Daily Commute

I have posted a new photo album showing, among other things, my daily commute down Queen Street and a variety of shots from Devonport, across the harbour from Auckland. JB and I have been house-hunting every weekend over there and have found some real possibilities. It's a beautiful little community, with access to Auckland's waterfront via a 10-minute ferry ride. Now that's my kind of commute. You can also drive, but the traffic can be a problem during peak times. There is a very beautiful, walkable golf course, and some great beaches. All in all, pretty much paradise.

JB leaves tomorrow for the States and will be in Bend from the 3rd through the 20th. I will leave Auckland on the 23rd and will be in Bend until the end of the first week in August. I don't have a return flight yet, so the itinerary is not set.

The entire country is still in awe of Michael Campbell's historic US Open win. It's probably the biggest thing to have happened to a Kiwi since Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mt. Everest. Parliament delayed it's session to watch the event along with the rest of the country. Now the British and Irish Lions Tour is reaching it's peak and will be in Auckland beginning Tuesday. Prince William has arrived and the next test match is tonight in Wellington. We are planning on being invaded by over 20 thousand members of the "Barmy Army" who have vowed to drink one small NZ town dry. Let's hope they leave my new Mexican palms alone!