Collecting wool

Got up bright and early, as Toni was on her last early morning shift. Went back to bed. When I woke again I decided that today was a doing day. I did my household chores, then painted a watercolour. This is my new venture, as I'm hoping to sell them locally - I've got two comissions already! I've attached it, so hopefully Graham can put it in the photos section for you to see it - If anyone's interested, they're going for 30 dollars each, which is about a tenner - that's with friends & family discount mind!.

Larry the lamb

In the afternoon I joined the family for a spot of sheep shearing down the road. Got my hands dirty and collected the wool from the sheep while Daniel Sheered it. True Kiwi style, there were two people doing the work, and two people drinking Tui making sure everything was 'sweet as mate'!

Going to the cinema to see Harry Potter tonight (Toni's idea, honest!). Shouldn't be anyone else there as it starts after everyone else's bedtime at 8pm!

Fishing with Owen

Went fishing today AGAIN... better leave it for a bit or It'll just end up being a site called "Fishing with Owen" , free Werther's Originals to the lucky reader!

This time it was different, in the way that I actually caught two fish, a dogfish and a school shark.. yes, a shark! It might have been smaller than the dogfish and about 50cm long, but it was still a shark, and in about five years time I wouldn't want to mess with it!

Midway Beach

Went fishing on Midway Beach, the closest one to us - nothing again! Gorgeous day - good tan, slight sunburn, the sun is much stronger here (hole in ozone layer). Walked on the beach at sunset, fantastic sight! More photos on their way! At night the sky was crystal clear, so I got my first sight of the stars in the southern hemisphere, amazing.

Sheep shearing

Went to see Toni's brother Shane's workplace. He's in charge of blocks of vine roots, where the roots are grown and cut for the next process in wine making. Buds are attached the sticks of vine roots which go on to produce grapes. The area in which I live is wine country, and the house I live in is surrounded by vineyards and orchards!

I still prefer beer, I'm drinking Tui at the moment - not bad, and moving on to Red Lion next week! For the sake of Jake, I'll write a full account on the virtues of N.Z. beer when I have tried them all - I'm on my way!

Lord of the Rings

We watched Lord of the Rings at the cinema as they are showing it again before the second one comes out. Last time I watched it Toni and her Kiwi friend Lisa were blarting their eyes out as it reminded them of home - I now realise that they meant the scenery, and not the orks, balrogs and dragons! Had a 'chicken, camembert and cranberry burger' for dinner - delicious!

Tolaga Bay

Today we went fishing on the wharf in Tolaga Bay, about 30km from Gisborne. The wharf is the longest in the southern hemisphere, and pretty old too! Didn't fall off, but didn't catch any fish either! The bloke next to us caught a red snapper as we arrived, and muttered something about my squid bait scaring the fish off after that - Oops! Wonderful view of the bay.

Rained solid all afternoon, so we stayed in and wathed.. you've guessed it.. Coronation Street! It's either that or Shortland Street, and I have the advantage of seeing six months into corrie's future hehe!!

Where am I??

Oh Graham, now I'm really confused! Where am I?!!! My uncle Ivor was just extracting the urine - I'm not off to Oz for a while yet, not till next year anyway. Any news from Dom? When is the Wales v New Zealand match? I need to know so I can wear my welsh T-shirt hehe!! Can I have your address so that you can receive your very own postcard, don't worry no nude girls, just good ol' sun and sandy beaches!

Booyakasha rude bwoy

Owen the cheeseking

Owen's Photos

Hi all, hope all is good in your hemisphere! I've been clicking away like a lunatic, so here are some of my first pics in the land of the long white cloud, just to make you jealous hehe!!

Owen

Darius? So jealous!

Hi Graham!

Cheers for the e-mail, you're a star! Life in Cardiff sounds blissful, rain AND Darius!!! Thanks for doing the c.v and all of the other stuff, I really do appreciate it. Just done some hard yakker at Tonis' mums partners'? farm! Clearing trees and stuff, like Charlies garden army without Titmarsh! Matt phoned earlier to say hi, he sounds fine. Going to a real barbie tonight mate - all nurses, and I'm the only bloke... life's tough over here!! Hey it's weird how the moon is upside down here - and the water goes the wrong way down the plughole! Still, at least they drive on the proper side of the road like us, and I get to drive a Mazda 626!

All the best, say hi to Roseanna for me,

Owen Powers.

Matt's little tragedies

Hi Graham, hope all is well and business is booming! Having a brilliant time over here, all sorts to see and do! I'll send you some pics of my adventure when I get a chance - and set up the scanner!!

I've dropped my business card and c.v. off at a couple of places, but when I opened up the c.v. on a pc I realised that the logo was lost, so my name doesn't appear on it!! If I send an updated version of the c.v with my name, and my new contact address on it, would you be able to drop it in for me please?

Sweet as mate!

Keep me posted on Cardiff life and Matt's little tragedies!!

Owen

Taurunga

Hi! I'm having a great time in New Zealand - taking a while to adjust, people are really welcoming here - well they were until we won the rugby this morning!! I'm in Taurunga at the mo, went out with Tonis' dad and his partner last night, and sang the banana boat song on the karaoke in a local pub for local people - no surprises there!! So bad they asked me up for more! Got out alive. Going to meet some of Toni's friends for lunch, then to an Aunt's tonight. Going up to Gisborne tomorrow to meet her mum, sister, brother and niece! Beaches are fantastic here, and pretty secluded. The food and the service is really good, and the beer's not too bad either!

Bye for now, Owen