On concentric circles, squiggly lines, birthdays and goss

It is wise to prevent doglets running around in ever diminishing concentric circles since at the end point they will disappear with a pouff up fundamental orifices! Especially now they know their birth dates. Said Veterinarian knows a thing or two about marketing me thinks. Ratchet up the emotional needs of the caregiver and you have a pet that can spend the folding stuff.

I saw a doglet with a cone head outside the school last Friday; now doubt he was being prevented from licking/biting said appendage or whatever. How come humens don't need cones? All answers will be judged on merit including originality, humour and taste.

Hone Tuwhare's death has caused many accolades. He was of Ngapuhi descent and he has been farewelled and buried in the Far North. He spent some twenty or more years living at Kaka Point in the Catlins which is a relatively remote area south east of Dunedin which is some 1800kms from Kaitaia.

An early 64th celebration was held at Club on Friday followed by Moules and Frites at the Leuven in Featherston Street with the Kralls. A glass or so at Leigh and Horst Krall' in Newlands followed by a qiuck trip back to the station to catch the 9:55pm to Woodside. Sadie snored and Sammo read (she who is still a long way from her sixties) on the train trip home.

Herbie the Beamer was excited this morning since it is his Sunday outing - all 3 kms! He has developed a stand-off with the bicycles - we caught them arguing the other evening - since it is so warm and sunny that they get used in preference. Herbie couldn't understand what fitness was about. He was getting confused between a warrant and the need to keep ones' (Yes, the apostrophe is in the right place) weights down. His Germanic sense of humour has been exposed.

Sadie is halfway through reading "The Great War For Civilisation - The Conquest Of The Middle East" written by Robert Fisk. It is a remarkable work.

Our garden at Greystone is producing results, much picking and eating as well as much satisfaction. We now have a full wood shed following 3 trips to Mrs Martin's Borough's golf course for dry macrocarpa. So when the Kiwi Brusellians (KB's) are sunning themselves we will be toasting ourselves and continuing the teaching, literary, Herbie counseling and feline care giving activities.

Sunny Saturday

We have had a quiet day today. Had a late brekkie and went for a gentle bike ride down to the village. have been watching the cricket between India and Australia and the tennis in Melbourne.

On Friday we went to the big smoke and went to the Wellington Club for drinkies as is our wont on the last Friday of the month. Leigh and Horst joined us and after we all went to Leuven for dinner. Moules and Frits again. We went to their place, where over a couple of Baileys on ice, they tried to persuade us to stay the night but we came home on the late train and consequently were able to sleep in this morning. However once Shelley's wedding is over mid February we will go over and stay a night as we enjoy their company.

We have now just supped our first G & T for the night.

Holidays continue - but counting down for some!

We have been setting up the apartment for a confirmed 12 month lease starting 28 January, beating off a would be buyer although that is still active subject to protection for the tenants. Also bringing in more wood for the winter (Yes! It will arrive!). Macrocarpa from Mrs Martin's Borough's golf course. Also playing golf 3 1/2 rounds so far since Christmas. Monday 21 January was Wellington Province anniversary and Sammo and Sadie played Ambrose as a team of two at Landsdowne, Masterton; gross was 80, net 67.75 but 3 shots short of the money. Hot as hell, 32C that day and much liquid consumed AFTER (please note the emphasis) the golf.

Much reading by SWMBO (alias Sammo) in hammock. Top temperature 32C in Greystone, minimum 15C - hammocks have been well used, slung between the pear trees.

130 kph winds from the NW yesterday. Lasted 4 hours only but much damage around the lower North Island (Te Ika a Maui). Power lost in many areas from Taranaki all down the West Coast to Wellington and across into the Hawkes Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa districts. Minor tree damage at Greystone but lots of leaves and branches from neighbours' trees. Big clean up this morning. Winds were the remnants of Cyclone Funa - went down the Tasman till off Taranaki, decided to look in on Jo, Steve and Thomas and then scooted through to the East just north of Cook Strait. Gave Northland a dose of the wets but nothing like NSW and Queensland have received lately from other weather systems

Cats are coping, Sammo first day's work at school yesterday (holidays continue till next Wednesday 31 January - teacher only day). Very dry in the Wairarapa, total fire bans and water restrictions.

Sadie's 64th next Tuesday! This Friday in town with SWMBO for drinkies at Wellington Club and thereafter food and liquids with Leigh and Horst.

Sir Edmund Hillary was duly dispatched by way of a fully fledged State funeral in Auckland yesterday followed by a private cremation. Fame did not go to his head - he used it to help and encourage others. His work in Nepal over the years is testament to his attitudes and deserved greatness. This position is now vacant - all applications welcome - they will be studied by us Kiwis over the next 50 years!

Reach for the Sky (decoder)

The sunflowers are about 2.6m high this year! They are the South African Giant variety. There are also many of them around Greystone at the moment. Johnny Appleseed has nothing on Sadie Sunflower!

Greystone Guardians - January 2008

Sammo and Picasso are the Guardians, the Kaitiaki of Greystone!

Thomas with his Mum's Dad (Morfar) and his maternal great grandfather Jack

Thomas is 3! He enjoyed his Christmas in Auckland with his Mum, Joanne and Dad, Steve and his Dad's parents. He then visited his Mum's Dad, Evan and his Mum's Mum's Dad, Jack. Pictures are worth a thousand words - I am sure you will agree.