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October 2002 It's been a while since updates, as it's taken us that long to finish a roll of film (yes we're still traditionalists when it comes to photography, and we don't have a DVD player either). But we now have plenty to report. Flick's just back from a long weekend in Wellington, ostensibly to clean out the attic in the Stevens family home, but of course a good excuse to see friends and family, including baby Dominic, Toby and Diane's new addition. We seem to have more or less passed through the first round of friends' weddings, and are currently in an intensive baby phase, with recent congratulations to Sydney friends Maria and Cristoph on the birth of their son Hugo, Roger and Karen with their new arrival Ben, plus Flick's cousin Shane and fiance Tori's daughter Amy. Meanwhile, David had a lads' weekend including an ocean race to Port Hacking, the bone jarring NRL Grand Final clash between the NZ Warriors and Sydney Roosters at the Olympic Stadium, and a restorative afternoon at the Sydney International Jazz Festival. Earlier in September we loaded up the car and set off on a pilgrimage to Townsville in tropical North Queensland, where Flick spent her earliest years (but luckily avoided the ignominy of being born an Australian). On the way we camped, cycled, swam, snorkeled, sailed and sunbathed (only a little of the latter), with highlights including two nights "marooned" on Whitsunday Island, with a beach to ourselves, dolphins playing in the bay in the morning and gorgeous tropical sunsets.
We also met another new arrival on the Gold Coast in the form of cousin Bruce & Sandy's new daughter Ashleigh and had a delightful Sunday lunch with Jean and Grant in Brisbane. In July we had a visit from Flick's mother and grandmother, and late September Rose visited with her friend Jenny.
As Sydney heats up we're getting more into outdoors mode, with early morning bike rides along the beach front, plenty of sailing (the "all welcome" Friday Twilights commence on 8 November and we're currently leading the Manly Club Championship series - although it's early days yet) and barbecues. Work's been a hard slog for both of us this year, with Flick on the David Jones Trainee Buyer Course and Dave involved in heaps of projects and business development activities. We're looking forward to easing up a bit during the summer break and will be spending Christmas in Sydney for the first time before heading back to NZ for Rose and Ken's wedding in January. Friends are welcome to join us at Kuratau where we'll be staying between 12 and 17 January.
Catch you soon,
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