Happy Birthday Tim!

Happy Birthday greetings to my older brother Tim, who turns 31 today. I'm pleased to have him as my brother, and pleased to be able to say that we get on so much better than we did as kids. Nice. Thinking about it though, Tim must be much older than me, because otherwise if he's turning 31 this year, that means I'd be... Hmm. Moving on...

On Saturday afternoon we caught up with our friend Ness from Palmy days. She's been here in the UK since a little before us, though has spent most of that time in Scotland so we've seen her only intermittently. Up in Scotland she's been flatting with Jay, who also joined us for coffee. Well, the time has come for Ness to go home and as this goes to broadcast Ness will be just landing in Wellington. Ness, we'll miss you! Jay follows in the not too distant too, though taking a couple of months to get home versus Ness' direct flight. She's going to Gallipoli for Anzac Day, amongst other things. Every time I hear someone is doing this (more often than you might think) I wonder. Perhaps next year? Safe travels.

All this going home to New Zealand stimulates certain thought processes of course, and leads to discussions. We're happy here for now but are far from having forgotten where we're from. Existing plans continue to percolate, though nothing that should make parents get excited. We'll be here for a while yet.

Finally, birthday greetings as well to Hamish. Long time no talk. I must pick up that phone...