Job done – except for a door handle November 20, 2006

One of the reasons we chose the home we now live in was it’s potential to expand to meet the needs of our growing family or, more accurately, the growing needs of our family. While the four bedrooms upstairs, the decks and the section around the house provide plenty of room to sleep and [...]

Christmas in Kumeu: a day in pictures December 25, 2005

One adult, two kids and just three hours to assemble

The Chef’s Salad and the salad chefs

No turkey here

The family and the neighbours lunching

Cap from Maryland, USA: US$40
Daughter’s RipCurl shades: NZ$20
Shirt from Rarotonga, Cook Islands: NZ$35
Chef’s apron from London, UK: £20
Feelings of happiness and contentment: Priceless
 

Bush telegraph December 23, 2005

In the last 36 hours, the combined technical clout of NZ’s satellite TV company and national telecoms provider has converted our rural hideaway into a fully connected digital homestead. After nearly four months of expensive cellphone calls and 3G wireless data connections, we now have expensive digital satellite TV and ADSL!
This means is that, when [...]

Hitting the road November 27, 2005

The last ten days have passed in a blur of activity and, by securing
a work permit and finding a house to rent whilst we find one to buy,
we have now cleared the last two major obstacles in the first phase
of our move to New Zealand. Just over a week ago, after four days
and 1500 [...]