Happy New Year

My unprolific blogging continues...

I spent Christmas this year in lovely Nelson. We had a lovely pancake breakfast, before having a full on huge dinner with a group of others. My contributions included greek salad (trying to be authentic meant no lettuce), and help with a fruit flan. How exciting. We had BBQ meat instead of the traditional Canadian roast. Despite a very overcast morning, the clouds lifted and the afternoon and evening were lovely.

Many kiwi businesses go through an office closure period over Christmas/ NYs when people take holidays. Since I already took holidays, and I was busy at work, I worked all of the non-stat days over the season, other than the 31st. As I was for the most part the only one in, I felt like I got a lot done! I had a number of days out in the sounds over the holidays due to the stats, returning to work on the 3rd. We spend NYs in the sounds, and I attended for the first time the great Whatinihi boat race. My contribution failed to finish the race however was picked up by the boat race officials so did make it to shore. It's actually a great idea. The sounds community of Whatanihi hold their annual boat race on NYs day- people build boats, made mostly of natural material. They're dropped into the sea and the first one back to the finish line wins and gets their name pencilled in on the cup. :) And bragging rights of course...

Weather has been quite hot here of late. Although despite the heat, I'm a deck gardener for the first time. Yes indeed- my tomato plants have red tomatoes. How exciting! I did get a green pepper too- but it didn't turn out well. It looks like I have chilis coming as well. How very exciting!

I'm finally getting into my running routine again, with the half marathon coming up in a few months. I've discovered I have a long way to go training wise. The run this morning was pure agony, even though it was no longer than any other day in the prior couple of weeks that I've been running it. Maybe it was the humidity.... Lets say. :) Hopefully it'll be easier tomorrow.

I can't remember if I reported I get the joy of going to see the oral surgeon next month to have 2 wisdom teeth removed- not really looking forward to that. It costs $1350 inc GST and was quicker to get in than in Canada.

I'm beginning to think of taking a wee camping holiday of a week or so in a couple of months to see more of the south island. Stay tuned for developments.