The crazy that was July...

Started the month by officially resigning from MAGS, wasn't a surprise to most people I don't think, but still wasn't as easy to do as I thought. Lots of good friends there and good memories, but still can't abandon what I've the new role and job I have here so soon. Never know what the future holds, but pretty sure this is the place for me for now.

Major news of July was the Murder of my cousin Scott in Fielding. A month on it is still no clearer who did it or indeed why. It seems to have gripped the country as one random act of violence against someone who to all accounts was an awesome guy, superb husband, father and friend to many. Thanks to all the people who passed on support and messages. Hard for the family here to be so far away at times like this.

Latest news on it, 60 minutes documentary on it.
Death at dawn - 60 Minutes - Video - 3 News

Finally managed to find myself a new bike. A really nice Yamaha R1 (2004/5 model) the guy I brought it from hardly used it so it had only done £7000. So good to ride.

Also spent some time that weekend with my parents and an aunty exploring the Cotsweld area in England. It's an awesome bit of England with a lot of history and old buildings.

I have applied to begin the process of becoming British qualified, kind of exciting, but it will be a little odd feeling like a trainee for the next year. Hopefully it all goes smoothly.

The school year finished, summer break has started. So it seemed like I should go for a trip to test out the bikes touring ability. Figured it was about time for a swim, so packed up and headed to the east coast around Norfolk. Travelled through a number of small and large towns on the way & had my swim. Was a good bit of fun and the bike did well as a bit of a pack horse, but might need some extra padding on the seat for long trips in the future.

And just to prove that I did actually swim in the English sea (and it wasn't as cold as I expected it to be).

Right finally back up to date, well almost, but I figure August can wait till the end of the month.
Much love...

June,

6th months after leaving NZ I finally sold my CBR600RR (or alternatively in pirate CBR600agrRagrrrrrrR) in NZ, didn't quite get as much as I hoped, but it is finally sold so that is all good.

Also on a driving front, I have now swapped my driving licence for a full British one, It just makes it easier to travel around the place.


Went to see Powderfingers farewell concert in London, it was an awesome night out. Went with 2 lovely British girls, which was good cause otherwise it was mainly Australians. Was amazing how load the crowd was, at time you could hardly hear Powderfinger themselves and the growd was distorting in your ears.


Also caught up with Hayley's parents as they had come across from NZ to go on a trip round Europe. Was lovely to see them and spend some time pretending to know my way round London as a tour guide.

Along with the gear Hayley's parents brought the rest of my hiking gear arrived, so the plan was to go motorcycle touring. That was until the VTR1000 got stolen from outside my flat. Was very gutted as that bike had really grown on me and had a lot of soul. It was never the fastest or best looking bike I had, but it was fun to ride and had character. So the search was on for a new one.
Photo: Space left where the VTR was, also shows the tire marks where it was dragged away :'(
Shortly after the bike theft my British driving licence arrived, fell slightly more like I belong here, but it seemed a bit useless without the bike.

The Football World Cup started and although it was sad to see England get taken out (felt sorry for my British friends), it was awesome to see New Zealand in it and pull off the most amazing draw with Italy.

Another highlight of the month was going with dad to the MotoGP at the new silverstone track. It was awesome to see live, those bikes are seriously quick.

The last photo is the car park (well more motorbike park outside the MotoGP) so many bikes!!! was half tempted to wander though them and see if my stolen bike was there. Note the bike in the foreground BTW.
Lorenzo won by a long way.

I brought a mountain bike off a firend to get me back on two wheels. It may not have a motor, but at least I could get around a bit faster while I hunted for a new motorbike.

Playing catch up - May.

Been a bit remiss with this, just been reminded of it... I'll catch up over the next few days.

May.
Summer Hockey started in May and we had many a game in colder conditions than winter hockey in New Zealand, but it did warm up reasonably quickly and we had some beautiful evenings to play in. Spent most games playing midfield. Managed to set up a few goals and score one myself, pretty happy with that. Mostly though it was just good to be out playing again. Although summer hockey here is a bit different is is full field, full team, mixed gender and a full length game, I think I prefer the 7 a side version better, but this was still good. Now I just have to wait for the winter season, not far away now. Also played a bit of badminton with a few different friends.

Had a few good nights out both in Milton Keynes and a little place called Leighton Buzzard (or just LB), which coined the term 'wang ukulele' it's a variation of air guitar (works well you should try it).

May also became the month of the passive aggressive note, my land lord stepped up his note campaign with his best effort yet that outlined the dangers of dish washing incorrectly and the long term side effects of dish washing chemicals... sigh.... I'd scan the note if I still had it, it was epic. Haven't had many more since I started writing replies.

Had another ALD with school, helped take a group of Y8's (I think it was) to Warwick Castle. Wasn't a bad day, watched some falconry and the trebuchet in action. Have been there before a while back with Hayley and my Sister and kids, so wasn't all new, But seeing the trebuchet fire was pretty cool as it wasn't on the day we went.

22nd of May the whole family went to Legoland for Kathryn's birthday and as a bit of a farewell for my sister before she left for America. Was a fun day and as always just good to be out with the family.




Then the weekend after was the short trip down to Heathrow to farewell, Amanda, Philip, Kathryn and Matthew to America, bit of a sad day to see them go after finally being able to spend some time with them and the kids, but it is a huge opportunity for them and is now a good excuse to visit Texas.