Well Done Chris!

Quite an eventful and significant week this week. Chris had applied a few weeks ago to do a full-time diploma in architecture at the Polytechnic, starting next February. At last, on Friday, he received confirmation that he had been accepted onto the course! In addition to that great news, he also successfully completed his short course on Food Safety, which in turn led to the 3rd success of the day for him as he was offered a job at a brand new Macdonald's restaurant that's opens next month. So his dream of his own car before he starts college looks like a definite possibility after all. Watch out all you Boy-Racers, here comes Bad-Dog!

Sarah's second week at school seems to have gone reasonably well - though she still misses her pals back in the UK and says she'd rather be back there with them! Nevertheless, she and a friend from school got together on Saturday and went to see the latest Harry Potter film at the nearby Westfield Mall (some things are no different on the other side of the world!)- though reading her latest Facebook offering, she wasn't too impressed with the latest in the series.

Maria has been limbering up to start work on Monday and in fact has been contacted by 2 further potential employers who might be able to offer more agency-type work to supplement her existing arrangements. So it's looking good on that front.

I've had a couple of busy days at the Bizzone Business Expo here in Christchurch - doing plenty of networking with other business people from around the area. Most people I spoke with seemed interested in what I was able to offer - I guess I just need a break and a first client to get things rolling. It will happen soon enough.

This weekend, Chris had his first taste of action on the rugby (union) field with Christchurch FC - he played the first half against the CC Old Boy's - and there were some old boys playing too - made my Oxford Old Boys look positively youthful! Unfortunately, Chris' team lost but he seemed to enjoy his "blooding" - though luckily not literally.

Maria and I had a wander around Riccarton Bush - a nearby oasis of native bush in the heart of the city that is predator free and home to some elusive kiwis. It also boasts the oldest standing propert on the Canterbury Plain - the house of John Deans, an early settler and pioneer from Scotland.

On Sunday, the four of us had a drive out to Taylor's Mistake again and walked to Boulder Bay - a pretty cove with a few quirky bachs. Once again, the weather was fantastic - blue skies with a slight easterly sea breeze which made it slightly cooler than last time we walked the track - but perfect walking conditions.