On the move & near-death experience with frypan...

Time for an update...

Well the past few weeks have been hectic and stressful to say the least so I should fill you all in.

Ben has left his job and is in the process of hunting for a new one. He has submitted a couple of applications and attended one interview, and I'm quietly confident he will get something decent by the New Year. In the meantime, he has arranged some work at barramundi farm in north QLD for the next 3 weeks, which he has been really looking forward to after being chained to a desk for the last few months. Before he left I moved house. It has been on the cards for a while, because although the place we were in in Petone was a great position, it was over-priced for its size, and we really weren't making the most of the position anyway! So now I'm a bit further out, a little bit closer to work and no longer walking distance to the cafe strip, but the place is $45 cheaper per week, carpeted and a bigger. Again there's no yard, but there is a waterfall behind the block! To make life interesting, last night I tried using the stove for the first time since I moved in, and tried out my brand new, you beaut, non-stick frypan. Next thing I know, there was a deafening explosion and the kitchen filled with smoke. The element had exploded and blew a hole right through my frypan!! I was so shocked I had to take some photos to record it. I was just lucky I had turned to get some oil out of the cupboard, and wasn't leaning over the stove at the time. The landlord has been good about, and has offered to replace my frypan, and hopefully it will be all sorted when I get home this arvo...

Looks like the frypan took a bullet for me doesn't it? Might hang it on the wall, as talking piece...

Oh, for a gas cooktop!

So I'm all on my lonesome at the moment, but Sarah arrives Friday evening, so I'm looking forward to spending time with her and showing her around. Will definitely post some photos of our travels!

November already!

Toby RIP 1993-2006

OK they've started playing Christmas jingles in the shops already, surely the Silly Season isn't here already?! Crazy times. I must be getting old because I've started listening to National talkback radio in the mornings...! Anyway, hope everyone is well. Our dog Toby had to get put down this week, which is really sad. He was about 13 I think? It was very hard, especially for my Dad I think. But he is at peace now and no longer in pain. He was a link to my childhood, I was still on the Island when we got him, and even named him, so it's a bit of an end of an era almost. I would like to get a dog or cat here in NZ, but would have to find a rental property that would allow it. I might get a cockatiel in the New Year. I've booked my flight back to Brissie for Christmas, 21st of December, looking forward to wearing shorts and T-shirts and airing out my feet! Haven't booked my return flight yet, am still deciding whether to spend New Years in Oz or NZ. In other news, Sarah is coming to visit in December, it will be great to see her and show her around a bit! Hopefully she will get some good weather while she's here. Last week there was SNOW on the hills and today my washing was blown all over the neighbours yard (galeforce winds... again). I know Sarah will be well-prepared anyway, cause she's spending Xmas in Canada this year!