My poor darling - you must be so tired.

DEAR SPOOK, all I can say to this set of photo's is that you had better speak very nicely to Henry and he might take you out in HIS boat. It doesn't need to end here.

The frost lifted and it was a bit dank today. The children are holding out for snow and they wont be the only ones, with the ski season opening on the 19th December and no snow. No-0ne is surprised of course, but it would be a major disaster in Wanaka, I think. It was amazing how they could make snow all night and have it groomed for the start of the day and keep that going all season if necessary. We are lower than Mt Roy here, so not a hope of that.

I bought hair dye and eyeliner in preparation for your homecoming. One feels one should make an effort - at least for the first weekend. I thought I had a blond hair kit, but I have gone dark so will have to get highlights tomorrow to make it look as if I've been hanging out on an Ozzy beach. I miss Sarsha for such attentions. She did my hair and put hightlights in it before our night out in Wanaka and I got handcuffed by those handsome policemen. I doubt that is going to happen with my DIY attempts. Someone is coming round next Monday to cut it, but there will be no wow factor for you on Saturday. Just a bedraggled, uncut mess and some badly applied eyeliner. But you will be bleary eyed yourself and will have worse to come with a wild night out with the boys.

There are 4 children staying tonight and tomorrow, but you wouldn't know it. Amy and Grieg blend in very well. Remember how they just sat with us in the house for the 2 nights before we left?

Get those bags packed honey. There is work to be done over here.

xxx

p.s. Beer is clearly an important part of boating out there. I don't mean to go all wifely on you, but should you not put that beer down and put 2 hands on the wheel?