Family trees, airports and skiing

sunset on a snow retention fence - Snow Farm NZ

My cousin Deirdre who lives up north Canterbury, has for many years had a keen interest in the Lousley family tree. This has bought her into contact with a number off distant relations in far off lands, and unearthed some unholy stories. I'm going to be building her a blog, or web log, soon, but in the meantime [since us Lousleys are so rare and precious] she has given this blog address out to them, perhaps with the concept of publishing as to how this small branch of the family lives in far off New Zealand. So.... welcome to any new family readers!

There was a lot of interest in the fire in my camper truck last week so thanks for that. Suffice to say damage was minimal and we've got wheels again for this important week that Dougal is with me for one of the two weeks of his high school holidays.

I had my first real day of cross skiing yesterday afternoon. The snow was lovely and cold, dry and squeaky, and the sun was warm on the body and mind. Within a few minutes of my first lap of Highlander I had a chat with the Prime Minister [she is a regular x/c skier visitor every year]. An interesting start to the season for me!

On the Fri. and Sat. of the week since my last post I've been to Queenstown twice to deliver my good friend, Peppers' boy Riley, to the airport, so he could get back to her in Canada. Riley is 14 and spent a lot of time with myself and Dougal - it's sad to see him go, as Canada may again become his more permanent home. We had to make the snowy trip over the hill twice as the first flight was cancelled due to lack of light. I've spent a lot of time at the airport there over the years and it gets tedious, however this is mitigated by his great company, knowing a few folk who work there [so it's good to catch up with a chat], and there is always the lake front nearby to wander along and picnic by.