More colour and detail

There's been a lull in house progress for some reason - plasterers disappeared and Painter was in Auckland. Anyone would think it was a holiday week. The house and site did get a bit of clean up whilst there was noone working on site but I'd prefer that there was more activity!

I was up on site today and it was a beautiful spring day - chilly but if you hung around in the sun it wasn't so bad.

They've more or less finished the outside painting now - just the base boards to do when the verandas have been powerwashed and cleaned off. Inside there hasn't been much done although the new front door has arrived and waiting for installation. As are the door knobs, wooden flooring, archway moulding etc. I'll get some more internal shots to show when we're up on Friday next week.

View to the back garden, soon to be site of the kitchen garden in the bottom corner.


Front veranda complete with heritage red and green

Backdoor and view (note no striped veranda here - no Jones to keep up with on this side!)

Close up to the turret bay windows

Upside down front door complete with coloured glass

A beautiful thing!

Now look, I hope you don't think that this is really my thing of beauty but I feel duty bound to point out to readers that yes, it's true, Coventry FC are currently sitting at the top of the League. It makes MT happy so that's all that matters - enjoy all you CCFC supporters.........

Yellow Fever

It's the first day of the A league season and it was a close draw today between the Wellington Pheonix and Melbourne (2-2). These pics were taken from the pre-season friendly attended by MT.

The most exciting news is that Becks is coming to Wellington as LA Galaxy are going to play in Oz and for a mere $1.5 m NZ they are bring him to Wellington. Even I might venture to the chill of the caketin to watch golden boots in action!

In case you're wondering. No housebloggin this week - watching plastering dry is about as exciting as watching paint so we gave it a miss. Reports from the builder are that we are on track.

Domestic Executive Countdown: 35 days to go

At last, I'm on the home run to domestic executive life. Only 35 more days to go before I finish my full time contract with MSD. Can't wait.

After months of people being in denial they headhunters have finally been called and the search is on to replace me. They are a bit late in the day but they'll get one of my managers to step up into an acting role until the new person comes along.

So what will I be doing you ask?

I'll be working 20 hours a week for MSD until 7 December working on "special projects". I've always wanted to be a "special projects person" as it seems to me that they swan around doing very little in particular but getting paid for doing so! I've got a few bits and pieces to keep me ticking over and keep on track and that will be fun. In my spare time away from work there is plenty to do:
- a house move
- visitors arriving from 13 December until end of March
- setting up my domestic executive business.

I really don't know where the time has gone but with a countdown now in days I can't help but get excited by the prospects.

MTs career is moving in new ways too - well he's moved his desk from Willis Street to Tory Street! He's finally got his new team set up and can get on with building a new mobile phone network to connect New Zealanders. Rumour has it that they are changing the name of the company to Telepom.......

Telecom New Zealand today announced that Dr Paul Reynolds has been appointed as its Chief Executive Officer, effective from late September 2007.Paul is currently CEO of BT Wholesale, the wholesale business of UK-based telecommunications and IT company BT Group.Paul joined BT in 1983 after completing a doctorate in geology at the University of London. Since then he has had a distinguished career, encompassing senior leadership roles in sales and marketing, strategy, information systems, broadband, and guiding BT’s wholesale business through the complex process of operational separation, when Openreach was created. He has served on BT’s Board of Directors since 2001.

Paul will succeed Theresa Gattung, who leaves Telecom on Friday after twelve years at the company, the past eight as the company’s CEO.Simon Moutter has been appointed as acting CEO until Paul Reynolds formally takes up his role. Simon has held a variety of roles at Telecom, including that of Chief Operating Officer, and has a deep understanding of the business. Chairman Wayne Boyd said he and the Telecom Board were delighted, after a global recruitment process, to have secured the appointment of Paul Reynolds.“Globally there are few leaders in the telecommunications industry with Paul’s combination of skills, knowledge and experience,” Mr Boyd said.“Paul has led programmes of significant change at one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, in a regulatory environment that has parallels to New Zealand’s.”

In 2006, the Telecommunications Industry Association of America awarded Dr Reynolds its ‘Global Icon’ award for his leadership and innovation.“Given his senior contribution at BT, in a wide variety of roles, Paul is ideally placed to lead one of Australasia’s most significant telecommunications and IT companies at this time.”Paul Reynolds said he and his family were looking forward to coming to live in New Zealand.“I’m passionate about the telecommunications industry and its power to transform the way people interact, live, work and play.“I’ve been a keen observer of the New Zealand experience, and am now looking forward to leading a company that will help to shape the country’s future.”Paul Reynolds will be based in Auckland and commence his new role at Telecom in late-September

Cheap air trips

Here's some exiciting news for visitors coming to New Zealand. (www.flypacificblue.com),


Virgin Blue And Pacific Blue Announce New NZ Domestic Airline With 'Pay A Visit Not A Fortune' $39* Fares

Thursday 23 August 2007: Virgin Blue Airlines and its three year old New Zealand subsidiary Pacific Blue today announced major plans for a new domestic airline for New Zealand with NZD$39* fares on sale from today for flights commencing in November 2007. Initially the carrier will fly on New Zealand's key trunk routes Auckland-Wellington, Auckland-Christchurch and Wellington-Christchurch from 15 November 2007

The decision to enter the New Zealand domestic market comes in the wake of strong support and lobbying from the New Zealand community for Pacific Blue to bring its service style and competitive fares to internal New Zealand flights in the same way it has done on the trans-Tasman and South Pacific routes.

Virgin Blue Group of Airlines Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said, "The decision was not taken lightly as it is a major investment and a long term commitment to keeping the 'air fair' in New Zealand. The time is right to bring some much needed competition to the existing duopolistic market and we are excited to be opening up new travel opportunities for both the people of New Zealand as well as inbound tourists."

Brett Godfrey continued, "When Richard Branson visited New Zealand in January this year to celebrate Pacific Blue's third birthday, he promised that domestic services were something of interest to us under the right circumstances and at the right time. We are confident the circumstances are now right and there is room for competition and an obvious need for market stimulation. Pacific Blue is well positioned to give the existing players a good run for their money, particularly on the monopolistic Wellington-Christchurch route."

Virgin Group Chairman, Sir Richard Branson said, "I am absolutely delighted to announce that Pacific Blue will soon be shaking up the New Zealand domestic market and bringing its unmistakable fun, flair and affordability to travel within New Zealand. I enjoyed a wonderful trip to New Zealand earlier this year, where I saw first hand the great enthusiasm and support for Pacific Blue. I am thrilled that we can further enhance our commitment to the local market with the launch of our domestic operations. We look forward to Pacific Blue spreading its wings and bringing long term domestic bliss, perhaps not for the competition, but certainly for locals and visitors travelling within New Zealand."

The airline will take delivery of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to join the Pacific Blue fleet and operate both international and domestic New Zealand routes. The routes are tailored to suit the needs of the market in terms of frequency and schedule:

Auckland–WellingtonFive direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $69 one way on the net, 22% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

Auckland–ChristchurchTwo direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $79 one way on the net, 30% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

Wellington–ChristchurchThree direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39* one way on the Internet. The sale fare is available now until 16 September 2007 or until sold out and is for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008. Fair fares will start from $69 one way on the net, 12% lower than the existing fares available on the same route.

To ensure maximum benefit for Guests travelling for pleasure as well as business, the internal flights will complement Pacific Blue's existing international services, providing convenient connections from within New Zealand to Australia, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Adrian Hamilton-Manns, General Manager Commercial, said, "The people of New Zealand have supported Pacific Blue in its quest to bring true low fares, genuine competition and fun and flair to trans-Tasman travel and that very support has given us the motivation to bring the same product and affordability to the domestic market where it is much needed."
"It is no secret that the existing domestic duopoly results in higher fares and half-hearted competition and we very much look forward to challenging that and championing affordability for local travel."

Domestic flights are now on sale and can be booked via the website (www.flypacificblue.com), by calling 0800 670 000, or by contacting a travel agent. Members of the Velocity Loyalty program will also be able to earn and redeem points when they fly domestically in New Zealand.
Pacific Blue plans to double its staff numbers over the next three years as it ramps up domestic operations. New Zealanders interested in joining the dynamic Pacific Blue team in a range of roles can email pacificblue.jobs@flypacificblue.com.

About Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, and Virgin Blue AirlinesInternational airlines Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue, along with Australian domestic airline Virgin Blue, operate a fleet of 53 modern Boeing 737 aircraft flying to eight international and 22 Australian destinations including New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands.
^ subject to regulatory approval

* All fares are one-way for flights booked on the internet, $15 more by phone. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or during peak periods. On sale until 16 September 2007 or until sold out for travel from 15 November 2007 through 29 February 2008.

Houseblogging: on the home run

Technically speaking home is a long way away so this home run is a long one. About 10 weeks in fact. Still, the house seems to sit with increasing glory as progress is made both outside and in. It looks like a real house now with colours, doors, and skirting boards.

There is still loads to do but you can now see how big the place is and start to really imagine what it's going to be like to live there. Here's a few of the latest pics from today's visit.

New striped veranda and smart red windows. Not to mention the chimney

Close up on MT's turret

View into the dining and living room

Kitchen, complete with barrel ceiling and sky light (especially positioning to lighten up the washing up spot!)

View down the bedroom passage way (that's not me but my friend Anna)

Master bedroom windows, complete with architraves

Guest bedroom turret window (can you see yourself there?)

View back to where the matching red barn will go

Views beyond through the veranda fretwork

A truly British experience

Been a busy ol' week on the socialising front - a visit to the theatre to see the Royal Shakespeare perform The Seagull, a cocktail party for a book launch at the British High Commission and a break with kiwi tradition to go boozing after work on a Thursday. All in all a much more British experience.

It's not been a good week for the kiwi - it's nosedived again in value. The house prices are dropping and MT's predictions about the NZ economy are looming large. Let's hope that by the time the British visitors start arriving at the end of the year, their £ will be worth more than now.

Away from the socialising it's been the usual stresses and strains of work. At least I have the prospect of going part time as the first time to domestic-executivedom. Yeh, now that's something to get up in the morning for!

Hands off our milk

No houseblogging till later in the week. Life's too short to be peering into windows to look at plaster. Have weekly accompanied site visits on Friday's from now so will be able to have a good look around and see what's been happening. From what I can tell from conversations, plastering due to have begun, rain stopped painting outside but due to restart again this week. Will post pics and and update at the weekend.

Onto more important matters the global price of dairy commodities is putting the kiwi economy into a spin. Not only are the farmers getting record dividends from Frontera (the kiwi dairy partnership) they are spend spend spend on new imported tractors etc. This means mere mortals suffer another increase in interest rates. But worse than that, the fact that other people overseas are grabbing our milk the pinta here in NZ is increasing at a rate of knots.

You may worry that I've started to take such a close interest in the price of milk but I kid you not, the cost of living in NZ is rising. I've had many a grumbly chunter at work with people who say the same, it's more expensive to do the weekly shop than it used to be. Also, now having dipped into our mortgage money for the house I'm fiendishly keen to know how much interest I have to pay.

Anyway, tucked away in the land of the white cloud kiwi's continue to try and build their own economy for the benefit of NZs. If you want a view of the kiwi psyche over finances, here's something to keep you amused. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=79pwqDu1dt8

Enjoy......

Photoblogging: crocodile magic

We'd heard about the crocs in Northern Queensland but it didn't prepare us for the real thing. We saw them in the wild and also in a nature reserve and although didn't quite get up close and personal we were close enough for comfort. For more on crocs.....http://www.crocodilian.com/

Hanging out in the river

Hanging out on the river bank - coming to get you!

Close up to a couple of young un's

Photoblogging: warmer climes

A few snaps of the holiday locations in and around Palm Cove, North of Cairns, Northern Queensland.

The sunset in Palm Cove after another warm day of around 26 degrees.

Views in the other direction of Palm Cove to the pier, normally decked with people fishing

Cape Tribulation - where the tropical rainforest meets the sea

Cool waters of the rainforest

More coastal views

Boys outing on the steam train from Karunda to Cairns

OK, so it was for girl's too!

Houseblogging: back on track

It's been while but refreshed from the warm of Northern Queensland I'm back in the arms of chilly, windy Wellington!

More photoblogging to come later this week but in the meantime thought you'd like to see the house update which shows painting underway. We've an estimated handover date of end of October which makes the whole thing feel that much closer to reality.

Blimey, that's torn it

Well, well, well... what can I say. See http://www.stuff.co.nz/4142990a10.html

This esteemed Minister was Minister of Environment. And, Minister of Employment and Social Development. It's been an interesting week in the office and no doubt going to change again when I get back from lounging around on the beach in Palm Cove.

This Domestic-Executive is all worn out and in need of a rest. I don't think I'll be going far from my beach front view unless of course its to get some cool refreshment. http://www.reefretreat.com.au/index.htm

House progressing well - had a panic visit yesterday to see the painter. Was very sad, had to take a colleague with me as the only way that we'd get time to talk! Still, she's my Head of Creative Services so came in very handy for deciding on the paint colour changes we decided on.

Lots of photoblogging to come when we're back - including MT's visit to watch the new Wellington footie team beat the Sydney team in their first pre-season friendly.

Until then you can follow the news from the links page!

Yup, still here

I know it's been a while. I've been crook. Flu don't you know. So bad I had to stay off work.

But I'm back and entering that manic phase a couple of days before a holiday trying to get everything done in time and kidding myself in the process that I really will get it all done. Yes, we're off to a warmer place for a week.

This domestic executive hasn't been loitering though. I'm full steam ahead with my countdown to life post 26 September. I know people didn't believe I would but I've decided to cut lose of the clutches of full time employment and fly solo as planned. I am going to put together a proposal for my new boss on some project work I can continue with on a part time flexible basis but otherwise I'm handing the reins to someone else on for the day to day management of the Communications Office.

It's all rather exciting really as I've managed to hook up with a couple of branding boys who do fantastic work and they've asked me to join their team. I'll still work self employed and build my personal brand but otherwise leave the empire building to them. After all, I've got visitors to think about!

With flu, major presentations at work and thinking about the future it has been a hectic time. Another poor excuse for not blogging but really, it's been very dull. I'm still hunting paint colours, carpets and wallpaper but that is almost done too!

The house is still there and progress being made. The painter rang to check outside paint colours so I know there are still people working up there. We've not been up recently because the weather has just simply been awful and because we can't get inside the thought of peering through windows isn't my idea of fun. I'm working on the principle that seeing progress next time we'll get a real sense of things moving on. I do know that the wall linings with Gib Board (plasterboard) has started and this was a worry because it's been so we we weren't sure if the council would give sign off. But, the lovely Upper Hutt Council building inspectors did!

Talking about Council's we've just put in for planning permission to build our barn/garage. It's going to be a red heritage barn. OK its not quite the boutique accommodation I was planning but we need something to garage the car and keep all Martin's new outdoor boys toys safe and sound in. There is plenty of room to expand the accommodation on site but for the moment we're going to stick to putting up the barn. Hopefully we'll get the go ahead pretty quickly and work can start on site.

In the wider kiwi world not much happening apart from wintery weather. Oh yes and public scandal where political advisors intervened on the appointment of a Communications Manager in the Ministry of Environment. The kiwi $ is sailing higher and higher which is good for me but hopefully by the time visitors start arriving someone will have got a grip on the economy. Winter sales are on in the shops and people at work are taking very long holidays for trips to the northern hemisphere. Pity its been raining in the UK too!

Anyway, won't ramble any more but thought it was time to show a presence. Will see if we can improve the photoblogging with reports from the Great Barrier Reef, Tropical Rainforest and well just the beach! Palm Cove here I come!

Houseblogging: let's hope the sun will shine

With no satisfactory resolution on the lock out situation, an early visit to site this week to look at progress over the last couple of weeks. Was a strange experience to see the house with people crawling all over it - literally, there was a girl hanging off the top of the roof, but I guess that's what roofers do!

Big steps forward are the rest of the doors have been put on, solar panels have been installed, electric fix now in, insulation almost complete and the fine details on the outside still being added (literally as I was there).

It's a great team of people that are building our new home and if the weather holds some more we've got a chance of getting moved around end September/beginning of October. Hmm, just to conicide with me finishing at MSD!

I braved the mud slopes to capture our regular view


Living room and library gable and turret

Hope the sun shines on these to heat our water!

The gateway to indoor and outdoor flow!

The finer points of wiring - cabling for office phones and printers.

All rugged up with our natural wool insulation. We've laid about 8 inches thick and 12 inches in the roof.

Hmm, me thinks that's not the right front door!

You can't help but marvel at the backdrop scenery

Not gone walkabout

No I'm not gone Australian and gone walkabout. It's been a difficult last week or so with bitterly cold weather, gadding about to Christchurch, rubbish time at work and a busy weekend at the Theatre and choosing stuff for house.

Excuses, excuses I hear you cry. No, just reasons.

No houseblogging this week either. The short story to that is that they have now locked down the house and we're unable to access it until we've agreed terms with the builder about when we can do this. We're suposed to be accompanied on all our visits which is quite challenging given that we can't get up there during the week.

Good news is that we've concluded most of the decisions on the house. Just need to choose paint colours and kitchen tiles and that will be it for the immediacy. Can't face the paint colours yet that requires a level of stamina that I just don't have at the moment!

I need a few days to clear the space in my head and hopefully I can get back into more regular blogging with news and views about kiwi land. For the moment, you'll just have to accept my apologies and look forward to my reports of going to Hamilton on Thursday, a new adventure to look forward to.

Only hope the tornados and torrential rain have gone by then.

Opphs, they did it again!

After all the hype it's over with the kiwis losing the America's Cup again. The post loss PR is well underway with the Government justifying the $32 million they invested into the team and pledging another $10m to keep the team together on the grounds that it's been a showcase for NZ trade and industry. The talkback radio shows are almost at feverpitch with people debating this issue and speculating over what happens next.

Team NZ after the losing race - body language says it all

The final, and deciding, second in the race (shame that the kiwis made a mistake that cost them a penalty turn which took a lot longer than a second to do!).

Houseblogging: it's almost a bog

It's been raining a tad this last week so the house is flooded in place where the southerly has blown in the rain through the yet to be filled doorways. You'll see however progress has been good with some doors fited to the front, the watertank installed and the heating installation in progress.

Getting stressful with the electrical requirements as the sparkie went to Ireland on holiday and we've been playing catch up ever since. Still we're almost on the home run, only the kitchen to finalise and the paints and then I need a holiday. Good job we've got one coming up at the end of the month!

Watertank in roof space

Heating unit in roof space

Outdoor swimming pool starting!

Opphs: not a good look

After all the excitement of winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, the kiwis are back obsessing about the real Cup to be won. Everyday there is plenty of analysis of the racing overnight as the lead story on the news.

Seems that the last couple of days have not been good for Team NZ. Firstly, they waited for Allingi to make a mistake, opphs, then they didn't and went onto win. Last night (yesterday in Valencia) seems that it was the kiwi's making the mistakes.

So it's 2-3 down to the kiwis, not a good look!

End of an era

It seems strange to be so far away as such momentus change is happening 12,000 miles away. The end of the Blair era seems hard to believe. Having arrived into Downing Street in such a flurry of excitement his exit seems to be much lower key.

Good riddens was the view of lots of people around the team table today. Cheeky monkeys I kept thinking. He's not even your Prime Minister, then again, he's not mine any more!

Whilst Blair the global leaders slinks off to further international relations minefields closer to home in NZ the Government are legislating against the media taking unflattering pictures of them and doorstepping them in unseemly ways. Oh how the Blairs would have wished for such protection I'm sure from the pap's in the UK. Here's the picture that in future won't be able to be published in the media.

Leader of the Maori Party powernapping!

Hope the media behave tomorrow, big briefing in our shop to remind the media that the thing launched about 18 months ago, launched again 12 months ago, then was launched for a further time 6 months ago. Just incase people didn't miss it the first three times. Oh yes, even NZ politicians have learned something about spin doctoring.

The down side is that it takes about 10 years for trends to really hit home in kiwi land from across the homeland so I think we can be sure that the spin doctoring is only going to escalate until the spin doctors become the news.... and they say the rest is the Blair history.

Houseblogging: glass to see through

Doubled glazed windows have been the biggest progress on site this week. Oh, and the first fix plumbing and electrics too. Yes, it's all happening still and the house is looking more like a house every time we visit.

The roofers are due this coming week. It's not good weatherwise at the moment with rain, wind and a bitter chilly wind. Hopefully when the rest of the windows and doors go in conditions inside for working will improve no end.

The house looks stunning sitting in the landscape which our pictures just can't do justice to but enjoy the views nevertheless.

Same view but with some windows this time

It's all happening for the energy systems

Views from our new bedroom windows

The back door - well, views of the windows at least!

MT couldn't resist a little schoolboy humour!