expatowner

never had a problem sleeping

What he said.

Pickled herring

Pickled herring does it for me (and everybody that happens to be passing on the street). Rank but braw.

Got my team in, all raring to go. I’ve gone for a more youthful team this year. Thanks to Miguel Sanchez for doing this again.

moat

We have been touring the North Island of New Zealand for the last 5 months, and have now played 101 rounds on 90 courses. [emoji7] The map shows you where we have been - Northlands first, then The Coromandel, around Hamilton, across to Taranaki, then down the west coast to Wellington where we have spent the last couple of weeks. Generally the rounds cost between NZ$20 to NZ$50 (£10 to £25) The quirkiest course so far was Rangatira that is on a number of descending levels and you catch a ski lift, after completing the 18th, to get back up to the clubhouse level. Special mention goes to Ngaruawahia near Hamilton, a delight to play from start to finish. I won the “furthest thrown club” award for my effort on the 5th at Manawatu (at least twice as far as my ball travelled) [emoji36] The most intimidating first tee award goes, hands down, to Te Marua - where a huge, straight drive is required just to get across the river. Mornington requires lungs of steel and legs like a cart horse to cope with all the ups and downs that it throws you. Most sheep on a course award goes to Taihape. Wainuiomata pick up an award just for its second hole - only 154m, but there’s one HUGE tree in the middle of the tight fairway that causes trouble for everybody. [emoji1] Best par 3 is the 12th at Taihape which reminded me of the old 17th hole at my home course in Kinghorn. Best par 4 - pick any one of many dog-leg holes at Waitomo. Best par 5 is the 13th at Wellsford with its humongous drop away. We have now caught the “Interislander” from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island. Up and at ‘em!

I really enjoyed The Audit from mixoFruit.

I once witnessed Eamonn Bannon (for Hearts) blast a spot kick over the keeper, over the bar, over the crowd and OUT the ground. Fabulously funny. [emoji1][emoji1][emoji1]

bank

Oh I feel old.

including the manager?

Pillans pies - yummy!

Slow

Low

Down in Wellington at the moment. We are 5 months into our 1 year golfing holiday. [emoji3]

Tasteless, with a whiff of weak piss. Really bad.

About a year ago I managed to get my first par round on my local Auckland course. Today I got my first sub par round. [emoji7][emoji7][emoji7] Alright it was only a short 9-holer, but what the hell.

I keep buying new beers because I didn’t like the last ones I tried. What if my taste buds have changed and I don’t like any beer? Is there life after beer? This ones weak as piss.

Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson heavy going