Well, 2010 is over and I think I need to start my adventure as the new possessor of a Super Gold card with a new blog I will call LizziesJourney2011 and include a link to it from this blog.

I am back in Auckland for good now - semi-retired, although have a few loose ends to round up from our project in Australia and a couple of part time contracts in the offing. I will enjoy that - even my new office at home will get a bit claustrophobic if I spend too much time here. I miss the company of my colleagues and new friends in Sydney but hopefully will get back in touchsee more of friends and family here in New Zealand.

After returning from Oz in mid December I had a busy time sorting out unpacked items, creating a new office for myself in the room closest to the road, entertaining friends and family, christening the new BBQ ( even in monsoon like rain) and then after Christmas taking the bus down to spend time with Jonathan and Olivia and Callum. Callum the speedy crawler will soon be Callum the speedy walker I suspect.

On the way down, Peter and I had a Christmas meal overlooking Piriaka on the Wanganui River - some fond memories of exciting canoeing trips including close encounters with rocks and willow trees - but the water level now is so low with extraction for hydro schemes that this section is no longer really canoeable.

Had a lovely few days in Palmerston North - playing with Callum, introducing him to a paddling pool, doing some gardening, sorting out some computer stuff, playing scrabble on my new scrabble set ( I will never be as good as Olivia) and an interesting side trip in the bus out to the East Coast at Porongahau and Akitio - lots of sheep stations and Aberdeen Angus. Peter and Jonathan did some home maintenance and it was a relaxing gentle time.

Saw the New Year in quietly but with faith that 2011 will be another year full of challenges and adventures ( even the unasked for ones).