All change ...

I can't believe I'm back in the UK already and it almost being time to go back to work - thankfully one more day to go, got to love English May bank holidays. I've just spoken to Kirsten who told me the weather in New Zealand has changed for the worse, since I've gone (apologies in advance for the language if you're easily offended)... "it so pissed it down yesterday. monsooned all day :( big southerlies from antarctica"

It's even been snowing in the national park and was a complete whiteout when I looked at the webcam ... there have even been some rumblings from the volcano and to think I climbed it a week ago! At least Will and Kirsten can look forward to some skiing if it stays inactive! Talking of which, they have been causing trouble, planting seeds for me to ponder, about returning to work over there during a ski season. It does have a certain appeal I have to admit....

Any hoo, there's still last Monday (wine tasting + fish market) and Tuesday (packing + CV writing) in NZ to blog when it was sunny-ish, plus travelling back via Hong Kong and facing jet lag in UK chez the Buchans (Ben's sister). All I can say is thank goodness I was able to extend the holiday a bit by taking up Emma and Matthew's kind invitation to stay with them - since Matt picked me up from the airport. It was great to see a friendly face at Heathrow (when I felt absolutely exhausted); plus it's been so good to be able to relax and spend time with them and baby Charlotte - she's so cute see pic!

I'm hoping I'm over the worst of the jet lag now - they helped me stay up late and wake up early, so I think my body clock is back to normal. I need to remember to be kind to myself though (and I hope others will be too) because I'm probably not fully recovered, so if you see me please be gentle!

Saying goodbye - last few days in NZ ...

Some of you may have been wondering what I got up to in my last few days in NZ. I mentioned briefly in my last blog a few facts but that doesn't really tell you much. Now if you've visited Will and Kirsten's blog you may be a bit better clued up with what happened that last Monday and Tuesday. If not you're in luck because I'm now in the mood to share a few thoughts on how I came to say goodbye! Originally Kirsten and I, had planned to go to Wahike island by boat on Monday to visit their excellent vineyards but the weather forecast promised showers so we decided to stay more local. We went to Kirsten's favourite vineyard just outside of Auckland for a spot of wine tasting and lunch (pic left shows her enjoying the sticky date and ginger pud).

Afterwards we decided to enjoy the grounds and get creative with our respective cameras - Kirsten had her tripod with her, which meant we could all be in the picture, including Todd! As you can see the weather was sunny and warm - when did the weathermen ever get it right eh? Oh well I'm sure I'll be back in NZ and get to visit Wahike another time.

We then went to the fish market in Auckland and bought some fresh tuna, which Kirsten marinated and made a tasty dinner out of with glass noodles. All washed down with some rose sparkling fizz and I seem to recall a few other bottles of red in an attempt to make me leave with a hangover. This led to some very amusing photos of Todd, Gilbert and Gordon on their final night together. Gordon was misbehaving - see pictures for his antics of ripping to shreds a leaflet on said topic! Thankfully my flight next day wasn't until 11.30pm , so I did recover and had time to reflect on my holiday.


I had a brilliant time explaining authenticity, spiral dynamics, etc to Kirsten and showing her various TED videos - some of which I'd shared with her earlier in the holiday because I knew she'd be fascinated by it e.g Jill Bolte Taylor: my stroke of insight - what happens when your right hand side brain takes over from the left hand side that is logical, she's an amazing woman, well worth a view - some others worth watching our on creativity "do schools kills creativity?" (very entertaining case put forward) by Sir Ken Robinson and sustainability thinking on new climate change by Al Gore.

A more recent TED video not shared (yet) with Kirsten, although I think we did discuss briefly mushrooms because this is Kylin's husband's passion and how they could save the earth is discussed by micrologist Paul Stamets. No he's not talking about magic mushrooms, although I have to admit though that the video is a bit difficult to follow because of the science - not necessarily my stongest subject.

So who is TED? Once upon a time if you asked me this I would have answered Ted Theodore Logan (Keanu Reeve's character) from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Now of course I can tell you that TED is about ideas worth spreading!