Hello to all our old friends! We have finally settled in Timaru, New Zealand. Our suburn is Timaru Central. Timaru is on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand and it has a substantial port complex. It is located between Christchurch in the North (164 kms) and Dunedin in the South (200kms). We have enjoyed some delicious salmon steaks in the last week.

 

What a busy time we have had. In all, what I would have easily taken in my stride ten or twenty years ago, has been fairly stressful. Nearly all boxes have been unpacked and we are beginning to settle in. We can walk into the centre of Timaru within ten minutes; very convenient.

 

The weather has been amazing! It was 17 degrees Celcius yesterday and today. Have communicated with some of our friends in Rushworth, Australia,  and am trying to catch up on mail, administration and a dozen other things. In particular, we have been in contact with that marvellous place, the Rushworth Community House.

 

The Timaru people are very friendly. This is so in the banks, Post Office, shops, and other places. Apparently Timaru is knows for its friendliness. People are coming here all the way from the UK and many other places, to settle in this city of some 27,000 plus.

 

Janie has started to paint and restore this place. Hope to get a new kitchen and carpets installed in due time. Janie has been busy getting competitive quotes from a number of places. She is good at nearly everything, not just playing the piano.

 

Good to be back on line!