Up to Palmerston North for Christmas with my Aunt and co. It’s always such a welcome escape to get up there. I was put to ask (immediately ;) setting up a wireless network for them…, still, I got my revenge, the SSID is CIA_security_van_number_two. Fairs fair ;)

I didn’t take enough pictures (so apologies to Hannah and Miriam who are missing from the above!). It’s amazing how fast the kids grow – and personalities evolve and emerge. No, I still refuse to miss my nieces and nephews ;) (not!) :)

We went for walks, and took in the shared garden that Mary cultivates.

Chris (brother) almost ruined my break by posting the following question:

Roughly how much power do you think the sun emits? I worked it out, but was about 5 orders of magnitude out.

I cheated, and asked William for guidance. We were about 3* out… which is pretty good. My issue was not having a unit to start with.. William roughly knew the amount of energy sunlight has on 1m squared of land per second, and he also knew how many light minutes we are from the sun… after that it’s eeeassssyyyy.

Fun and games.

So, before Christmas we had the unfortunate but expected leaving party for Veronica and Charlie. They’re off to Vancouver (sigh) and will be sorely missed.

We also had the arrival of Maaike’s brother (Sjoerd) and partner (Heleen). Here we are helping them to get over their jetlag (a viva villa)

Sjoerd is an excellent chef (in his spare time – I think he gets it from his Dad) and treated us to a delicious dinner (which he mostly made up as he went shopping – I’m quite jealous!)

Excellent way to ease into the holidays!

I had been planning on slacking this weekend, but, fortunately, Paddy Ryan got in the way of that and organised biking the Wharfdale Track. As I’m far too far behind already in my blogging, I’ll just put up some pictures. It was *hard*.. I had one slow-motion head over the handlebars moments (teach me to go too slowly).. but it was an excellent trip.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

Well, I will add something Grandpapa put in a letter once.

An extract from the will of Sir Sydney Cockerell, born 1867 died 1962.

I have been blessed throughout my long life with a number of the dearest and kindest friends, both men and women, that ever man had.

Gratefully conscious of all they have meant to me, I declare Friendship to be precious beyond all words. But it is like a plant that withers if it be not carefully tended. It must be fostered by means of visits, of letters, of little services and attentions and by constant thought, sympathy and kindness.

I implore you all to remember this in order that the blessings that have been so abundantly mine may also to the utmost be yours

Matt & Helene managed to escape buying a house during the boom times – no mean accomplishment actually. They did buy, a few months ago, and are getting it all refitted. It’s quite cool the way they insulate these old brick houses. Effectively put a massive lagging jacket around the whole thing. Very cool. Well, very warm. Kiwi’s take note.

There’s a pile of work to be done inside…

But it’s going to be lovely once it’s finished – that’s for sure.

Also managed to sneak in an evening catching up with college friends. Mick took me out for dinner (lovely to see him again – last time was at Domhnall’s wedding.. where we went walking on the Tasman Peninsula ).. and then on to my favourite pub (The Cobblestone).. where pints were had and music was played.

I also managed a couple of home visits, to friends who’ve just had babies… Maeve who has produced the lovely Clíodhna (and Viv who also turned up for lunch)

We also had yummy snickers ice-cream bars. Some things NZ just doesn’t have (doesn’t have shreddies either)

Also dropped in to see Stella and see Ailbhe..

Also had a nice lunch with my friend Katie who is now doing a PhD in TCD. The old perks still apply, so I scabbed free entry in to see the book of kells, and spend a few precious minutes in the most … awesome in the real sense of the word – long room. Just standing in that room – smelling the books and the history… I love it. As a student we were allowed free access whenever we liked,

I used to skip in, maybe 3 or 4 times a year and just zip up and hang out for a few minutes. :)

And all too soon it was time to head back to New Zealand. I really need to solve the work-money issue. I could have stayed longer. I do have a heart, I do miss friends, I do miss family, I do miss a decent pint of Guinness…. but I do love NZ too.. tricky old thing being part of the Diaspora.