tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297807602024-03-07T17:18:16.221+13:00Domestic ExecutiveI ran away from home in the UK to New Zealand to become a domestic executive. To rebalance work and life and live the dream of building a home in the country.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.comBlogger451125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-66846915936930305652008-06-26T10:12:00.004+12:002008-06-26T10:16:11.156+12:00Domestic Executive Moves on<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WrKHHD6ilQX1HE-LSB-lzCfWEz-V8ncwmtaJ30ifJzGHc5PbzI7CgEUVGd-LGXfe0JFz-kgbEYQ_k9eFU5ceCyKR9I_5WId4FPZDCyo104H4uHN9QeznVhhvODtpUhhBx2F4zQ/s1600-h/23379726.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WrKHHD6ilQX1HE-LSB-lzCfWEz-V8ncwmtaJ30ifJzGHc5PbzI7CgEUVGd-LGXfe0JFz-kgbEYQ_k9eFU5ceCyKR9I_5WId4FPZDCyo104H4uHN9QeznVhhvODtpUhhBx2F4zQ/s320/23379726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215945565845845890" border="0" /></a>You've done me proud Blogger and got me hooked. But it's time to say farewell and move on. <br /><br />Readers please continue to the new <a href="http://www.domestic-executive.com">Domestic Executive homestead.</a><br /></div>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-66841672645198643262008-06-25T21:06:00.003+12:002008-06-25T21:15:43.455+12:00Icy blast heralds winter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi6enSSXir3ow23vwD-6eWKDeafpTi1-x1lpmaRQxZhzrjDeSW6HQlmCZad3bkNttWOHG_KqzkNqhNw6MDcK7UU8ThzB1JQ6rvnCQS-Z88rxbbzzPNyw_2ZJlEM07TWAH3Yi5aQ/s1600-h/Weather1602.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi6enSSXir3ow23vwD-6eWKDeafpTi1-x1lpmaRQxZhzrjDeSW6HQlmCZad3bkNttWOHG_KqzkNqhNw6MDcK7UU8ThzB1JQ6rvnCQS-Z88rxbbzzPNyw_2ZJlEM07TWAH3Yi5aQ/s320/Weather1602.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215743032268362706" border="0" /></a>Brr it's been cold and wet today. Nothing new you may be thinking but with snow across the South Island and even on our own Rimutaka Hill I think it's safe to declare winter has arrived.<br /><br />Tornados were threatened which worried me today as I walked to the Westpac Stadium today to for a Catapult gig espousing the value of values. The walkway to the Stadium is one of the most exposed in Wellington where being blown off your feet (literally) can be your fate if you're unlucky to be caught by a strong gust of wind. I clung to the railings at one point until the wind died down and then tried to walk away looking cool and calm. You never know who might have been watching me struggle in the wind and drizzle.<br /><br />By the time I got home this afternoon it was full pelt rain and certainly not dog walking weather. It's the chickens I felt most sorry for huddled in their chicken house squat on their roosting rail looking out at the cold and wind. Chickens don't like the damp, a bit like basset hounds and Domestic Executive's really!.<br /><br />Forecast is to improve whic will mean I can put off any longer some of those outdoor chores I've been avoiding with the icy blast.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-16003826835615409342008-06-24T21:24:00.004+12:002008-06-24T21:37:53.085+12:00When did my boys grow up?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2OIiieTW1JSD-e8wnV0yvA6IxEQb-dzr5-CB4z4msIu10V0L3R3BCevqdaf4gus0wAlams__UFd7dyS7ow1EjIZtxN7NMLbWdlbWmJ84iWtQ9aeWBwwew8IFPC57ZPaijkThJw/s1600-h/Picture+or+Video+602+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2OIiieTW1JSD-e8wnV0yvA6IxEQb-dzr5-CB4z4msIu10V0L3R3BCevqdaf4gus0wAlams__UFd7dyS7ow1EjIZtxN7NMLbWdlbWmJ84iWtQ9aeWBwwew8IFPC57ZPaijkThJw/s320/Picture+or+Video+602+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215377043303320482" border="0" /></a>Today is Fortnum and Mason's 9 month birthday. It's hard to believe that they've been part of our household for over 6 months now. I can hardly remember what life was like before the bassets came along.<br /><br />A quick review of the basset pics shows just how much they've grow from those cute bundles of mischief into the lolloping hounds who lounge around the house creating havoc and upset.<br /><br />It's fair to say it's been a learning curve, some of which I'd rather consign to my memory banks not to be resurrected again.<br /><br />One thing is for sure, they've gone through beds like children go through shoes. Just when you think they've got the size to fit they wake up the next morning and don't fit any more. They started on a small cushion that fitted them both then progressed gradually to their enormous size day bed that they love to curl up in. That's of course when their not blowing hot air onto my ankles under desk in Domestic Executive HQ.<br /><br />As they've grown they've kept their cheeky faces but their habits get more disgusting all the time. Can't wait till they start slobbering as mature boys. It's bad enough at the moment when they've had a quick drink and then want to share the excess by shaking their heads.<br /><br />Still every day they make my heart melt in some way. Today it was Fortnum bounding across the grass at Tunnel Gulley when we were out for their walk. Also when Mason stuck out his lizard like basset tongue to since he'd obviously decided it was time my face needed another wash. Oh gross. I know where he puts that tongue!!<br /><br />I wish they hadn't grown up so much it would be so handy just to scoop them up like we could when they first arrive. I'm afraid I'm not that strong to lift dead weights of over 30kg - regardless of the waratah bashing training done this weekend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL420CK05X7YRbmvckouDdqa9txNUY-aWye2_0UIJyo0cnh4iWw8IgLql4AsHTx7IRQXttkBxXtTWEWYnkZBuinmdwhDFf6PLBi-YqAkHs4vJxl2kjrenThbtvy5AszbbGpw0iA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+209+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL420CK05X7YRbmvckouDdqa9txNUY-aWye2_0UIJyo0cnh4iWw8IgLql4AsHTx7IRQXttkBxXtTWEWYnkZBuinmdwhDFf6PLBi-YqAkHs4vJxl2kjrenThbtvy5AszbbGpw0iA/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+209+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215378243694996658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgU9FB6jQQjRDqGGfdSui_oO0B-RVwY90_IdVPy3mtNal2Fnczquz75OtBqgjRB47pm7XCWN21WVpDd3HRs8GbzTLCXcRYyQZV4InMShuRaNq19UYiqM8ZE7xG3-W7ApncwFUtg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+143+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgU9FB6jQQjRDqGGfdSui_oO0B-RVwY90_IdVPy3mtNal2Fnczquz75OtBqgjRB47pm7XCWN21WVpDd3HRs8GbzTLCXcRYyQZV4InMShuRaNq19UYiqM8ZE7xG3-W7ApncwFUtg/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+143+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215376868455914706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_oAkjNRuDB9ScTesvtakgvEk0bjxiJJd9Gb8Ao-jD1nnZSlqhlHpDqw_0PQSPiJFgCwUDxBE27_wxwkLLtJDynBKWgW59e353j1mIZl6sXw7OGa-riL5emB8UfA35DqAIqoUDQ/s1600-h/Picture+or+Video+029+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_oAkjNRuDB9ScTesvtakgvEk0bjxiJJd9Gb8Ao-jD1nnZSlqhlHpDqw_0PQSPiJFgCwUDxBE27_wxwkLLtJDynBKWgW59e353j1mIZl6sXw7OGa-riL5emB8UfA35DqAIqoUDQ/s320/Picture+or+Video+029+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215376870542441634" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-79455033227426612772008-06-23T16:32:00.002+12:002008-06-23T16:45:57.710+12:00Tale of two slippers (part two)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhFWXpXcuXJ_GcgxGVxNjUp7emNWykuVkXY0M_RFPLi-ZGcHSfRPRkp36LbJtT62g5urZYaXCwSrmMtPllqOo-wlS4P8oSmGulrk8fmUseInTHZ662FeVZcC5WEFsmz9aZ50yMw/s1600-h/Stuff+002+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhFWXpXcuXJ_GcgxGVxNjUp7emNWykuVkXY0M_RFPLi-ZGcHSfRPRkp36LbJtT62g5urZYaXCwSrmMtPllqOo-wlS4P8oSmGulrk8fmUseInTHZ662FeVZcC5WEFsmz9aZ50yMw/s320/Stuff+002+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214931345068991106" border="0" /></a>After the arm aching efforts in the garden I was pleased to have some comfort on my feet this weekend. On Saturday my lovely slippers finally arrived from their long journey from the USA.<br /><br />Regular bloggers will recall how the Tale of Two Slippers started. New readers can catch up <a href="http://domestic-executive.blogspot.com/search/label/online%20shopping">here.</a><br /><br />It's fair to say that online shopping in the US and shipping to NZ was a bit of an experiment to see if the system worked. I'm pleased to say it does but takes rather longer than you might imagine and doesn't necessarily save you hoards of money. <br /><br />Fortuantly the slippers themselves were a bargain and it was free shipping in the US. When you add the shipping costs they came out about the same cost if I'd had someone buy them for me in the UK and post them out. At least this way it saved my family and friends from slipper shopping.<br /><br />Now I have my new Acorns I'm seriously thinking of starting NZ import. I can't believe there aren't kiwis out there who'd like a lovely pair of stylish feet warmers for these winter days and nights.<br /><br />Fortnum and Mason think that they are really cool. Well actually nice and soft and warm. Idea for them to rest their heads on under the DE desk and snooze a litte. Since Fortnum dribbled on one when sleeping I'm keeping the bassets off my cosy slippers in future!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcQkE46vW2jQaXFbM23-CXXaolWMh-LKH4jxsVhDqO-B-ZUcfMNaY9rQ6VjU5vDBVKcMk0G9Ecqrive_TLNl_Dt3SO83edjZ8o-709jVIqzQzxeMuQXGvBYPVRSHTMccw2GeQ-g/s1600-h/Stuff+005+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcQkE46vW2jQaXFbM23-CXXaolWMh-LKH4jxsVhDqO-B-ZUcfMNaY9rQ6VjU5vDBVKcMk0G9Ecqrive_TLNl_Dt3SO83edjZ8o-709jVIqzQzxeMuQXGvBYPVRSHTMccw2GeQ-g/s320/Stuff+005+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214931348654100546" border="0" /></a><br />Would I do it again? Where slippers are concerned, oh yes indeedee! A girl must have her creature comforts! And, I'm sure for those other specialist items you either can't get or are so expensive here in New Zealand.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-62755333650589551352008-06-22T20:09:00.001+12:002008-06-23T16:32:26.874+12:00A bright spot amongst the graft and pain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYePgVP6dwB5Lsi0_S6b0TDQIMWMx6VBpdU3HRVvMWIX-J2ooOX9fKgtrSWkdkpEgfWRPpmM1Xes8kQ4aWQDKHJASLv5BP4h7_IqQV3IGeG8XpN1VkiSM31VpR5YdBJ56hIX7AOw/s1600-h/Garden+085+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYePgVP6dwB5Lsi0_S6b0TDQIMWMx6VBpdU3HRVvMWIX-J2ooOX9fKgtrSWkdkpEgfWRPpmM1Xes8kQ4aWQDKHJASLv5BP4h7_IqQV3IGeG8XpN1VkiSM31VpR5YdBJ56hIX7AOw/s320/Garden+085+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214925389939898706" border="0" /></a><br />This dinky flower on our Leptosermum Huia was the one bright spot in the garden this weekend. Apart from this is was simply hard graft, rain and lots of pain.<br /><br />We managed to get the final tree holes dug and planted. Then came the tricky bit to put in the stakes to keep them protected from the Wellington winds. The landscapers recommended <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Y Shaped Steel Fence Posts, commonly known as Waratahs and we have two for every tree to keep it safe and sound.<br /><br /></strong><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Waratahs<br /><br /></strong></span><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXFFChKOb0UCyhIwoJJXxrGrzu2w6_IgdypdvKNghHXSNahmTZUpm7pYgHjhldqr2lJ3Ind2CQWWL5f1Ys1YLeGKcBoeNA9PcHPFRXfpJJgdIrll1KPDGBlFgyK6x4rSZQbLN-A/s1600-h/Ypost1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXFFChKOb0UCyhIwoJJXxrGrzu2w6_IgdypdvKNghHXSNahmTZUpm7pYgHjhldqr2lJ3Ind2CQWWL5f1Ys1YLeGKcBoeNA9PcHPFRXfpJJgdIrll1KPDGBlFgyK6x4rSZQbLN-A/s320/Ypost1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214928620285096306" border="0" /></a><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Sinking waratahs into the ground is best done with a special Waratah driver. This is a metal gizmo that weighs about 10 kg.<br /><br /></strong><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKOdo_xVbiL8r-e54O0bzDXedeOON_hgIDHcPx9q-5Loor8tD6Kqnil90eHSFFtfAROiv2srIQcnFv8xQDOPrFs3jNCk_khwZtK7TaqsYVuS0EVnuUvB1YQMo_TyB2DuH2bqYhQ/s1600-h/Waratah+Driver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKOdo_xVbiL8r-e54O0bzDXedeOON_hgIDHcPx9q-5Loor8tD6Kqnil90eHSFFtfAROiv2srIQcnFv8xQDOPrFs3jNCk_khwZtK7TaqsYVuS0EVnuUvB1YQMo_TyB2DuH2bqYhQ/s320/Waratah+Driver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214928615986152898" border="0" /></a>Picture this. 40 trees, two stakes and for every stake is takes around 20 bashes with the 10 kg driver. I don't want to split hairs on the amount of metal I lugged around let's just say my arms were levitating at the end as the muscle memory kicked in and thought that's what my arms were suposed to carry on doing.<br /></div><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1m8GGJ7r9yjALND5OVBhkgJziYzsPUlzbi7o69Ak00-lFVyQw0HeD-LnEzTtvDxBmY_CGvtWCufGS5jJIIEA8odZZ3Ide6bDakwYp3O5JGvCitSc39wx4MQElRO2Uyg6CwjUuA/s1600-h/Garden+087+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1m8GGJ7r9yjALND5OVBhkgJziYzsPUlzbi7o69Ak00-lFVyQw0HeD-LnEzTtvDxBmY_CGvtWCufGS5jJIIEA8odZZ3Ide6bDakwYp3O5JGvCitSc39wx4MQElRO2Uyg6CwjUuA/s320/Garden+087+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214925463385294770" border="0" /></a><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Rain stopped play (I mean work) on occasions which made the job harder and more miserable than it might otherwise had been. Looking on the brightside. The trees are in and well watered. Now all I need is some arm rest for the remainder of the week.<br /><br /></strong>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-17797739082452185282008-06-21T18:36:00.006+12:002008-06-21T18:56:39.652+12:00All hands and paws for tree planting!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ClS_NjFpHJjFCGqaRkRghVwDYlIoXQ_P8JjBsygGGT60gIX0B8LoWouK5deilG-JQ6n-adF10fkX_UkJV2bkTRwgW28-5CbROPN2R2KqFxql1yV2MG6p5Z9WvxchHEX7FVsDng/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+202+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ClS_NjFpHJjFCGqaRkRghVwDYlIoXQ_P8JjBsygGGT60gIX0B8LoWouK5deilG-JQ6n-adF10fkX_UkJV2bkTRwgW28-5CbROPN2R2KqFxql1yV2MG6p5Z9WvxchHEX7FVsDng/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+202+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221513458179922" border="0" /></a><br />Although a little earlier than I was expecting our second delivery of trees came on Friday. It's been all hands and paws on deck for tree planting as these trees came bare root so there was no time to waste before getting them into the ground.<br /><br />Given there was 40 to plant I brought in the lovely John from the landscaping firm to dig the holes and help with the planting and staking. He did a sterling job and got us ready for what turned out to be a late in the day delivery.<br /><br />You just can't do justice photographing the trees as they are simply sticks in the ground. You'll just have to take my word that it's starting to transform the place and give much needed structure to the landscape around the house. I can't wait till spring when they start to come into life. Then I'll be able to share the tree vistas.<br /><br />Anyway, here's some photoblogging to show our efforts of the last couple of days.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: times new roman;">MT taking five after digging holes and planting</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g-Z-jDQc7BjAC6T7qBK0fRuJq9NtcFeFfa7DHCApfIpORHvGHuo0XIBGsWEzg974qRTPsc49Bf35DzdrtKZuskIc91tYH-mPywErXbKEcWq5H54EoGxGADVcX4oSGhVW0pjjmg/s1600-h/Garden+080+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6g-Z-jDQc7BjAC6T7qBK0fRuJq9NtcFeFfa7DHCApfIpORHvGHuo0XIBGsWEzg974qRTPsc49Bf35DzdrtKZuskIc91tYH-mPywErXbKEcWq5H54EoGxGADVcX4oSGhVW0pjjmg/s400/Garden+080+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221353629802322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note the difference in pose - me getting stuck in!</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUSYeWD3cTDYn5D19QBt34UtWj01-fPzn1qh_hIe9PoruEs06q-Ez9954vY-93kofn0TfqobM5UHQKktptedsKSEevYzAHiMOeaaorPkDf4FRgowAzhUB7HWzazxC6QZHuFoZcQ/s1600-h/Garden+082+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUSYeWD3cTDYn5D19QBt34UtWj01-fPzn1qh_hIe9PoruEs06q-Ez9954vY-93kofn0TfqobM5UHQKktptedsKSEevYzAHiMOeaaorPkDf4FRgowAzhUB7HWzazxC6QZHuFoZcQ/s400/Garden+082+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221076942510882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some of the smaller trees lined up for planting in the new area cleared after the gorse harvest<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnqNbfuO28OE-8xwIwhVudhOkZttq9Wzu14kVWmYpGluHPnwHqq6Ij7VVm4-OYITwU4H-sr7MQc7O7X3mRngfZI5h1WAyZ2-4xk-D9D7kt97-Q1UxS_KwnmVJsqxkDw0O2aTx2w/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+193+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnqNbfuO28OE-8xwIwhVudhOkZttq9Wzu14kVWmYpGluHPnwHqq6Ij7VVm4-OYITwU4H-sr7MQc7O7X3mRngfZI5h1WAyZ2-4xk-D9D7kt97-Q1UxS_KwnmVJsqxkDw0O2aTx2w/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+193+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221083918749794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">People say that they start to look like their dogs - can you see the resemblance? <br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa9Sc_XSx5em8IKyRx28dLsNRwRkKuG6Q1azHVIFId1JlI3oJoWWPr-iLxaIpgdyz2R6avUW7wKC1mUcWRLUhF3wVJULwUk2oAw21M45TiLwxkndSLgZ5mUxsjFjywQRuKYPKMg/s1600-h/Garden+084+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa9Sc_XSx5em8IKyRx28dLsNRwRkKuG6Q1azHVIFId1JlI3oJoWWPr-iLxaIpgdyz2R6avUW7wKC1mUcWRLUhF3wVJULwUk2oAw21M45TiLwxkndSLgZ5mUxsjFjywQRuKYPKMg/s400/Garden+084+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221082034062146" border="0" /></a><br />Talking about the bassets, you might be wondering what they've been contributing to the horticultural endevours.......<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"So what's this hole, can we put our bones in here?"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIGUvXqDGovQpLZ0CryfsNXe7TQ-vtM12kv8kVforV_cdJJUd1MbKXdDyBz76YkRMJ0VeN0fLDD_XwXrc5jQphfZUA5C8Y2YOWf_Y-0u9Rv05tPM5_hcg4saQsbgrQJULzWuvvg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+194+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIGUvXqDGovQpLZ0CryfsNXe7TQ-vtM12kv8kVforV_cdJJUd1MbKXdDyBz76YkRMJ0VeN0fLDD_XwXrc5jQphfZUA5C8Y2YOWf_Y-0u9Rv05tPM5_hcg4saQsbgrQJULzWuvvg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+194+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221091135377154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Do you mean this hole I'm stuck in?"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjz54tjXLSGNclSQxCypUcMw2C32HsLlYwpb8I7vubwos7gIGqrA-482mRXYv2eo1yCJyOeSaoQNj0fvNfsy_jTPZiPQldvF-bdBg7yLAaBiFdoctvyFL9b20cb20-h1oqTAmSg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+196+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjz54tjXLSGNclSQxCypUcMw2C32HsLlYwpb8I7vubwos7gIGqrA-482mRXYv2eo1yCJyOeSaoQNj0fvNfsy_jTPZiPQldvF-bdBg7yLAaBiFdoctvyFL9b20cb20-h1oqTAmSg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+196+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214221089133230754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Hmm, much safer just sniffing the breeze"<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzwSSCH3De_ZL4zmV5PwX7pOjwUyYZ4_mHzMepCIxe39XGlg5inIA9fKuJhWCgGYqA7R9Wn_eMQaXpmMJWNf8zjI1R3VImhq0tkNiCxgztf3XsNR-znV3c-BROfdauMEl7vyaQQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+203+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzwSSCH3De_ZL4zmV5PwX7pOjwUyYZ4_mHzMepCIxe39XGlg5inIA9fKuJhWCgGYqA7R9Wn_eMQaXpmMJWNf8zjI1R3VImhq0tkNiCxgztf3XsNR-znV3c-BROfdauMEl7vyaQQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+203+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214220519926894722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnqGkECb1Kf9KyBfvSEqMAQDinPEN5Y2KaJE0tuMtoK-Pm_Bp8h702aPoDhdhnH_1CRu3YQ5uoyjl7WML7AYXgTKQQ-0HNsoVRxXZb4FQgm44rzIIsJvs2S4uKFcC4zEVD1j5Eg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+204+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnqGkECb1Kf9KyBfvSEqMAQDinPEN5Y2KaJE0tuMtoK-Pm_Bp8h702aPoDhdhnH_1CRu3YQ5uoyjl7WML7AYXgTKQQ-0HNsoVRxXZb4FQgm44rzIIsJvs2S4uKFcC4zEVD1j5Eg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+204+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214220523447945682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"You talking to us? We're not doing anything, honest!"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QTye2xXfxr4W0LjRV0vuYmdwIiO5gD07AnBMVd4d0EXT7YEkeYPhFtJdGgm55WOYkgl_POi9513KDtt1OxZx5K5opGLb3Fbd1FgFsXbFzhaAXdPflIcomRx10aGtOQsS6ACvjg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+198+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QTye2xXfxr4W0LjRV0vuYmdwIiO5gD07AnBMVd4d0EXT7YEkeYPhFtJdGgm55WOYkgl_POi9513KDtt1OxZx5K5opGLb3Fbd1FgFsXbFzhaAXdPflIcomRx10aGtOQsS6ACvjg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+198+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214220524773695986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Nah, I think this hole is better for the bones. He seems better at digging them than her. Closer to the house too!"</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DrUJGe3JO0bVej-9JaCA_wfS0ZtYRv6CF-C8OgXlC8AQEsGfhyQuv0hwy-Gfut6iie4vzhOmdpY_GCMxQQLb8_-tO0kNVUC5yc2KkySSoP_YT46KdIZVMgNxXYhI7nnsDmn_AA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+200+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DrUJGe3JO0bVej-9JaCA_wfS0ZtYRv6CF-C8OgXlC8AQEsGfhyQuv0hwy-Gfut6iie4vzhOmdpY_GCMxQQLb8_-tO0kNVUC5yc2KkySSoP_YT46KdIZVMgNxXYhI7nnsDmn_AA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+200+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214220521767864018" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>We have planted all the trees but they need staking to be protected from the Wellington winds heading our way. Staking trees, that's a whole different story. Tune in bloggers for the next installment!Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-764944617488172602008-06-20T18:47:00.003+12:002008-06-20T18:55:15.302+12:00All for this!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyDK9J4NHAdj2OaVqqmXcHIqn4uNZ7uNNrWpTvSOyqYXbrs3sdTWtFraH9RMhfdiys1om92wZViU3No3O8FNTiaRGP0noojXsoZc_Q0cPjUluzMoM9-gFZFhLCrGP0olxh9HHIg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+192+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyDK9J4NHAdj2OaVqqmXcHIqn4uNZ7uNNrWpTvSOyqYXbrs3sdTWtFraH9RMhfdiys1om92wZViU3No3O8FNTiaRGP0noojXsoZc_Q0cPjUluzMoM9-gFZFhLCrGP0olxh9HHIg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+192+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213851759161741058" border="0" /></a>Today was quite a big day - our residency approval in principle came through. All we need now is a new stamp in our passports and pay our migrant levy and we are home and dry. <br /><br />We're celebrating with fush n chups and champagne. Hmm.. what a combination!<br /><br />I took this picture from one of the walks with the dogs this week. It's Kaitoke looking towards the Rimutakas. Not a bad view and probably sums up for me what coming to New Zealand is all about. Being able to walk my bassets in the middle of the day in the middle of nowhere.<br /><br />It's not everyone's cuppa but you need a compelling reason to live 12,000 miles away from family and friends and this is it for me.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-66575819958138092432008-06-19T08:27:00.005+12:002008-06-19T08:44:51.452+12:00Clear and crisp and freezing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk9u6a8lzfKFw4PbXkSe09PKrEkx8TBJNdwn0GgDjmA35VZOXU4ogRsM9gS6ADKl2CWW29Qepoh7X5qMNvOAQwV7jHcpvCEB7J86fpODcTJS1aNQqxupAQrnj0wMyv4zGKRDHgQ/s1600-h/Chickens+056+Large+e-mail+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk9u6a8lzfKFw4PbXkSe09PKrEkx8TBJNdwn0GgDjmA35VZOXU4ogRsM9gS6ADKl2CWW29Qepoh7X5qMNvOAQwV7jHcpvCEB7J86fpODcTJS1aNQqxupAQrnj0wMyv4zGKRDHgQ/s320/Chickens+056+Large+e-mail+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213325181257328770" border="0" /></a><br />A freezing blast has hit Kaitoke. It was -1 degrees on the car temperature this morning.<br /><br />The irony is that whilst we're freezing here the ski fields of New Zealand are closed because the weather is not cold enough. Apparently that's set to change this weekend with snow in the high mountains so that the ski season can get underway.<br /><br />For us living in the hills we need sunshine and nice soft ground. We've got more trees arriving tomorrow and the last thing we need is more freezing temperatures.<br /><br />Doing my chores this morning was a little more fun than normal with all the frost to admire and see how the chickens and bassets behave in these less hospitable conditions.<br /><br />As I write this blog the sun is out and the frost is melting from the roof. So good job I've got some photoblogging to remind me of this morning's adventures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frost on the lawn<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGngzXzjTGdTlEEj8XG5-0A4m4fm6LoEWykPQPxmXYR23K4u0HSOXzeBkZfJP3WtGYGU9pVyGRi66D_tTuz783XcndoV4LyfMQOmqxSjPSIyukmaVxHjQolqfhIc5kQF6_89Sj7Q/s1600-h/Chickens+044+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGngzXzjTGdTlEEj8XG5-0A4m4fm6LoEWykPQPxmXYR23K4u0HSOXzeBkZfJP3WtGYGU9pVyGRi66D_tTuz783XcndoV4LyfMQOmqxSjPSIyukmaVxHjQolqfhIc5kQF6_89Sj7Q/s400/Chickens+044+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321851046582370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frost on my majority planting - thistles!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzxhJ6LNpXupz_A_sDrCtRReOeCTCWDuPl_vX-JUjo3uOPgYhpbDjLJ6lFuaQ7vEoWe9EgLZbI4HPYCnpgwNT_yv2rNME4mGpgtm3F_NIJo4wo7muH-GEOa7NGDgHvrB9hSMQww/s1600-h/Chickens+055+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzxhJ6LNpXupz_A_sDrCtRReOeCTCWDuPl_vX-JUjo3uOPgYhpbDjLJ6lFuaQ7vEoWe9EgLZbI4HPYCnpgwNT_yv2rNME4mGpgtm3F_NIJo4wo7muH-GEOa7NGDgHvrB9hSMQww/s400/Chickens+055+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321855124975938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frost on my Cordyline Australis<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU9L5u1pvz4WHSRT0T2WA5Eht-OqMR0vH4m8kAD-1uM41P97TwslVBC3rfT117v3Vaw2HExC6j63gTO6E9wa1CW7VKKkwckGrTStkbii83WV-6HPmz0Ao8lxmvZF18Sulk5bonA/s1600-h/Chickens+054+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU9L5u1pvz4WHSRT0T2WA5Eht-OqMR0vH4m8kAD-1uM41P97TwslVBC3rfT117v3Vaw2HExC6j63gTO6E9wa1CW7VKKkwckGrTStkbii83WV-6HPmz0Ao8lxmvZF18Sulk5bonA/s400/Chickens+054+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321859110820690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frost on my kiwi hedge and soon to be salad and herb bed<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKbBDUI0U6jg6KkO4DgbTEbMi9bWST84Hp02JFnfUUTLR0vpwU1vG389Pt5hSdP43-Ne-85QLvfVX1wo8xTCzLSaUl66QQM8KN-6GfQeZ6Lvr9LNDtwjWg-ZU74k1LQ7YT9TseQ/s1600-h/Chickens+046+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKbBDUI0U6jg6KkO4DgbTEbMi9bWST84Hp02JFnfUUTLR0vpwU1vG389Pt5hSdP43-Ne-85QLvfVX1wo8xTCzLSaUl66QQM8KN-6GfQeZ6Lvr9LNDtwjWg-ZU74k1LQ7YT9TseQ/s400/Chickens+046+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321860932185138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Layered landscapes from frosty grass to native bush<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7iJ-MJ7xpH349zcS1m9yb6YkRw8vIgbk_-dCoP8ErFT537rNuzAPDJzHjbFM_M3kPHdNbHXzhfm-82xyWf_eAzFnRrcnCoFncUiYbZRhiVbD-RBS10-BjXmeJL3BBoUsdvZN_w/s1600-h/Chickens+045+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7iJ-MJ7xpH349zcS1m9yb6YkRw8vIgbk_-dCoP8ErFT537rNuzAPDJzHjbFM_M3kPHdNbHXzhfm-82xyWf_eAzFnRrcnCoFncUiYbZRhiVbD-RBS10-BjXmeJL3BBoUsdvZN_w/s400/Chickens+045+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321867361384114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Morning George!" says Fortnum</span></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRYxRbRuqhQGCrv_cQPP-gpaIv2qrelJNCttSBB4g87Kty1N7cF8wA-GaAY_WYZJVZ_6On_ydsRH3ZNEpjmpzSnVBlQvaTdKOBi8pPlOg3bdQZMWcP118BmNEXbPaWCld7qcMSw/s1600-h/Chickens+052+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRYxRbRuqhQGCrv_cQPP-gpaIv2qrelJNCttSBB4g87Kty1N7cF8wA-GaAY_WYZJVZ_6On_ydsRH3ZNEpjmpzSnVBlQvaTdKOBi8pPlOg3bdQZMWcP118BmNEXbPaWCld7qcMSw/s400/Chickens+052+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321366861697394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >Hot breakfast on a cold morning (last night's shepherds pie!)<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBFZPblanr8c-3anpvmd-VpWONG0PiMqjqXqE7PJPKXHPWKBKJfAelbii1eEPOe5OcQnzDKYOctHEfh2RxgmnOgy7kVNvbG08dCNWlq3YdWrkgwwdCrSM0oKnRlx6Exzcd-grkg/s1600-h/Chickens+043+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBFZPblanr8c-3anpvmd-VpWONG0PiMqjqXqE7PJPKXHPWKBKJfAelbii1eEPOe5OcQnzDKYOctHEfh2RxgmnOgy7kVNvbG08dCNWlq3YdWrkgwwdCrSM0oKnRlx6Exzcd-grkg/s400/Chickens+043+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321371890105746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">George - tall and proud<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DRGhc_mBlDDdahTyXVPFvSvkKJuNpI7FQtUZME6MgWN9CRtnPky4bZR-tkJFLPCrlX-zl9Rxhhbh3rVLLBQvHirT8ZfOlqsFVGCFqk6pB0A3WZVmngLGGkhxmODMMaI3ADct5g/s1600-h/Chickens+049+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DRGhc_mBlDDdahTyXVPFvSvkKJuNpI7FQtUZME6MgWN9CRtnPky4bZR-tkJFLPCrlX-zl9Rxhhbh3rVLLBQvHirT8ZfOlqsFVGCFqk6pB0A3WZVmngLGGkhxmODMMaI3ADct5g/s400/Chickens+049+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321376815507538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">George leading his ladies to the outside world of free ranging<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpugGrnHksvylUU7qic_L_VgzUMyp7r9zLm3QM0kktpKDTcxZFLeteN_WH_UKlQegY-_1iBI9wWOTuwn9zDipMOg9t_XG-iusdZ4EgpuE1JLRdmCLHsVCezPVwuOV2KtleVGotg/s1600-h/Chickens+050+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpugGrnHksvylUU7qic_L_VgzUMyp7r9zLm3QM0kktpKDTcxZFLeteN_WH_UKlQegY-_1iBI9wWOTuwn9zDipMOg9t_XG-iusdZ4EgpuE1JLRdmCLHsVCezPVwuOV2KtleVGotg/s400/Chickens+050+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321381157859730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mason drinking the frost from the fence!<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76-6671V3i5DpYlOGshakZ0otS8EpONMOOPKbFpKclPBbPo0H9UiRXN0DJ7bOMPUQ0REdW-aUMJjx1YT4PKTm2qpes04p-5te97F006R2CSeadDIVyr21WWf4uPZMZksVu6tTiw/s1600-h/Chickens+051+Large+e-mail+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76-6671V3i5DpYlOGshakZ0otS8EpONMOOPKbFpKclPBbPo0H9UiRXN0DJ7bOMPUQ0REdW-aUMJjx1YT4PKTm2qpes04p-5te97F006R2CSeadDIVyr21WWf4uPZMZksVu6tTiw/s400/Chickens+051+Large+e-mail+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213321410840854834" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-36199254783841313812008-06-18T19:24:00.004+12:002008-06-18T22:04:39.398+12:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkFGnYxXpkOpbwsdSACXj3L8u-7_YuTZgNfbpOxx_7iDOpt5O1WlAdPTNvxzMgRervzWHpZ8ooSzoRZDk2dgyx0-1aKdkDhHoq0wZGRmX9Rx9eOI_JTURlj8-fgsySJ8BTBM32g/s1600-h/stress1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkFGnYxXpkOpbwsdSACXj3L8u-7_YuTZgNfbpOxx_7iDOpt5O1WlAdPTNvxzMgRervzWHpZ8ooSzoRZDk2dgyx0-1aKdkDhHoq0wZGRmX9Rx9eOI_JTURlj8-fgsySJ8BTBM32g/s320/stress1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213119200718883890" border="0" /></a>It's been an Executive Day today and theme today has been "stress". I'm relieved to tell you this has been other people's not mine - although it was a bit of a stretch getting back in time to get the bassets from their pet angel!<br /><br />I've got a "hotspot" about stress. This is coaching jargon for a subject matter that you have deep experience of and you can be prone to not being objective about. Stress is one of those things that I have to take care that I maintain a healthy objectivity about for my coaching clients since occupational stress is something I know a bit about.<br /><br />That awful knot in your neck that won't go away. The annoying boss that says - let's look at your priorities or what else can I do to help. That screaming feeling in your head that shouts Ahhhhhhhhh! And then you feel better, for about five seconds.<br /><br />Some people say that stress is a modern phenomena and in the old days people just got on with things and didn't get stressed. I'm not sure about that. I reckon that there are higher expectations upon people to do more and more and more and this brings with it pressure to achieve and perform that didn't exist previously. Or maybe we just expect more of ourselves than we used.<br /><br />I want to know what happened to the society of leisure that was predicted in the 1980's that led me to take my undergraduate degree in leisure studies (aka a degree in throwing, running and catching). Back then we were suposed to start to have more free time and start enjoying life more. That certainly wouldn't have been a stressful life!<br /><br />Now I am a Domestic Executive I count my blessings each day. Yes I too have pressure to meet my own expectations (and those others I share a home with) but it's nothing like having to deal with the consequences of other people's actions day in and day out, feeling the pressure build and have no way out. <br /><br />My secret for dealing with stress is quite simple - come home to two basset hounds who wag their tails and smile their basset smile to show they are pleased to see you. Regardless of what may have been happening before you see this it melts away in moments and you can see that life can be sweet. I wonder whether I should be taking Fortnum and Mason to my coaching sessions as my secret weapon against stress?Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-27708096391842228732008-06-17T20:11:00.006+12:002008-06-17T20:20:18.327+12:00Memories of a sunny day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihba1PM7CHBK0XTKO7lrBMYb0BchPzioYfNSONuA9ffG9GsG792z8z_LWRMNipNkm25DyXHsEigIg-fLukXRXTTyuBlOoJCMrVzyzNnLWWTOC1kYTr2ee6gvQWGeWyw9SURwLcNg/s1600-h/67e79c7cb33f0d9b0f0b38ae266e9c12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihba1PM7CHBK0XTKO7lrBMYb0BchPzioYfNSONuA9ffG9GsG792z8z_LWRMNipNkm25DyXHsEigIg-fLukXRXTTyuBlOoJCMrVzyzNnLWWTOC1kYTr2ee6gvQWGeWyw9SURwLcNg/s200/67e79c7cb33f0d9b0f0b38ae266e9c12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212761125610701506" border="0" /></a>Seems that MT brought the rotten weather with him back from Auckland yesterday and spoilt my day. It's been raining and blowing a southerly gale. Definitely fire lighting weather again. <br /><br />Still I won't be put off by a bit of cold wind I've got my memories of a sunny day from yesterday when the bassets were our having a wonderfully playful walk.<br /><br />The simple pleasures of Domestic Executive life, sunny skies and playful bassets. Who needs the rat race?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Hey, chase me......</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBkDGPr56EWFOXaJXRRjmRKOeE_F9_WTZwk20i1SbRjcizwV1PtAii8YQzsc-gbbRSlT-18ytvBITIC1xVhwyBOq6woFt9EC103VE4__kMH_s2GnXT-I1Rlff7aAQIRzA1c4-VQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+175+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBkDGPr56EWFOXaJXRRjmRKOeE_F9_WTZwk20i1SbRjcizwV1PtAii8YQzsc-gbbRSlT-18ytvBITIC1xVhwyBOq6woFt9EC103VE4__kMH_s2GnXT-I1Rlff7aAQIRzA1c4-VQ/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+175+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212760883409507410" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d5mSyl8hyK2dW2oqyMPHiL9ESKdoLA_aoFQ2yXhmSr2lMxcMjTwb26F8eAQX23Lf7gGzkk7Lp5XlfGTFJuQ7p_qj3OMraJua4DcZUFeFLiWxMCwKV5Jm8CqChmUjg4d4eiIS9g/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+176+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d5mSyl8hyK2dW2oqyMPHiL9ESKdoLA_aoFQ2yXhmSr2lMxcMjTwb26F8eAQX23Lf7gGzkk7Lp5XlfGTFJuQ7p_qj3OMraJua4DcZUFeFLiWxMCwKV5Jm8CqChmUjg4d4eiIS9g/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+176+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212760887007225074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">So you want a go?<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjoKS6Uq212lQXnmTDV4KHZXoLin7w-qZmjQW9w8cmxnVuHQWyAvVkZDfJdsjh8jPT0hTIEhOOuDvkse3mS0gLRI5XovAA1VQFOA1u0M5RsE8zU2raYUpff-wg30JPEoEUpADA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+178+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPjoKS6Uq212lQXnmTDV4KHZXoLin7w-qZmjQW9w8cmxnVuHQWyAvVkZDfJdsjh8jPT0hTIEhOOuDvkse3mS0gLRI5XovAA1VQFOA1u0M5RsE8zU2raYUpff-wg30JPEoEUpADA/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+178+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212760891866194194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Not quite, you're pointing the wrong way<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTRxxa-1pgYu_SErEpBqp3W3IPTjzRe4M2HGVr1oGni5vtTe9QJYMnVT83_F7vStfhjz94JdwvrDhNsQpPUvbWBlwnpUiOQm2sQ-Z2VDbYYjEkfWWdciM1pn9oCu0vMLvYVV6bw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+180+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTRxxa-1pgYu_SErEpBqp3W3IPTjzRe4M2HGVr1oGni5vtTe9QJYMnVT83_F7vStfhjz94JdwvrDhNsQpPUvbWBlwnpUiOQm2sQ-Z2VDbYYjEkfWWdciM1pn9oCu0vMLvYVV6bw/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+180+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212760891867657138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">That's it, we can do it together!<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAAmvJJ5BauM0ZHWtT6hpsPjH7OI38npUN9lhm49p73TT45mVlOJcBRzpEkcAxvw_4IKA-RIA15VJJFQ2QmuMvx_3zp_KKQPgM4NRzBWhqNPwCnEZq2EQES2yz_vG9TR-o00jFw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+174+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAAmvJJ5BauM0ZHWtT6hpsPjH7OI38npUN9lhm49p73TT45mVlOJcBRzpEkcAxvw_4IKA-RIA15VJJFQ2QmuMvx_3zp_KKQPgM4NRzBWhqNPwCnEZq2EQES2yz_vG9TR-o00jFw/s320/Fortnum+and+Mason+174+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212760896637624386" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-23491430970920024782008-06-16T20:23:00.004+12:002008-06-17T20:09:48.434+12:00A beautiful day for a walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNogJzYkFaX-FBhtLnXZ2vjzounQ8LPDXYq-mxc7lqXVFa179VCMVxQaaUEt7VEhUwL9xl80X7BA-h9yKGn-6P30ZltXQbskMDLKQL-YvE0hHmhD8Z0Xjx45_z1-dIytJJrcOM0Q/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+190+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNogJzYkFaX-FBhtLnXZ2vjzounQ8LPDXYq-mxc7lqXVFa179VCMVxQaaUEt7VEhUwL9xl80X7BA-h9yKGn-6P30ZltXQbskMDLKQL-YvE0hHmhD8Z0Xjx45_z1-dIytJJrcOM0Q/s200/Fortnum+and+Mason+190+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212759544136957218" border="0" /></a><br />Today was a beautiful day. Bright sunshine, almost clear blue skies and a light breeze. Just the day for taking Fortnum and Mason for a walk.<br /><br />As I strolled along there was plenty of time to admire the views. You've got to understand the bassets need to take time with their sniffing you know. I still have to pinch myself sometimes that we live in the place we do. It's stunning in its vastness and the almost pre-historic vegetation makes it all the more wonderful. Not to mention that all this is right over my garden fence.<br /><br />Shame MT was up in Dorkland in the cold, mist and rain!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0KzOmBbc8ecyA3xOMR4bhCdNj60KTn_iom7t3Nk5h_MNSGt9n-kty0B9Bz-ork3ySXrway2qjQnUQvW8RwELTlOsNS6awnLHyZExvgNFm86lgU4mHHU_yaPq4_P13KhMwxfjOQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+155+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0KzOmBbc8ecyA3xOMR4bhCdNj60KTn_iom7t3Nk5h_MNSGt9n-kty0B9Bz-ork3ySXrway2qjQnUQvW8RwELTlOsNS6awnLHyZExvgNFm86lgU4mHHU_yaPq4_P13KhMwxfjOQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+155+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212610446915894674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:78%;" >Typical NZ fern trees<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUWjrqPABc-YBa1OAgiLrs_jP4zQEPFP4yXKaCiCLC1tN2OVKogBcnTvMD-L_-TT0CIo8iZv_WDpEqeJpQaBZ0GHP2meRSKPBszRwhHSF5vZ8t3MBTK61PeRhjKE-cL-jegT_Lw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+160+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUWjrqPABc-YBa1OAgiLrs_jP4zQEPFP4yXKaCiCLC1tN2OVKogBcnTvMD-L_-TT0CIo8iZv_WDpEqeJpQaBZ0GHP2meRSKPBszRwhHSF5vZ8t3MBTK61PeRhjKE-cL-jegT_Lw/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+160+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212610456039045906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">View down to Tunnel Gully<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pR0x_ywq-lOHQKDObaMuDk5mqEyweEqAw9-Jf0Yypr8NuLK8fQJUPV8jcoLs-jsB9WjnIynTZ4L_2jERJDvwbqRQfCtAzxN3zP-6j-ZFsf8ZYmFjoQmotsYLfFtJe27VikobDw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+163+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pR0x_ywq-lOHQKDObaMuDk5mqEyweEqAw9-Jf0Yypr8NuLK8fQJUPV8jcoLs-jsB9WjnIynTZ4L_2jERJDvwbqRQfCtAzxN3zP-6j-ZFsf8ZYmFjoQmotsYLfFtJe27VikobDw/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+163+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212610457778917074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >The boys dragging their paws to make the most of the day<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rOdTi3zXCotsH4OhytWRBCpkWRdS62G9covZbyD6zjEw94oPp86UzNGPGNrnBplFfqeIZpm8V__ScVu8AfKw7I9-E7FwOgXI7NULX1kBpjxIMj3N4OioYs6uZkCPFOdHwhFRSA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+185+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rOdTi3zXCotsH4OhytWRBCpkWRdS62G9covZbyD6zjEw94oPp86UzNGPGNrnBplFfqeIZpm8V__ScVu8AfKw7I9-E7FwOgXI7NULX1kBpjxIMj3N4OioYs6uZkCPFOdHwhFRSA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+185+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212609973852773986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Intensive sniffing at play<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3tUAqhi8i1ud57y5zrKMIs97UNpKwo1tiA-LB_KehDaUm-zbxub1hGOwpGcD3Bhe4HNvla5HyZG_LPz7-Ci9bJ60JovPbiTgYMjFbvUxLIc67d0KMg-Ovbv7YIaOywwUT843lQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+186+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3tUAqhi8i1ud57y5zrKMIs97UNpKwo1tiA-LB_KehDaUm-zbxub1hGOwpGcD3Bhe4HNvla5HyZG_LPz7-Ci9bJ60JovPbiTgYMjFbvUxLIc67d0KMg-Ovbv7YIaOywwUT843lQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+186+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212609973367069938" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >On the run to catch me up!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tZ5n3R1CSkydJ6JkOBZimLRVGvnAiuwlB6wa6ac-oVt-6ivP8RNPt6qwa7HGEgGET9XhrzKQBkTG8T2RMu5Kz-BsJEM3xXu6aWeLp8d_Lm3xEyqr70pQ_OyfuLFPhUH2MH49QA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+187+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tZ5n3R1CSkydJ6JkOBZimLRVGvnAiuwlB6wa6ac-oVt-6ivP8RNPt6qwa7HGEgGET9XhrzKQBkTG8T2RMu5Kz-BsJEM3xXu6aWeLp8d_Lm3xEyqr70pQ_OyfuLFPhUH2MH49QA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+187+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212609978613403570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Aha, caught you!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWR0az6IGbCjukXfEUIsxF0-eVmE1pNhsai0Kwa_-ZArGZe9WD60L0EcqTmKAZl8QxD73kpqIV213zOxq3Ja7zpKJa9bNfMG1nSrSh0VxItccaFFoRhyiN-xXnjq9ZYtkJ7LhxQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+188+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWR0az6IGbCjukXfEUIsxF0-eVmE1pNhsai0Kwa_-ZArGZe9WD60L0EcqTmKAZl8QxD73kpqIV213zOxq3Ja7zpKJa9bNfMG1nSrSh0VxItccaFFoRhyiN-xXnjq9ZYtkJ7LhxQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+188+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212609985389574530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Is is much further home, we're a bit tired and hot!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcaxNmjXAvOXVHmdBCKKgzx2XU3LjuMoLQyqBmelQxPal7jn4_ADXJHZS15k6B28u-0vuA0DOuIUYOMew3kyM8o-esyzp87a8K0rPG8k9tnh1l24nhSd_mcwHkQWaYHC97NqIpQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+191+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcaxNmjXAvOXVHmdBCKKgzx2XU3LjuMoLQyqBmelQxPal7jn4_ADXJHZS15k6B28u-0vuA0DOuIUYOMew3kyM8o-esyzp87a8K0rPG8k9tnh1l24nhSd_mcwHkQWaYHC97NqIpQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+191+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212609987393297730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Home sweet home - just another five minutes walk away<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwnxvJOh3NCGLWsedkFT_cwOKtbF0GKJWRGsuyd_UDTvFk5ZW-wqeSD_zgC_p7ap45QGn__2ajzFh1nqriVbXjY5_R3g7OubadAztV5TWX9fBq8ydrMBC4axrgGTWv-gM59-bmQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+153+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwnxvJOh3NCGLWsedkFT_cwOKtbF0GKJWRGsuyd_UDTvFk5ZW-wqeSD_zgC_p7ap45QGn__2ajzFh1nqriVbXjY5_R3g7OubadAztV5TWX9fBq8ydrMBC4axrgGTWv-gM59-bmQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+153+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212610442669232578" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-58047979609725963792008-06-15T07:19:00.003+12:002008-06-15T07:40:11.545+12:00Ouch - that hurts!By the time I settled to watch the rugby last night my aches and pains from the gorse harvesting were already setting in. My pain was only made worse watching England battle against the all blacks.<br /><br />Despite the score 37-20 to the ABs, England put up a pretty good fight and had some moments of brilliance. Especially Ojo with his two sprint tries. Strettle also nearly made a try that had he succeeded I reckon would have made it a whole different game.<br /><br />The thing with the ABs is that you can't let a chink in your game appear as they are then like an unstoppable steam train. As you might imagine the media here are really playing up the result. Here's some photoblogging with kiwi captions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > CHARGE: A rare England attack<span style="font-style: italic;"> (Domestic "sporting" Executive says: this is a little harsh it's not like England didn't win any points!)</span></span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVZtvClCQ2MXCca9DPDmQYIKMg01TilteN7aNHLkBwBCfsX5vwQ43GCRvlWJphz2awi6bc-FiZsIWeB4Ny2GDfCoSbLPOB0szVOr7-bdnwF0dyA-K-Ld_jhifEh3eCks4_KMOMA/s1600-h/730843.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVZtvClCQ2MXCca9DPDmQYIKMg01TilteN7aNHLkBwBCfsX5vwQ43GCRvlWJphz2awi6bc-FiZsIWeB4Ny2GDfCoSbLPOB0szVOr7-bdnwF0dyA-K-Ld_jhifEh3eCks4_KMOMA/s400/730843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211822584039872978" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial;"> TAKE THAT: Rodney So'oialo hits hard in defence </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">(Domestic "sporting" Executive says: ouch I bet that hurt!)</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSYMBZBCX2P8tgV5y5vKpiu5viL6CDN0kwDKJ-fnQpx1B1CdI6gbZGfsC8LYLZsCYoL21zrEJ4eouqdJdSWW1mdleTjFWtM2RExMFmas9KVPe9UZT3FcP06j4ZLOkZjhxJp15bg/s1600-h/730845.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSYMBZBCX2P8tgV5y5vKpiu5viL6CDN0kwDKJ-fnQpx1B1CdI6gbZGfsC8LYLZsCYoL21zrEJ4eouqdJdSWW1mdleTjFWtM2RExMFmas9KVPe9UZT3FcP06j4ZLOkZjhxJp15bg/s400/730845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211819788610414610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > THE NONU EXPRESS: Ma'a Nonu leaves the England defence at sixes and sevens </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">(Domestic "sporting" Executive says: fair point!)</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfhLMe0TXxllD5gLb9WYMYp2kL_wViq3PnxDXNiQXg0JlCjmWKaRA49HptgHSzNqEevKgo68ieq-XcYgDWraJ-TaA4I-j9LO7-xe0CYSr_ZHsoqwBUUfFd-2bLcUZ0buDBC4MOA/s1600-h/730844.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfhLMe0TXxllD5gLb9WYMYp2kL_wViq3PnxDXNiQXg0JlCjmWKaRA49HptgHSzNqEevKgo68ieq-XcYgDWraJ-TaA4I-j9LO7-xe0CYSr_ZHsoqwBUUfFd-2bLcUZ0buDBC4MOA/s400/730844.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211819790168273090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > TIPPING POINT: Conrad Smith scores the All Blacks' first try <br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Domestic "sporting" Executive says: this was a pretty cool try and definitely the point at which England started to feel the pain!)</span><br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5euFt8gPPXYq1EVgwf5LNPrb0vUUvv2XdSNVULn3L7rxDQL3tGqBq7rPTIN-1pX0WI7Z7VvtSjZfYmAFNPHMJxxBhumfo2ZMFWnGcG9UdcOYDjrfU3hcaC9AVb1boaX_YKfUOfQ/s1600-h/730842.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5euFt8gPPXYq1EVgwf5LNPrb0vUUvv2XdSNVULn3L7rxDQL3tGqBq7rPTIN-1pX0WI7Z7VvtSjZfYmAFNPHMJxxBhumfo2ZMFWnGcG9UdcOYDjrfU3hcaC9AVb1boaX_YKfUOfQ/s400/730842.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211819791530687538" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-62128714604358208512008-06-14T18:17:00.006+12:002008-06-14T18:38:43.370+12:00Mammoth gorse harvestThe bassets and I have had a very productive afternoon. Exhausting but very satisfying and we had glorious weather to brighten our day.<br /><br />After a couple of wet weekends it was important to restart the gorse harvest. We've got trees to put in but can't do so until some of the gorse is cleared. So the boys and I set to and we cleared about 20 m of gorse and as if by miracle we finally find the boundary to the land at the bottom of the garden.<br /><br />The only problem with gorse harvesting is what to do with the gorse harvested. Although my friend Gill mentioned that she knew someone who made wine from gorse, I'm not sure that this is a good idea since our gorse has been exterminated with industrial strength killer spray.<br /><br />I've created a massive pile to be burned tomorrow. I think if we set light to it as it is we'd probably take the rest of the bush with it so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">there'll</span> need to be some careful planning and fire building skills.<br /><br />It's fair to say that my hands, arms, legs and back ache after all the physical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">exertion</span> but I'm so pleased to have made it to the bottom of the garden at last. If those living in the northern hemisphere get woken by a bright light in the middle of the night, don't worry it's just us burning our gorse!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Fortnum</span> admiring the growing gorse mountain<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMHfTJ7rhEAO50m7Mb4AlvVzBeZ-PoQ84TXOiXpqRYTSOkdJnXelLEAk39nkNPY9iABCqTKdib54dlqsawKP3gIKQxcB7PhbsTD-fFQCO-hPWubQEy8UoYZ1dO9c_uPZrbtP_hQ/s1600-h/Garden+058+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMHfTJ7rhEAO50m7Mb4AlvVzBeZ-PoQ84TXOiXpqRYTSOkdJnXelLEAk39nkNPY9iABCqTKdib54dlqsawKP3gIKQxcB7PhbsTD-fFQCO-hPWubQEy8UoYZ1dO9c_uPZrbtP_hQ/s400/Garden+058+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618685844461634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:arial;" >Rubbish picture (sorry, it was getting dark) but if you squint you can see the bottom of the garden. </span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLTEmwHve0DXxNcy3DNNkLP1wtVlJSTZ-RloQ1N5asvNKMKlR0o8cocW90-GYAeLGsLq1AyN5dVzm4HWXpEGecvWb8bPfvAdR_GZn_fVisk3N38SFF5LFqBL-FbzfH20UAOXULA/s1600-h/Garden+070+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLTEmwHve0DXxNcy3DNNkLP1wtVlJSTZ-RloQ1N5asvNKMKlR0o8cocW90-GYAeLGsLq1AyN5dVzm4HWXpEGecvWb8bPfvAdR_GZn_fVisk3N38SFF5LFqBL-FbzfH20UAOXULA/s400/Garden+070+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618704013100658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Yes there are still plenty of gorse stumps we've got to deal with!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXduCrmseZ3qVpVGaWD-J1AcgeczSCYEiTLcz89uH0Uv11Zi1CTpLDGnBcnOg14IcDuRH-HEQJLvzKiQzhV7WMKjC08-t2MEQ944kkE88uk-ugdIr5jWPnW4Jlgy7nnXihgxEaGQ/s1600-h/Garden+066+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXduCrmseZ3qVpVGaWD-J1AcgeczSCYEiTLcz89uH0Uv11Zi1CTpLDGnBcnOg14IcDuRH-HEQJLvzKiQzhV7WMKjC08-t2MEQ944kkE88uk-ugdIr5jWPnW4Jlgy7nnXihgxEaGQ/s400/Garden+066+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618744550316866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >My basset boys on guard protecting the gorse mountain</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AzOuCUTxQTF_m_f6lSLyVCsFzm3m7LdyW7BDJxk0ZqmbJVnQ7-F6razieMepjxdRXe0ekeUE1NBhFrkn4hX-YhYq1AKQ0-PARMcjIZyohEN9ctZfOGPbnwJ_1RHfXgeAQvjOvg/s1600-h/Garden+061+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AzOuCUTxQTF_m_f6lSLyVCsFzm3m7LdyW7BDJxk0ZqmbJVnQ7-F6razieMepjxdRXe0ekeUE1NBhFrkn4hX-YhYq1AKQ0-PARMcjIZyohEN9ctZfOGPbnwJ_1RHfXgeAQvjOvg/s400/Garden+061+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618074453591826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Domestic Executive neat stacking of the gorse!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ8k4PxW1V3Z0ePHWd8cNMh6gm9Vg7plAIfSyeIn4ZGc8ISmXvYQZ6VTw54yWG1YNCdInv8L7-noJX07jUbYlnbQ9_nP_uSW-tUEWSbNfDnQAMZyjpdzSHmluGxRchsujkHtz1Q/s1600-h/Garden+078+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQ8k4PxW1V3Z0ePHWd8cNMh6gm9Vg7plAIfSyeIn4ZGc8ISmXvYQZ6VTw54yWG1YNCdInv8L7-noJX07jUbYlnbQ9_nP_uSW-tUEWSbNfDnQAMZyjpdzSHmluGxRchsujkHtz1Q/s400/Garden+078+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618096005586434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >Honest, this isn't a line of gorse bushes. My gorse mountain in all it's glory!</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavodM-S2z7YjzewWjAVslsHFy3wm8w560K8CdkGHXE16uiwW3ZaF7BSvukT_F5iW06VrYDsTLNJURjzb8neildtVT53w-eRtvUzmduuTyaH5Cc9fNmQ04io7NQ4edDiC-ZReAzw/s1600-h/Garden+077+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavodM-S2z7YjzewWjAVslsHFy3wm8w560K8CdkGHXE16uiwW3ZaF7BSvukT_F5iW06VrYDsTLNJURjzb8neildtVT53w-eRtvUzmduuTyaH5Cc9fNmQ04io7NQ4edDiC-ZReAzw/s400/Garden+077+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211618117745431586" border="0" /></a>Tomorrow when I crawl out of bed complaining of the muscle ache I shall think of my father-in-law who started this whole gorse thing off in the first place. After his marathon spraying efforts during his holiday with us earlier in the year it would be rude not to follow through and clear the dead gorse. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end. Won't it?Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-23784087774404352542008-06-13T17:28:00.004+12:002008-06-13T17:41:31.845+12:00Scaffolding down at last<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTErX8OxHbyNFNptlJe6qjEoMA9pOsAQ-FXT9TbUjyiriowLE9aVd4_LNd2fa0G5Jp4C1gCfktTuFIq0DERXZ6l2_Vxi-em9uG7XkkUVums_THF8mLOIacgVBFEMOxHlBWKDMa5A/s1600-h/House+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTErX8OxHbyNFNptlJe6qjEoMA9pOsAQ-FXT9TbUjyiriowLE9aVd4_LNd2fa0G5Jp4C1gCfktTuFIq0DERXZ6l2_Vxi-em9uG7XkkUVums_THF8mLOIacgVBFEMOxHlBWKDMa5A/s400/House+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211233868441672354" border="0" /></a>The scaffolding has finally come down on the neigbours new house. There's been plenty of activity recently so it looks like the final push towards completion.<br /><br />My heart goes out to Mike and Andrea whose budget ran dry so they are having to do the painting themselves. I've seen them most days this week and I think they are heartly sick of it already and they haven't even finished doing the priming coat. I think it's going to be a real marathon effort for them. <br /><br />Although I've offerred them the use of our kettle and bathroom so they can avoid the builders portaloo I found myself drawing the line at actually offering to paint for them. The last time I wielded a paintbrush I ended up with RSI so I don't want to fall into that trap again. Mental note to use this excuse for not painting the fence or the chicken house too!<br /><br />It's strange seeing lights on in the house. If I stretch my neck a lift myself out of my domestic executive HQ chair I can just about see them peaking over the hill. Nice to know that we'll have people close to hand. <br /><br />As if talking the neighbours wasn't enough of a reminder of our own building experience I was contacted this week by our builders. Not chasing their final final payment (that's a whole different story) but asking me to do some work for them. Not building you'll be pleased to know but helping them get their marketing right. Apparently, I am perfect for their target market<span style="font-style: italic;"> "a middle aged woman with money to spend".</span> <br /><br />Hmm, not sure about the middle aged or the money to spend but at least it might yield some regular work I can do from home. A domestic executive's preferred way of working!Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-7200571253685755242008-06-12T09:18:00.003+12:002008-06-12T09:22:42.112+12:00Bassets brave the river - not!Our bassets are not the bravest of creatures. Mason has a particularly endearing quality that when he sees something he doesn't like or not sure of he'll jump back on all four paws and hide, either behind us or behind Fortnum.<br /><br />It was an adventure to see how they coped with one of the walks at the Kaitoke Regional Park that has two bridges to cross and a river to explore.<br /><br />Much to my amazement that walked the bridges without any hestitation. They were very interested in what was going on under where they were walking. When it came to investigating the river itself there was a bit more reluctance and not much paw wetting going on!<br /><br />I wonder how they are going to cope when we go on a beach holiday next month!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMqo7a9ySvSyMgebCJDzR1nGP9Gi5-lxtTQ3SIxDHDdji_XHmS7lRDCFQB3MxM4rvluApe5U-prYnj0cX9eMQhcMSD4hKdpaynrF0SL37LMVRDBKuiC14XjThHx9b3Yq0Eybmpg/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+078+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQMqo7a9ySvSyMgebCJDzR1nGP9Gi5-lxtTQ3SIxDHDdji_XHmS7lRDCFQB3MxM4rvluApe5U-prYnj0cX9eMQhcMSD4hKdpaynrF0SL37LMVRDBKuiC14XjThHx9b3Yq0Eybmpg/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+078+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210736554154849298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiQpHh7IAvlr-HVoT7_eriQHvMbfuBZHXevFxBvOTSGMzph36-BgQ8MDmsNS4OfztUoKIKi4vkjYTnOEnzs528ZzN4GD1u_NG7XiXuomHNl1i98jiaubnBVct6mn_TbsnvD5tig/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+080+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiQpHh7IAvlr-HVoT7_eriQHvMbfuBZHXevFxBvOTSGMzph36-BgQ8MDmsNS4OfztUoKIKi4vkjYTnOEnzs528ZzN4GD1u_NG7XiXuomHNl1i98jiaubnBVct6mn_TbsnvD5tig/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+080+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210736550891577666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTuepXb1TpwYB2i1lLoYPp2Ukbe2EPOAl_HtBezUQd3o4avGt_ecNmVVjSUVjUN6SaohyM3uo-BMdelQA0taXonUTwsglafEUQPZBXc-Kjb9sCtJjtKPPhyTDnLpeBk6Hcqv95g/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+081+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTuepXb1TpwYB2i1lLoYPp2Ukbe2EPOAl_HtBezUQd3o4avGt_ecNmVVjSUVjUN6SaohyM3uo-BMdelQA0taXonUTwsglafEUQPZBXc-Kjb9sCtJjtKPPhyTDnLpeBk6Hcqv95g/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+081+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210736558661323906" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-57375359305472752262008-06-11T18:54:00.001+12:002008-06-12T09:12:44.396+12:00It work's!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18dWJ0GPKcKLD5Rglnzqwa8OHyzxgaFFOo2Fx8dpXuaBTgxac6NuwXWK5o93ukGZbK2tkWqL1BnNwRz7gvKKdefMAzw_BLP9rgS4rj0Hdy1BLYPFeFkuHWcHwNAD_sXfusr6z5g/s1600-h/logo_connecting.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18dWJ0GPKcKLD5Rglnzqwa8OHyzxgaFFOo2Fx8dpXuaBTgxac6NuwXWK5o93ukGZbK2tkWqL1BnNwRz7gvKKdefMAzw_BLP9rgS4rj0Hdy1BLYPFeFkuHWcHwNAD_sXfusr6z5g/s200/logo_connecting.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210730301069460738" border="0" /></a><br />Today was a ceremonial milestone for MT. The Telecom Chief Executive had a photocall to prove to the world that the new network is working <blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" >"loud and clear!"</span><br /></blockquote>It will be good when the darn thing is up and running proper as it will then mean MT can then relax a little more. Aside from building new networks there are other things to be doing at DE hq. Painting the new fence for instance.<br /><br />Talking of paint, I had to take out a second mortgage today to pay for the fence paint. I paid $100 for 4 litres which seemed really extreme. This is one of many things that the size and remoteness of New Zealand increases the costs of things that you otherwise take for granted. Cheese is the other thing that I find expensive which is surprising for a country with an economy driven by the dairy industry.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-84817702977387841112008-06-10T20:07:00.006+12:002008-06-10T20:18:35.941+12:00Turn lights off, we've had a drought<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUzEsDDE9N6Rm2gnGj7CylpFDheOYfgl8Ejnlz9r_ck8ziH2AKL6PvYni9pqOIlM3GbIqGWU96lH1ZhR0rBpXXEWYw0z-MhCroZZPt9ht_Sy2A0xJdGiaI4dlqoLklsuCxVRg8g/s1600-h/hydro_500.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUzEsDDE9N6Rm2gnGj7CylpFDheOYfgl8Ejnlz9r_ck8ziH2AKL6PvYni9pqOIlM3GbIqGWU96lH1ZhR0rBpXXEWYw0z-MhCroZZPt9ht_Sy2A0xJdGiaI4dlqoLklsuCxVRg8g/s200/hydro_500.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210164293973108978" border="0" /></a><br />Whilst there is much debate whether we do in fact have a problem it seems word has got out that New Zealand may be moving towards black out as the low rainfall impacts on our ability to generate power. Reported in the Guardian today:<br /><p></p><blockquote style="font-style: italic;"><p>New Zealanders are to be urged to wash dishes by hand and turn off some of their household lights as the country teeters on the brink of a power crisis caused by drought. </p><p>After two years of dry weather the low level of water in lakes that drive New Zealand's hydroelectric power plants is causing concern. The energy minister, David Parker, yesterday denied claims that the country was facing rolling power cuts, but said that unless there was significant rainfall soon households would be asked to cut electricity consumption by up to 15% during the peak early evening time.</p><p>Hydroelectric stations usually produce about 75% of New Zealand's electricity but lack of rainfall has reduced that output in recent weeks to only 50%. Coal, diesel and gas-fired power plants are trying to make up the shortfall, but more strain is expected to be put on the national grid with the arrival of winter in the southern hemisphere.</p><p>Backed by the government, the electricity industry is to launch a power-saving campaign on television. </p><p>"I think the advice will be that, while it's not an emergency, it is time for people to be turning off lights in rooms they are not using, certainly not leaving the computer on all night or the heated towel rail on for 24 hours a day," Helen Clark, New Zealand's prime minister, said in a radio interview.</p></blockquote><p style="font-style: italic;"></p>The irony is that we should not be wasting energy full stop. For one thing it's horrendously expensive and it's not good for the planet. This is another example of the all pure, clean and green NZers not walking the talk.<br /><br />You'll be pleased to know our towel rails are on timers and I am becoming increasingly obessed about leaving lights on unnecessarily. I guess our real luxury is having the computer downloading (but not all night I hasten to add) but this is just the alternative to us watching hours of TV. Although we're not squeaky clean when it comes to power saving I can sleep easy that we're doing out bit!Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-36792935356862171082008-06-09T20:24:00.004+12:002008-06-09T20:34:00.779+12:00Walkies... rain or shineIt's fair to say we've had quite a lot of rain this weekend. Whilst all I wanted to do was hunker down in front of the fire it was only fair that the bassets got their daily walk.<br /><br />Dressed for the weather in waterproofs and wellies I was certainly enthusiastic for the adventure. Somehow Fortnum and Mason weren't quite as ethusiastic. <br /><br />At first it was hard to get them off the veranda and then up the drive. They did eventually get the message that walkies were taken rain or shine and we enjoyed a fantastic walk. I was totally overheating as 10 minutes after leaving the rain stopped and the sun came out. You just can't win!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">How do you like my outfit boys?<br /><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIN71YILKBp89r_kymB2xzLntZnXDRyDCwBygZhb8RFXv0gWtSYdcZbp1FtiHIaQTTQ8wXngjGFoR2BmXiD_UN7NTJ53EttaKjUpvsfkdnOJE3tQScPUtYu2yjX3P6zAREHecw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+148+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTIN71YILKBp89r_kymB2xzLntZnXDRyDCwBygZhb8RFXv0gWtSYdcZbp1FtiHIaQTTQ8wXngjGFoR2BmXiD_UN7NTJ53EttaKjUpvsfkdnOJE3tQScPUtYu2yjX3P6zAREHecw/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+148+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209795063995841234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Great start - walking to heel<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLqdqAjb8HbuqBpmsmeleKOI3RYWQgw2c391T10LxbUysn-2mjIsQT3Z1iqaDdIVewrupBbT2SMrnC0uzL5-yBjRVx_ThJYeWl3VMzrZh0CkKw5b7X8g_2GeBsBIobbupDX0jmw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+150+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLqdqAjb8HbuqBpmsmeleKOI3RYWQgw2c391T10LxbUysn-2mjIsQT3Z1iqaDdIVewrupBbT2SMrnC0uzL5-yBjRVx_ThJYeWl3VMzrZh0CkKw5b7X8g_2GeBsBIobbupDX0jmw/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+150+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209795071138816002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">5 seconds later!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ntwSEZBf0ciwjXbxEk45b2TeDI1TJjqYmdR2TtFss2ZBbGU5zengWCihxl113v_SHgL_HoFGfXjK9AIm_qw9eJ3dMT76vEi0uf6tMYlWhurFI5fNZlK1IdekrPeC_3wwmFS9Mw/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+151+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ntwSEZBf0ciwjXbxEk45b2TeDI1TJjqYmdR2TtFss2ZBbGU5zengWCihxl113v_SHgL_HoFGfXjK9AIm_qw9eJ3dMT76vEi0uf6tMYlWhurFI5fNZlK1IdekrPeC_3wwmFS9Mw/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+151+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209795072680678322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">A basset walk out on their walk! We did eventually make it up the drive and along the Rimutaka Trail<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL94CmMq0w5S8cqoiJZNT5HMg0GZDsMWyDpiQruHiXzdTbZ2mVZYaNAhGYb66bmQFfW78uGb5hpI11QqDgkPV1OqfrkicqDhq5u8Av8hRykZdZEjHpFXhuGPSpwsUTej02WbXn2w/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+152+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL94CmMq0w5S8cqoiJZNT5HMg0GZDsMWyDpiQruHiXzdTbZ2mVZYaNAhGYb66bmQFfW78uGb5hpI11QqDgkPV1OqfrkicqDhq5u8Av8hRykZdZEjHpFXhuGPSpwsUTej02WbXn2w/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+152+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209795078790305922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Since it was raining we had a cupboard clear out. Here's a selection of the boys toys destroyed and put away for mending. Yeah right!<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuPgkGiTZ4QjC7LEuiTk8bA6ZWvV2GpEn4oNv7YNS77MsHbRPX9X28CZF2g7nrn25NZZAaQhIVYGndg5WgnfBR-_evmB7lQVh5tAfxcgHqeKLNDM7SAd1HMCUKbzgP__70Wuf0g/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+147+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuPgkGiTZ4QjC7LEuiTk8bA6ZWvV2GpEn4oNv7YNS77MsHbRPX9X28CZF2g7nrn25NZZAaQhIVYGndg5WgnfBR-_evmB7lQVh5tAfxcgHqeKLNDM7SAd1HMCUKbzgP__70Wuf0g/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+147+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209795083083818530" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-26075616210285521522008-06-08T19:51:00.004+12:002008-06-08T20:05:43.156+12:00In the land of Geeks<div class="entry">It seems that I have reached the point in my blogging life where I’d like my blog to look better, have more features and go faster. The common wisdom on these matters is that you need to go it alone and build your own. <p>As if I haven’t had enough of building things I've taken the plunge and got myself a new virtual Domestic Executive HQ. Let's just say it's going to take time and given I'm in Geek territory and it's all news to me I'm sure there'll be lots of experimentation before I get it right. </p>I'll tell you where to find me in at my new web-place when I'm not going to embarress myself!<br /><br />Normal blogging resumes tomorrow.<br /></div>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-55411603075129835732008-06-07T22:43:00.001+12:002008-06-08T06:56:14.924+12:00Rugby in the rainWe were treated to an evening at the Cake Tin tonight to watch the All Blacks play Ireland. This was the first match for the ABs since losing out at the World Cup so was important for them to win.<br /><br />Let's just say it was less than ideal conditions. It was one of those dark, wet and stormy Wellington nights when people should be sat in front of the fire indoors keeping dry and wet. Thousands didn't and sat through 80 minutes of rugby which given the conditions was not the most exciting to watch.<br /><br />Ireland got off to a fantastic start against the might ABs and for much of the game they were neck a neck. The All Blacks did however break through a couple of times giving them the win they were looking for.<br /><br />I found myself rooting for the Irish to make up the numbers. Whilst there was a contingent of Irish enjoying the night out it was a thoroughly kiwi crowd willing their home team.<br /><br />You'll be pleased to know that MT and I were insconced in the warm in the corporate hospitality area. It was definitely the best place to watch the rugby and the poor sods sitting outside getting wetter and wetter and wetter by the minute. The mad dash to the car park after was the extent of my exposure to the elements but I was relieved to be home in the warm and see the waggy tails of Fortnum and Mason who as kiwi dogs would have been rooting for the All Blacks I am sure!<br /><br />The headlines on the match summed up the game quite well.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;"><blockquote>"Dealing with rust in wet conditions is never easy and the All Blacks found that out as they creaked and groaned against the grit of the Irish and a decent old Wellington storm before spluttering to a much-needed 21-11 victory."</blockquote></strong></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWp3bQOWKvbWVv55ec1w9Vn15mxpG-Cc9kH3EOoB85oCgBWnQlUDfAMsUOZOhl4yMQY2AeLDYge3DEjT4wV-VQN0wWRfH5tk3FpYn_qwZkm8AexqCXK3Tgrow2cZLCZHiBEhA0g/s1600-h/729087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWp3bQOWKvbWVv55ec1w9Vn15mxpG-Cc9kH3EOoB85oCgBWnQlUDfAMsUOZOhl4yMQY2AeLDYge3DEjT4wV-VQN0wWRfH5tk3FpYn_qwZkm8AexqCXK3Tgrow2cZLCZHiBEhA0g/s400/729087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209212523169923842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5an9Jx6BO2kfgAgWKHmayuWMvoGPrsHBMm8ULVR_KMzeMTaEL3F7x81Iz5NHZC3ZMP25oVzGZ9LaC4WmSGLLHyGb5uUsuPox_P41vgR83nVEcHqirkgfu2Fcf9gePn1iq00NAw/s1600-h/729093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5an9Jx6BO2kfgAgWKHmayuWMvoGPrsHBMm8ULVR_KMzeMTaEL3F7x81Iz5NHZC3ZMP25oVzGZ9LaC4WmSGLLHyGb5uUsuPox_P41vgR83nVEcHqirkgfu2Fcf9gePn1iq00NAw/s400/729093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209212527464891154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E5IT4N4TLvrESJovpKSk4p24fdNs-KfvH31R1QfztqlxTN7mUhX0OJ5aGDlTQsUTF0RM2nvyxuxugB3mBHj24q3ONGSW-DDRZe3Dsciupv0jbms3Z8pKAx6z1r8qzJbaJ-JqfQ/s1600-h/729091.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5E5IT4N4TLvrESJovpKSk4p24fdNs-KfvH31R1QfztqlxTN7mUhX0OJ5aGDlTQsUTF0RM2nvyxuxugB3mBHj24q3ONGSW-DDRZe3Dsciupv0jbms3Z8pKAx6z1r8qzJbaJ-JqfQ/s400/729091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209212527464891170" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-family: lucida grande;"><br /><br /><br /></strong></div>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-67258152399616076662008-06-06T19:01:00.004+12:002008-06-06T19:12:08.906+12:00Chickens take frightA terrible thing happened this evening. The Wellington wind blew the chicken house door shut prematurely stopping our chooks from returning home to roost at dusk. <br /><br />By the time I got home (a little after dusk) they were huddled in the corner of the pen seeking refuge from the wind. Or I thought. As I cajoled them back into the chicken house I was alarmed to only be able to count three instead of four feathered friends.<br /><br />Not wishing to panic I headed off to the free range area to see if the missing chook was sheltering in the bush. Put no. <br /><br />Still not wishing to panic I thought it was time for a bigger search party and headed of to get the assistance of MT. Just in the nick of time the missing chook clucked at me from where she was hiding - on top of the chicken house roof, or more precisely on top of the chook pen fence is next to the roof where she was comfortably roosting (well apart from a gusty wind).<br /><br />In definite need of assistance for a rescue I had to fetch the step ladder and torch. Fortuantly the chook was either scared witless or simply a placid hen since she hardly flinched when I dragged her off her roof top roost and put her back with the George and the other ladies in their home.<br /><br />Since it was getting pretty dark I can't tell you which of our fine hens had decided to roost high. I'm just glad that we found her and she was returned to her rightful place. You can be sure that the door hook will be sorted tomorrow to cope with the winter winds.<br /><br />I'm afraid it was not a moment for photoblogging so you'll have to make do with a picture to capture the sense of the moment!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhN6I9Z61d79ORJbWEf5Yps736WH5QjbxK0_OxQcbIfl_GlFNu5Y25t5taUbGcYAzUKoYIeRZNOf-_yoGeB9XyqpiQojHsRulos1wg4q87wcxlY72cskHQJD5k3-U6aEkGLW6Cw/s1600-h/6fa1cc5f-7ee0-4264-9915-696cc6f17006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhN6I9Z61d79ORJbWEf5Yps736WH5QjbxK0_OxQcbIfl_GlFNu5Y25t5taUbGcYAzUKoYIeRZNOf-_yoGeB9XyqpiQojHsRulos1wg4q87wcxlY72cskHQJD5k3-U6aEkGLW6Cw/s400/6fa1cc5f-7ee0-4264-9915-696cc6f17006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208660294076350226" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-48221587018215767892008-06-05T19:06:00.006+12:002008-06-05T19:25:30.308+12:00Basset blogging: the simple pleasure of a walkOur basset hounds enjoy the simple pleasures in life. To run and play in the sun is their favourite.<br /><br />Today was a fine day so I escaped my DE duties and took the bassets down to Tunnel Gully for their daily walkies. They love it there - large open green space for them to romp on with the added bonus of a bush walk that is smelling heaven. <br /><br />Here's some photo blogging of our adventures.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">First you need to sniff every blade grass</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1pztgatrtmLJAM9nthVfC0RAgQ3NR6WN6q-o4PImZ1bsORl91kV3uhtv7HuOSX0nQXrILTBnndzce6LNoQo2o-EsnP6mg-2lGMTyOYWPXTc1_zGMVCgxyndeKNeZ9tsaN-DN9A/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+122+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1pztgatrtmLJAM9nthVfC0RAgQ3NR6WN6q-o4PImZ1bsORl91kV3uhtv7HuOSX0nQXrILTBnndzce6LNoQo2o-EsnP6mg-2lGMTyOYWPXTc1_zGMVCgxyndeKNeZ9tsaN-DN9A/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+122+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208291060032880322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Then you have to admire the view - Mason looking very intensely<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4G_9tWng70Pm7VlkPyVgWG25tGJtOSFUwWkK_w_FMwaav0fLlzDm6T1RqKbBJrxuTTO8OK6R20lTjbDLZKYrDE-u_caoNqt2GLl_yLe0AG2a1O7_BLNJx2G3SA5wmyH9e9Ji-Q/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+129+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4G_9tWng70Pm7VlkPyVgWG25tGJtOSFUwWkK_w_FMwaav0fLlzDm6T1RqKbBJrxuTTO8OK6R20lTjbDLZKYrDE-u_caoNqt2GLl_yLe0AG2a1O7_BLNJx2G3SA5wmyH9e9Ji-Q/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+129+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208291064327847634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Since we have all the time in the world, no sense in rushing. Fortnum stutting his stuff!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42oaowWfD8mjxBBvFT3G98OZj0kl4GmWHdK8c9Gd8xcRCo-y4FM03gFlvCma-5YVUw9nwYzlqKEd7Dc97D7-xlicbeIIylkYvPjxdrkJ2Yaz0xdFQFXf0yY3lxU6FrhEUziGvTA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+130+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42oaowWfD8mjxBBvFT3G98OZj0kl4GmWHdK8c9Gd8xcRCo-y4FM03gFlvCma-5YVUw9nwYzlqKEd7Dc97D7-xlicbeIIylkYvPjxdrkJ2Yaz0xdFQFXf0yY3lxU6FrhEUziGvTA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+130+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208291064327847650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">We can take five too! Mason doing his best regal basset impression.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0n27L_XKQdfBLDhSPGB-pRePsjw9Ey0gzNTg3NOJe1-DW1waRaMk4anVPa08bfKas5U_QqnsxtphAA0O6PJQdMiwJ5nqaqx95K0FP4NGCBUENmymfvRyhjMhXy_XSUz2KGtrXA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+128+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0n27L_XKQdfBLDhSPGB-pRePsjw9Ey0gzNTg3NOJe1-DW1waRaMk4anVPa08bfKas5U_QqnsxtphAA0O6PJQdMiwJ5nqaqx95K0FP4NGCBUENmymfvRyhjMhXy_XSUz2KGtrXA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+128+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208291064327847666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">There's also time for a fight!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgh8yaOiPhqalgv8JiW175ldB0u6R48zeKG8frd6WYc32cDmVGGIn13-boozkVndHALhtIHot943FbVhRN8rDBpREhX_VsjCThthGaHIgcwCewoAWtnJWkgdqfF1pZczF09nWoA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+131+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgh8yaOiPhqalgv8JiW175ldB0u6R48zeKG8frd6WYc32cDmVGGIn13-boozkVndHALhtIHot943FbVhRN8rDBpREhX_VsjCThthGaHIgcwCewoAWtnJWkgdqfF1pZczF09nWoA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+131+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208291068622814978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">And, time to make mischief "I told you she wouldn't like it if we went this way!"<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUB_6lQbLqj5pSlPNI2NJpj748-eYXdO5X9SVTd0AcWpv5Sba5vAwedzGqYeIWU9nS4Wwyeedr8Kw50jC-NQgteTsJ67C5TxlzLSWCCcR7urNff9OGutFK8AaMLmJX7hBwEpZG8Q/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+132+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUB_6lQbLqj5pSlPNI2NJpj748-eYXdO5X9SVTd0AcWpv5Sba5vAwedzGqYeIWU9nS4Wwyeedr8Kw50jC-NQgteTsJ67C5TxlzLSWCCcR7urNff9OGutFK8AaMLmJX7hBwEpZG8Q/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+132+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208290686370725506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">The walking track goes up this bush - all those places to sniff!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyWJpLQVxl88TueQGfQ19uVd-PSIgccaO3vyMhgmX2cmClbRCvuz-UWsCMbBq5268eCrWS1clHQBzAF0NtZv3ggiF3ygFCpS7B1SKGLXlHsrGXSaqwUjSTHUEHtofBpFARZZ-HQ/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+133+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNyWJpLQVxl88TueQGfQ19uVd-PSIgccaO3vyMhgmX2cmClbRCvuz-UWsCMbBq5268eCrWS1clHQBzAF0NtZv3ggiF3ygFCpS7B1SKGLXlHsrGXSaqwUjSTHUEHtofBpFARZZ-HQ/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+133+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208290686370725522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Two tired bassets ready for a rest!<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k2NgIiz_HoRQyFgIy6tI-sMKxGhX0dnhbEFqFhv8SiyQyaZLvUo0faunWK9lDUNXfCHIRqXqR3pRAhD-YKGDkiwpegQoAzYvY5lKOGAzGfMKECl7uSc3Yg3pE7D1Bzv2XgBBag/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+136+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k2NgIiz_HoRQyFgIy6tI-sMKxGhX0dnhbEFqFhv8SiyQyaZLvUo0faunWK9lDUNXfCHIRqXqR3pRAhD-YKGDkiwpegQoAzYvY5lKOGAzGfMKECl7uSc3Yg3pE7D1Bzv2XgBBag/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+136+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208290690665692834" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">Let's make that a snooze!<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZECy4xb3epyCzpq4J98ctQMMyutwyo8rMOREZUP-M0hTn1Cu62pE3deBiZcHidw1h6U_qhvIXiI0qZdqbdXQ_7nDt0quYdxh7OzNss3MjvLJpxH0ClFCSUjQhOsIIEmX7ZWTA/s1600-h/Fortnum+and+Mason+143+Medium+Web+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IZECy4xb3epyCzpq4J98ctQMMyutwyo8rMOREZUP-M0hTn1Cu62pE3deBiZcHidw1h6U_qhvIXiI0qZdqbdXQ_7nDt0quYdxh7OzNss3MjvLJpxH0ClFCSUjQhOsIIEmX7ZWTA/s400/Fortnum+and+Mason+143+Medium+Web+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208290694960660146" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-33005696653352143662008-06-04T17:53:00.003+12:002008-06-04T18:12:46.846+12:00Domestic Executive WardrobeBecoming a domestic executive has been a reality I've dreamed about for a very long time. It was the house in the country, the bassets, chickens, home grown veg and some useful paid work to keep me in the domestic executive lifestyle.<br /><br />What I didn't contemplate too hard in this scenario was what a Domestic Executive wardrobe would consist of. Clearly I don't need my executive suits (well only occasionally) and stuff to wear around home needed to be practical and basset proof. So what does the well dressed domestic executive wear?<br /><br />Well to be honest whatever I've been wearing lately I do a pretty good impression of a bag lady that carries her chattels in a supermarket trolley. It's not that I don't have nice stuff to wear it's just that it's about 3 sizes too big. Over time this has got me more depressed than the time when my clothes got too small for me.<br /><br />At first I thought this was OK because I was just at home with the dogs and the chickens but just lately I've realised that this physical appearance was starting to bug me, in short I just didn't feel good. Since I'm no longer the "big bird" MT so affectionately calls me I thought it was time to take things in hand and transform my DE wardrobe.<br /><br />So armed with my trusty friend to steer me through the Wellington shopping experience we prioritised the domestic look today. After a few false starts I'm now re-equipped with new jeans, tees and woolies to last me for some time to come.<br /><br />I think I must be getting old though, I just don't have the patience for shopping any more. When I saw something I liked, it fitted and wasn't going to break the bank, I had these urges to buy it in all available colours. <br /><br />Anyway, don't tell MT, it's one of those shopping trips when you need to bring things out over time and when asked "is that new?" you can mutter "oh no, something I've had for a while" which will of course be true (well almost!).<br /><br />I won't trouble you with a picture of me modeling my new look. Let's just say I'm a mousy brown version of this girl and dazzling the bassets and the chickens with my new look! <br /><br />Yeah right!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aqmf1bmlsPuBmPc_UhI7VNkwq6uFJ7lxTWaLF_9iJkdYrYjKP0k7pdQy6krovfkEwU5OU_hYhIF8b9D_DOedhE4KBDst9dFDMhU-LFO53f2A5Z02ABRfkploRQb5hyOLxT0JqQ/s1600-h/sandwich2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aqmf1bmlsPuBmPc_UhI7VNkwq6uFJ7lxTWaLF_9iJkdYrYjKP0k7pdQy6krovfkEwU5OU_hYhIF8b9D_DOedhE4KBDst9dFDMhU-LFO53f2A5Z02ABRfkploRQb5hyOLxT0JqQ/s400/sandwich2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207904835451565042" border="0" /></a>Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-37510624291106075672008-06-03T18:32:00.002+12:002008-06-03T18:51:40.172+12:00Guestphotoblogging: just how a garden should be!I'm always looking for inspiration for our garden. Looking at other people's gardening success makes it a whole heap easier to keep the vision for our own garden and landscaping alive. <br /><br />It was after reading about the gardens at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Villandry">Chateau de Villandry</a> in Monty Don's new book that inspired me to establish my own box hedging which the nice people at <a href="http://www.kiwihedge.co.nz/">Kiwi Hedge </a>dutifully supplied. Whilst the small plants will take some growing and trimming to reach the Villandry standards it's nice to dream!<br /><br />My parents garden been an inspiration for years. In their last house they developed an amazing garden from a sadly neglected patch of land that was as good as some of the National Trust gardens we used to visit. Their current place is smaller but nevertheless the garden reaches standards of excellence I can only dream about. <br /><br />Described as in the National Garden Scheme guide as a garden for plantaholics. It's <f>1/3-acre garden packed with a wide range of interesting plants, colour themed borders, large covered shade area, and water feature. Many pots with tender plants. Here's a glimpse of it through guest photoblogging courtesy of my Dad.<br /></f><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qQM8hs2M5_7XWRPHksGaagq2wDXDs1fE1gIFT_kywKxi_7aIVyqOlw_k0ReMU1Y3oBXz7Tn3gm-M52WCHr0FhSXs4dPy6CD8RP9tvOILK2NYi1oBCzxVzVZ51hgMfHEr1DhdKQ/s1600-h/IMG_0046_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qQM8hs2M5_7XWRPHksGaagq2wDXDs1fE1gIFT_kywKxi_7aIVyqOlw_k0ReMU1Y3oBXz7Tn3gm-M52WCHr0FhSXs4dPy6CD8RP9tvOILK2NYi1oBCzxVzVZ51hgMfHEr1DhdKQ/s400/IMG_0046_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207539866310620098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbiD0kSQ5tu1FuqQyeLqa8wb2xDYAGlLkrU-LrEiShp3klZCR9mqK28zMf-VqTc2rwqtv4g12Dc8TSx2jbbhwH3LbH_BXMIEck5yIzJNRKcDA3SyHb6Fr7QTF4n3m5GPzoXSTTw/s1600-h/IMG_0003_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbiD0kSQ5tu1FuqQyeLqa8wb2xDYAGlLkrU-LrEiShp3klZCR9mqK28zMf-VqTc2rwqtv4g12Dc8TSx2jbbhwH3LbH_BXMIEck5yIzJNRKcDA3SyHb6Fr7QTF4n3m5GPzoXSTTw/s400/IMG_0003_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207539870605587410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x2kG0o35KO3KBh1V_voUOzGUW3vLdPpqrnZcdyKYAiZ8TrJuETXmiO8uwTbalAf9bKvc5zPUBQBcIZ8sjgWpLUF9O_oRmkxG4l5WN3OpVklP8M2a5gBb5n8dsKQceDNf7jSdCw/s1600-h/IMG_0069_3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x2kG0o35KO3KBh1V_voUOzGUW3vLdPpqrnZcdyKYAiZ8TrJuETXmiO8uwTbalAf9bKvc5zPUBQBcIZ8sjgWpLUF9O_oRmkxG4l5WN3OpVklP8M2a5gBb5n8dsKQceDNf7jSdCw/s400/IMG_0069_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207539870605587426" border="0" /></a>Our garden at domestic executive HQ has been designed to be a little lower maintenance than the traditional English garden that my parents specialise in. I simply don't have the patience or talent that they do but it doesn't stop me enjoying what they achieve!Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29780760.post-40958395880784708032008-06-02T14:53:00.005+12:002008-06-02T15:03:08.883+12:00Domestic Executive Hands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gm_9MGLwk7yXBMP4UKaoKbi7zM3SLjUhSQ1Vv3fmhyphenhyphenTXRUKHkynARMVOquprv9suoIt6yYPYj6QToRjVxAJ0EK15BkvnLFPsqnp4Dp3IfcYuHJc18FuJzWYAjn53MNjf_T7prg/s1600-h/aloehands.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gm_9MGLwk7yXBMP4UKaoKbi7zM3SLjUhSQ1Vv3fmhyphenhyphenTXRUKHkynARMVOquprv9suoIt6yYPYj6QToRjVxAJ0EK15BkvnLFPsqnp4Dp3IfcYuHJc18FuJzWYAjn53MNjf_T7prg/s200/aloehands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207114333835834290" border="0" /></a><br />One of the down sides of being a Domestic Executive is that it plays havoc with your hands. Despite intensive treatments - Burt's Bees Intensive Cream (thanks Tara), Vaseline Intensive Care Cream (thanks Boots!) and Nivea cream - I've still got hands like sandpaper.<br /><br />I know you're suposed to wear rubber gloves for housework, and I do, but it's just not practical all the time and they are not that comfortable. Combine housework with handwashing after dogs, chickens, gardening and DIY and it makes for a constant battering to my poor mitts.<br /><br />When you add a bit of gorse harvesting to the mix it's fair to say that handshaking a domestic executive is not a pleasant thing (for the clients that is!).<br /><br />With sore hands and pesistent rain I'm staying indoors for some gentle domestic executive duties today. The gorse, fencing, compost boxes and shovelling the top soil is just going to have to wait for another day.Domestic Executivehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17580828762788546718noreply@blogger.com1