News from Nelson – June 2 2008

Hi everyone,

The weather has been very settled - hardly any wind, but we did finally have our first frost at home last Thursday. Quite crunchy underfoot on the back lawn!

We have been flat out still in the last three weeks (surprise, surprise). Jan has sat his final exams, and all my Applied Management students completed and handed in their final assessments now, leaving me with a 330mm pile of reports to read and mark. However, I finished those last Friday, along with marking my Facility & Events Management student's exams. All done :-)

We went to Neil & Sari's for a night of Patagonian tooth fish with Kevin and Sandra a couple of weeks ago. We drank rather a lot of wine and had some very toothsome delights including smoked Black Dory (which was just lovely). Sari sourced a wide range of fish and Kevin arranged the smoking - and of course Neil organised the wine; so Sandra, Jan and I only had to turn up and indulge. It was wonderful. However, I came home and drank a litre of water before falling into bed, totally sated. Sunday was a very relaxed day with lots of reading and a dog walk down at the mudflats.

We had another Kiwi Movie Night for the Nelson Newcomers Network (NNN), and showed a very twee movie that one of the NNN members had recommended - one called "Her Majesty". It is a very nice, but sanitised film. Worth a look on a rainy Sunday afternoon - especially if you are an ex-pat. Another film we have seen recently is "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" (Le Scaphandre et le Papillon). What a fantastic film that was. I hadn't read the book, although it was on my must read list; and perhaps it was better that I hadn't before seeing the film as I understand there were several liberties taken. The cinematography was fabulous... music was also wonderful and I have downloaded all the tracks I can find. If you haven't seen the film, go along; it is worth every penny of the admittance price.

This last weekend we went out to the land so Jan could get some chainsawing done (he's addicted to it!). The dogs - we have Bonnie staying again for ten days while John & Jo are in Australia - had a great run around and were covered in clay and wood and bark and gorse.

We went to a Hospice Charity Ball out at the Playhouse in Mahana, which was wonderful. Jan bid on things all over the place when we got to the charity auction end of the night; he won a "Boys Pamper Pack" which contained some beer, a cap, a huge umbrella, a t-shirt, and a fold-out chair on a shoulder strap with a chilly-bag suspended underneath it. When he opened the chilly bag, he found that there were plates, cups, cutlery and napkins all in little pockets. He was most impressed. He also got a three month gym membership at a new gym, which came along with a backpack, a cap, a drink bottle and a set of earphones that plug into all the gym machines so you can plug into their entertainment system. I won a case of Rimu Grove wines, which I was most impressed about. We had a very good night in great company, and raised some dosh for a fabulous cause.

We also had our Rotary 'handover' lunch (when the presidency passes from the President to the President-elect), where Jan & I had planned on going for an hour or so, and finally left three hours later! We had a great time, and spent so much time talking to people the time just really got away on us. We suddenly realised the time, shot home, picked up the dogs to take them for a run at the mudflats and it started raining. We thought it would probably blow over, but by the time we got there - 5 mins - it was hosing down. However, the dogs had a wonderful time roaring around in the mud and sea grass and tussock in the pouring rain and wind. Needless to say, by the time we left they were filthy. So straight home and into the shower to wash out Saturday's clay and Sunday's mud.

Next weekend we are catching up with Sandra & Gary, whom we haven't seen in six months despite living in the same town (!), and have a business house pool challenge at the Shark Club, which will be fun. The weekend after that we are off to the Playhouse yet again on Friday night for a murder mystery night with Ian & Sharon McGuire to see "The Mystery of Irma Vep" and to Mo & Bean's joint 40th Birthday Party on Saturday.

Jan's Germany commissioning trip to Anthon still looks like - at the earliest - late July. After much discussion, unless this gets pushed back to October (upon checking, I have realised that mid-term break is really late this year), I won't be able to go so Jan will be going on his own.

My folks are in the UK, and are having a great time - we have had BBQ photos from Suzie & Peter. The webmail is working - yay!

Right - I think that's it for now. Take care & more next time. Alles liebe :-)

Sam & Jan

News from Nelson – June 2008

Hi everyone,

Strangely enough, despite now being winter, the temperatures have not continued to drop. We have had the fire on at night, but it hasn't been as cold as usual, which is great. I am sure that the cold will come, but I am happy for it to stay nice and warm for a while yet.

We had a great weekend in Chch a couple of weeks ago. While the Rotary training that I went to was a waste of time, it was well worth the excuse to go & visit everyone - and to catch up with Graeme Robertson (ex-CEO of Cawthron & now CEO for Lincoln University's research and consultancy arm, Lincoln Ventures) at the Rotary District Assembly. Both he & Kirsty are well settled in Chch now and Kirsty walked into almost exactly the same role in Chch that she had in Nelson. I hadn't caught up with on the goss for two years, so it was wonderful to see him.

Jan & I spent some time with Megs & then had a wonderful night at Warren & Trace's with everyone (and all the short people) and got a good look at the new place Karen & Gary are building in Chch which was excellent. A bit chillier in Chch, but that was to be expected. We had a very uneventful drive home.

However, last weekend we flew to Awaroa for lunch, and - excitement of excitements! - we flew home with the side door open and me leaning out taking photos! It was most cool (actually, it was pretty chilly, but I didn't really notice the cold one little bit at the time). It was also very cool on our way there to have a biplane doing aerobatics right alongside. It was almost as if it had been laid on for our benefit. I took some photos - a couple are posted here. We had a great lunch, wonderful food and it was a fabulous, special day.

Neil & Sari have invited us to their place next weekend for a Patagonian tooth fish night (Kevin, Neil & Jan got talking about the rape & pillage of the sea - hence the Toothfish theme, which they are all more than happy to eat despite their deep discussions). There is also talk of a decadent weekend away somewhere each year to catch up on all that chocolate and wine you forget to drink and eat in the normal course of things... and getting six busy people's calendars to co-ordinate will be a challenge! Enjoyable though if we get two different people to organise it each year - we would always end up somewhere different and challenging in some way.

Since the weekend in Awaroa, Jan has been studying for his exam and I have been marking student reports and trying to get organised for next semester. I am currently writing some materials to be delivered in China, which is interesting. They have to be able to deliver without a textbook as they cost too much for anyone other than the University lecturer able to afford one. It makes it a challenge to resource the course appropriately.

Jan's schedule for the European visit will be decided by Anthon (the north German company) and the Managing Director at Nelson Pine; and at this stage is likely to be - at the earliest - late July. The timing is really bad; I start teaching again for semester two on July 24, so it looks at this stage as if I won't be able to get away and Jan will go on his own.

However, if the trip is rolled back into late August or into September, I may be able to organise someone to take some lectures for me and/or take advantage of the mid-semester break. We hope to be heading up to Wllg for Otto's birthday in September, but if Jan's schedule get pushed back another month we may be in Europe then. We still have to wait and see for a while longer yet.

My folks are in the UK, and hopefully are having a great time already. No doubt we will hear from them in due course (and they need a lesson in getting onto webmail if any of the UK contingent want to give them a hand!).

Right - I think that's it for now. Take care & more next time. Alles liebe :-)

Sam & Jan

News from Nelson – May 2008

Hi all,

It is turning colder here now; there is dew on the car in the mornings and there has been a couple of dumps of snow on the Western Ranges (which has nearly all melted again, of course). But cool enough in the evenings to have the fire on and for Jan to pile the duvets on the bed while I fry!

Jan bought some Cox's Orange apple juice last week and really enjoyed it, so last weekend we headed out to Hoddy's apple orchard to pick some well-aged Cox's Orange apples to do a last run of juice. It was getting very late by the time we managed to get enough off five long rows of trees to juice (as you can see by the photo!). We did another 10 litres of juice which is now in the freezer - not counting the two litres of freshly-made juice already inside Jan :-)

I also wee spent a bit of time marking exams for the Facility & Events Management students and assignments for the Applied Management students. However, those papers are ticking over well at present. Good, actually, as I have started prepping for the Marketing and Leadership delivery for next semester.

Also in the past few weeks I have ventured into manufacturing. I had an idea for a product that I have had some prototypes made for locally that I am hoping to get shape patented... and have some other ideas for add-on products. It is a very interesting process to go through, with lots of considerations. I am enjoying it.

Jan is frantically trying to get his last assignment out of the way this week before we head down to Christchurch this weekend. Then he only has to study for his exam (which is only a month away). I have completed the first half of the Certificate in Adult Teaching Foundation Course, which is great, but I now have six assessments to complete. I have got two of them out of the way, but am struggling for time at present to finish the rest. One of those assessments was to determine two principles of adult teaching that I wanted to find out more about in my own delivery, design an assessment instrument for one of my classes to seek feedback on those principles, to survey the students and to analyse the results. I am on the analysis part at present. That has taken quite a while. Then there's a load of teaching observations both as an observer and observee, some essays & some reflection. And lots of time.

Jan is keen to start work on his motorbike, but has been very disciplined about not getting started until after his exams are over. He is buying all the parts - the internet is wonderful for purchasing - so that he is ready once the 10th of June rolls around to get working in the garage. I probably won't see much of him for a few weeks... aside from grimy hands extending from the door to snatch food!

Next weekend we are off to Chch for me to go to a Rotary Training thing on Saturday. I think we are catching up with some of you for breakfast on Saturday and going to see Gary & Karen's new house (which will be cool). We will bring our tentative house plans with us to bore the daylights out of you all - and the dogs. Jan is no longer playing UWH on Saturday morning as there were not enough volunteers from Nelson to make up a viable team, so that has made his life a lot less complicated. We will be at Warren & Trace's housewarming on Saturday night so hope to catch up with all of you, which will be great. It has been tooooooo long.

The weekend after we are heading over to Awaroa Inlet in the Abel Tasman National Park by helicopter for lunch (doesn't that sound posh?!). As a farewell to Sandra Crone, the just ex-CEO of the Business Development Company, we gave her tickets for a chopper flight & lunch at Awaroa. And she has very kindly invited Jan & myself and Neil Hodgson - past-Chair of the Board - & his wife Sari to go along for the ride. I think that will be a very nice day indeed!

Then we still aren't sure when we head to Europe. As soon as we know, we will let you all know!

Take care & more next time. Alles liebe :-)

Sam & Jan

News from Nelson – April 2 2008

Hi all,

Well, I am sure we have been pretty busy in the last few weeks, but I am not exactly sure what we have been busy AT. However, I will do my best to relate our activities to you!

Jan had his braces fitted yesterday and I thought he was coping pretty well until he said last night "These things a VERY annoying, aren't they." Yeah-huh, they certainly are. Never mind; he just has to keep telling himself, like I do, only 2 years to go!

Last weekend we cooked up a storm; we did our annual apple preserving session. We now have about 24 litres of Dell Blush juice in the freezer, and about 20 kilos of Royal Gala and Pinova apple puree preserved in jars. I also made another 10 kilos of green tomato chutney. That lot took almost the entire weekend, necessitating the compost bin to be dug into the garden to make room for all the apple scraps, and a great jar hunt to ensure we had enough glass to pack everything into. However, we find it so therapeutic to make our food this way - there is something very nurturing about getting so up close and personal with your food!

My folks are off to the UK for three months from May Day for three months. They arrive back on the first day of spring. I think they will have a great time, and hopefully they will have a wonderful summer in UK... according to Justine, who I was speaking to the other day, it can only get better!

Karen Trotter came down for two weeks from March 30th, which was great. We all slothed about and did nothing much in particular. Karen & I went for a couple of trots (couldn't call them runs!), played a bit of tennis, ate a lot & drank a bit. We also went to the Suter, caught up with lots of people, went out for dinner and lunch a lot, and even had a facial. Had a WONDERFUL time.

The Business Development Company, of which I am Chair of the Board, is currently seeking a new CEO. Our just-past CEO sadly left us after eight years - for good reasons - and we are currently in the process of selecting someone. That, along with the teaching, has taken up an awful lot of time. However, interviews with the shortlist are happening this Thursday, so at last I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

I have enrolled on the Certificate in Adult Teaching Foundation Course which starts next Monday (just in time for the CEO selection process to be over, I hope). That should keep me pretty busy for a week! I have managed to get a whole load of things sorted out this week so that I can take a whole week out of work and still remain sane. I hope. NMIT is paying for half of the course as I have now been teaching part-time for a year, which is great.

Jan & I have been out to a few functions lately tho. The local Chamber of Commerce is turning 150 years old this year, and we both attended the AGM. Jan unexpectedly had to accept a presentation for Nelson Pine in his motorcycle gear! It was a great night, as it was held that the museum and was built around old Tyree photos of early Nelson businesses and business ventures. Then the Chamber has organised an exhibition at the Suter Art Gallery of "The Art of Business" with a host of past-Presidents choosing their fave work from the Suter's permanent collection, and writing up their rationale for the choice. Very interesting. And, according to Jan, very good sandwiches on offer too :-)

Then we have had the farewell to the Business Development Company's CEO, at Bouterey's Restaurant in Richmond. Very, very nice food and a great night out - really fitting send-off. Last night John Fitzwater took us out to the Hong Yun, a Chinese Restaurant in Stoke as a thank you for looking after Bonnie for this past week while he has been in Oz (and it was fantastic - we will definitely be back there. There was a birthday party for one of the owner's family going on while we were there; always reassuring when the owners eat in!). This Thursday night we are out at the Arthur Wakefield Restaurant for an electrical supplier dinner, which will be nice too. Hmm - who was it who said that all we ever seem to do is eat?!

Jan has got his results back from his last two percent assignment, and a ten percent assignment for his management course; 100% and 90% respectively. He has another assignment due after the study break, which started yesterday. So he has eight more working days to complete it. And I do believe that while he hasn't started writing yet, he has started reading.

We are heading down to Chch on Friday May 16th, staying with Megs, attending Warren & Trace's housewarming on Saturday night and heading home on Sunday. I have a Rotary training thingy to go to, to which I am ONLY donating my Saturday day, and Jan plans on playing UWH on the Saturday morning, then catching up with those of you who won't be at Warren & Trace's on Saturday night, in the afternoon. It will be good to see everyone again! Oh, except Jenny L, who is heading to Nelson that weekend!

Right - that will do for now.

Take care & more next time. Alles liebe :-)

Sam & Jan