New Zealand has had the best summer weather on record, and although there are a lot of stressed out farmers trying to feed their animals or rescue failed crops, the rest of us have revelled in the blazing heat. For once we’ve trounced Aussie as the place to be.
Sunshine in New Zealand means endless boating, vineyards, outdoor concerts, al fresco dining and expanding waistlines – I’ve reframed my consistent intake of gelato and rose as therapeutic.
Throughout the long and heady summer we’ve had loads of adventures. I’ve squeezed in three trips to Queenstown: once to inspect the house (just in case), once to guide visitors around (as if they needed my help) and once to watch the NZPGA (because golf is my favourite game). All visits included checking out the winegrowers in the region. There are exceptional tasting venues almost everywhere and we’ve now covered most of them. A few favourites include Peregrine, Wet Jacket, Chard Farm – all in close proximity. And a little further up the road there are a few lovely venues in Bannockburn too, Mt Difficulty, Te Kano (new to the area) Felton Road (appointment only) and on the other side of the river Carrick.
Friends from South Africa visited New Zealand for a wedding in February and we hijacked them a couple of times for outings. They especially loved Queenstown and its surrounds and Waiheke Island (another post for another day)
I was recently invited to walk the Milford Track with a great group of friends. It lived up to its reputation as one of the best tramps in the world. Mooching through magnificent fauna and flora along well maintained tracks accompanied by great company and fine conversation made the three day hike seem easy. The Great Walks of New Zealand sit high on the must-do list of most Kiwis, and since my Richard and Samantha were both about to leave New Zealand for an unknown number of years, they jumped at the chance to accompany me even though they were the youngest guests by a couple of decades. It was fantastic having them with me.
We’ve also jumped on and off the boat all summer for jaunts to various islands. For some reason – and without any encouragement from me – these outings always turn into raucous and hilarious booze cruises. I think it is our captain’s fault or perhaps water, sun and fun are an irresistible mixture. No matter what the cause, I will die happy with a thousand fantastic memories of glorious boating days in our amazing Hauraki Gulf.
After so much of your encouragement, I finally registered for that journalism qualification. I’ve been kept so busy that my ‘real’ life has ground to a halt. Gone until November is travel, golf, tennis, lunch, dinner and boating, but studying has never been more fun. I am in class every day with 30 talented and intelligent people. It is so stimulating learning new skills again and, with a lot of help, I’m becoming a bit more technically current and competent. These bright young students are so tolerant and generous with their knowledge and if this is ‘the youth of today’ I’m excited for the future.
There are five teaching weeks left of this semester and I am facing a punishing workload followed by a two-week internship working at a radio station. In August there is short field trip working on a newspaper somewhere out of Auckland. I find all of this totally thrilling and it has added a new and satisfying aspect to my life.
Richard arrived in the UK three weeks ago and has joined 36South as an investment analyst. He is doing some worthy work and is thriving. He has already hosted several university friends staying at the apartment and he loves the fact that everyone passes through London. His social life sounds amazing and fun opportunities are arriving thick and fast.
Samantha has been in London for less than a week and, after only two interviews that she set up whilst still in New Zealand, she has landed an internship with a marketing company. She is as thrilled as we are proud of her. She has moved into a great studio apartment in Chelsea and is raring to take the city on.
Michelle is doing well in Melbourne, despite establishing her place in the history books as the student who set the hall of residence alight. To her horror, her teddy bear – now cremated – toppled onto a candle and her room went up in flames. Thankfully, because she is not the first student to set the place on fire, there was an effective sprinkler system installed and the damage was minimal. However, she endures the shame of being responsible for the entire college being evacuated for several hours and eight fellow students being turfed out of their rooms for several weeks while they were repaired for water damage. The teasing is merciless so thank goodness she’s a resilient character with an irrepressible sense of humour.
And now that I’ve fallen off the social wagon, I’m starved of news so please send your goss and updates any time.
11 Responses
Dearest Deb life has been a little hectic with building our house so I haven’t been checking my emails. I am sad to hear your news, life can put us through such tests to move us on to our next step! (even though we go kicking and screaming). I am smiling at the way you have picked yourself up, you are such an inspiring woman. You have chosen a new and inspiring direction for yourself, which you will undoubltedly do so well in with your very obvious literary talents. Luv ya
Debs, always great reading your blogs and catching up on the family. So glad that Sammy has hit the ground running in London and that all the other puppies seem happy and well. We are all fine – Kelly now 20 and Mike 17….time flies. If you ever get to Melbourne you are very welcome to stay in the appartment and of course there is always a bed in Sydney. Huge hugs and kisses xxxx POD and Jane
Debs, thanks, you have such a great talent for communicating – your blog is the best ever way of finding out what is going is going on with all the Howies. I am awaiting to see all the journalism awards that will be forthcoming to you. Wishing you the absolute best of everything. You are the best sister-in-law in the world and DON’T FORGET IT!… Lotsa love from Sue
Darling Debs – I am so thrilled with the news that you are back at school and doing journo – it is a huge talent that you have and we have so loved your Bullsheets over the years that I am delighted that this will now be shared with a wider audience. Great news!! It cannot be easy with Sam and Rich away but new opportunities often open up with new spaces available. Delighted to hear Mich having such an incendiary time at uni and setting the world alight – we always knew she would in more ways than one.
Debs sending you much love and you keep going and keep writing x x x
Hi Debs, its lovely hearing from you again and I just love your lightness and humour which is never far from the surface. It’s been a long tough road for sure. But it seems to me that with this course taking up so much of your time and energy, you have opened up a whole new world for yourself. Incredible human spirit. Hamba Khatle my friend. X
Hiya Debs,
Life is not fair and in spite of the tough times, you still the remain the most gorgeous and loveable person.Stay strong and be happy.
Happy Birthday for Friday young lady. Have a blast.
Much Love,
Phil, Nina, Ryan, Craig & Chantelle xxxx
Hi Debs – what a brave and courageous lady you are. Sad news about you and Jerry – it must be gut renching for you. Life throws us some curve balls that’s for sure but It sounds like you’ve worked your way through the darkness and found some rays of sunshine to keep you going. Whew! So delighted to hear you are doing journalism – I’m sure you’ll do well. If you get stuck and need to cover a ‘real’ story as part of your course then let me know. I’m off to Europe in a few weeks to see my lovely Sam and his partner Clare, with a bit of Italy and Greece thrown in. Would love to catch up for a drink on my return. x
Dear Debs, sorry to hear your sad news. Also enjoy reading you news and wish you all the very best for your new life. We will have been married 52 years in July , quite a milestone these days. Keep your chin up and keep going.
Lots of love from Bob and Shirley. xx
Hi Deb
It’s amazing how quickly things, we think will last forever, change isn’t it….. And reminds us how precious each day is……So I’m delighted to hear you are doing things you love……and you will add enormously to the otherwise average quality of journalism in this little country….. By the end of this year I’m going to get prepared to read again!!……
Ben, Sophie, Nick , Josh and I all send our love and very best……keep eating that chocolate!!!
Hi Debs
Sorry to hear the news but chuffed that you back “at school” and keeping busy. Selby leaves us this year, hopefully for Heriot Watt in Edinburgh so am planning on doing the same, just haven’t figured out what I want to do yet….. but am so excited for Selby, takes me back to when I was his age leaving africa. Anyway, we are all well and continuing in Zambia for the time being as who knows what changes can happen in africa these days. Always enjoy your bull sheet so keep it up. Take care and good luck with the studies. Cheers, Rozanne
Wow Deb’s saw you the other day heading away from Okura in the black beast as I always think of you guys and wondering what exciting things you are all up to . Would love to have a coffee if you are free with your study etc. Glad to hear you are doing so well . Love and kisses Sam.