Firstly, apologies to those who have sent me e-mails recently and not had a response. As JP guessed I have been job hunting/interviewing, which has been a bit like hard work (especially after my 12 month holiday – ah, the good old days).

Anyway, those of you who took offense to my life of leisure will be glad to know that I have maintained my 100% interview to job offer ratio and am now the proud owner of full time employment in Nelson. And considering the complete lack of suitable jobs around I’m pretty pleased to have landed something.

I won’t bore you with the details (who cares really!) but it’s working for a decent sized printer, based in Nelson but covering the top of the South Island, looking after its existing accounts and new business. So, should you ever want to publish a book in NZ of your memoirs or get an annual report done then I’m your man – unfortunately not much use for any of you.

With Lisa and I now gainfully employed poor Buster has had to be shipped off to day care 5 days a week, which he is loving – though he does keep pooing in his pants but I think that’s just cause he cant remember where the loo is. Childcare over here is approx 50% cheaper than it was in Leeds, so whilst still bloody expensive, is much more in the realms of reality/affordability.

I have been making the most of my final few weeks of leisure by trying to get out on the bike more regularly. I have teamed up with some friendly locals and we do 3hrs or so on a Sunday and the occasional mid-week 2-3hr ride as well so the fitness is coming back slowly but surely. The only problem is the hills/mountains around here – now I know that mountain bikes were made for mountains, but I am not sure I was. On pretty much every ride we will climb at least 2 hills over 700m high, with some other cheeky little assents thrown in for a laugh. This is made the more gruelling by there not being much flat to speak of, its up, across a ridge line, and then down, down, down. The down bits are great, and you get a good 20mins descending in before the next Col de Misery approaches but it’s certainly not for the weak of leg. Ah well, they are a good crowd (apart from some Yank who comes out on a fully rigid single speed some time – I guess it takes all sorts) and come summer I should be pinging fit – or have given up biking for life!

The other big news round here is the Aus V All Black game tonight. Bloody Aussies gave the All Blacks a pummeling last weekend (thanks, so I believe, to their NZ coach) so tonight, for the second test in Auckland, there really is a lotto play for. The Kiwis don’t have much time for a loosing All Blacks team so if this one doesn’t go their way I think all hell will break loose.

Cheers for staying in touch everyone and I’ll put some new pics up onto Flickr this weekend. We are also off snowboarding next weekend at Rainbow so I’ll let you know how we get on.

PJ

 


Comments

Garry

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:51:43

Congrats on the job! I hope it's not too much of a shock to the system. Who rides the bike to work now?

 

Celia & Roy

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:26:47


Congratulations Paul, well done on beating off the competition...we are sure that you will really enjoy the working routine again?! So now can we expect the Guest Suite to be improved and updated, in preparation for our visit? It should be fun tonight if you get to watch the Game with your Kiwi chums..Good Luck to N.Z. (Hi Garry).XX
Send Buster over to Lily in Melbourne, she'll get him toilet-trained in a week, it's her speciality. Better still, invite them over to your place for a week or so,Jim'd love an excuse to have a break from Melbourne.

 

jemma

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:50:06

 

jemma

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:19:15

Well done on landing the job pj. I can think of some things I may need a discount on printing for so can you stay there for a few years!?

Been hearing stories of dreadful weather, even in Nelson. So you are having a proper winter now?? Ugh. Keep reminding myself of the wisdom of Billy Connelly - There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.

 

PJ

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 13:05:14

Hey Jem - yep, definitely had a big storm blow through but it was almost fun. Super high winds, trees falling all over the place - even the wheely bin (which weighs a fair bit) went spiraling off down the road. Still, its nice and sunny and calm again now so at least the weather comes and goes, unlike the UK where it kind of squats on top of you for months at a time. Lisa was down the beach with B Dog yesterday watching a sailing race in just jumpers so its not all bad. Should be nice and hot by the time you guys get here though. Are you back in the land of sand yet? We need a website update after all the activity last month.

Holla

 

KAY

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:54:01

Got yourself a job hey....Bummer, that means I'm gonna have to give mine up - can't have more than one jennings family member working at a time, it'll ruin our slack image. Must dash, got a letter of resignation to write!!

 

jemma

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:01:04

We had a freak storm that I thought was fun too until the whole flat flooded.
Sorry about the lack of updates but we have been internet-less for a week. Been up the Northumberland coast with the folks, walking on beaches and eating endless fish and chips and scones and tea. Steve is off walking in the lakes and I am in Ncle for another week. Meeting up in York at the Robinson's on Monday. Getting there should be fun, I have to lug 4 suitcases there on my own!
Hanging about in Leeds for a bit then going to manchester. After that we will be heading back to the land of sand. Actually looking forward to getting back and cracking on with the new school year. New kiddies and only one term til we come to see you!! Hooray. Almost bought a guide book second hand the other day but it was 6 years old. Will get a new one and start planning a plan asap!

 

Simon

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:35:25

Hey Brue
Welcome to my world of full time employment, and commiseration's on the new job!!! Only joking really pleased for you. I am winging my way over to NewZealand at the end of August. Do you fancy putting this old travelling salesmen up for a night or two if i end up near Nelson? My new mobile number is 0412118742 i will talk to you soon
from
Chief walla walla Parkinson Eh!!

 

PJ

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:07:54

Hey Jem - go into the local travel agents and see if they have an NZ DVD's left. They had them when we were planning our trip and it was alright for nowt - had some nice video anyway. If they don't have one let me know and we can post ours over to you.

 

PJ

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:12:42

Now the Simon - G'day and all that. How are you guys settling in? Got a nice long e-mail from Wendy the other day (yet to reply!!) with some of the news. I'll get a phone card this weekend and give you guys a bell now we have your telephone numbers.
Definitely stop here if you are over this way - that would be great. We are about a 45min flight from Wellington and about 1hr flight from Christchurch. Just let us know a date and we can get the tent pitched out back (not really). Anyway, I could do with milking your mind for some sales tactics - you know, some of that Parkinson Jedi sales patter that has them signing on the dotted line before they even know whats happening!
Say HI to Wendy and Jasmin for us, I bet they are both in their element aren't they.

 

simon

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:14:40

Hey Brue
Make sure the tent is pitched. I am coming your way. I will be flying into Christchurch on Sunday 24th August and will be staying there for a couple of nights. I will try and plan some visits in Nelson so i can stay the night with you guys and catch up on all the news. To be honest it will be great to drop the Aussie twang and talk to you guys in English Yeh Yeh!! I am in New Zealand until Friday so i am sure we will get together. As for the sales tips. I will bring my A-Z of sales tips manual and put you through my special 10 minute induction course so you can can become an honorary member of the STP blaggers club. I know you will do well!!!
Any way later Yeh Yeh!

 

Roy and Celia

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:15:19


Well said Kay, we don't know whatever happened to the 'Work Ethic' our brood were brought up to respect. We reckon it must be time for you to have a taste of a Life of Leisure.
We're sure that Paul is rarin-to-go after twelve months of domesticity........bet Buster's glad too, not forgetting Lisa.
Personally, we're enjoying our (well-earned) retirement. But don't quit yet, you'll need the extra cash to get you and Tony over to NZ & OZ for a jolly holiday with your siblings!

 

JP

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:45:51

Congrats on the job Paul, I can leave you alone now. My mentoring is complete and you are once again a contributing member of society.

Goodbye.


JPxxxxx

 

kay

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:13:14

Sport update for you and Gary - the mighty PNE have got of to a flying start this season with a 2-1 win in their 1st game (can't remeber who they were playing - I'm not that interested!)

 

kay

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:14:59

Oops that should be off not of (see mum and dad those school fees didn't go to waste!)

 

JK

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 13:20:28

Hey PeeJay
you'll be pleased to know your Commencal came out best in test with MTB Gold and Value in this month's MB Action.

I won't take the piss out of your new job as everyone else has. i imagine it's a bit like Martin Clune's office in Men Behaving Badly.

Off to France for 2 weeks in the flattest part of France possible so obviously i'm taking my bike, will think of you on the hills. i think GB has spread to the whole of Europe as the forecast there is the same as here. shit. still, there's endless champagne houses to visit.

what's French for 'never mind the tour, it's the Olympic cycle races that count'?

Au revoir

 

Garry

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:22:06

G'day

How's the job going (You must be due for a holiday?).

How was the snow? Have they rescued your PM yet?

The Mighty Bombers are ending their season nicely after a shaky start under the new coach; and as Kay points out PNE have started well - sitting 5th. As Irvine said "it was a magnificent result". Life's good.

Got any plinktun? I still have a chuckle.

 

Celia & Roy

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:17:57

Hey Garry, what's all this about SNOW?! Do tell,...what's the story about the lost PM?
Spill the beans.
Paul's busy with his new job, not to mention watching the Olympic cycling events on't tele, so we haven't had a catch-up for about a week.
Also we've had Ken (Uncle) with us for a week's holiday, it has been great, he is very well (considering...!)
Heard from Wendy, she says everything is great ...EXCEPT FOR THE B.......G RAIN!!
So don't try and kid a kidder, we KNOW it can rain in Australia. XXX

 

Garry

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:52:49

Hi Celia & Roy

My query about the snow relates to Paul's 1st August post wherein he mentions that they are "off snowboarding next weekend at Rainbow so I’ll let you know how we get on". I haven't heard how they got on, so just checking that they got back OK.

The missing PM refers to Helen Clark, NZ's PM, probably little heard of in your neck of le woods.

Actually her story turned serious when her guide tragically died http://www.theage.com.au/world/nz-pm-rescued-after-guide-dies-20080815-3vu7.html

By contrast, weather here predictable, and not bad for deepest mid-winter, as you can see:
Perth Forecast
Issued at 4:50 am WST on Monday 18 August 2008

Warning summary
Nil.

Forecast for Monday
Fine. Light to moderate N/NE winds, easing in the afternoon and tending W/NW.

Precis: Fine.
City: Max 23
Mandurah: Max 20

UV Alert: 10:40 am to 2:10 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 4 [Moderate]
Fire Danger: Coastal Plain: NOT RATED
Hills: NOT RATED

Tuesday Fine. Min 5 Max 20
Wednesday Fine. Min 8 Max 18
Thursday Fine. Min 8 Max 20
Friday Fine. Min 7 Max 22
Saturday Fine. Min 6 Max 23

http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDW12300.shtml

When they say "Fine", they really mean "not a cloud in the sky in any direction, with a sky so blue you'd think you were dreaming".

I agree with Wendy, it does rain a lot in Melbourne (aka "Rain City"). Actually, Melbourne is Aboriginal for "lots of rain", and is an anagram of "more rain", although not in English.

Good to hear Ken is still going strong, I was wondering how he is getting on.

BTW I heard a whisper that your house is on the market?

Cheers

 

Celia

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:12:53


morning Garry. Which of your e-mails should I use to write to you directly, I've got 2 or 3, obviously old ones.
Ours is roy.celia@virgin.net
send me yours.
You remember that old song (maybe not)...TIMING!?
Yep, well, we got it badly wrong this time around, and our House hit the Market place just on the dot of everything going pear-shaped and property taking a nose dive over here in the UK. We talked about it for too long without getting on with it. So now we are stuck.
XXX
PS. In the 'Telegraph' on Saturday there was a picture and the full story of the NZ P.M. Helen and her guide/old friend. Tragic.

 

Garry

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:05:06

Hi Celia

My e-mail address is garry.taylor@paramountmining.com

Now slaving away on the accounts, ready for the audit which starts on Wednesday. I've got to finish them this weekend because I'll be in Sydney on Tuesday and Wednesday and I want to send the stuff over to the auditors tomorrow. It's bearable though, because I've got Deadmau5 on in the background (a gentle foot-tapper).

Quick joke: Why did the auditor cross the road?

Because they looked in the file and that's what they did last year. (Boom Tishhhh!)

Why did they cross back?

To collect their fee. (Snigger)

Maybe the omens are telling you to stay put, at least for the time being. Where are you thinking of moving? Perth? Did I tantalise you with the weather details? I should mention, sensational weather's only the start...

 

Garry

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:23:50

Footy season's over for me now. It's finals time, but the Mighty Bombers didn't make it so I'll be busy catching up with some gardening.

On the brighter side North End doing well (as expected) and sitting 2nd. Kay, I hope you were at the game?

 

kay

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:19:47

Errr..no I missed Saturdays game, but got numerous txt off Tony - evidently it was a very good game. The "boys" have got their season tickets in the new stand this year, which I am informed gets the afternoon sun which all adds to the PNE experience!

 

Garry

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:06:34

North End playing and kissed by the sun too! Sounds alright.

Trying to imagine the (old) boys sitting in the Invincibles Stand with their sunnies on... cool as, eh!

 

jemma

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:05:20

welcome to the 'work=no time/energy to keep up with your diary' club! Hope work/life/parenting etc is all going well.
Emailed a couple of times to ask about the possibility of you guys getting some time off for new year. We would like to go to Queenstown and our NZ mates say its a must. Means less time elsewhere though.
I have written a stack of diary entries so just waiting on steve to get time to post them. He's going in to work today tho so maybe tmrw.
Its 45 deg here and humid as.
Going shopping and will have to remember not to take any life saving drinks of water otherwise its the clink for the rest of ramadan!
xxx

 

PJ

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:51:37

Hey Jem - that should be no probs. Things over here shut down at Christmas/New Year like they do in Italy over the summer. Most people have at least 2 weeks off, and lots have 3. The e-mails didn't come to our home inbox I don't think - I guess that you have maybe sent them to Lisas work.
So whats the deal with Ramadan - can you not drink or eat anything? What happens if you swallow a fly and need a drink? What happens if your diabetic? If I were you I would use these two excuses almost continually.
How was it getting back into the swing of things after your summer Euro tour? I hear Steve had his mountain bike love rekindled by JP in some dark Welsh woods - I wont ask for details but I will make sure I have a bike ready for him to have a blast on when you come over.
I'll be checking for updates - tell Bads to get on with it.
The latest craze sweeping the Jennings household is Ping-Pong, I have a 100% loosing record at my mates ping-pong parlor so need to go buy a racket, some terry towling sweat bands and some nylon short shorts to make me competitive. Who said NZ isn't at the cutting edge of entertainment.
Peace out

 

jemma

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:05:08

We can't eat or drink in public. If you are ill or diabetic you don't have to fast but still have to be discreet and not go pouring cold fizzy coke down your gullet in front of anyone!
I sent emails to Lisa's Gmail. Does she not use it anymore? What is your home one again? That's great if you have time off...we are going ahead and booking flights from Queenstown then. If you want some extra quality copley time then thats where you'll be.
I am going to clean the bathroom so I will make steve do the website in exchange. After he has made breakfast and hoovered.

 



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