Welcome to James & Amy's News & Views!



Monday, March 10, 2008

Car Accident...

Last Wednesday morning while driving to work, someone decided to drive into me! I was minding my own business, and then suddenly – BANG – a car turns across the road straight into my bonnet. He said that he thought I was turning left onto a side road – so started to turn. Anyway we were both OK. Within seconds we’d got out of our cars, people had come over to see if we were OK. Some men pushed our cars off the road and others swept the street of the debris and spilled liquid. Others came to me and gave me their details offering to witness that it was the other guys fault. A towing company came up to us and offered to tow our cars to their place for storage. It was 5 mins of beautiful human kindness! Thankfully the other guy admitted full responsibility and I get a full insurance payment. But a shame I’d just spent $182 on 12 months rego 6 days beforehand, put $60 petrol 2 days earlier, $15 Oil that morning and we can’t claim back the 4 months Insurance premium we’d already paid. Even sadder for the other guy who'd only just bought the car and has no insurance! So we're now looking for a new car - fun! :)

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Sydney Trip...

In February we took a flying 4 day visit to Australia's largest city to celebrate one of James' friends wedding. Richard (the groom) was born 2 days after James in the same hospital and they've been friends since. It was doubley good to see Neil (the best man) who we had both grown up with and continue to be friends with - 29 years later! We also took in the tourist sights including the Opera House, The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo and the Olympic Stadium! We were also able to spend time with Bonnie, Rob and kids, other friends who James had worked with in the South West of England. It was great reminiscing with people of old and introducing my wife! Thankfully it wasn't too hot and the spiders weren't too big and we were blessed with a rental car that had only done 22k - brand new! Good times!






















Summer Holidays...

After a lovely low-key Christmas, we headed off to the West Coast of the South Island. Making use of the last time we could use Amy's family batch we pitched in Reefton and relaxed with the Sandflies. It was great to spend time with some of Amy's extended family, and we had a number of Christchurch visitors doing their summer travels. Highlights included the Reefton Races (came out evens) and a day trip to Pancake Rocks - see photo's. Then we headed north to Nelson to celebrate Abbie's 21st birthday (Amy's ex-flattie). It's a beautiful country!