Surprise! It seems like we have been pretty busy again these past weeks.
Jan has had a cold (and was off work for three days with it), but surprisingly I have managed to avoid catching the virus myself. That's two surprises in this catch up already.
Xavier from next door (at "The Warehouse" shed at the end of our pine trees) has mowed our orchard with his remote control mower, which means Jan doesn't have to stress about gorse control in the gully. Xavier cut the gorse two summers ago, which was so effective it lasted for two years. As the grass grows in thicker each year, the gorse is less and less able to get established, so means we can go longer between mows. While it is raining today, you can see how neatly the mower works below. It is a really safe - and non-toxic - way to control those nuisance exotic pest plants. And it is also one less thing for Jan to worry about not having time to get to :-D
You can also see that we have planted a few more fruit trees (apple, pears, nectarines & another walnut), protected by drums from the possums, rabbits and hares. The apple trees are still in blossom, while everything else is now in leaf. Everything in the garden is growing again, so needs to be protected from the other imported pests; the vegetarians who eat it!
Speaking of Jan having time, he is currently building plans for his trip to the US and Germany, so if he hasn't yet got in touch with you, it will be happening soon.
The Solo Spotlight concert was a great success: there was a storm of applause at the end, and got a preview in the local paper (http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/features/arts/9207635/Aspiring-young-musicians-go-solo). Jan is not playing in the next concert, so gets the last part of the year off.
We went to Max & Karen's birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and caught up with loads of old friends and made some new. A great night outside, despite it being a bit chilly still.
I am still working on transcribing the materials for my Master's study. Transcribing, transcribing, transcribing. I have just ordered Dragon, so instead of typing, I can just speak it. I am hoping that this will be easier (less vile), once I have 'trained' it to hear my accent, that is!
A couple of weeks ago I ordered a new phone from Telecom, as my contract was out, and I could get a free phone upgrade. I have stayed with Nokia, but gone to a Lumia. Am enjoying it a lot, but am also very conscious of the amount of $ you can gobble checking things on the web. At least it is hooked into the wireless at home, so doesn't cost here. Finally, an advantage of being in a rubbish mobile coverage area. And it takes pretty good photos.
As mentioned last time, Jan & I are going to be in Chch on 17, 18, 19 & going home on the 20th of October. I will be at a symposium at UC on Thursday (will catch a ride with Jenny L), and have the CDANZ AGM at CPIT on Friday. We have a shindig at Pat's on Saturday evening (sorta 4-ish kick-off...?). It would be good to catch up with everyone who can't make that at other times, so give us a shout & we will tee something up.
We are not sure if anyone in the family is doing anything for Christmas. If there are any great ideas, we would like to hear.
And some very sad - and unexpected - news. A former Sealord colleague, Julie Bryant, lost her husband Rob on the weekend. He had just completed a time-trial at a mountain bike event here in Nelson, and collapsed after the finish. He died soon afterwards. His funeral will be later this week.
Carpe that old diem.
Jan & Sam
