I was up this morning and ready to take the dog out early as I did not know what time Bronwyn would call me for my haircut.

I spent the morning chatting to Heather and doing my ironing but no call came from Bronwyn. Jon called to see if I was going to be home for lunch and I told him I was going to have to cancel my hair as I was due to be at Pat and Phil's at 2.30. When he got home I called Bronwyn and she said Mark had just arrived and could do my hair then. So I rushed over there and met Mark, who had not brought his dog, but introduced himself and seemed a nice chap. He decided it would be cooler to cut my hair on the patio so off we went outside! I left it totally to him and did not even have a mirror to look in. He said I should not hide from my curls but enjoy them and he made me feel like I was in one of those make over programmes and I really began to enjoy my first haircut down under!

When he had finished he took me off to the bathroom to have a look and I was really pleased with it. he had cut it really well and left my waves and I have to say they have never looked so good! I'm sure I will have him cut my hair again and all for £16, what a bargain!

When I got back home there was just time to hang my second load of washing out and then I was off to Pat and Phil's for tea. They were in their front garden when I arrived and it is lovely - lots of roses. As you walk into the house and go through to the conservatory the thing that hits you is the view, it is lovely. They have a lovely half fifty pence piece shape deck area looking over towards the estuary and it is beautiful. We had a lovely afternoon and drank tea and ate Christmas cake, yummy! I left about five and Pat has invited me to join her with her walking group which goes out every Wed and Thurs.

When Jon came home we went over to the Mount to see the car which belongs to and English couple, both doctors, who need to go back to the UK to finish training but have loved their 18 months here. The car was OK but I was not really sure so we said we would give them a call.

We then went to the supermarket and bought a ready roast chicken for dinner as it was getting late. When we got back we took Totty out for a quick walk and then came back and ate the chicken with some crusty bread and veg and it was lovely.

We have spent the evening planning our trip to Nelson next week. We will drive to Wellington on Monday and stay the night. Jon will meet people at the port on Tuesday and I will have a look around before getting the ferry across to Picton at lunchtime. We are staying at the Yacht Club in Picton on Tuesday night and on Wed we will drive to Nelson. Jon will meet with people at the port there and I will have a look around this arty ex hippie city - it has a cathedral. Jon has to fly to Christchurch on Thursday for the day but I have decided to spend the day in Nelson (I don't like flying unless I have to) the hotel looks really lovely and I think I will find lots to keep me happy there. Nelson is on the list of must see places for tourists and Kiwis alike so I am sure it will be lovely. On Friday we will drive to Picton to get the ferry back to Wellington and set off up north stopping somewhere on the way that we like and get back on Saturday. All sound really exciting.

Only downside is Totty will have to go into kennels! I am waiting for her vaccination certificate to come from UK or the kennels won't take her. If it comes to the worst and it does not arrive she will have to have her vaccinations a few weeks early.