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Another Taupo

I haven't been counting, but it must be eight or nine times around that lake by now. Anyway this time it was cool, windy and wet at times - a far cry from the burn-to-a-crisp experience of 2008. All in it was a good do with 11,000 odd riders and the usual good vibe with heart kids beaming across the line and people slaying personal demons left right and centre. Gabrielle was heroic in the face of a raging sore throat and we downplayed our lack of training to good effect. Again Paula and Jane Battersby were the hosts par excellence - big ups to you both! And of course no visit to Taupo is complete without an excursion to the crow's nest.

Close but no cigar

I missed out on landing the Manhire Prize - as the governator said - "I'll be back". Consolation comes in the form of lunch at Logan Brown with the birthday clubbers Annette and Jane.

Also on a positive note is young Andrew scoring an analyst position at the Ministry of Fisheries. Woot! as they say on vorb. Fantastico!

Manhire Prize shortlist!

Well fancy that - I have made the Manhire Creative Science Writing shortlist (non-fiction). This is good news as it is a step towards a free lunch at Logan Brown with Annette and Jane, my fellow goal-setter lunch afficionados. Astronomy title was always going to be a bit of a challenge, but the research was great fun. Winner will be announced on 18 November. I think I said something about a bottle of Veuve Cliquot if I land the big one. You can read my entry here. Thanks to those of you who have encouraged me in my writing!

Kitchen progress

Well it is all starting to come together as you can see. My road bike is gathering cobwebs and Taupo training has been a casualty of the cruel paintbrush. Walls full of fluffy insulation and double glazing make this the warm end of the house and we are delighted with it. Floor yet to come, after the new ceiling and external wall are in place and painted in the dining room.

Borneo photos

Here a few photos from our latest escapade in the world's rainforests. We visited five national parks in three weeks, from Kuching in southern Sarawak to Kota Kinabalu in western Sabah. Attempts to travel lightly were hampered by the usual 'need' for a variety of lenses... photos are here

Kitchen renovations

Tony Shaw is back and that can only progress on another long-anticipated project and the end to procrastination. So laundry has gone and also a couple of walls and the new kitchen area is taking shape. Andrew is helping out and learning lots about building and the odd bit of new language. New features are a skylight facing northwest and double glazing on the windows and door. Kitchen installation is just a week away. Watch this space.