this is why

This is why I shall be sad to leave London: It is not the easy hop to Europe... it is not the career opportunities... it is not the ability to hide away a few pounds to ease our return to New Zealand... it's not even London's famously clement weather. It is people.

My workmates are some of those people. Last night we were out together at The Piano Lounge, about 25 of us, marking the end of my time with them... The last almost two years I've spent at the Wolfson haven't always been easy; there have been some tough times for me. But the team of people I've had the privilege to work alongside are outstanding. Sure, they are skilled clinicians. But they're also genuinely nice people to work with. And quite a few of them have become friends.

In the Lord of the Rings-raised profile of New Zealand tourism, everyone here wants to visit New Zealand these days... and it hasn't always been like that. There are logistics to consider—you can't get much further from London—but people are dreaming of a green and golden southern land. (Most people imagine the New Zealand climate to be like Australia... but I don't think Aotearoa means “Land of the Long Warm Summer”...) In any case, many people hope to come.

We've extended invitations widely: come and stay with us! And we mean every one of them. If you're thinking of coming, please know that in a decomissioned refridgerated shipping container on a farm in Waikanae is a queen-sized Posturpaedic guest bed, along with our other gear, just waiting for your visit! (We hope to have a guest room to put it in soon, even.) So whether it's via Dubai in July, or not till 2009, do look us up. We mean it! (Yes, you. Even if you think we didn't know you that well... You may be the only one who ends up making it that far down under.) We will be pleased to have the opportunity to keep you as part of our lives.