Holiday

We've got a really neat trip planned for Friday. We're off to Christchurch! (South Island)

Our friends, and ex employees Ciaran and Sarah Tully are finalists in the Dairy Industry awards.

Ciaran and Sarah have lived in NZ for 14 years, they immigrated from England. They have progressed through the farm manager, contract milker and sharemilker cycle of dairy farming, and have just recently bought their own farm! A really cool couple, and we're so proud of them. They would have had no show of owning their own farm in England, so it's neat that they've made it here in New Zealand.

The prize giving is on Saturday night. Before that we have to organise a dinner suit and black tie for Brian! (No overalls and gumboots at this $85 per ticket night!). There will be 700 people there, and I've been warned not to expect to be back at our hotel until about 6 am the next morning!........................

Which would otherwise be fine BUT we're taking Celine and Ella. Celine is going to be on a live childrens programme 'What now' we have to be at the studio at 7.15 AM.

Arghh the things you promise your children, then can't back out of!

I'm actually (secretly) looking forward to the show, who knows, I might get 'gunged' 'creamed' or have some other embarrassing thing done! For those in New Zealand, check out TV2 on Sunday 8 am til 10!

In reality Celine is likely to hide out of view, she's quite shy.

We are then planning to go through to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs and maybe venture to the West Coast. We have friends farming at Culverton, so will look at their farm. They have huge irrigation pivots on their farm, which is something we just don't see up here in the North.

I've never been to Kaikoura or to the West Coast, so will be able to check out some more of Noo Zilend.

Somehow I will manage to get some running in. I always get a little nervous running outside in a new place.

We're spending a few days away, so I need to organise the house, try to get clothes dry, find warm clothes for everyone and get the dog and cat to the kennels.

So best I get cracking...............