Actually, as far ago as the early 1970's, I used to go there and on one occasion couldn't remember whether it was near Dorking or Guildford - ending up driving around in circles for over an hour, trying to find the house. Mobile phones were unheard of then and Tom wasn't available in those days - and a map book would have been far too easy.
Sally's mum, and mine, started work the same day for Prudential Insurance - and years later, Sally and I were born within a month of each other, at the same hospital. Our mums (and later we) corresponded for years
and when I eventually came over for my big OE, we met up and remain friends.
Oh to have a mother that talented.
Once again, I'm not sure about the internet connection in Guildford so it may be early next week before I can update again. On Monday I'll be driving back to Gloucester (quite near to Philip and Rosemary) to stay with the Kemps - my NZ friends who had such a dreadful time trying to get their work permit and visa to take up a job with the university in Gloucester, and were so supportive of me during the February earthquakes. I'll be there for a week but know they have the internet, so I should be able to update after that.
The air has suddenly become very cold and I'm glad of my old favourite, winter jacket, but the days are still sunny at the moment. I hope everyone at home has survived the flooding and webbed feet that has been reported on "Stuff" - poor old Christchurch. Julie just sent me a video of the Red Zone - pretty miserable viewing really.
Go the All Blacks - I have my seat booked at Sally and Ken's but they're not rugby people, so I hope I don't disgrace myself too greatly by shouting too loudly at their television.
Hello techno phobe. You are doing so well with the blog. I just caught up after returning from Perth on Saturday. Love the photos. They are worth a thousand words.
ReplyDeleteThe earth moved the day after we left of course. 4.8,4.1 and a 5.5 on the Sunday. Not fun and being so far away was just as worrying.
It was greatt o catch up with Anita, Jay and Lilly-Jay. She is precocious and at times a real handful. Mummy and daddy haven't learnt that no means no yet and she knows it.
Jay's mum became very ill and was rushed to hospital for a lung operation. She had a lapband installed three years ago and it had forced her upper stomach into a hernia. She had terrible reflux and didn't say anything so for the past three years the bile has been leaking into her lungs as she lay down at night. It had become more and more difficult to breathe and finally reached a crisis. It took a while for them to figure out what had happened as it looked like lung cancer. The muck in her lungs had solidified into a cauliflower like substance. Very worrying but she is making a good recovry now. It will be a long process however.
Did I tell you we have bought a house out in Rangiora. 4 years old. Will rent Hackthorne Road after it is repaired. The repairs seem to be more complicated than we knew. Who knows. We move on Nov 21. When you get home we may talk about selling. It's all too hard at the moment.
Karli and Adam got a letter this week saying that the damage to their house had been assessed at $200!!!!!!!!! Yup you read it right, and that EQC would be closing the file as it wasn't worth them paying out. It is so frustrating as things seem to go round and round in circles.
Bck to school tomorrow for a 71/2 week term. Oh boy.
Blessings always. We'll have a new year get together. You're on a promise but in a nice way.
Marriene