Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

or so says Aldous Huxley, in his 'Vedanta for the Western World, 1945'... and I would have to agree with him. I'm exceedingly happy at present, and it's not due to an over abundance of cash or worldly goods (but the 32inch TV is fun) - it's just due to life being very equable at the moment.

We had a stunning holiday in Kiwi land, this young lady has just started school,

and my present class is full of happy young children, and my boss trusts me to get my work done.

Holidays are planned for Christmas (Mum's 80th birthday in Whitby, February (Poland - a boys adventure this one), Whitsun (camping with Kids/Grand kids) and we're getting married next August...honeymoon in Rhodes (http://www.atlanticahotels.com/section.php?id=9 )booked!!!

We're not in each others face, but feel joined by an umbilical cord that stretches well (especially when I'm at the footie...).

Financially life isn't such a pancake, but, eh, has it ever been for me? We're working on saving the ten thou or so we reckon it'll cost us for the wedding, then we'll need a new car each after that AND save to go back to NZ at Christmas 2009!!





I suppose I've thought about this because I needed to get a copy of my Decree Absolute to prove I am free to re-marry. Sat looking at the dates married 22 August 1987 (which coincidentally is Suzie's birthday!!) and divorced Dec 1999. Was I ever happy between those dates? I can't really recall when (without the help of alcohol) I was. Isn't that sad?


Suzie is not having a good weekend - combination of family (of course...)hormones and mummy moments, but I think she is generally happy.

Oh Blow It - WE'RE HAPPY!!!

And so is she....:)

NZ seems a LONG time ago.....

Here's a few more bit's 'n pieces from our away days in New Zealand - before it moves out of our emotional range.


Northlands - A fab place. Forests, rocky ridges, isolated, ancient trees,
historic (in Kiwi terms anyway)paradise coves and outstanding beaches....we're going back!! (I think I may just have said this before...)

We went from Auckland to Tauranga via the Coromandel Peninsula - following the coast road, twisting and turning right against the Pacific Ocean - just had to stop and skim a stone!!

Tauranga


What a place Jack and Denice have - we were asked all over NZ if we would live there - and if Jack and Denice, for no apparent reason said here you are - we'd be gone!!!



Carolyn took us out for a couple of trips - first to Rotorua. One of my 'wow' moments. Remember dad getting us an encyclopedia when i was a lad and reading about this place - and to stand and sniff (well it is called Fartsville for a reason) and to be there !






Wellington, Cook's Straight, Queen Charlotte's Sound ,The South Island and back. (1st August - 11th August) 4000 km in 10 days!!!!

We had a great trip down via the 'Desert Road' - managed to get disorientated in Wellington itself, so found a motel outside the city. Had a great Turkish meal and had our first experience of BYO - Bring Your Own booze, which would have been great if an offie had been open....

For me personally the complete highlight was crossing Cook's Straight and going up the spectacular Queen Charlotte's Sound - again after reading about it from a distance and imagining - the reality was outstanding. If you live there - please don't become blase....

Then it was the whales....And Milford Sound...And Fox Glacier.....and Nelson....And Woodie the Hereford Bull being born..but you'll have to go our photobucket to see these.

Well - would we live there? Suzie would miss her friends and there is a distinct lack of footie, so we would probably have to say not at present BUT what a place to spend an extended amount of time...

ANYWAY - it's Whitby next at Christmas...(keeping the connection going....Cook!)

so - what happened in Kiwi land then?

For anyone who has been reading this (Stephen) I apologise for not keeping our travel log up to date. Considering we've been back nearly two weeks and this is my first attempt to blog - pretty shoddy really.



Been giving this some thought - why, after all my enthusiasm for keeping this up to date, writing a daily (or nearly daily) diary, have i found it hard to keep this up? OK - there were some excuses in NZ - lack of decent/cheap access points at the places we went to (more of them later), but none here at home. All i can find is jet lag, ad perhaps the feeling that by coming on here and writing about our trip it all becomes very much 'in the past' - it's over!



Anyway - I'll drop by over the coming few days and fill in the highlights - we're going back....



I want to catch one of these!!!

90 miles and the Bay of Islands

So far....

Been here a week - well six days, we 'lost ' last Sunday!!! Flight was ok, tried reading Harry Potter, but couldn't get into it at all, so drank the Kiwi wine on offer - think thay'll be quite some of that going on over the next few weeks!! Saw the ice bergs off Greenland, USA was cloudy and LA ...well it makes Victoria Coach Station look good. We arrived to a Beautiful crisp morning, clear skies and frost, Spring was in the air, (I say WAS because right now in Tauranga it's throwing it down).

Monday afternoon we had a quite tour of Auckland, dropped at Deveonport (complete with the Navy) and coaught ferry over harbour to the city centre. Lots of souvenier shops, Asian food outlets (very Chinese - noodle bars etc.) but town is really in it's winter sleep.

Tuesday 24th July Pahia, The Achorage Hotel.

What a lovely spot - room overlooked the bay. Cook was here in 1769. Wandered around, had a pizza and some more ofthat lovely Kiwi wine, early night as up early in the morning.

Wednesday 25th July - BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

Went to Cape Rienga and 90 Mile Beach today on 'The Dunerider' ( http://www.dunerider.co.nz/) - excellent day. Only 10 of us and the driver, Bruce, made it seem like a personalised tour. To paraphrase that ad on tv, "If Carlsburg made a coach tour, this was it"!! First stop was to see the Kauri trees in Puketi Forest, then breakfast. A chase up 90 Mile Beach (which is actually only 64 miles, BUT the Ozzies have one that goes for 80, so hey ho...) Halfway down we stopped to make way for a Blue Penguin tottereing up the beach. All go AH!!

Then we surfed down 100 foot dunes and ended the day with fish 'n chips (fish was bluefin). Knacked - in bed for 8!!

Thursday 26th July. Day 5 – Pahia

Woke up to ANOTHER wonderful morning. We had brekkies in a café called ‘Hansen’s’ – a small piece of the history of the place, their family had come over (sound like a séance!!) with first active settlers 192 years ago as missionaries. Also found out that the road we’d been staying on, “Marsden”, was named after the first vicar – Reverend Marsden.

Caught boat on our trip round the Bay of Islands (as named by James Cook – incidentally the Maori captain of the boat (a lady as Suzie has been pointing out…) called him by his naval rank (Lieutenant) and not as he is more commonly referred to as ‘Captain’, mmmnnn a slight reelection on the fact he NOT commonly liked by our antipodean friends)

Had a text from Stephen – “Glos declared Island Principality and Oxford sailing off towards France…” glad we’re here then!!

At noon (it should be High Noon) we stopped for a break on what has become known as Zane Grey Island as he set up fishing camps after Marlin in the 1920-30’s and began the tourist industry – real name Urupakapuka Island.

Two highlights
Met a pod of bottle nose dolphins - complete with mother and toddler – Suzie EXTREMELEY happy.
Stopped on the spot Cook anchored and named the Bay.

Made our way back to Auckland across the West Coast – we are learning VERY quickly that distances are very deceptive, thought it would take a couple of hours – it took SIX!! (Ok , we stopped at the oldest/widest tree in the world (allegedly) Tanu Mahato, stopped in sub tropical forest and saw a rare Red Topped Parakeet and broke down (AA man appeared, got out tool of trade, hammer and chisel, wellied the engine and off we went again!!).

Impressions
First two full days of our adventure have been outstanding (and we get the feeling that this is going to be a constant thread.) We’ve seen dolphins, a penguin and a Parakeet all in their NATURAL habitat. We’ve seen The Pacific Ocean at it’s clearest and calmest best (ok, a bit chilly, but glorious..). We’ve seen where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and seen the curvature of the earth – at least it seemed like that when looking towards the South Pole3389 km away!! I’ve sat in a boat in the place where Cook arrived in the Endeavour and named the place, traded and generally had a good time! We went through a hole in the rock he named after his mate Percy (First Sea Lord)…what’s next??

Good Morning New Zealand...A quick update on our adventure.

It's been a glorious few days here - seems as if we have been around these parts for more than just the 4 nights.

Flight was uneventful - well for those that have flown more than once in the last 25 years that is. We were in the middle of the middle aisle - so a view wasn't a problem. Saw the ice bergs over Greenland ans the cloud over America. Hint - DON'T do the LA option.

Spent first day at Mariangi Bay - fell asleep on bus and woke up in Torbay WHAT.... made it to aunt's in one piece.

Tuesday we picked up hire car and mosied on up to Pahia in the Northlands - OUTSTANDING. Will write more about the scenery and wildlife later, on a dial up here and we NEED to share our pics to do the trip justice. Suffice to say we've had fun - seen dolphins, a blue penguin AND the rare Red Topped Parakeet.

We're at Suzie's friend's house right now - Carol. Tonight it's out for a meal and another COLD beer- now why do they have to have it SO cold? Lager possibly, but IPA? Now I'm not a CAMRA member, but the flavour disappears, talking of which - Lion Red is the distant cousin of Cameron's Ruby Red Strongarm - coincidence?

That's it till Saturday - enjoy.

And we're off...

Well it's finally arrived after months of planning(and replanning!!) - we're off to Kiwi Land. Everything is nearly tickity boo - just need to tidy up our nest and pack the last few items then it's off to Heathrow and the waiting....

It;s wet everywhere....and we;re nearly off on our hols.

Good morning,


Sat here in wet Whipsnade on the last day of school residential trip. (want to know more - go to http://www.dellfarm.ik.org/ )


Keep getting phone call and e-mails from rellies in NZ telling us all about snow and wind and floods and rough crossing of Cook Straight - what's new!! Feels like we've had all that this week!! Weather forecast for today in Southern England is for TWO MONTHS rain in next 24 hours, and the first month is dropping down now.


Bought a couple of books to keep me company on our adventure (well I know it's not a REAL adventure holiday, no parabungyjumpraftriding thingymejigstuff happening, but it's OUR adventure), The Journal of James Cook and a The Explorations of James Cook. Hope to pick up the new/last Harry Potter at the airport as well.


Suzies very calm about all this, but she has been before - it's all new to me. Everything at home is packed, all we have to do is finsh work today, go out for a beer with Denice and John then it's up tomorrow an at 'em. The next time I get to write in here, we will be in New Zealand!!


Meanwhile, we're off for our "50 Dell Farm Miles" walk with the kids - well it's really about 5 miles through Ashridge Forest and a run up Ivinghoe Beacon - they enjoy it!!

Been a long time....

As it says on the tin, it's been a long time since we lit up the world with our thoughts on here - so for all of you out there who are waiting with baited breath - BOO!!

The Decanter Wars...

I think mine is best BUT Niecey doesn't....




... you choose...I think mine is best, (the dimpled one)...

but as Niecy has pointed out, it has got dust in its crevice. Niecey's is well travelled and referred to as the Beauty of Bengeo -who wishes to travel the world looking after deprived/depraved children and acknowledging Sailors needs (Being a sailors decanter) It must be appreciated that the B of B was brought up in an orphanage -I can bearly type as the tears well up in my eyes... The B of B was recently rescued, following payment of the ransom of £3.00 and is now a much cleaner, healthier and well travelled shapeley decant-her.

As UB40 ( and others) sang...Red Red Wine -:)

It's been a while since the last post (as Debs pointed out!). So what's been occurring in the Wood-Fazey (as we'll be known after August 2008) (or Fazey-Wood) household?

I suppose the answer is not a lot, unless you like gardening, then Suzie's been REALLY busy... well busier than she has been over the past twelve years here. We now have a patch of ( i can't remember the official name at present but they're blue) flowers alongside geraniums and anemone.

ALSO - I've done some DIY - well I put up a bracket for a hanging basket AND IT'S STILL THERE....

Now the 'garden' has been enhanced by a clematis Sue's sister Pam gave here - called Pretty Sue.. well she is XXX

Now - there are loads (isn't that a trite word, if my kids used it I would go ballistic!!) of blogs out there now and i like these;-

• http://cookingcutie.blogspot.com/ cos i like cooking.
• http://cb-jackson.blogspot.com/ cos i agree with (nearly) everything she says.
• http://livelaughlove-millville.blogspot.com/ cos they're, well. real.
• http://lottasplace.blogspot.com/ cos lotta's is more than a bit surreal ( now let's get onto Dali please....)
• http://quotestore.blogspot.com/ cos it's interesting to scan
• http://www.timemachinego.com/ukblogs/ cos it's loads of UK and not the colonial ones...and there's an awful lot of strange ones there as well....

Anyway, sat in the garden with Sophie in the flat above playing her flute, the weather is cooling and life is fine. Time for a song...

Easter and (oh well)...We're not on our way to Wembley....

Been a fairly relaxing Easter hols - (if you discount all the school stuff i should have done :)...

Easter Weekend was spent camping in Weymouth visiting Kids and Grandkids..

hot during the day.. Brrr during the night.... But some great sunsets.....







We did some fishing.. some climbing.... some bar-q-ing...

and some butterfly hunting.....

Oh and we did get stuffed by Man United, but scored a cracking goal, and played our socks off...

Happy Anniversary and Happy Easter....

Significant day last weekend - Suzie and me have been together for 4 years.... and she still likes me!!! Well perhaps not the football fanatic bit but..... We went out to the greek restaurant where we met - that old adage about never going back was distinctly true this time - boring....

Anyway, we're off to Weymouth today for easter, camping. Come on now everybody, fingers crossed for the weather:)

Here's the 'Proud Daddy Bit' !! or how to embarrass your daughter....

This young lady...

has been VERY brave and decided to take herself and

this young lady off to Wrexham to go to Uni. Bit of a life change eh....

And this is what she's going to read... http://www.newi.ac.uk/en/programmesandfees/undergraduate/BScHonsForensicSciencewithCriminalJustice/

Doesn't time fly when you're having fun!!

Just noticed that I haven't written anything or over a month - must have been a busy bee.

Life is moving along sweetly - mostly that is.

• WFC - well we're a dead cert for relegation. Looking forward to getting back to 'proper' football eg. 3 o'clock on a Saturday for a start, no more Premiership hype, decent opposing supporters, fans who are their for Watford, not those who have bought a season ticket because they' want to watch the Premiership opposition. BUT - we're in the semi final of the FA Cup!! We play Manchester United on 14th April...mnnnn. Oh Well let's have a fun day out.
• Hertford are OK - 2nd in league and semi-finals of east anglian cup.

Went to see England U21's at the new Wembley yesterday - great stadium, going to be noisy when filled.

Holiday plans coming along well - even made an itinerary !!!

23rd July Arrive Auckland 0515 -Stay at Aunt Joan’s.

24th /25th Pick up car – drive to Paihia.
Stay at Paihia – Trip on Dunerider. Booked.

26th Back to Auckland.

28th To Tauranga via Rotorua.

Aug 2nd Watch Rugby at Bay of Plenty ‘Steamers’

Aug 3rd Off to South Island via Wellington

4th August Across Cook Straight to Christchurch for
dinner. Then to Dunedin.

5th – 6th - Visit Albatross, Stewart Island.

7th To Queenstown.

8th Milford Sound Coach Trip.

9th Queenstown to Mt Cook Village

10th back to Cook Straight

11th Back to Bay of Plenty via Napier and
Gisbourne,

14th Back to Auckland – visit Carol.

16th Drop off car.
17th Leave……sob sob…

Big Decisions Week,,,,,

Seems that we're taking the bull by the horns, grasping the nettle, (or as Suzie put it - grab it while the irons hot) - (any more cliche's!!) - but the bottom line (see what I've done?) is we've taken the plunge and come up gasping for breath and have decided to get married.... So set your clocks for 3pm 16th August 2008 at Hertford Caslte. http://www.hertford.gov.uk/

Now the fun begins - who can we disappoint the most by not inviting them!!!

There's only room enough for 42 for a sitdown reception, so that's us two plus ....?

Top ten bestest things...

Been doing this on WFC forums - here's mine:-

http://www.wfcforums.com/showthread.php?t=7575&page=6

Suzie.

football per se.

warm(not hot)evening, sat in the sun with cold chablis, chilli wraps and Tubular Bells.

Cold Guinness

A really well cooked Chicken Jalfreizi, with Cobra

The prospect of a really long travelling holiday.

Last day of summer term - waving goodbye to all those little ones who have made me extremely tired over the past 32 weeks.

Rioja - well majority of good red wine.

Sat by Loch Ness with a glass of Glenlivet.

Grandchildren.

Yippee - it's a snowday....

Thank you weatherman - it's our now nearly annual snow-day off.

Lots of expectation by the kids at school all week about how they were going to spend Thursday having fun in the snow, and lo and behold, down it came!! Bit of trepidation waiting for the phone call to say get back into bed, but it came from the luscious Dianne.

So - back to the future - Our Kiwi Land Adventure.

Planning is developing nicely - getting our itinerary up and running, so to speak. Decided to hire a car and sleep in a bed, rather than the camper van we first considered.

So, plan so far:- arrive 23rd, stay in Auckland with Aunt Joan, then immediately decamp (sorry Aunt Joan) and leg it up to Northlands and stay at Paihia for a couple of nights - this is so we can go here for my brthday:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninety_Mile_Beach,_New_Zealand

Well - we've done it....

As I said here:-

http://lendal.blogspot.com/2007/01/thoughts-on-start-of-our-new-year.html

We're off to Kiwi Land!

Fly out from Heathrow 21st Jul at 4:15 pm, return on 18th Aug. Planning starts now :)

Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!! and OH F****

Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

Well, for those of you not 'involved' in supporting a particular team in any kind of sport, that kind of feeling must be hard to find.

We (Watford FC that is for those of you who perhaps haven't followed this little blog over the past couple of years - as an aside, that itself feels strange - am I just scribbling to myself or has anyone EVER looked at this?) have just won our second game of the season, beating Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1.

Amazing - after months of hard luck stories : hitting crossbars, last minute (and even 97th minute!!) penalties and controversial goals - it went our way, Blackburn own goal, gave them one back as we do, then great head in by Jay DeMerit. Felt like aftermath of Cardiff all over again.

Can we stay up - doubt it, but let's have fun and try boys...

OH F****

Another tale of footie = this time Hertford's VALIANT attempt t progress to the prestigious semi-final of the Herts Senior Cup.

Played League 2 team Barnett FC on Monday evening - good game and the boys gave it all ONLY to be done by a couple of poor refereeing decisions in added on time - free kick followed by a penalty.... I'll say no more just read.... http://www.hertfordtownfc.co.uk/barnethome22_1.htm

AND on a side note - Suze's been given her time off, so we ARE off to Kiwi Land in our summer..... better get myself sorted out as far as flying goes then.... :)

A=Z

Taggesd this from http://morgenfiles.blogspot.com/

A- Available or single? Not available. Technically single in the eyes of the law.
B- Best Friend? Suzie...XXX
C- Cake or Pie? Has to be Rich Fruit Cake, eaten with a slice of Wensleydale cheese.
D- Drink of Choice? Winter - probably red wine; Summer iced dry cider.
E- Essential Item? Mobile :-).
F- Favorite Colour? Yellow
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi Worms!
H- Hometown? Bengeo, Hertfordshire.
I- Indulgence? Big Breakfast before footie...yummy.
J- January or February? February, because it's closer to Spring.!
K. Kids and names? Claire & Debbie PLUS Alisha, Malik and Camlin...
L- Life is incomplete without? FOOTBALL
M- Marriage Date? ...err ask Suzie....
N- Number of Siblings? Hi Janice.
O- Oranges or apples? Apples
P- Phobias/Fears? Flying and out of control heights.
Q- Favorite Quote? I'll have to think about this for a while.
R- Reason to Smile? Alisha, Malik and Camlin...
S- Season? Autumn.
T- Tag three people! I'm Billy no mates me...
U- Unknown Fact About Me? If I told you it wouldn't be "unknown"
V-Vegetable you hate? SPROUTS!!!
W- Worst habit? Interupting people.
X- X-Rays you’ve had? Prostrate?
Y- Your favorite food? Depends on the mood, but probably charcoaled steak ('cos I can't have too often!!)
Z- Zodiac? Leo