Hello everyone!

Sorry that we haven't really updated the blog recently, but we've been very much busy with working. We're still at Stoneleigh, and planning on finishing there on the 19th March so not long left to go! Our plan after finishing is to head over to Nelson and the Abel Tasman Park for some sea kayaking for a few days before making our way down the island to Queenstown. After spending some time there, we'll head back up the East coast to Christchurch to sell the car before flying back to Auckland for part 2 of our adventures... to the land of all things weird and well...scary!

Recently we've taken up fishing after being taken by the Thai's we were living with. Dave's been having fun with it, although we do seem to have a problem with getting the lines caught on rocks upon trying to reel in! It's very relaxing, although we haven't had any luck catching fish since our first attempts. however, the fish were too small so had to be thrown back. The place where we go is at the Wairau River diversion about 15/20 mins away from the house but there are a lot of people there at high tide. One problem that the guys at work have been annoyed about (and rightly so) is that a lot of the Asains go fishing near there and they don't adhere to the strict fishing quotas and sizes and just take anything and everything they catch. As a result there are not many fish left which won't do much good for the eco system.

Speaking of asians, our thai housemates have all left so we have the house to ourselves! No, it's not because we're smelly after work (Well, only a little!) but their contractor has lost the contract because of a lack of work at the moment. A lot of people, both contracted and Kiwi are being laid off. They've been moved up to Gisborne to do apple picking so we're now the only guests, which makes life a lot quieter and easier in a way! Dave's hoping it'll last til we leave.

At the weekend (27th and 28th Feb) David, Jim and Charlie Mercer went on a Lad's Tramping Weekend up Mount Richmond and the victorious returned yesterday night (28th) around 5pm after a long day of walking! They all had a really great time and got some great shots from the peak, so we'll put those up very soon. Anne and Olivia Mercer and I had a very relaxing girlie weekend, after a games day at Olivia's friend's house on 27th followed by cooking a lovely fish meal and a DVD, and a doctor's visit for me, cafe visit and another dvd yesterday.

Unfortunately my wisdom teeth have been causing problems. one has been moving but think food must have got under the skin and become infected so i'm now on antibiotics & pain killers for a week. hopefully it'll all clear up soon so i can actually open my mouth to eat out for my birthday!!

There's not too much other news at the moment, but we'll get some pictures up soon of our recent trip to Picton and the Queen Charlotte Sound & of course Dave's great pictures from the Mount Richmond tramp (aka 'hiking').

Much love to you all,

Rachel and David xxxxx