Time of a BIG thank you!

Thanks to everyone who has contacted me recently, and there seems to be so many of you. I have felt very loved and supported, which always makes life so much more WONDERFUL (and a hell of a lot easier!).

Thanks to those of you who have posted messages on here – Gaz and Nga, Don and Caleb. Seems to be an upper North Island thing – perhaps northerners are just more technologically savvy (that would explain Chas’ difficulties to some extent – only to some extent though, some of his difficulties will always remain a mystery I’m sure!). Could also be that northerners are just that little bit more open, that little bit more courageous. Having had contact with some of you lately I realise that for some putting down your thoughts for all to see can be a bit daunting, so hey I fully understand.

Obviously I do not have the same qualms (well not to the same extent anyway) as recent posts probably indicate (and there was that previous brief comment of my time at the psychologist – which one very close friend has recently drawn to my attention).

Anyway, all I can say to those of you hesitant to post on here – give it a try, just something innocuous and brief to begin – small steps….

And thanks to those who have tried so valiantly to get on here and are having difficulties:

• Buck me ole mate – too long in the saddle methinks pal – thanks for all your efforts, and I know one day I will see those words that only you can write up here somewhere, and I am looking forward to some collaboration on some music in the future. Don tells me the CD is almost ready for release…
• Jim. Got your email. Man it was GREAT to hear from you. You are my teacher, you know that. I wouldn’t be right here, right now if not for you. There is so much I want to thank you for – you have inspired me, counselled me, dreamt with me, led me in so many directions that my head spun at times (and there was that one time when it spun so much I ended up crashed out on your driveway I recall). You were the one who led me to Buddhism – you are forever in my ‘buddhism story’ – and it is one that I tell often. ‘Story is story’ as a good mutual friend often says!

Kate, thanks once again for all the support. You just seem to never give up – you are fantastic my young and gorgeous friend! My chat with you and Tobias at home the other day lightened my heart and lit up my day – well three days actually as I am still illuminated. That you have befriended my son in the way that you have – and I can hear the deep and genuine love he has for you in his voice – is magical. There is nothing more a father could ask for, than to know his child is with someone who loves him deeply. Thanks my friend.

And only briefly, cause you deserve a post all on your own (although you never bloody read the thing anyway) – Tobe – I literally don’t know where to begin. Perhaps with our long chat on the phone the other day. I have not spoken to anyone like that since I left. We have a closeness that is like no other I have. You make my heart soar with your knowing, your truth. And your suffering touches me like no other.  You are a true seeker – you have achieved so much already in your life, perhaps things you do not even recognise. You have done things very few young men have. You have experienced and felt and understood things about the world and yourself that very few people have. I love you so so much, and am and always will be so grateful that you chose to be in my life. You too are my teacher – thank you for the huge lessons you have taught me.

Oh and that reminds me – just in case there is anyone else with similar concerns – I AM NOT GOING BANKRUPT – how could I with so many friends in my life. I am richer beyond riches, for I know your friendship will never cease to be. This for me is the real abundance in life, from which I draw strength and courage every day.

So thank you all – I LOVE you to bits. Be happy – life is a most WONDERFUL thing WHATEVER happens.

x bhavatu sabbe mangalum x

Have just read your latest posting of your hikoi through Scotland, anxious to see the photo’s  from this trip. Wow Gibby, I was blown away with your letter to Toby and Max.  Am disappointed to hear about it all, especially knowing how much you and the boys did, right up to the time Vicky passed. Mind you Gaz n I are reading between the lines. Well I hope things improve for you all.   Well taku hoa will give the computer over to the master.  Arohanui Nga . the master ? , yeah right it has been raining here for ever.  Jon is in the Solomons  and I seem to spend most of my time with DJ and Nga. I am trying to be a bit more disciplined. I get up earlier and take the dog for a walk every morning, not much but will try to extend it as  I go.  Am also making a effort to complete study concerning work unit standards.

Hope you find work soon . you probably have already. be happy my bro keep that smile going it serves you well. By the way I had a bit of good news, my brother Pete is back home in Brisbane from Kabul. he is taking six months off. He now works for a private British firm doing security work so I am happy he is having a break.

Hey Gaz,

Great to hear some more news, and I think it’s wonderful you are taking some very practical and sound steps to counter the effects of the gathering economic storm. Most praiseworthy. Hopefully you have those veges all harvested (at least once) before the storm has blown over (as they always do). I’m in a bit of a mini economic storm myself at the moment (I guess that makes it more of a mild zephir that a storm)- and it’s pretty much a completely internal storm – although there is the occasional leakage, and Cari bears the brunt of that (bless her). All good practice though – practising accepting the change in the weather without judgement. No ‘darkening clouds’ or ‘threatening horizons’, simply a change in the weather lol.

I was thinking today of the perfect job (cause I am going to be getting one soon, and I might as well put some thought into it). And I came up with this….

1. a car goes with the job
2. the job involves a lot of travel (say 3-4 days a fortnight)- all over a part of the country, preferable south east England (cause that’s close enough and I ain’t been there, or know much about it).

And thats about as far as I got – oh no wait, and….

3. it involves meeting a lot of people.

Spent last weekend moving house. Not that it’ll mean that much to you, but Cari bought a house in Morden and we hired a van and moved all her stuff on Friday (three trips in a Transit van – she doesn’t have much stuff). The trip from Roehampton to Morden meant a journey through the centre of Wimbledon, and of course the tennis was on, so that was an entertaining ride each time, and I can honestly say I was at Wimbeldon during the tennis this year. Actually watched the end of the final on TV – great game. Anyway, all good, totally moved in and making ourselves at home.

Went out to a PARTY on Saturday night at Phil’s in Illford. Again doesn’t mean much to anyone who isn’t so au fait with London as myself (almost a born and bred Londoner already – well at least I picked out an Essex accent in the Charity Shop this morning – no way could I have done that 3 months ago). Anyway from Morden to Illford is a loooooooooooong way – a bus and two tubes (which isn’t any big deal in itself) but these were loooooooooooooooooooooong tube rides. Anyway to put it in more straightforward terms – it took us about 1.45 hours to get there. And then when we did get there, realised how long it was going to take to get back (the same amount of time obviously – that took a while to figure out), and we did the math, we realised that we had about 90 minutes to spend at the party.

And we timed it just right!! The crowd had thinned, and kept thinning (nothing to do with us arriving I was assured…) – just the stayers left – Phil and her mates – and lots of food, especially loads of awesome trifle! So we got stuck into that, well I think perhaps I got more stuck in than Cari. Thanks Phil, the food was delicious! And great to see all your children again, and for them to meet Cari. You have wonderful children – well adults now really. And thank you to Dan’s girlfriend, who I have forgotten the name of (that’s my memory for you – however she was very memorable) – whose complete adoration for Paul McCartney combined with her Argentinian cultural being, in particular her lovely linguistic take on English – made for one of the most memorable stories I have heard in a loooooooooooong time. Hmmm seems to have been a night of long things.

So Cari and I had a fabulous time, thanks Phil, and thanks to…..er….Eve (?) for the lift to the station. She’s is a FUN person – and we all had a great yarn about kids and parenting and suffering and masculinity (the two do go together so well) on the way there. And a long trip back – with a most wonderful change from the Central Line to the Northern Line at Bank (that was wicked fun).

x bhavatu sabbe mangalum x

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Kia ora e hoa.

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Well us country bumpkins have finally managed to get connected. Current update on CIE course’s. 17 graduating from carpentry tomorrow (highest number yet). 14 ready to start forestry course. Good numbers. Thank you for the card, will keep in touch. Gaz

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It has been  great following  you on your website as you travel around England. The photos have been excellent. You put us right there with your korero and photos. I am enjoying the tour and look forward to logging onto this site whenever I get a chance too. Jessie,  Davo and DJ are all well. DJ is 18months going on 4 years.  Jon is training at Linton at the moment. Will be going back to Solomons next month for a 6month peacekeeping stint.  I spend Mon to Fri 8am to 4pm trying to keep up with DJ.  Weather is very cold at the moment. Snowing up and down the two islands. Got the log fire burning every night. It is anti pollution firebox.  DJ is just getting out of the bath have to give gaz a hand to dress him. Will catch you next time round. Tena Koe Caroline.  Nice to know about you. Arohanui Nga and Whanau.

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