deposition from cloudy waters

In the last week we've seen things settling into place.

We finally were able to extract our gear from the boat on Friday, after complications with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. They wanted to inspect our gear, but did not wish to do so until Tuesday. In the end an additional (ultimately smaller than advertised) fee and the disposal of our painted eggshell decorations from Prague saw our release granted. We thus bid a temporary farewell to Bronwyn's parents, and headed to old haunt Palmerston North. There it was great to spend four days with good friends in Palmerston, seeing families that had expanded since we were last here. So nice to return to the warmth of these long-standing friendships.

This provided a base for further discussions regarding employment, aided by a day trip down to the capital Wellington, two hours south. And after serious discussions regarding three offers of employment, I'm pleased to report I've now accepted a job! I've been appointed as a Consultant to the Massey University Psychology Clinic in Wellington. My role there represents a significant change from work in the past, moving away from full-time front line clinical work. I'll be working there over the next couple of months in developing strategic relationships with other health and research agencies, particularly focussing on clinical research projects that these collaborations may stimulate. I'm excited about the opportunities this new role offers, which represent the direction I want to take in the next stage in my career. And in terms of my role, well, watch this space!

Almost completing the set, finalising our city is allowing us to finalise where we'll live. We're going to be renting a house from family for a while, on the Kapiti Coast north of the Wellington, while I experiment with whether the commute is worth it. For those with local knowledge, it's in Raumati South. Meanwhile, we're already enjoying the Kapiti lifestyle as we stay with my brother and his wife in Paraparaumu, where we've finally met my new nephew Fin. Ahh... We like Fin! Another reason why it's good to be back.

We've both enjoyed being able to spend time face-to-face with Bronwyn's family too. Her Dad, David, has been given a positive MRI report regarding the shrinking of the main tumour, in his hip, with the other two believed to be gone completely. He's now finished chemotherapy, which is great. He's been booked for a hip replacement in 4 to 6 weeks time too—usual waiting time two years apparently—which will relieve the major pain he increasingly is experiencing due to the pathological fracture (neck of femur) caused by the tumour. Meanwhile Bronwyn's sister's wedding is fast approaching. It is down in Dunedin, deep in the south of the South... British people can think Edinburgh in Autumn... and the girls are wearing strappy dresses. Bronwyn will fly down Saturday, while I will join the family next Thursday. Due to our overseas sojourns, neither of us has met the groom! So as the MC at the wedding reception, I'll be able to share all those anecdotes of all the amusing things that have occurred in the long time I've known Michael, since the Thursday immediately before... Not much damaging material, I imagine. Maybe that's the point!