Hello from kaiapoi. well we are back from the windy, wet and hailing deep south after a very wet week at the new velodrome. twice we had the temperature gauges reading 0 deg as we left the track sessions. It was so hot driving down, as we got within cooey of Invercargill the rain spots started to hit the windscreen and they really didnt leave (just got heavier and harder) until we were almost at Lumsden coming back. The Nats were fantastic and relatively stress free for us as we were not staying at either of the Canty teams accomodations. Good to catch up with people we only see at these events. John Morell came down for fri & sat, but I really feel he is far from well, poor guy.Came home to stack a huge load of firewood that had arrived half an hour before we left and a letter wanting our input into a meeting with CYF for Levi and Armstrong as things have turned to custard for them with Jed. They are currently staying with Aunty Skinny until we can get Jed sorted out.Ashley and Kellie are doing well and settled into their new home. Ash is training 2X a week for the Mot soccer team. Engagement party planned for Easter up there.Called in to see Jo in Ashburton but she wasnt home. Seems to be adjusting to the big changes in her life. Aaron and Anna left last Tues to go back to London.While they were here they had a baby scan and now know they are having a boy. They really want Jo to go over to be with them when she has the baby. They are shifting back here to live in Oct this year, prob in West Melton. Dall, Liam and Kady came for dinner tonight: both kids were buzzing-liam was full of school stories and kady her usual busy self. I did miss them after a week away. Garys off back to work tomorrow- might need to get a map out so he can find the way- its been a while since they saw his cheery face there. We are doing the city to surf this sunday and Gary is doing Le Race the following weekend. We do need some riding time to for our big ride, altho we rode the Canterbury Charity hospital 75km race the weekend before last. It was quite eventful ( for me anyway) as we had a spoke pop in the front wheel, then a puncture which had to be fixed on the side of the road as we were using racing wheels and the spare tube on the bike was for a mountainbike wheel. That happened just GlenTui side of the Gary River bridge so it was a great opportunity for me to take my numb buttocks off the bike seat for a few minutes( almost like I planned it ,cos I was getting very sore). we were on our way up and down the hilly bits when a huge sheep truck and trailer flew past us very closely, giving me especially a fright. We got up to 68km speeding down hill ( you know how Gary loves that bit) but the rides up hill were decidingly slower- about 12-15km. Finally we reached the top of German Rd and I thought we would be zooming home with a big down hill ride to Cust. Easy as! No such luck! as we turned left into the corner the bike shot across the road, through the shingle on the far side of the road, bounced straight over the short grass verge and raced out of control down hill, fast as through the thick long grass and bush, under a wee plantation of pine trees with us hanging on for grim death, to emerge out of the other end with pine needles all over us and gary with scratched arms to continue riding on down German rd. Whew! How your father managed to hold the 2 of us upright I dont know- we had a semi hard or should it be soft tyre and a buckled wheel. I know understand why Gary has a reputation around the country as being a fantastic handler of a bike in any situation.He was desparate to remain upright he reckons cos if we had fallen he would never have got me back on again. True! Any ways, we finished in the middle of the field apparently and other than having stiff sore legs for a few hours we survived our first big ride together. Now, some goss for you-Ashley Cook is going to be a dad in September.I have also heard that theres lots of friction within the soccer teamthis year within the powers that want to be in control.Dan and Michelle are getting married in Nov this year( not sure if I told you that or not), and brother Peter has been dragged out of retirement or what ever he was calling it to fill in as the reporter with the Northern Outlook. Other brother Lyndsay (sword) turns 50 this weekend and uncle John is involved in some trial diet using legumes and grains through the hospital research teams. Megan has left NZ again via India and is currently in Italy I think. Well thats it folks. gary thinks I'm writting a novel so I will give up now. Daylight savings finishing is already having an effect on me so I need to get some beauty sleep. After tonite its only 7 more sleeps till we see you both. Love ya's, swordies