Feels like Spring's on its way

Well, what glorious week we've had this week. The temperature has started to rise quite markedly - brought about by the warm Nor'Westerly winds from over the Tasman Sea!

We started the week quite soberly after our excesses last weekend! Maria had a few days of work in her van - one of them was travelling north of Christchurch along the coast - which she said was a nice way to spend the working day.

Sarah wasn't feeling too good at school on Monday and had to come home - she had a couple of days off and then was back into the swing of things again. She's been on a "Mathletics" challenge this week - trying to generate lots of points for her class at Heaton by doing maths tests on-line.

Chris has been kicking his heels this week as he's waiting to start his job at McDonalds in a couple of weeks. At least he got paid for his training hours last week and was quick to draw out some money and spend it as quick as he could! He went to rugby training again, with the 3rd XV, who were preapring for their play-off final this weekend against Sumner.

We went alsong to Christchurch Park on Saturday afternoon to watch Matt in the final. It was a lovely sunny afternoon - probably not ideal for playing rucby in - but it brought a small crowd out to see the hosts (Christchurch RFC) prevail 23-0. Despite not featuring, Chris did his best to join in the post-match celebrations and sank a few beers with the boys in the changing rooms!

Maria and I had a pleasant walk from the Sign of the Takahe up to the Sign of the Kiwi along the Harold Ell Track on Thursday morning. It was a bit windy, but again, nice and sunny and the views across Christchurch were great. I think it will be one for the grandparents when they visit after Christmas!

We also had a nice stroll around Mona Vale with Sarah on Sunday afternoon - stopping off at the "Homestead" for a cream tea - very naughty but nice.

Maria and I had a run-out on Saturday morning through Hagley Park. The Park had a wonderful feeling to it with lots of activity. There were young kids playing rugby and football matches, canoists and punters out on the Avon, artists painting around the boting lake and a BBQ party was well under way. We even spotted the French Boules courts - Jack and Eve will be pleased! It's amazing how much life there already is around the Park compared to the first time we wandered through in our second week here. A sign of things to come, no doubt.

We were invited around to dinner on Saturday evening to some friends of the Guyomars who live close by - who we had been introduced to when Mike and Fiona were down here in the school hols. Mark and Cathy were our hosts and we had a really nice evening in their company - along with fellow guests, Justin and Karen. Amazingly, Justin is from Bramhall - it's a small world!

I've had a busy week continuing to follow up on contacts that I had made at a few networking sessions the previous week or so. Have started to meet some really good people who I hope I can work with in the near future. I realise that starting up the business will take a lot of patience and persistance, but I'm encouraged with the response that I'm getting when I meet with people and explain what I am about. Once it kicks off, there'll be no stopping and I'm going to need that army of Jedi's who are waiting in the wings!!!