Terry has asked for a update missive from the lovely southern hemisphere. Lets start with the people …
 Sam is just in the middle of his second year engineering final exams. He writes hismost difficult today (go sam ) something called materials and then has a week until thermodynamics. The kid knows how to live. We pick him up in chch on the 11th and whisk him back to Nelson where he will toil at the big Medium Density Fiberboard plant as a summer intern engineer. He will Have Christmas with his dad l in otago …… leaveing leigh and I free to…….
 Have a two week tour around Invercargill and Southland. To get the full experience we’ve decided that we’ll rent a trailer (or caravan as they are known here). Yup we’ll tour the region stopping in the Caltins, Invercargill, geraldine and Manapuri for a few days and will have christmas in a central Invercargill caravan park. Wheeeeeeeeeeeee It should be great.Â
INVERCARGILL OR BUST
Leigh is doing well, quilting for fun and enjoying her work. Since she is working part time she takes it upon herself to get into some of the less pleasent jobs around the yard and has been digging out the ubiiquitous broom. Ahhh otherwise very good. She is in Marlborough for the next two days seeing clients. lucky girl.Â
The pekin girls have … how shall I put this … ah put out for the mallard boys and we have about 35 cross bred ducklings running around. Next year Leigh needs to get a Pekin MALE. They are very cheeky adn confindent little things.Â
Calgary is just about 10, a older dog and he remains a great hairy presence around the place. He is fit, well and still snores “like 90 bears” . A few nights ago I shot a big hare that he fetched, and carried home. After playing with it for an hour I came outside to find him asleep using the hare as a pillow.Â
Critaclly the lawn tractor has been broken while someone in Wisconsian builds and then seemingly walked the part here. I jest but it has taken two weeks to get the part and the lawn has reached the hay stage. Its going to be a LONG process to mow it and get the place looking nice. Vegitation control is the plan for the weekend.Â
What is up with me? Well on the health front I’ve stopped eating wheat and I’m very very sad to report I feel better for it. less itchy, less bloated and well hungry. The Doc has pronounced me fit with a good heart, low cholesteral and generaly fit (if not just a little fat). I walk most mornings for 30 minutes a 0600. On the work front after six months of restructuring, tension, interviewing and people acting as if they were caught in amber ….. the status quo is the way forward. Oh …. I’m now The Inshore Fisheries Manager. Same job new name ….A snappy salute is appropriate.Â
What of you people? Terry What digital camera should I buy, Viv whats the only democrat in WIS doing, What is the status of the cottage, anyone read any good books?
Excellent update. When I get time I’ll do one from my perspective…though it is somewhat more dull…
Get up, go to work, come home, get up, go to work, come home, get up, go to work, come home, get up, go to work, come home, get up, go to work, come home…
I’m kidding, but it’ll probably be less detailed.
ok ok…good job..lots of info to absorb…I’ll be on soon with a collection of second-string events…since we can’t waste our Christmas letter material, now can we? Should have letus know what part ye needed, we could have picked it up in Horicon (if you’re a real JOHN DEERE man).