We’ve been a bit short on sunshine in the last few days. I’m beginning to think that seasonal affective disorder is setting in. Or perhaps it’s the middle-aged birthday blues. Whatever the reason I was looking for a pick me up and found... There is one element of life in New Zealand I still haven’t come to terms with. It’s the poor driving standards that lead to shocking statistics about deaths on the road. This last weekend saw 15 people killed on the roads in a spate of accidents that... In the nick of time the new drainage is complete. Just as the heavens have started to open and we look forward to a week of mild but wet weather coming up. After a week of hard graft by the landscapers the retaining wall is in and another list is ticked off the... Our little basset is generally camera shy but Mason finally relented and agreed to be my photo model.  I think he saw it as his birthday gift to me. As my birthday gift to myself yesterday I went off with the bassets and a backpack with a picnic lunch and my... Today’s my birthday. I’m turning 45 today. Birthday’s are always special days in our house and mine will be no exception. I’m playing hooky all day. No work and no chores. And I’m going to enjoy it. But this birthday has a... 