Maria is now settling into her permanent part-time role of Occupational Health Nurse at Solid Energy and seems to be enjoying it. I think she has been given the task of organising the company's entry into a local Corporate Challenge Event - a running competition of some sort - which is a novel part of the job description!
She had a couple of days off last week as it was her birthday last Tuesday. We went cycling out to Sumner on the Monday and had a pleasant relax in the Rock Cafe once we had arrived - it was a head wind all the way - quite tough - but much more fun heading back with the wind on our backs.
Maria was treated to some birthday pampering at the local BeautE salon and then we wandered into town for some champagne in the sun - sitting in a bar on Oxford Terrace watching the world go by - very continental indeed. Indeed a great novelty for October.
I had been running the previous weekend - taking part in the "iconic" Takahe to Akaroa relay race - which was the NZ National Relay Championships this year. It was a 80km race in teams of 8 - I ran for the Port Hills Runners - and just like a few weekends ago, I went off too quickly and really hurt for the second part of my 10.7km leg. I did a time of 42 mins 15 secs which was OK under the conditions - of me being seriously exhausted!
I've continued with more networking over the past 2 weeks. It's a hard job I currently have! I also hosted a free seminar last Thursday which seemed to go down well with those who attended. I have another one planned for Nov 4th with a couple of other guys I have linked up with - the subject is "Committing to Excellence". I'm really looking forward to it - it should be a bit easier than going solo and hopefully there will be a few more people coming along to listen to what we have to say.
We also took possession of a campervan this week. Maria's brother - Brendan - is visiting in December and he has decided to buy and then re-sell a vehicle rather than simply rent whilst he's here. So I guess I'll be doing a bit of touch-up over the next few weeks trying to get it ready for his tour of NZ. Might even give it a test-out one weekend - possibly nip back to Akaroa with Maria when Sarah is on school camp in November?
Last weekend, Maria, Sarah and I ventured back to Kaikoura. This time we had been invited to stay at Shearwater Lodge by Nicky, our landlady. She runs Kaikoura Wilderness Walks which is based on the Puhi Nature Reserve at the Lodge. It's an hours drive from Kaikoura into the hills - across lots of unsealed roads and river fords - followed by a 5 hour "tramp" up into the mountains.
The lodge is at around 3000ft. It's in total wilderness - but 5-star luxury! It's amazing. The weather wasn't at its best, but we still had a great time. We didn't manage to get up to the 5000ft peak that is usually the destination of the Day 2 walk due to low cloud - but there's always next time! The walk out was a bit wet, to say the least and was made worse by the fact that we knew there were some fantastic views just through the clouds! And those small fords that we crossed on the way up there.....well they were now raging rivers on our return journey and it made for an interesting time! But we managed to get out - and cannot wait for the cahnce to go back again.
Take a look for yourself at: www.kaikourawilderness.co.nz
Sarah's back at school after here 2 week Spring Term holiday. She seems to be more settled and is loking forward to a few extra curricular activities this term. There is a "twilight fayre" next week that she will be helping out at - I think we have voluteered our services too.
Chris is still holding down the night shift job at McDonalds. We don't see that much of him when he's working - out all night and sleeping all day - at least we know where he is! He's just spent a bit more of his "car savings" on a set of surround sound speakers for his room - that'son the heels of him investing in a PS3 a few weeks ago. I think it may take a bit longer than he expected to get that car after all? Though he does keep mentioning the fact that it's his 18th birthday soon!
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