Mid Winter Blues

We're now past the shortest day and well into winter which is not my favourite time on the boat to be perfectly honest. It's not that it's cold on board, in fact most of the time Doreen says I have it too hot, it's more that I can't do the things I really enjoy like fishing as often as I would like. This year hasn't been quite as bad I guess...the weather hasn't really been too bad and I've had plenty to occupy me as Chairman of the marina management board. There are a lot of changes going on like the marina replacement and staff changes and it's involved quite a lot of time and effort (which I am enjoying).

The photo above has absolutely nothing to do with mid winter, it was taken at Doreen's 65th birthday dinner at the Pizzeria but I've only just got the photos off of Nigel's phone.

At the moment I have the boat all to myself again as Doreen is staying with Erin in Whangarei for a few days while Erin does some house / dog sitting for friends.

And next week Doreen will have the boat to herself as I'm flying down to Picton with a friend to help him bring a 60 foot launch up to Auckland for its new owner. If the weather allows I think we will do the trip without any stops which will take about four days so it's not exactly a fun cruise. I'm quite looking forward to it all the same. More birthday pics.

There isn't really much other news, I'm only posting this because I'm bored really! A few of us got together and watched the All Blacks thrash the Springboks last night...great game, bring on the Wallabies!

Till next time - JW

Visit to Sydney

Since John and Leigh returned to Australia from the UK we have been keen to catch up with them and see their new home in French's Forest, Sydney. With Leigh's 40th birthday looming up on the 13th July it seemed to be the best time to go over. John W. rang John O' to check that it would be all right - which it was (hoping that their furniture had arrived on schedule from the UK) so I booked a plane fare. John felt that he could not go at this time because the Trust was in the last stages of interviewing and selecting a new Manager who would be started in the new job almost straight away. From John O' we learnt that Kerrie and Leigh and Sophie would be coming down from Sydney to surprise Leigh as well so we contrived to keep my arrival to ourselves and hopefully surprise everyone. This we managed to do. Chloe and and Katie were speechless to see me wander over to their table with their father - they thought they were only at the airport for something to eat! Then when we arrived at the house it was Leigh's turn - oh, it is great fun making surprises!

The next day (Sat.12th) John had booked us in at the hairdressers in the morning so he could get off on his own to collect Kerrie and Angela and Sophie. When Leigh and I arrived at the hotel to meet John as arranged - there he was with Kerrie and Leigh all booking in. More stunned Leigh! We had a wonderful lunch all together at Darling Harbour then I taxied home leaving the young things to dress up and party that evening. I had a very enjoyable evening with John's sister Kerrie who was the official babysitter. Sunday (Leigh's actual birthday) arrived and when John, Leigh Kerrie and Angela arrived after checking out of the hotel we had the opening of presents time and then we all went to lunch at a favourite pub venue. John had to take Kerrie, Angela and Sophie to the airport from there. It had been wonderful being all together after so long. All the females of three generations were pressent that weekend. During the week Chloe and Katie had to go to school and Leigh and John kept me busy looking around their new patch. They are in a lovely part of Sydney, so close to nice beaches and good shopping and transport. There really is a forest in French's Forest and it looks great. I stayed for another weekend and all too soo it was Monday again and time to go home.
A big thank you to John O' for the what must have been the nerve-racking planning orchestrating all our arrivals and for your wonderful generosity.