage ( Peter's toy room) is almost set up for him to play.

Versaillesfountains.AVI

This was the little video I shot of the musical fountains at Versailles. At 3:30pm all the fountains in the vast park started with a classical music accompaniment, heard all over the park.

Shifted house

Well, Peter and I are now in our new home - to be exact Peter is there and i am back in Sydney but after sleeping there four nights I am convinced it will work out well for us. It is a beautiful place. Grateful for Catherine who gave up a week of her precious holidays to come over and help Peter pack ( she was really ill so it was no holiday for her) - Samantha came with her and everyone who met her loved our little princess.

The shift went really well although I was pooped by the time I had furiously unpacked and sorted out all I could before I had to go back to Sydney.

Pictures of new house follow -

Two days in Paris

My weekend in PAris was very full - I feel like a major name-dropper but I was so very grateful to have the chance of being there and grateful to Anne for letting me share her apartment and showing me the Paris she had enjoyed. After learning French at school for 5 years all those years ago at school, this was my first time hearing it spoken by real French people.

It would take ages to write about all we saw and i don't wish to bore people, but songs like "I love PAris in the Springtime", "under the bridges of PAris with you"... all came to mind.

I loved Notre Dame - especially the flying buttresses - and to think Napoleon walked there, as did the kings of France!

Sainte Chappelle was beautiful, we saw where Marie Antoinette was incarcerated at the Conciergerie before she was beheaded, enjoyed riding on the river admiring the beautiful architecture of Paris, loved wandering the streets, eating Snails ( sorry escargots), the incredible Museum of the Middle Ages with gorgeous tapestries and the remains of Roman bathhouse....

Then to top it all off, Sunday was Versailles - in temperatures over 30 degrees. Wow - could just see Leonardo di Caprio, the Sun king Louis XIV, strolling the corridors, waving to the common people from the balconies and the incredible gardens and fountains. Fantastic decadence, no wonder the common French people rebelled....

Quick trip under the Eiffel Tower ( queue to go up was over an hour and a half), paid my homage at the Arc de Triomphe and then flopped!

Yes, I would love to go back - maybe if I get very lucky ...

Then out to the airport the next morning - thunder and lightning- wasnt I lucky getting such beautiful weather for my weekend in Paris!

Long trip home via AbuDhabi and Etihad Airways ( nice!) - did get some sleep. Landed back in Sydney and then up early the next morning to go to NZ to shift house!

Adrenalin keeps you going !

UKpart2

Trains up to Birmingham - very painless way of travelling - Birmingham is a really mixed town - very old architecture in red brick from the 19th century and some ultra modern new buildings all populated by a very diverse ethnic population - more veiled women than i have ever seen, and obviously an immigrant town. Didnt know it was so full of canals and locks - some have been done up for the tourist trade and canal-boat tripping and others are rather woe-begone with sad signs of neglect. I took an hour trip which went through the modern buildings built beside and over the canals and through the old industrial area.
Conference went well in the business School of Aston University, the only hiccup was that the rooms are designed for a coool climate and the windows only opened 1inch and with temperatures in the high twenties it was very hot! The paper I presented apparently had two excellent reviews and the presentation resonated with other people and did start some discussions. Not as many people at the conference as one would wish for however.

Then on friday Anne and i headed off down to London to connect with the Eurostar to Paris. We went first class and it was a very restful trip but landing in Paris at GAre du nord at rush hour with two cases each was a "warm" reception.

More in Part 3