Date: 17th December 2004
Subject: Happy Christmas from Rotorua, NZ!

Well, I start my new job towards the end of January. I was in Sheffield last weekend and made a last minute decision to get away for the holiday period before I fling myself into work again. Guess what? I'm back in New Zealand! I flew out from Heathrow on Tuesday afternoon and arrived in Auckland at 5:30am on Thursday 16th (NZ time). I had booked a hire car (which I've got for the whole trip) and I was in Rotorua by 11am.

It's fantastic to be back. All my friends here are pleased to see me, if somewhat surprised! It's been great to catch up with everyone. The weather isn't that good unfortunately. It's still a lot, lot warmer than the UK right now but it's very windy and it rained quite a bit yesterday (sound familliar?).

I'm here right over Christmas and the New Year. I fly back to the UK on th 5th January and then it will all go mad while I look for a place to rent in Sheffield and start the new job.

My arm has just, in the last week, eased up a lot so I'm hoping, weather permitting, that I'll get some jumps in before I leave! I've got my rig with me (of course) and I'm just itching to get it on and jump again - watch this space for updates!

Cheers, Ian.