I’m so sorry we haven’t put a post up for ages, we have both been working so much and are so tired afterwards that we just fall asleep on the sofa!

They really know how to get their money’s worth out of you over here, and I end up working 43-45 hours a week which I’m not used to, and they are quite strict about us not sitting down so I’m on my feet all day (ouch). Mark is struggling more than I am, as he hasn’t done a proper days’ work since April. He has been doing more mechanical things than normal so is having to learn a lot as he goes along. It is only a temporary contract for him so we can get through Christmas ok, then hopefully he can get a more electrical job.

Yes it is a very posh shop Auntie Beryl, Im terrified of breaking things every time I turn around. Why they employed someone as clumsy as me Ill never know. I managed to do a $3,400 sale yesterday so I was employee of the week and got a gingerbread man as a prize!!

Still at the hostel for the next few weeks as there are loads of things going on over xmas. We are hoping to go for a bbq on the local beach with other residents on xmas day and my work is taking us both out for a meal and drinks in an area called Port Chevalier on 21st. After xmas we are going to be living somewhere a bit different, so long as everything goes to plan as we have bought a boat!!

 Yes I know it sounds mad, andI still can’t believe it myself yet, but we have bought a 55 foot (big!) luxury fishing boat which has 3 cabins and 2 bathrooms. I think we will keep hold of it until April and then see if we can sell it up in the Northern hemisphere’s summer for a bit of profit. You all know what Mark is like with his investment opportunities…

So that will be rather interesting to live on seeing as I get horrible seasickness! Mark has gone off today with our friend Bernie who is a marine engineer  to do a full check of the boat. They will be taking it out of the water in a sling to check the hull and engines etc and then in a week or so we will have a sea trial with the owner to make sure it runs ok. I don’t know when we will finalise and actually have the keys but I will keep you posted!!  It is not unusual in New Zealand to have a boat, 3/4 of the population have a boat here, but it is still cool to us! It is currently called Pastis, (which is a french aniseed liqueur!) but we want to change the name so any suggestions welcome… It looks a bit like this but a bigger version.

 The street we are living on ( Franklin Road) is quite famous in NZ, as they go mad with the christmas lights on their houses. The street has been full of people with their children walking up and down and having icecreams and coffees for the last two weeks, and the other night a convoy of classic american cars parked outside our house ! Its like the NZ version of the Blackpool illuminations.  

Other than that I don’t have much gossip. I found out 10 minutes ago that my brother and his wife are having a boy, which is good news for them. I believe my lovely brother will be releived as he said he would sell a girl on ebay!

I am going to the post box today so apologies to anyone who has sent a card to us, I haven’t had 5 minutes to get there for the last few weeks, but I will get back to you honest!

 Nice to hear form you Andrew and Janice! Yes I think GPs are on the skills shortage list over here, It would be nice to see a familiar face. It is very different from Oz according to an Australian couple I spoke to last week. It is very much like England in some ways but a lot warmer. There just doesn’t seem to be a lot of people or towns, there are some really tiny places here!! We have struggled a bit with the humidity the last few days, I am finding it hard to sleep cos I get so sweaty. I bet you would probably be ok after being in Australia!

Nice to hear from you Claire,Lee and Nathan. Yes we are feeling much more settled, although I’m ready for my own space. Sharing a kitchen with 12 Americans this week has been testing my patience!! God they are so loud!

Hi Anna! I laughed thinking of you scampering around with the sheepies! Bet it was a bit wetter there than here! It doesnt feel like xmas at all, even thought I have to listen to Cliff Richard’s christmas album about 18 times a day at work. I keep eating mince pies in the hope it might make me feel xmassy. It not happening this year! Missing youse all loads tho, I’m dying fora Lindeboom in Jacksons!

Hi Jay, hope you and Lisa and the puppies are ok, Mark will never work too hard you should know that by now!

 If I don’t speak to you all at christmas, have a lovely time, and I hope you have a good new year. Missing everyone terribly and wish it was a wee bit closer!

Lots of love from Gill and Mark

xoxo

Lots of Love to Garry, Paula and Family for Christmas,