Good morning.

Apologies Blog ended abruptly last night, the pooter was needed for boring business spreadsheet type stuff,
I considered explaining that I had a reading public but decided against it.
This one will have to be quick cos I have to move the non-hunting neddies to another paddock which
is harder to jump out of otherwise they will apparently try & join us.

More apologies for yesterday's entry.

By common consensus it seems I should have stuck a warning
prior to the entry along the lines of 'Warning - sad aminal/neddy story to follow, readers of a sensitive position may wish to have a tissue ready' Point taken & duly noted.

I didn't sleep much last night & every time I awoke it was from a falling/crushing type dream. Strange.

Hope all goes well with your 1st night-duty D team. Be careful.
Have a good w/e Di, play nicely with your friends.

Hope to update you later on tonight about my day.

Do you think they have e-mail in a & e?

Hello again (2 entries in 1 day-you lot are spoiled)

Nearly hitting a truck head-on on my Suzuki 600? No.
Nearly hitting a car head on my Fireblade ? No.
Doing the Isle of Man mountain circuit on the back of an FZR 100 & even MY boots were grounding out around corners? No.
Doing stunts on the back of a professional stuntman's GSX-R 1100? Close, but no.

All of the above were scary.

However for sheer buttock-clenching, bowel-loosening terror try sitting on top of a 400kg animal with a very small brain, a penchant for galloping just as quickly downhill as up & throw in the odd jump , all with another 40 dim-witted galloping horses & a pack of loose hounds & you have the 3 most terrifying hours of my life so far.

It was fantastic & I am going again on Monday.

I hardly slept last night & by the time all the trucks & horse-boxes were arriving at 1100 this morning
I would have done pretty much anything not to go. I had only ridden Jess twice, her saddle resembles a pancake,
with the same amount of support & the girth leathers were looking iffy at best.

Why had I agreed to do this ?

After numerous visits to the powder room (eye of a needle springs to mind) I finally went & mounted up.

Even my fervent praying for a tornado, earthquake or similar had failed. God knows an aetheist when he sees one.
The day dawned gloriously clear, azure skies & not so much as a puff of wind. Just what you want in a hunting jacket, gloves, jods & boots.

My feet were hotter than a snake's ass in a wagon rut (copyright approved - LW)

It all looked frighteningly professional, the master wore scarlet, I figured I probably would too by the end of the day.
Even the hounds looked like hounds. I think I was expecting a motley bunch of sheepdogs, mongrels & curs.
We set off & I have to say I admired Zoe's bottle hugely.
Her horse Fliss (the one who tried to bolt with me) was pulling like a train, even in the pelham she was being ridden in (severe bit) I was very pleased to be on Jess, who although excited was at least manageable (Linda, think Hannah on a good day but revved up)
Innes was on Fergus & I had huge misgivings about trying to control my horse, not breach hunting etiquette by ploughing, wildly out of control, through the field & barging the master of his horse AND supervise Innes.

Oh well, nothing ventured.

At the 1st fence (barbed wire, which is deemed too dangerous to jump in England) I wanted to weep with relief when Innes said he didn't fancy jumping it & would I go with him to the gate ?
To my pleasant suprise, at least a 3rd of the field didn't fancy jumping it either so there was no shame in not doing it.

What followed was field after field of cantering, watching the master & the hounds working a field looking for scent (unsuccessfully) & moving on to the next field for more cantering.
Sometimes the cantering turned into galloping, oh alright, frequently the cantering turned into galloping.

This was partly because I couldnt always persuade Jess to canter when I thought she should ie down-hill & perilously close to the edge of steep clifs & partly because we often had to wait for Innes cos Fergus is only ickle.
Then Jess would get the hump about being overtaken by other galloping horses & gallop even faster to resume what she felt was her rightful place at the front.

We came to a fence where most people were happy to try it (about 3'06" Linda) & I am proud to announce we jumped it (actually Jess jumped it, but I stayed on) She felt lovely & never had a moment's hesitation (unlike her rider).

I met an ex-nanny from here, a lovely girl called Sally.
We hit it off immediately & swapped survival hints.
It was great to speak to someone who knew exactly where I was coming from.
She lives just outside Christchurch & has invited me down any weekend I am off.
She also showed me the ropes today, etiquette-wise & has invited me to the hunt on Monday.
Monday is the Queen's Birthday & a BH ?

Is it in the UK ?

I can't remember.

The only draw-back is I have to take Zoe & Innes as well but at least it will be company in the horse-box on the way there.
Apparently its a 50km journey & it will be the 1st time I have driven the box since becoming a truckie.

Which reminds me. I received my certificate yesterday. How exciting.
Attached was a note from the assessor, Grant.
It said 'Once again - congratulations - ring any time with any questions & I apologise for the beating the All-Blacks are going to dole out to your boys'

When we win I am going to send a 'With Sympathy' card.

I am going to have my certificate framed. Who would have thought it ? Come to NZ - get a certificate.

New Zealand's like that.

By the end of the hunt I was totally exhausted.
My legs were shaking, my butt was like iron, my 3rd finger on my right hand still has no feeling (from pulling on the reins so hard) and my new leather gloves were wringing with sweat.

So how do I feel about hunting now ?

I always said that if I could go along without seeing a kill & just enjoy the countryside & being on a horse that's what I would do (sorry Malc-you would be ashamed of me) That's exactly what happened today.
In 3 hours not only was there no hare but there was not even a sniff of a hare.
To be totally honest it would not distress me greatly to catch a hare.
I don't know what the difference is between a fox & a hare (I do really, but you know what I mean) but there you go.

At one point today we were cantering along a green field with snow-capped mountains to our right & the sea to our left.
I felt sufficiently in control to chat to Sally as we rode side by side.
I remarked how stunning it was & even she said she wished she had brought a camera.
I did consider taking mine today but thought I would be gutted if I broke it.
However, now I trust Jess a little more, I may risk it on Monday.

'No, no - think of all the Argos vouchers' I can hear you lot shout.

After socialising for a while (beer & muffins, excellent combo) I meandered off to feed the horses.
We cooked them some barley so that they could enjoy a special treat as they had worked so hard.
It was dark as I wandered across the yard.
I was greeted with gentle whickerings & three expectant faces looking over the fence.

Despite the fact that my dinner was about to be served I lingered outside with them whilst they consumed their grub.
There was much appreciative lip-smacking & cute little snorting noises to tell me my culinary skills were appreciated.

As I listened I looked up. Turbo, you were right about the sky down here.
It was the 1st time I had been outside in the pitch black & I realised that the stars were visible in a complete 360 degree arc.
You know how at home there just seems to be a cap of stars above you because of all the pollutant light?
Well, here there is none so you are enveloped in soft, inky blackness & the stars look like millions of diamonds sprinkled onto lush, black velvet.

(stop me if I am starting to sound like a country singer)

As I looked & listened & patted soft nokies I thought of my last 2 weeks.
NZ has completely captivated me.
I feel calm, happy & most of all healthy.
I have not felt this good in years, In fact, not since I started shift-work.
I get at least 8 hours sleep a night & I am on the go all day.
I fall into bed genuinely tired & not just stressed.
I have read every night since arriving.
I haven't done that in years.
I eat healthily, 3 meals a day (can't remember doing that since leaving home)
I have one of those farmers tans which covers your face, the v on your neck & your forearms.

I don't doubt there will be hard days when I wonder what on earth I am doing here.
For the time being any stress with the kids is soothed away every time I look out of the window.
I adore England & feel very disloyal talking about my new home this way but Q was right when he said that words can't amply describe it.
Bill knows what I mean.
As he said 'A217 every day or NZ ?'

Not a tough choice.

All I need now is for you lot to come out & see what I am raving about
(Weeny, your Sept visit would coincide with the beginning of Spring & the blossom-you will love Mussel Boys)

Simply put, NZ has worked it's magic on me.
I can put it no more simply than how I described it to my Mum today.
It's like salve to your sores - whatever they are.

Goodnight all :)

Cx

Good evening one & all,

If I ever needed the proof that Blog is actually read & not just written by me for my own entertainment then it came this morning in the guise of a 05.30am text along the lines of 'Why no Blog - we are worried' No names, no pack drill.

Just remember guys, if it's 1830 there, its 11 hours ahead here. Nuff said.

The Quest 4 Aragorn World Clock
Ed - In case you want to know what time it is in Orcland

Along those lines, a 03.30 phone call woke the entire household about a wk ago, if it was any of you, just don't own up to it.

I have loads to tell so have run upstairs & baggsied the pooter.

Yesterday was the best day I have had since arriving.

The weather was warm & sunny all day with only a slight breeze blowing.
I did neddy stuff all morning, lunged the ponies, rode Fliss & did 1 tiny x-country jump.

Cocky, Don't know if you got my text but I did my 1st ever flying-change ! It felt great.
To be fair, Fliss did it but I gave her the aids. Hurrah for me !

At 12 I usually get 4 hrs 'me-time' but I saw the guys were busy with the ooh-cows so I went & hung around to see if I could help out.
They were sorting thru 190 steers.
The ones with double tags in their ears had to be weighed to see how much weight they were putting on so they know how much $ they will fetch.
The owner of the cows, Richard was here & he asked me to note down the number in the cow's ear & then to record how much they weighed.
A large horse weighs about 500kgs, these 2 yr old cattle were each about 320kgs.

Mal & Mike sifted thru the herd sorting out the double-taggers who were then driven towards the weigh-bridge thru a system of gates similar to the ones at the Post Office or Alton Towers.
What was very nice to see was that although they both worked with long, white metal sticks they were really only using them to indicate to the cows where to go. Occassionally a particularly truculent one was given a prod.

After being weighed Richard asked me to calculate the average weight of the herd so tha he could work-out their weight-gain.
Turns out with all the recent rain they were putting on a kg a day. Mal & Mike explained to Richard that I had brought the rain so he was very pleased with me.

Once we had finished weighing them all we drove them to their respective pastures.
Mike asked me to move along behind a herd of about 30 or so & make some noise.
Armed with a large stick (only a wooden 1, I can't have a white metal 1 yet) I whooped & hollered & felt like a real cowboy ('I made a calf') Once we were in the pasture some of them broke away & your correspondent is proud to report that she ran at them shouting such things as 'Get up there' to shoo them thru the fence.

Mike asked me if I had worked with stock before as I was very calm with them ?

I asked if being chased by a herd of Charolais counted ?

I'm sorry if that makes for a really dull read for the townies amongst you but I have to say that being outdoors, working with cows & being useful for about 4 hours was very, very fulfilling.
I told Mal & Mike to give me a shout if they ever need a hand between 12 & 4 again.

Unfortunately, helping with the cows put me in just the wrong spot when the vet turned up to put Coco down.
He asked for a hand & I could do nothing but agree to help.
He, Mal & I drove up to the far pasture where he was & I put a headcollar on him & chatted to him whilst the vet loaded his syringe.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the vet inject a large dose of local all around the site where he intended to find the jugular.

He then injected a large amount of pentobarbitone into the vein, drawng back several times to make sure he was still in the right place.
He explained that the dose he had given Coco (ickle, old pony) would be enough to finish off a big, strong horse.
He warned me to be ready to jump clear in case he fell on me & then we stood & waited. And waited. And waited.

I expected the effect to be instantaneous, the way it is with dogs & cats and apparently so did the vet.
We watched Coco for a full 5 minutes & despite looking sleepy he was still standing.
The vet nudged him in the ribs to see if he would lie-down.
Coco looked at him as much to say 'Who you shoving ?'

Eventually the vet decided, after examining the drug's sell-by date, to give him some more.
This time the effect was as expected.
He keeled over & very slowly went to sleep.
Although it was very peaceful I have to say I am glad I knew what to expect from my time as a vet nurse.
I should imagine it could be very distressing if you were witnessing it for the 1st time.

I apologise if any of you had to skip thru that paragraph but I want to share all my news good & bad.

The vet didn't laugh at me for cuddling him as he was being injected & even took the time to say to me
'If you have to go can you think of a more beautiful place to die than this ?'
He was right.
The sun was just going down, the sky was rose-pink & he was breathing his last in a beautiful green pasture overlooking the river.
Sure beats starving thru the Winter.

What was quite touching was that as we drove away I looked over my shoulder & noticed the other 3 horses nuzzling at the body ... makes you think.

Plans were made to remove the body in the morning (the kids were due in from school) & to cremate it.
I promised myself that I would try & be far away in the morning.
I didn't want to see the body being carried in the scoop of a digger.

I got busy with the things I always do last thing before dinner.
This is the part of the day I think I like best.
That feeling of settling down, checking everything & bringing the day to a close is something I never got in my other job.
I fed the pigs (including preparing their peas for the next day), I fed the dogs, I fed hay to the ponies & then I fed all the other horses.

This is possibly the most entertaining sight.
As you approach the paddock with buckets in hand, they stop what they are doing, look around at each other to work out who's where & then set off to gallop the length of 2 football pitches to reach you.
It never fails to make me smile.
There is a distinct pecking order which although it sounds harsh makes for a more peaceful herd.

Jess (my neddy) is top dog (so to speak) She gos to her bucket 1st
Fliss is 2nd
Millie is 3rd

They are the only ones who get fed.
The others are just on grass at the moment & there is plenty of it.

The others mill about watching the ones with buckets looking for their chance.

(Can you imagine us doing this at home Linda ? we would end up feeding everyone, even if it was just a handful of chaff)

When Jess has finished hers she shoves Fliss off her bucket.
Fliss pushes Millie off hers.
Millie goes to harass Kestrel, Fergus & Shrinky who by now are squabbling over the remnants in Jess's bucket.

The only one who doesnt get a look-in is Winky, a very old grey pony who doesn't have the energy to squabble with the rest of them.
(I sometimes take him an apple - I can't help it)

After a very tasty dinner of nachos (eating beef at least twice a week here) I went for an early night & finished my Bill Bryson.
As I wrote in my journal I felt tired, reasonably warm & very happy & content.
A good day's work.

Today dawned just as beautiful as yesterday.
I lunged the ponies, fixed a fence (very satisfying) & constructed a dressage arena.
That probably sounds much more impressive than it should.
In essence, I marked out a rectangle measuring 20m by 40m, roped it off & put all the letters in the right place so that we can practice our dressage.

Wouldnt you just know I was grooming one of the ponies when I heard the rumble of the tractor.
I turned around to look without thinking & saw poor old Coco being trundled along in the bucket.
It was like when you pass a car crash & you can't help but look - I was transfixed.
Chris shouted to me 'This is what happens to bad nannies'
I told him it would be a blessed relief.

I didn't even escape the funeral pyre.
Mal told me to jump in the truck so I could come & look.
I asked him if it looked gory & he said of course not.
I didn't want to hurt his feelings as he loves showing me things - so off I went to see.
He was right, the shape was indistinguishable but all day wafts of smoke have been blowing around the farm.
They expect the fire to burn for a couple of days.


Tree @ Dead Horse Point

On a brighter note - I have agreed to go hunting on Jess tomorrow.
It would be fair to say I am bricking it.
Sorry - but there's no other way to put it.
The hunt is meeting here, in the paddock in front of the house & as Trish said
'There's no more convenient place for you to start from ...'

My protests of 'But Jess needs shoeing & I don't have a jacket' were met with helpful offers of arranging the farrier to come today & a hunting jacket borrowed from a friend.
Bugger.
Just to make things more exciting Zoe & Innes are going to come with me.
Doubtless, they will be clearing everything with youthfull skill & bravery whilst yours truly here will be soiling her underwear.

It didn't help one iota when Zoe said "Don't worry, Jess jumps everything ... even full wire'
Wire is deemed too dangerous to jump in England (are you wetting yourself Cocky ?)
I didn't even bother to ask if they wear back-protectors whilst hunting.

On the upside I tried on my gear, fawn jodphurs, a crips, white shirt, full-length black boots & the borrowed jacket which is a very snazzy, beautifully tailored navy blue number with a faint pinstripe.
All modesty aside, I didn't recognise the smartly dressed equestrian looking back at me from the mirror.

At least I will be beautifully dressed when I am churned to a muddy pulp.

Why R We Waiting
Ooooooooooooh Why R We waiting

What No Blog

It's like taking Heat away from Di this is

We need our Fix

NEWS FLASH

It appears Blogger has gone belly up 2day which may explain why Maam has not published , normal will be resummed as as poss.

IN the meantime please Njoi the following
Best experienced away from work with speakers.

I thank You

Independent Woman - played by kittens

Hello all,

Kids in bed & some Blog time. I read stories to Genevieve & Lizzie. Innes & Zoe pretend to be too grown up for stories but can't resist chipping in with comments which gives the game away. Hot water bottle has gone in, losing the battle to keep warm at night.
Very busy day today, lunged the neddies, mowed the lawn did 34 loads of washing but nothing I haven't already told you about so I thought I would describe the farm & surroundings to you.

The house is a huge timber-built structure with a verandah on 2 sides.
There is a large lawn around 3/4's of the house which I mow.
Beyond the front of the house are 3 large paddocks.
I don't suppose hectares will translate very well so think 3 football pitches.
The 1st 2 contain all the gees.
The last 1 houses rude shagging ram lambs & Hereford steers (castrated bulls).

The ram lambs are v.entertaining to watch because every time you drive past they are all frantically humping 1 lamb.

I can't work out if it's the same one, in which case, why do they all fancy him ?

If not, do they all take turns at being girly-lamb ?

In any event, they know they are up to no good because as soon as a car approaches they stop what they are doing & whistle nonchalantly whilst you drive past.
They resume their behaviour as soon as your head is turned.

At the end of those 3 football pitches is the road to Seddon.
Around the house & on the same level is a shearing shed, a segregation paddock for dividing ram-lambs from ewe lambs, the pig enclosure (more about those in a minute) the paddock where the Anderson ponies Vic & Penny live (they are the ones I lunge every day) a couple of ramshackle enclosures containing hay, lawn-mover, various lethal farming implements, 2 large containers of fuel, 1 unleaded, 1 diesel and numerous landrovers scattered artistically in varying degrees of decomposition.

It is Lizzie's job to feed the pigs every day & they are fed on a mixture of table scraps & dried peas soaked for 24 hours.
I help Lizzie because she cannot lift the pea bucket high enough not to get a belt from the electric fencing around the pigs.
On the 1st occasion I saw the pigs they had kicked their trough over.
I was about to enter the enclosure to right it when Lizzie grabbed my arm & explained that they would attack me.
Something about her expression convinced me this wasn't kids drama so we hatched a plan to feed them a bit of food away from the manger & then I could dash in & right the trough.
Ben Johnson's got nothing on me I can tell you.
Despite the wellies I was in & out like a flash.
When I explained to Lizzie that our pigs back home were docile & liked having their ears scratched she said 'But don't you feel bad when you eat them?' I explained they were pets not food & she looked at me as if I were making it up.

Back in the house I asked Chris what the pigs would have done if I had entered their enclosure. 'Take your fingers off, most likely' came the unequivocal reply. Rightho.

Back to describing the farm. It is on 3 levels altogether. Around the house is very flat & relatively wind-free.
From the house you ascend a very steep zig-zag path to the upper ground.
This stretches for many hectares (imagine about 40/50 football pitches) & includes the x-country course.
It is very lovely (when not windy enough to take you out of the saddle) all softly undulating green hills.
(The fences are fantastic Linda, there's even a little water complex, still haven't been able to jump it, Jess is losing a rear shoe, there seems to be no hurry to have her shod) Up here live the twins ponies which are turned away at the moment plus 2 other geriatric retired ponies.
One of these is the previously mentioned Coco.
The hunt declined to take her so the vet is coming to put her down tomorrow.
They are then going to cremate her to save digging a hole.

Have to say I hope I don't get asked to help.

It was interesting to see how Trish approached telling the kids about Coco.
For the benefit of the youngest, she said tonight at dinner quite casually that she did not think Coco would survive the winter.
Genevieve asked if she was going to die & Trish said yes.
The next comment was one of the other kids asking for the mussels to be passed.
They breed 'em tough in the country.

All along these fields are more sheep & more cows.
The lower level is about 100 feet lower than the farm.
Again it stretches for many football pitches but is narrower (about 2 pitches wide) & flat as it runs alongside the river which is the Awatere.
The river looks a bit sad after 3 years of drought. It is a slightly muddy colour & in many parts the river bed is visible.
It gets prettier further down but I have to say is nowhere near as lovely as English rivers & is not a patch on Linton Falls Mum !

Clare wasn't kidding when she said the farm was surrounded by vineyards, there are 3 within close proximity & as you come off Seaview road into Seddon they dominate the valley.
Very pretty at this time of year as all the vines are dying off & golden.

Trish's Dad I discovered today is 'Mal', not 'Mel' (say it out loud & you'll see why I thought it was the former)
Q, this guy could talk you under the table.
He cornered me with an armful of hay today & very proudly showed me the original 1916 handbook for the chaff-making machine (chops up hay into ickle bits for stock to eat) He didn't only show me it, he read aloud from it & frequently tested my understanding with probing questions.
I really like Mal, he is a true gent.

When I went to town today Chris asked me to take the van rather than the Holden because he 'Didn't know if I had noticed it but he thought it might be handling oddly ?' No kidding.
We both discussed the 10p 2p moments we had enjoyed in it & decided it needed looking at properly.

Whilst at the supermarket today decided it was time to get my own margarine & semi-skilled milk (copyright. Granny)
delicious as butter is every day I find the taste of full-fat milk quite revolting now (oh, how I loooathe)
Doubtless the kids will be cheerfully splashing it on their cereal tomorrow morning, despite me explaining why I had bought it.

Bad news today.

Spoke to Geoff (lovely RENZ co-ordinator @ Rangiora) to advise him I had paid my $ in for my South Island Trip.
He told me that it is looking dubious that he will get the numbers required to make the trip feasible. He went on to tell me not to worry bcos all my money would be refunded. I told him he had better get the numbers bcos I needed a break. I went on to say that if he doesn't take us away anywhere I will be visiting anyway even if milking is at 0445. I think he thinks I'm joking.
There is a Summer trip which will go ahead as it is always well-subscribed but it is still a huge blow as I have been very much looking forward to speaking to growed-ups.

Going to investigate why a moggy is meowing plaintively - stand by ...

Just pressed ctrl instead of shift, whilst trying to type a capital & wiped a whole paragraph - poo.

If it duplicates sorry but will re-type anyway ...

Mog was ginger mog hiding & hopng not to be thrown out.

Today's quickies

Agent Rampart & anyone else who doesn't have it.

My address is 'Marfell Downs' Seaview Road, Seddon, Marlborough, South Island, NZ.

Q - Impressed you found the Mastiffs. They are a fighter not a lover.
Any joy with J.Froud & pay ? ( Ed she says it should have been sorted )
Going to read H next. ( Ed _ Chuffed )
Like the Siamese in 'Hallmarks of Felinity' beautifully drawn.
How's the de-tox going ?
Are you craving starch ot nicotine the most ? ( ED - My Logic is if I don't drink Alkeehool then me no want Nicoteen , I can still eat starch but not wiv Protein )
VK sounds awful, don't miss it one jot.
Couldn't break the Blog code - clue please.

Di - Saw ickle feral moggy the image of aoooah today. V sad. Did the hug thing, made myself giggle holding out my arms as per
instructions.

Bill - U were in such a hurry to send without spell-checking that you spent 3 hours reading my Bog. made me laugh.

Mum - How's it going with Granny. Good/bad/indifferent ? Caught myself holding underwear (my own) to my cheek to see if it was
dry when bringing in the washing today. Is there no hope for me ?

Off for an appointment with the sandman & a hottie now.

Big up to ya,

Cx

Bonsoir,

The scary ladies from the pony club are congregating downstairs, so I am hiding upstairs.
Kids bathed & in bed. Chatted to Bill whilst bathing the kids & he remarked how funny it was to hear me being 'Mummy'.

Bill needs a slap.

No Blog last night cos always someone on the pooter.

You didn't miss much yesterday apart from that we decided that Coco (v.old retired pony)
has to move on to the Great Pasture in the Sky. He is looking v.old & worn out & can hardly eat his food it's only the beginning of the winter here so he would find it a struggle.

Trish has asked the hunt to come & dispose of him. For any townies amongst you that don't know they shoot the horse then feed it to the dogs to make it worth their while coming to collect the carcass. (Di - take your hand away from your mouth) Problem is that there is not really enough of Coco to make it worth their while.
I saw Chris wandering up to the paddock with a huge lump mallet & thought, surely even New Zealanders wouldn't beat a horse to death ?
Turns out he was going to straighten some old fence posts.
That's ok then.

Today was my assessment drive in the 10 tonner. Thanks for asking - I passed :)
Very nerve-wracking, especially the around town bit. Grant's final comment was that it was a good drive & he would be happy if everyone drove like that. Bill says that's because the average Kiwi drives like a myopic, suicidal nutter & that Asian people entering Auckland have to lower their standard of driving.

I think he's jealous cos I am now officially allowed to eat 'Yorkies'



Yorkie bar's no longer for truckers - or girls
Chocolate bar Yorkie is dropping its macho trucker image but using the slogan "it's not for girls" in a new television advert starting next week.
Yorkie was launched in London in 1976, then across the UK the following year.
Since the early days the image of a lorry driver was used in a series of adverts, which ended six years ago with the last television campaign.



Makers Nestle has decided not to revive the image when it launches the new advert on Monday.
The campaign keeps to the male image, with messages such as "Don't feed the birds","Not available in pink", and "King size not queen size".
Nestle Rowntree marketing director Andrew Harrison, said: "This is a big step for Yorkie as the trucker has been an institution, but we felt that we needed to take a stand for the British bloke and reclaim some things in his life, starting with his chocolate.

"We're not saying Yorkie is "not for girls" to be offensive but to let the British male know that we are for him alone.

"Women Yorkie eaters can switch to an Aero or Little Rolo if they like, Yorkie's feelings won't be hurt."

However, the relaunch has been dismissed by women's groups who branded it a marketing ploy.

Zarin Ainsworth, from the National Council for Women, said: "I don't think women need an excuse to buy chocolate and I don't think men go for male-only bars."

As we set off from the test centre, Grant reminded me what we had learned in the classroom about leaving all your stresses & attitude behind once you got behind the wheel of a truck.
As I was going thru the cab checks & the start-up procedure a guy behind honked me. Grant leaned out of the passenger window & asked the guy

'What his problem was, d***head ?'

I do so love it when a truck-driver takes control. I was ripping off my seat-belt & offering to hold his coat.

Grant must have been fairly confident with my driving tho because we went from total silence to a 'heated debate' about the chances of the All-Blacks whupping the Poms at rugby.
It began quite intellectually & finished 'Will' 'Wont' 'Will' 'Wont' etc

When I asked for my tea weak & watery the reply was 'What like an English forward ?'

He then waved my unsigned certificate in front of my face & told me I had to swear allegiance to the All-Blacks if I was to receive it.

I told him he could shove his certificate & threatened to torch his office & report him for blackmail. They like you to be direct here.

New Zealand's like that.

We also had a long chat about my job & he ended the day by saying that if I ever fancied talking to a grown-up I should give him a call.
He meant it too, not in a lecherous way, but because most people here are v.friendly.

Having said that, I met one yesterday who wasn't ...

I have to be careful with job firewalls & stuff but it is safe to say she was the single most offensive, rude, uppity bitch I have ever had the bad misfortune to meet.

It all started when I went to book a dressage lesson ... I had asked Trish what she thought of this lady who was half way between here & Blenheim. She said she hadn't heard anything either way so I went off for a looksee.

Upon arrival at this place advertising dressage with a billboard, there were no Private signs & no closed gates. I drove up the driveway to be greeted by 3 hyooooge Neopolitan Mastiffs.




Think looks/demeanour of a pitbull & size of a St.Bernard & you're close.

Deciding I quite liked my limbs where they were I stayed in the car.
About 20 yards away I could see a woman schooling a horse in a dressage arena.
She heard the dogs, looked over at me & carried on schooling.
Having waited in the car for a full 5 mins, I decided she must be a pupil & it was up to me to go find someone.
I opened the door a bit to see what the dogs would do & they all came charging over with tails wagging so deeming them to be safe I got out.
They were jumping up at me but in a 'let's play' way rather than 'yum-yum'.

I started to approach the front door & was called over by the woman on the horse who said simply 'Hey' This is the standard Kiwi greeting so I aproached her & started

"Hello there, sorry to disturb you but I am here to ...'

That's as far as I got. She thundered

'DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME TELL YOU TO STAY IN THE CAR ?'

I thought sarcasm best avoided, seemed like an intensely stupid question to me.

I replied that I had not & tried again to explain why I was there.

I DON'T CARE WHY YOU ARE HERE. GET IN YOUR CAR & LEAVE NOOOOOOW !!!

She made her point well. I contemplated advising her to remove her head from her own rectum where it was so obviously firmly wedged but thought better of it in case she had an attack signal for the baby elephants.
I did, however, re-arrange copious amounts of gravel on her driveway with lashing of torque from The Beast.

As I left 4 things occurred to me.

1. You have to be rolling in wedge to treat potential customers like that.
2. You have to be very stoopid to not know who you are insulting.
3. You can meet a***holes wherever you are in the world.
4. I have a whole year here to plan a counter-attack.

At 1st I thought steak laced with laxatives thrown over the fence for the dogs.

Bill, who is more subtle, suggested block-booking loads of lessons, then failing to apear.
Arson popped, momentarily, into my head (yeah, I know the legal thing is a problem)

As I approached today on my way to Blenheim I could see a thick plume of black smoke issuing from very nearby. To my eternal dismay it was a haystack on fire directly behind the house.

Right, off to Bedfordshire for me.



The usual quickies ...

Cocky, thanks for the snapshot of rural England at the jumping, v. amusing.
Thought you were going to say the bloke was Dave 'whoa you b*****d' Green
You are right NZ has no gold shoes, just steelies, Joan would hate it.
Got your mail from Sean's by the way, the system works.

Trudes, well done, got yours too. No it's not hot, it's Autumn going into Winter here.
9 degrees today. Guess who left her winter Harry Hall's behind thinking
'Won't need those where I'm going' Der.
Glad to hear Jim is back safe & well

Q - editing par excellence again. Haven't the willpower to try with the foties again 2nite
but your shots of The Mussel Boys are lovely. Can you believe I wanted to take a fotie of my mussel chowder to show you lot but thought the other diners would think me a bit odd ?

As for the lyrics from The Little River Band - Pass me the Domestos - I wasn't exaggerating was I ? Reminds me of the only funny joke I have ever heard which features the c word about the bloke from Preston.

Di -You said at Red Peppers that you could never walk into a restaurant to dine alone.
I am living proof that it can be done. I did feel a bit conspicious asking for my 'Table for 1' & I was sure I could hear the other diners muttering 'There she goes, alone & childless & no man to dine with. Poor soul (sole)' Such tragic thoughts disappeared when my soup arrived.

Bill - Lovely to chat, particularly liked the reference to Disney's 'Kingdom of Tonga' Is Elton doing the lyrics ? I am so sorry for all the times I have sighed inwardly whilst having 3-way chats with you & your brood.
Bill had to cope tonight with 'Wash your hair, no, get it wet 1st, here, I'll do it, where's the soap, no, you are 9 & don't need conditioner, where's the towel I laid out for you, right you're done ... NEXT' & so on, whilst trying to tell me, in dogged, determined fashion about his firearms training.
Look forward to a visit after my South Island Tour.

Stu - Sorry if you tried to tx me 2nite. Left fone & bag at Granny's when Genevieve & I visited earlier on this aft. Can't wait to hear whats been afoot at work. Will collect fone 2moro & hopefully speak to you in the evening.

Got a set of foties developed today of the garden looking pretty b4 the BBQ, Jeeeeffreeey & aooah & the horse/dog show we went to (Stu, Trudes & Linda) I stood in Blenheim High Street & oohed & aahed at how lovely everything looked (the ones of BM drinking hot choc are v.funny) & though what a lovely bunch of chums I have.

Big hug to you all & take care,

Cx

Well hello,

What a fantastic day. Went to Havelock in the sunshine. Via Picton, just to do the beautiful drive again.
The coastal road from Picton to Havelock is THE most stunning drive I have ever done.
Q hasn't receieved the photos I sent him which is upsetting after I spent an hour doing it but has substituted some of his. Yours are good, but I have to say, wait til you see Pearl's.

The drive is only 8km but took me over an hour cos I stopped easily 6 times to get out & marvel at each glorious bay & miles & miles of blue. For someone who likes blue, boy was NZ an inspired choice. I went into snap-happy-Jap-tourist mode & you lot are going to be bored rigid with shots of water,trees & sky.
The road was veeeery twisty with 90 degree corners every 20 metres or so.
Have to say I felt a bit bleurgh when I got out.


The countryside approaching Havelock was the picture postcard stuff I have come to New Zealand for & makes Seddon look like a desert (Seddon IS a desert) I truly could live in the area between Picton & Havelock & never tire of looking at it every day. I cannot wait til some of you come here cos it's the 1st place I'll take you.
The rest of NZ may well be a bit of a disappointment.

I remember when Q arrived from North to the South that he txd me a stream of expletives, most beginning with f.
When I asked him what was wrong, he explained that he had just come across the water to Picton & was totally blown away & did not have the words to describe it.
I understand exactly what he means.

If there is a heaven I can't imagine it looks different.


After stretching my legs for a couple of hours I had built up a considerable appetite.
I found just the place to test it.



The Mussel Boys Restaurant

'Mussel Boys' in Havelock is a small, friendly, beautifully decorated restaurant specialising in green shelled mussels. Havelock is billed as 'Mussel capital of the world' so it seemed bad manners not to.

Inside I found you could have mussels served in about 16 different ways, including steamed & grilled on a half-shell. The flavours were beyond belief (even Guinness for you, Weeny & Angie)


I plumped for mussel chowder.

It was served in a cute dish shaped like a mussel & came with a pitcher of iced water & bread. The bread was fresh-baked & there were 3 big rustic hunks of the stuff.
The butter was little noisettes served in ... mussel shells. The chowder was so thick the spoon stood up.

It had at least 20 mussels in it, sweet potato, pumpkin, garlic, celery & lashings of cream.
It was on a par with the snow-crab I had in New York (did I ever mention ... ?)
This dining experience won hands-down for the setting. I ate my soup looking over the bay & studying the world map in which folks who had visited had stuck pins.

As you would expect there were lots of pins in the UK & USA.
Every other country had at least 1 visitor with the exceptions of Turkmenistan, Libya & Paraguay.
To think - they don't know what they're missing.

The total cost for 1 of the best dining experiences of my life, with a glass of apple & mango juice ?
$14 or about a lady. When you think how much Cafe Rouge charge for a bowl of Moules Mariniere I could weep.

Took the more direct route home on State Highway 6 which takes you inland back towards Blenheim.
It was a fantastic drive apar from the music. Having tired of 'No Parlez' after 16 repeats I rumaged around for what Chris listens to in the car.

Little River Band Official Site

The cover of The Little River Band didn't look promising but I tried it anyway.
Their 'sound' is best described as 'soft-rock meets country' It was awful - Lindsay you would love it.
The titles should have been my 1st clue really ...

'Lonesome loser' & 'Happy Anniversary daaarlin' are just 2 I can remember. 'Happy Anniversary' sounded upbeat enough until the bloke started singing & it became obvious he was singing to his ex who was now with someone else.

Happy Anniversary
------------------
words by Beeb Birtles
music by Beeb Birtles and David Briggs


Happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind,
happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind.

I'm so happy for you baby
now that you've found somebody new,
I see it in your eyes, Lord it's no surprise,
what he can do for you.

But when I look back baby
when I look back to what we had,
I know I'm countin' good times,
but there were just as many bad.

And so I wish you
happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind,
happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind.

There's a lesson here to learn when your baby ups and leaves you
carry on, don't feel concerned even though you're so much in love
you need a little help from above, oh.

Happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind,
happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind.

Oh ain't no foolin' with you baby
only the words are hard to find,
you got me tremblin' at the knees
answer won't you please,
before I lose my mind.

This is our fifth year baby,
and I feel like I'm in gaol (jail), Lord,
I'm holding on to this card,
can't seem to get it in the mail
and the card reads ...

Happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind,
happy anniversary baby,
got you on my mind.

(oow yeah) happy anniversary baby
got you on my mind
(ah yeah) happy anniversary baby
got you on my mind

Oh, have a happy anniversary
cos' I've got you on my mind,
always on my mind.

Happy anniversary, happy anniversary
happy anniversary, happy anniversary
happy anniversary, happy anniversary
happy anniversary


Great.
Now under normal conditions I would rather chew off my arm & rub the stump in vinegar than listen to anything vaguely country but either my tolerance is rising or something about the countryside is rubbing off on me cos I listened to both sides before playing Paul again.

Now if only I could find an ear of corn.

I am getting used to 'The Beast' too. I have worked out that right hand corners are fine.
The left is when things get a litle loose. After looking at the damage to the left lights I asked Chris what happened. It appears he was towing a horse-box (called a horse-float over here) when things got liveley & the box jack-knifed in2 the car. I think it has done more structural damage than he realises. If you keep the power on in a left hander it's ok.
Things go amiss if you think you are over-cooking it & come off the power or worse still attempt to brake. It's at this point the Beast shimmies, shakes it's tail & points it's nose towards fields if you are lucky or a sheer drop if you are not.

I know what you are thinking ... stay on the power. That's ok in most circumstances but occasionally there is a hazard such as a sheep, child or blind person that cessitates slowing down. Tiresome really.

Anyway, we are starting to understand each other.

I know it's the weekend and all back home but I had no e-mails at all today for the 1st time (not even an Archer's synopsis which I usually get every day) :(
The day doesn't feel right without tales of Tarmac & Murphy's derring-do or Angie's lastest office drama.

Hurry back to work you lot. Quid pro quo.

Speaking of moggies, I smuggled Ginger Tom into beesies for an illicit cuddle this morning.
You have never seen such a look of pure unadulterated bliss on a cat's face.
I don't think he has ever seen a bed before, let alone lay on one. He is one of those lovely felines who hugs you by pressing his belly against your chest, hooking an arm
over each of your shoulders, dangles his hindlegs uselessly & purrs in your ear.

Horrible - some of you non cat-lovers may be thinking (are any of my friends non cat-lovers ?) ( Ed - H8 EM )
but I haven't had any affection for a week (not even a hug from Di but IANL) so I'm not being choosy.
Signing off for now to e-mail Cocky boring stuff about Gees & Ange for Nanny advice.

Will also try sending foties to Q again.
Nite nite, Happy Sunday.

Cx

British by birth, English by the grace of God.

Good morning you guys ('Come on you guyth migraythion')

This is possibly the most uncomfortable typing experience ever. I am trying to type with 4kg of fat ginger purring moggy on my lap & am reluctant to disturb him cos he is lovely. Imagine how you hold a new-born baby, this is close, but hairier. Think I may try smuggle him in my room 2nite altho strictly speaking no mogs in the house at night-time


Had a great day today but may have to end this msg shortly cos dinner is soon.

I asked Q to ring my Mum & let her know I was safe & well. I then receieved a tel call from my Mum who was very amused to hear from Q. He insisted upon reading Blog to her saying that he would post big chunks of it daily. When she said it would cost too much & he should only send it weekly he told her that it was like 'Heat' magazine & it was no good if she was behind. She had to be 'with it' on a daily basis.

My granny has just arived at my Mum's for the weekend (understand it's a Bank Hol over there ?) & the idea of the following scenario made me laugh out loud. Picture the scene ...

My Gran (she's 88 you know) is watching tv.
My Mum has turned the sound down so she an speak to Q.
Q is racing thru' Blog telling my Mum all the messages to people she has never met in her life.
Sometimes he says 'This bit won't mean anything to you' (then reads it to her anyway)
My gran is wondering why she cant hear the tv & looking for the remote to turn it up.
My Mum is laughing at Q who is speaking faster & faster.
My Mum's cat is searching thru my Gran's case (like a drugs dog but less methodical)
My Gran wonders who my Mum is speaking to ?

The whole thing is so surreal. I am in Zeeland & my friend, a camp copper, is on the phone to my Mum who he has never met, reading Blog to her. Just think how difficult it is to follow Q's train of thought at the best of times. Now imagine that on the fone when you have never met him. Well done Mum. Oh well, needless to say Mum is thoroughly charmed by Q & I suspect they will be new best friends by the time I return. They finished the conversation with talks of chip-shop consortiums.

After that phone call from Di which was lovely as we had a girly gossip & catch-up.
It seems she has made an MDF thermometer-shaped placard which she has positioned outside the house.
You know the kind of thing which shows funds raised for local church roofs ?
She is going to paint the weeks I am away on it. So far there is 1 down & 51 to go.
It also seems she is thinking of letting another of her friends stay in MY room, albeit for a couple of days. Hmmm. I hope she doesn't disturb the shrine to Briggsy ?

After that a call from Q which lasted about an hour.

Took all 3 fone calls without crying after any of them. Way to go Briggsy.

After tha, quick shower, checked my guide books & off in 'The beast' to Picton.

Picton is at the noertherly most point of South Island where you get the ferry to go to North Island.

My description won't do it justice but I will try.

I thought the drive from Seddon to Blenheim was beautiful. I was wrong.
That drive is only pretty. The drive from Blenheim to Picton IS beautiful.
Imagine that you are driving along gently winding roads. Alongside you the brown hills give way to gentle, rolling, greenery. The land is greeen, not just green but greeeeeeeen. Do I make myself clear ? Imagine a green bottle, on a snooker table, on a football pitch in Ireland. Got it ?
Greener than that. It is lush, verdant & loads of other words I would know if I had stuck at English A level instead of running away to join the circus (help me out here Mum)



Di, you think I was good at making your English sound 'posh' in NYC for your reports ?
My mum shames me with her grasp of the English language. One smart cookie.

Anyway, where was I ? Oh yes, green.

The hills gradually got steeper, but still equally soft & rolling to the point where you were climbing thru 90 degree corners, left, right, left, like a snake. On either side of the road, nestled into the hillside like ickle models are rickety farms. They always have sheep (the v.cute woolly ones which look like teddies), cattle, either Jersey, Aberdeen Angus (black or red) or Herefords (solid black or red with white faces).
Then there's the obligatory farm dog. Usually chained, always ugly, frequently barking. At the highest point in these hills the descent to Picton begins.
The countryside now has changed to something which looks sub-tropical.



The plants are packed together so tightly that you wonder how they all receive enough air.
Just as well the sky is so huge here. The road meanders down

dinner-time

Back from dinner, home-made pumpkin-soup, home-made bread & raspberries & whipped cream. Yum.

cont ...

to a very pretty green & off that the high street & the drive to the marina.
It looked incredible today & it was overcast, I can only imagine how lovely it will look when the sun hits the water.
Up to a place called Rakara point via twisties you could only tackle at 15 mph, then parked up & out on foot to take the lovely walk down to the beach via a stunning look-out point.



Foto opportunity then down onto the beach to breathe in some beautifully clean ozone.

Back to the car, then into the High Street for a meander. Picton looks a much wealthier, more touristy kind of town than Seddon & the shops reflect this. They are more artsy & pretty. You now he kind of thing, jewellery shops, curios, things made from driftwood. bought a couple of raffia baskets for corres (UPO's are kind of dear here) from one of these 'Fair-Trade' places.



The lovely lady who worked in there, chatted with me & thanked me for doubling her takings in one transaction.
New Zealand's like that.

Also popped into my 2nd favourite kind of shop, a stationers. Picked up some stamps, some calligraphy pens , a photographic guide on NZ birds & a beautiful journal which has gorgeous foties of NZ coastal shots.
Plan to keep it daily & record my more personal thoughts. Q, you would be impressed with the one I got, much nicer than any of those we saw in WHSmith.

Who knows if Blog sells to the Daily Mail for serialisation I may consider selling the journal too ?

Stopped for lunch at the Picton Village Bakery & had a v.tasty pasty then onto the music store to try & pick up a tape as the radio in The Beast doesn't work. The range of cassettes had to be seen to be believed, Roger Whitttaker, Foster & Allen, Charlotte Church, Russell Watson, I kid you not. And there, just when I had given up looking, nestling like a niblet of corn amongst the poo, was Paul Young's 'No Parlez'



Come back and stay
Love will tear us apart
Wherever I lay my hat (that's my home)
Ku ku kurama
No parlez
Love of the common people
Oh women
Iron out the rough spots
Broken man
Tender trap
Sex

Number 1 Album 14 Jan1984


I handed over my $6.95 & made good my escape. I played this album to death in the 80's & thought it would be great to hear it again. Funny how your memory tricks you because if anyone had asked I would have sworn every track on there was a classic. Listening to it again had me forwarding some of the tracks but great to bellow along at top volume remebering how much I loved Paul Young in the 80's.

My Mum met him recently in the pub she was working with & said he was a lovely chap with no airs & graces

so I obviously had good taste in men even in the days of big hair & 3/4 length leather jackets.

YOUNG, Paul
(b 17 Jan. '56, Luton, Bedfordshire) Pop singer. Had one-off hit with Streetband's 'Toast', UK no. 18 '78; then fronted band Q-Tips '78-82, popular with critics but releasing only Q-Tips '80. On their split he signed a solo deal, released excellent No Parlez '83, a hit incl. no. 1 single with Marvin Gaye's 'Wherever I Lay My Hat', top fives 'Come Back And Stay', 'Love Of The Common People'. A cover of Joy Division's 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' found little favour with that band's cult following, but was an imaginative and soulful interpretation. Strain on voice due to hard touring delayed follow-up; The Secret Of Association '85 built on vocal strengths but lacked variety of the debut, incl. no. 1 USA cover of Daryl Hall 'Everytime You Go Away', other hits. He duetted with Alison Moyet at Live Aid '85; Between Two Fires '86 incl. engaging 'Wonderland', followed by Other Voices and Crossing. From Time To Time compiled singles; he carried on becoming more eclectic with Paul Young '97 on East West.

Have to tell you about a surreal toilet episode today. Used one of those super-loos & was a bit non-plussed to find it the most immaculately hygienic experience ever. Electronic everything & you even had Burt Bacharach's 'You're just too good to be true' serenading you whilst you did your stuff.
Talk about being treated like a goddess. The only disconcerting fact was the door opened directly onto the street & there was a notice informing you the door would open automatically after 10 minutes.

It certainly sharpens your time-keeping skills I can tell you.

Left Picton in high spirits & headed for home. Couldn't resist stopping at The Warehouse. Was only going for pj's (mine are too light-weight) but came out with :

Winter-weight duvy (to add to the 1 that's already on) brrrr
Flannelette jim-jams (green, men's) 'Shexsheee, everything about you is sho shexsheee'
Green polar fleece d.gown (ditto, above)
Spathiphyllum aka Peace Lily for my bathroom

All for $87 (30 squid) 'Everyone gets a bargain at The Warehouse'
Came back & looked at all my purchases but didn't have any1 to show them to (please imagine I have shown you Di) Put the extra duvy on & crawled in for a min to test. Satisfyingly weighty.
Looking forward to a proper test-drive tonight.

Right, going to load the disc now & see if I can suss the foties. After that big hot bath, neddy mag & beesies. Fancy exploring Havelock 2moro. Some quickies.


Trudes - the e-mail address to reach me is exactly the same as it was in the UK ; carol_briggs2003@yahoo.co.uk

Weeny - If you were worried about me being skinny - dont. They drink full-fat milk here & margerine hasn't been invented.
The kids also have a 'goodies-drawer' which my hand gets trapped in. Frequently.

Lovely Col - Hear you are driving the big car. Take it easy out there. Just remember, any injury puts you straight back inside with The Riddler.


' Frank Gorshin aka The Riddler '

Q - On Monday could you ask Julie Froud about my pay for my a/l. I need it to pay for the South Island tour & I e-mailed her just b4 I left so she knows about it. It was supposed to come in the end of April pay run but didn't. She assured me it would come at the end of May. Could you give her a polite prod please ?

Rampart - The KFC here does 'mashies & gravy'. mashies being ickle dollops of mashed spuds.
See, if I hadn't travelled I would never have found that out.

KFC : New Zealand


ttfn

Cx

G'day

Up at 7 today for an easy child-free day (almost)
Spent the day in the classroom being instructed about trucks. Being a weird chick I found it fascinating.
Now I know what HGV drivers have to know, especially the self-employed ones, my respect for them has rocketed & it was pretty high before.

Turns out I have to do the theory test Monday & my assessed drive at 0930 Tuesday morning.
I learned loads today about maximum loads, how to restrain them & how to fill in a driver's log book
Not a V23 here but a record of your work hours.

Our teacher today was Grant Ingersoll ( I promise, I don't make these names up.)
He was 6'06", dark buzz-cut with greying temples, excellent Tom Selleck 'tash (I know, I know) chest like a barrel, hands like shovels, 21 years in the air-force, very, very nice & you've guessed girls - married.



' What 'tash ? '
Oh well still eye candy.

When I arrived at the testing station I was looking at the other people there & thinking it was obvious they were all outdoorsy workers cos they all had the same brown complexions. When I went to the ladies for the 1st time & looked in the mirror I realised I did too !

The mirror in my bathroom is too small to see anything so I havent seen myself since arriving.

Unfortunately, I don't look so much sun-kissed goddess as Eddie Grundy.


' Barry Farrimond play's Eddie Grundy '

Speaking of which, Alan Titchmarsh is to be the celebrity judge in the upcoming garden competition in the Archers - double whammy - how exciting.

Anyway, I digress.

The day was incredibly interesting & all the way thru Grant kept referring to the police or the 'God Squad' as the truckers call them & telling everyone the best way of how to deal with them. At the end of the day, what does he ask me in front of the whole class ?

You're ahead of me aren't you ?

I told him I would rather not answer but when pressed I told him I was a slurry-shoveller from Slough. Think I got away with it too.

An interesting fact about a place with so few inhabitants is that every1 knows every1 else, as I found out today.

We were told that if we were driving we were only allowed to be 'on duty' for a maximum of 14 hours in any 24.

I asked how that works when we go to shows on a w/e & I am 'on-duty' for 48 ?
Whilst replying he said 'Anyway, the kids won't be hard work will they, not like the horses ?'
I replied 'You haven't met the kids & there are 6 of them'

One of my classmates piped up "If you live in Seddon, that must be The Redwoods?'
'I'll get my coat.'

It's interesting & amusing to note that rivalry is alive & well in NZ today.
Whilst reading out the class rules about how we all had to respect each others rights & yahdeyah Grant said

'Are there any Australians here today ?'
'No ? - in that case any North Islanders ?'
'No - in that case, we will have to pick on you Carol'
"Fair enough' said I. (thinking to myself, let's talk about rugby - shall we ?)

Forgot to tell you of my funniest conversation to date with Mel, Trish's dad.
He follows me whils I work & thinks I am a terriffic, captive audience.

After I had finished lungeing one of the ponies yesterday he said "What are you going to do now you have finished fiddling with that one?' When I had stopped smiling at that he started to tel me about the Maoris & how they have just been awarded compensation by the Kiwi govt for all the oil which has recently been used on land which used to belong to them.

I asked Mel if there was any animosity towards the Maoris from the Kiwis. I am keen to learn about the history of the area & hoped for an insight from this wise, old, local. 'You betcha' was his reply. "Why is that ? ' I asked, suspecting the reply was going to be along the lines of a dispute over land.

"Cos they're a thieving bunch of lying bastards'

Touche.

Q, well done for the piccie of Blenheim although I was hoping you lot would be able to see the hills closer.

Don't know about anyone else but I think the Pastis cartoon-strip is getting a little repetitive with this latest theme. ( ED - Yep )

Shall we start a petition for the return of 'Naive Zebra' & his advice column ?

Still think I will have 'Tell dem how you feeeeel' as my epitaph.
A word about the weather. Bugger.

No seriously, since I have arrived, it has been incredibly mild & I have spent all day outside in just a t-shirt
(well jods as well but I take it that's a given ?) It has also rained at some point every day.
The locals are paying homage & calling me a Rain God as it has not rained properly here in over 2 years. Great.

Today was absolutely awful. Just like a wet November London day. Freezing cold & p****** down all day.
The locals are ecstatic whilst I am piling on the fleeces (The Warehouse $17.99 each)

Q - you made me laugh out loud with "Everyone gets a bargain' When I told 1 of the guys on my course
today about 'Pants in a bag' his reply was 'Everyone gets a bargain'. Superb.

I made another friend today. Emma, on my course gave me her tel no at the end of the day,
told me she lived in Havelock, (haven't looked on the map but it must be nearby) said she had
neddies & did I want to go riding with her on my days off ?
New Zealand is like that.

Speaking of days off, I have 1 2moro. Deep joy. Haven't actually planned anything yet. Will probably ride Jess am & go off & see some sights pm. Just not havng to think about anyone else will be blissful. Note to self, ALWAYS use contraception.

Had a very interesting motoring experience today.
The family needed the Hi-Ace to lug the kids off to hockey so I was invited
to take the Holden. Holden is the Kiwi equivalent of Vauxhall in the UK.
It looks like most cars here, a bit tatty but functional. Kind of an elongated estate car.
I got in it & set off in high winds & lashings of rain at 0730 to make an 0815 deadline this morning.
Blenheim is a relaxed 30 mins away & I had to find the test centre & park so I didn't want to be late.

Suffice to say I decided to give it a bit of rhino (copyright approved)
The back end decided it would like to be on 1st name terms with the front end & after that initial scare
I feathered the throttle the rest of the way there. Imagine the power of a Porsche with all the
handling finesse of The Herald of Free Enterprise & you're coming close.

Couple that with winding, narrow roads & drops of 500 feet with only a single strand of wire between you
& soiled pants & you have a driving experience to sharpen your concentration.

When I got back home in 1 piece I asked Chris what engine size the Holden was ?

3.8 litres. Hmmmmm.
Henry would love these roads, I have seen a few of his ancestors here.

In my days off I hope to master the enigma that is camera plus computer & entertain my readers with piccies.

Have just spoken to Stu. It seems he is sending out an aid parcel complete with Yorkshire tea-bags.
Stu, have been thinking about my Mum & was thinking it would be nice if she could read Blog.
Only draw-back is she is not on pooter.
Was wondering if you would mind periodically printing off Blog & posting her chunks ?
Don't know if you want to liaise (2 i's) with Q & see if there is a fool-proof way of printing it in an orderly,
reader-friendly fashion ? Can I leave it to the 2 of you ? ( Ed - Stu drop me a line please with wellphone number )


' Hellifield Chippie '
If it's poss her h\a is 17,Drovers Walk, Hellifield, Skipton, N.Yorks BD23 4DW. MRS JE GEORGE. Obliged.

On that same note Q, tried looking in 'general' under 'properties' for history, still no joy
There OS is Windows '85 to 2001 does that help ?

Also, no Blog today ?
V.poor.

How am I supposed to keep up with tales of Lovely Col, JFP, Sqwark & the VS mafia ?

How is Ken getting on. Has he stolen your love yet with bits of tuna ?

Do you make him fresh fruit salad for brekkie on e/t & if so, does he leave the grapefruit ?
V. impressed to hear you have kicked the weed. Big supportive hug.

Hope you lot don't mind if I reply to your mails on here ?
It just saves time.
I will try not to embarrass you with lurid revelations.

Lolly - thanks for the foties. He looks like a human coconut shy. Almost as entertaining as you doing air-guitar
in just your tiger-print mini-knicks with a floor-mop. Oooops - did I type that out loud ?

On a final note, charger has arrived & fone is working now so will be a bit more contactable. ( Ed - Note to all people trying to phone , only call her on her mobile if it is mega mega urgent , as Cx will be having to pay the bill as it's still on UK network )

Right, off to bed with Bill (Bryson) thought I had better clarify.

Happy Friday you guys.

Cx
ps Thanks again Stu, much appreciated, wasn't free to speak when you rang.

Hi guys,

Thanks for today's mails. Glad I wasn’t there to be blamed for the boiler Di!

This may have to be part 1 of 2 cos the growed-ups have gone out & left me in charge & I have to make dinner soon.
Luckily there are a squillion eggs to use up & all 4 kids like boiled eggs which is nothing short of miraculous.

2nite is the 1st time I will be telling the tin lids to go to bed which should be interesting.

Methinks there may well be an attempted coup. I have already had the 'You're not my Mummy & you can't make me do anything' speech from Genevieve. Luckily emotional blackmail works great on 7 yr olds & my reply of "You are right, I can't make you do anything I just thought you might like to help cos you are a good kid' seemed to nail her (for the time being)

Drove into Blenheim today to do all the corres I needed to. The drive there is beautiful. It takes about 30 mins & the views take my breath away every time. You pass through a range of hills which are exactly like Glencoe in Scotland. That will probably only help Lindsay, but for the rest of you maybe Q can find a piccie on tinternet?



Today I

1. Opened a bank account
The manager shook my hand & addressed me as 'Carol' throughout. She also recommended I join The Young Farmers.
When I asked her how to go about it she took my tel no & said her daughter Louise would call me.
That is what NZ is like. Imagine your bank manager doing that for you in the UK. Yeah - right.
She then told me the best place to buy my camping/walking (called tramping here) supplies, which was "Warehouse"

The Warehouse New Zealand - Where everything's a bargain

2. Went to "Warehouse" - what a fantastic place - imagine B&Q but without the glamour. If you need it Warehouse sells it.
I had previously gone to a 'posh' store called Smith's. The salesman wanted to sell me a sleeping bag for $169 (about 55 squid)
He told me that it would keep me warm at -5c & it packed down 'real small' I told him that for that much money I expected it to roll itself & carry me. Actually I didn’t cos 'nobody likes a ' come on altogether now.

But I thought it.

Publishing break ...

I bought the following in Warehouse.

Sleeping bag
Holdall
Rucksack
Plastic bathroom bin
Bedroom lamp (the one I have makes my room look scary)
Woolly socks
Torch (for glow-worm caves) ( ED - You will not be allowed to take it in with you matey )
200 litres of shampoo (for $1.99)

And possibly the buy of which I am post proud

Drum roll please...

"Anorak in a bag" & also "Pants in a bag"

Navy blue, silver reflective trim, zips on the legs AND they pack into their own pouch!

Both for $34 or 10 of your English pounds! I am going to go try them on before tea; I am so pleased with myself.

Di - you would be horrified. Stu - you would be impressed, cos they are also perfect for golf.

I spent less in 'Warehouse' on all of the above than I would have done on one sleeping bag in Smiths. Result.

Right - off to 'cook' dinner now. Oh, I forgot to mention. Chris approached me this morning looking a bit worried.
He said 'there's good & bad news' the good news was there has been a cancellation on the Class 2 heavy traffic theory test.
The bad news is it's tomorrow & I have to get thru the truckers equivalent of 'Roadcraft' in 1 night. AAAAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH

He then said 'Make sure you pass, cos it's expensive' No pressure then

Upon opening the book the bit in bold that I have to know commences

Front axis - On a veh that has 2 axle sets & is steered by the front axle, the axis means the centre point of the front axle.
Fairynuff. It then goes on 'On a vehicle with only 1 non-steering axle the axis is the centre point of the non-steering axle'
Still awake? We continue merrily 'Rigid trucks under 9.5 metres in length must not exceed the lesser of:
3.2 metres or 60% of the wheelbase, i.e. the distance from the front axis.

The book has 150 pages.

Bugger.

Right, move over Jamie Oliver (he's huge here by the way)

Wish me luck for bedtime, will hopefully post Part 2 later.

Cx ps. no time to check grammer/spelling, please forgive any mistakes.

Well, they are all in bed & quiet so they are either dead or asleep.

Cocky - I will never complain about Harry again. Actually, that's probably a lie.

All was going swimmingly, then Stu rang.
I wonder why phone calls from home make me cry ?
You would think they would cheer you up. I suppose it just emphasises the distance.

Anyway, sorry Stu, I have stopped sniffling now & I am ok. Sounds like he has done well in his exam which is great to hear & a weight off my mind.

Have just plugged in my new lamp, room looks less scary now.

Neddy story for Cocky.

Rode another gee today, Fliss who is 23.
Nobody has told her she is 23 & after reaching the river, we turned around & she decided to bolt for home.
Luckily, she is about 14.2hh so I just eased my weight onto her back & explained that it wasn't good manners to cart the new groom flat out all the way home.
Once we had agreed on a suitable canter speed she went quite nicely albeit I would prefer decent leather reins to stop her & not the canvas ones she has.

I take my hat off the Zoe, who does x/country on her.
Zoe's description of riding Fliss is that you 'are a passenger'.

Stirrup lengths are interesting.
Even on the last hole my knees are around my ears & now I know how William Fox-Pitt feels when he gets on an ordinary horse.

The neddies here are as follows

Jess who is my borrowed gee. 15.3hh, mare, fine dark bay, 2 white feet.

Fliss, mare, 14 something, 23yrs, dk bay, white star, 4 white feet. Looks kind of New Forest/Arab x

Millie, mare, 14 something, neurotic but v.pretty. Light bay, 4 white stockings, white blaze. Bit chunkier than Sable.

Fegus. Imagine gelding pony 2/3rds size of Snips. Exactly the same looks. Will send fotie. V. cute.

Shrinky. Bright bay, not sure of gender. About 11hh. THE cutest thing I have EVER seen bar none. Another Snips lookee-likey.

Honey (palomino) & Ben (dk.brown) are turned away so I haven't seen them but must be quite big as the 15yr old twin boys ride them. Honey is apparently a v.good jumper.

Then there are the 2 I am lungeing for the Pony Cub because thay have to much attitude for the little kids to ride them.

The grey who was new to lungeing yesterday remembered very well & I actually had a trot out of her today so I am marking that as a success & will be advising Mark Todd shortly.

Right, I am off to study trucks & panic about this test tomorrow.

Night-night Blighty.

Cx

PS Weeny-your description of the 'star-kitty' made me laugh out loud. Keep me up to date with more mog-tales.
I opened my door on Ginger-Tom's head today, if he wasn't brain-damaged before, he is now.

Hello my little poms

Pooter is exreeeemley slow 2nite so don't know if this will post ok ?

Have tried pushing coal in the slot, but it won't go any faster ?

1st, thanks for all the e-mails today, you have no idea how cheering it is to read all your funny messages.
I may not be able to reply individually 2nite but pls don't let that put you off mailing me.
2day has been manic, but peace & quiet at last, kids in bed, dishwashers x2 churning away & a bit of 'me' time.

Lunged 3 neddies today, 2 were fine although one kept trying to bite me whilst I tacked him up & I had to tell him to
PACK IT IIIIIN ! The 3rd looked at me, the whip & the lunge-lead so much as to say 'You want me to do what?'
Turned out she had never been lunged before. I took it easy on her. I know how it feels to have people think you know what you're doing when you don't.

After that I went into Seddon for the 1st time to pick up the passport which I had left n Rangiora with Geoff & Rochelle & to get some milk. Seddon has a school, a general store, a cafe, a bike dealership, an arts & crafts store & an information centre. That's it ... I kid you not. No bank, post office, clothing stores, supermarket, public telephone. Not even a Starbucks.

Quick pause whilst I publish b4 I lose this chunk, 'stand by unless urgent'

The light dawns, I think the pooter is going slowly cos the Q-meister is simultaneoulsy editing.
Anyway, to continue, the postal system here is unbelievably sweet, here's how it works.

I call Geoff & explain I have been a Dilbert & left my passport with him. He says 'no problem' he will send it to me recorded delivery. I expect a liveried postman to deliver it to my door, post-haste. No no no no no.

It gets sent to the 'Cosy Corner Cafe' in Seddon with a note on the envelope to 'Ring Carol at the Redwoods'
I then have a 20 minute drive into 'town' & present myself to the lady in the cafe.

I was longing to do a Walton's impersonation & walk in & say 'Believe you have a parcel for the Walton family ma'am.




But then I remembered - nobody likes a smart-arse. Turns out the postman only delivers letters to your door round theeese paaarts for the simple reason that it would take him too long to deliver anything else.

After some lunch I decided to clean 4 of the numerous sets of tack. As I laid them out onthe verandah (rocking chair & pipe obligatory, even for ladies) Chris asked me suspiciously 'What are you planning to do with that tack ?' When I explained he looked at me very oddly. I could tell exactly what he was thinking.

It was the same look he gave me when he watched me clean the kitchen work-surfaces during my first day here. He watched me in total silence & then said 'You will have to lower your standards to work here' I know what he means.

The kids are bemused when they find head-collars tidied away, bridles cleaned & oiled & most miraculously, hats & coats
hanging up

gulp of tea & publish again .....

Still haven't opened a bank account or purchased the bits & pieces I need for my adventure tour (sleeping bag, walking socks, shark repellent) which is rapidly approaching so I am hoping to go to Blenheim tomorow. Blenheim is a beautiful town & has the added bonus of having retail outlets so that's a novelty. With any luck my charger will arrive tomorrow but no doubt I will have to pick it up from Old Ma Skillet.

It was my turn to cook tonight so pooling my considerable culinary skill I served ... sausage, mash, peas & carrots with onion gravy. It went down a storm. 6 clean plates. Kids know good food when they see it.

Request-time.

Although I don't have 1 yet, I am hoping to pick up a cheapish cassette recored. My room is far too quiet.

Tapes of any of the following would be gratefully received, but please liaise (2 i's Di) with each other, would hate you to be doubling the cost of sending the same stuff..

All from Radio 4 93.5 FM

Any Archers please, especially the omnibus. Sunday am 10 til 1110
or weekdays 1402 or 1902 hours.
'Gardeners Question Time' (don't know the time or day)
Any weekday drama/play 1415 til 1500
'Home Truths' (my favourite) Saturday morning 0900
'I'm sorry I havent a clue' (not a programme, just how I feel) weekdays 1830
'The News Quiz' weekdays 1830
'The NOW Show' (not sure)
'Just a minute' weekdays 1830

Think I had better stop there, starting to sound a bit obsessive.

Right, off to beesies for me. Currently enjoying a Bill Bryson & reading it far too quickly as usual.

Oh yes, I remember, I said I would tel you how I am feeling didn't I ?

Well ... NZ more than lives up to my expectations. It is all I had hoped & more, as soon as I have time to work out putting foties on pooter I hope to share it with you. On a personal level, I am awake every morning at about 0430 & cannot get back to sleep. It is during these hours it is hardest. I don't want to dwell cos I know I have lovely friends who worry about me. Suffice to say, I have some strong reservations & don't want to make any snap decisions. Whatever happens I am going to wait a month to see how I feel then. I love my routine, I hate change & I have just undergone the biggest change ever & I know how hard it has hit me.

Enough gloom, keep the e-mails rolling in.

A few quickies ...

Di - Please stay strong for the sake of the babies. If it persists - rub his nose in it (joke)
ps...they TELL me to leave the pegs on the line here-so there & I leave my toilet LID not SEAT
up all the time, cos I can.
How's the study ? Have you got a board date ?

Ang - Good luck with the tests, if all else fails, tell them about your cats paws
Glad to hear you enjoyed an Italian the other night.

Andy - Teeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaa - I have to make all my own tea here:(

Creaky - Welcome. Sorry I couldnt hook up with your off-spring in Singapore. Is she made-up too ?

Col aka Rocky I have driven a petrol-driven sit-on lawn-mower & a Toyota Hi-Ace 8 seater van.
They are sorting out my Heavy Traffic Licence soon. How's the Cad room these days ?
Any joy with the AA ?

Q - It is on all the time so - broadband ? Thanks for the erasure tips, will try them 2nite.
Trying to give more - it's hard. Will persist.

Agent Rampart - Wingwalker safe stop The geese fly West at midnight (that's left Di)

Bill - Cost to get to North Island via ferry is at least $200NZ so trip will not be in immediate future as budget is stretched.
Hope all ok & your Haka offer remains a good substitute for GOWISE.

New Zealand ferries - Inter Island ferry

Weeny - Squeeze passed on to H, who remains in hiding under pillow for fear of ridicule by kids.

Trudes - Remember what it was like to sit on something half-wild with not much brain (horses not men)
Snap. I will either fall off a lot or get very good. My money's on falling off.

Stu - I am desperate to know how you did on the 20th ?
I know you haven't been at work so you can't e-mail, if anyone is reading this who has spoken to him since
Tuesday, could you pleeeease give me an inkling of how he's done ?

Barley - Please hurry out soon. I would love to see that crazy grin, those hairy ears & that funny wiggly dance.
If your Dad can't make it then just come alone ! I haven't had a hug for nearly a week & it's starting to show.



Why Dog's Kill Their Owner's

If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me but its 2300 here & I am getting thru the matchsticks.

So long for now.

Cx

Q - You are editor extraordinaire - love the Waltons photo, makes me smile to know we are Blogging simultaneously 17,000km apart.

On a scary note, just had a really painful grabby sensation, all up my femoral artery from my knee to my groin. Never had it before & wouldn't think twice about it normally except for just having done a long-haul flight. Oh well, at least if I get rushed back to Blighty I can cuddle aooooah. If they find me collapsed here, please let them know my diagnosis was DVT. Ta.

Proper night-night now.

Cx

Hi guys,

Sorry about the delay for those of you who may be wondering just what exactly it is I have been up to since Saturday.
I plan to backfill those days during the 'downtime' I hope to have soon. As it is I haven't had time to s my a in the last 2 days. I will do it all properly soon but a brief intro about where I am & who I am with ...

I am staying on a farm in a VERY dry part of NZ, so dry in fact that aside from the farm which is fully irrigated the land around here resembles tundra. The scenery is breathtaking as expected, the wind is also breathtaking & that wasn't.

I am staying with Chris & Trish Redwood. He is very nice & totally manic. He explains everything at a run & his catchphrase is 'We haven't got around to that' Today he explained the working of a petrol driven mower (woohoo) complete with fuel, oil, gears, brake, clutch & blades which could take your hand, off in 30 secs flat. As he left he shouted over his shoulder 'You can't go wrong with it really' Mmmm.

Trish is lovely too & fiercely proud of her kids.

Onto the kids, Genevieve is the youngest at 7 & is very sweet & has latched onto me already.
Lizzie is 11, she is a very good kid & stunningly pretty, although I am not allowed to tell her as too many people already have.
Think Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet.
Innes, a boy, is 13, he has a shock of untamable red hair & looks like neither parent. He thinks a lot & says some very funny things.
Zoe is 13, going on 33. She is extremely opinionated. She said to me this morning 'If they ever find Saddam Hussain they should drill a hole in his head to release the demons'

Other people around the farm are Mike, a shepherd who I wateched round up 100 sheep today with 3 dogs & a motorbike -cool.
Mel, Trish's Dad who loves to yarn .. I have learned already not to stop when I speak to him but to keep moving, if I stop, he has a wealth of stories to tell & I find 30 mins has slipped by.
Troy (honest) is the skipper of one of Chris's boats. Chris farms saltwater green-lipped mussels up in Marlborough Sounds.
Troy helps out around the farm when the mussel business is slack. It is slack at the moment because the US are hacked off with NZ's lack of support over IRAQ & the Americans have stopped buying NZ mussels.

The aminals are 'Boy' v.old mutt 'Waiting for God' in Trish's words, 'Don' a collie & three cats called, wait for it,
'Ginger Tom' 'Black & White Cat' & 'Black Cat' They think the ginger one is brain-damaged because he likes to be cuddled. I shudder to think what they would make of how much time I spend cuddling Jeeeefffrey & aoooooah.



I rode for the 1st time today, Linda, following detail is for you, the rest of you can skip this paragraph.
The neddy I am being loaned is 'Jess' she is a 15.3 bay mare, kind of Sable's build.The 1st ride today was pretty hair-raising, partly due to the wind which threatens to take you out of the saddle & partly because after UK horses she feels like sitting on a fence. However, apart from being a bit spooky, because she hasn't been ridden for a month she behaved pretty well. She apparently loves hunting but hates x-country & they have said I can hunt her. (hares overe here!)

There is more to tel about the horses & stuff in general but reporting restrictions apply until Q has explained a short-cut to me. say no more.

After riding I was let loose with the mower & spent about 3 hours cutting about 3 acres of lawn. Bliss.

After that, picked the kids up from school, took them to their private tutor about 20 mins away in Blenheim then brought them all home for tea. The journey home was what can best be described as lively and about 10 minutes from home, Lizzie's plaintive cry came 'Please can you all shut up ?, I have a headache'

Bought not 1, but 2 adaptors today & returned home, very pleased with myself to find that I have left my phone charger in Rangiora - bugger. Still can't use my phone. Q-can't retrieve my Mum's no as I said I would until phone is charged again. Will forward it to you as soon as charger arrives.

Phone call from Q today. Lovely to hear a familiar voice but took a few minutes to compose myself after putting the phone down. I try not to think too much about where I am, or how far away but although calls from home are a lovely surprise they can make things temporarily hard.

Must sign off for now, queue to use the pooter.

Will include more detail & touchy-feely bits tomorrow.
Bye for now.

Cx

Ooooooonly me !

God - I'm knackered.

Arrived here today at about 3pm after a 4 hour drive from Rangiora in Canterbury.

Rangiora , ( There are several possible meanings - good weather after a bad spell ; an invalid getting better ; or a day of peace. It is also the name of a shrub) has a population of 8,500 and is only 30 minutes drive north of Christchurch, enjoying a smog-free atmosphere and rivalling Nelson for sunshine hours. It is the nucleus of a prosperous agricultural, horticultural and fruit-growing area, including racing stables boasting many famous horse names.


KA-PAKIHI-WHAKATEKA-TEKA-A-WAITAHA
( THE CANTERBURY PLAINS )

ka; the ; pakihi ; open grass country ;whakatekateka, seedbed ;a Waitaha , of waitaha , a tribe.

The place where the Waitaha people increased and grew


I felt pretty good on Saturday & Sunday but have to admit the lag is catching up with me now -
or was that dinner with 4 kids ?

Apologies if any of you have sent txs which havent been replied to but my phone died on Sat night
& the adaptors I have are no good, cos they are roundy-2-pin Continental types & here they have flat, slanty, 3 pin types.
Hope to borrow an adaptor tomorrow, so if I have ignored a tx then I havent really.

Just a brief entry now to say I am ok cos I really need some sleep, it's 9pm now & I have been awake since 4am.

I will do a full Blog tomorrow giving details of what has been going on since Saturday.
Suffice to say the welcome has been warm & the weather cold.

Stu, huge big good luck for Tuesday. You don't need it but I am keeping everything crossed.
Just remember, if you don't know the answer, give 'em an SO7 reply & claim you are 'too busy to do that'

Q - great to arrive & have your host say 'Hi, there has been a phone call for you already'

Turbo - thanks for the pep-talk, doesn't feel so much like wing-walking as hanging to the under-carriage !

Until tomorrow

Cx