Well, it was a long time coming, but we finally had our first trip back to NZ in 3.5 years. The end of our school terms were rushed and chaotic, our check in time being 3 hours from the time we finished work.



It was Great to see all our friends and family again after so long away. We discovered that there had been many changes in our homecity, yet something were just the same. We spend Christmans at our respective families, eating far too much.

New Years was a worry for a while when it looked like it would be just me and Tina. Luckily Brett decided to pool in with us, and after some organisation by Tony, we ended up having quite a gathering of faces, old and new. An excellent night led us into the new year and a hangover.

When it came down to it, the days seemed to rush past and it was time to leave before we had done some of the things we had mean't to do like catching up with Hila and Mark (almost managed it) and traveling up north to Tina's country town she grew up in. Never mind, only Two more years of our adventures, then back to NZ to start a family.






It's been a bit of a social two months for us both. What with Paul's Ofsted inspection (he did very well) and the end of year festivities, not much progress in the 'fitness' department has been occuring. With the upcoming trip to NZ also, it looks like our diets will have to take a back seat till the new year.



Paul has just handed in his resignation at his job. He was tired of the extra (unpaid) work it entailed. Come new year , he will be back to doing Day to day supply work, which does not affect his pay at all.
Tina has also given notice of her intention to leave at the end of the school year (July). Then we both intend to move (in timing with our lease) to North London. It will be a nice change from Westham.






Opppsss...guess we left it a bit long again to update our page, so this entry will have to cover the last 2 months. What have we been up to?

In august we went to Prague. We made a short video of our travels which can be viewed on-line by clicking 'Travel' on the left-hand menu. We had a great time, enjoying a strong buying power of the pounds we took with us.

Patrick and Nicky, friends from NZ, arrived in london and we have been catching up with them quite a lot. It's great to have some other kiwis for company. Tina is a bit down because her best friend, Karen, has left for France.

We both started back at school. Paul in his new Nursery position, Tina with her new year one class. She has found it very easy, the children being far better behaved than her year fives from last year.




Well, we've been a bit slack again with the news, so here's two months in a row....

Vikki and Dave, two friends from New Zealand arrived in London and stayed with us. It's great to catch up with all the goings on back home, although I feel that they may have got a taste of the 'living in a london box' situation inside our small flat.

Paul brought a new Video Camera. Our last one was ruined when we spilt lemonade on it. This one is digital and also doubles as a standard 'photo' camera. Paul wants to make some short films, so the device will serve several purposes. We are able to store video (in the form of real media files) on our website. If you check out the 'Photos' section, you can see one of these videos.

It was our friend Karen's birthday. She and Paul's mate, Bradley have kinda got together and Paul made a video of the night.

Tina has brough herself a Bike. She has been keeping to the fitness program and has lots heaps of weight. Paul has lost some, but it is difficult as he has given up smoking. In an attempt to burn of the extra energy aquired through a return of appetite, he has joined a Badminton club where he plays weekly.

It has been the Last days at school for both of us. We get 6 weeks holiday after which we




Hi there, just a short note about May. We've been quite relaxed of late. We got some holidays in the form of Mid-term break. It was nice to have a week with nothing to do but sit around the house and catch up on all those household chores.

It was our wedding aniversary on the 29th, so we went out for dinner. A whole year!
Paul has started to give up smoking. He is taking a new drug called Zyban, rumoured to be highly effective in stopping the habit. He gets to keep smoking until he decides to give up...so he's very happy.




Well, it's been 3 weeks since we got back from Tenerife. We are now somewhat tanned and feeling drained already. Despite three 4-day weeks, we have had busy weekends (until today) and not much chance to sit down an relax at home.

We have brough a new computer, the old one barely working, now adorns our bedroom. We got all-sorts of goodies as part of the cheap package, including a webcam and microphone. If you want to catch up with us, try to get online around 5pm to 12pm (GMT) most weeknights. Unfortunately (for our kiwi friends) thats 5am to midday. Not so good if you work.




Just got back from a gaming weekend at the isle of wight. It's funny how when you go away to relax and end up coming back more exhausted than ever. Now we are really looking forward to heading of to tenerife at the end of term for a week of sun and sand and nothing to do but get a tan and swim. I have gone white as ever as a result of this london winter.

Tina is off to see her aunt and mum in Austria and I am off to spend a weekend on the otherside of london with Bradley, like last time. Tina says he is a good babysitter for me.

(more as it comes to hand...)




Back at school. Working hard. I've scanned some pics of our little car and current flat. Our's is the second floor up. .The BBC TV program with me in (based around a selection of Australasian teachers) aired and it is supprising how many people saw it. I have had a few people jokingly ask me for autographs. I should start charging.



We both had a week off for mid-term break. Due to our strict budget and rigid savings reguime, we we forced to stay home and used the time wisely and Cleaned the house. Our landlady came arround to sign our new lease for yet another year.

We went out for Vallentines day and saw a one-man-play called 'sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. Quite good, but rather longwinded. After the play we went further into town to a dive of a place called 'Maz's olde time rock and blues' where we had a great night with two Louisiana friends and a mate of mine whose band was playing. Didn't get home till 5am.

We've had a few Car Problems but they've been fixed by a strange but friendly man in Eastham who loves pornography and campervans. .He claims to recognise me drive by each day as he is just up the road from my work. Nonetheless, the job he did was cheap and seems to have done the car wonders. A good thing concidering the ammount of snow we've had lately...


Paul.
x x x





Been busy with the end and beginning of the half-terms. My class is going well, I am exhausted by the meetings/planning. Still concidering what to do next year. I think I should take advantage of the variety of work available through supply. I would stay teaching the younger ages but travel around different schools.

Went to a club called "Cloud 9" in Vauxhall, south of the thames for our New Years Party. We accompanied two NZ friends (Steph & Anna-marie) and some of their own friends, and danced until 6am, just in time to catch the tube home. Fabulous night out and a great way to welcome the new year, 2001!