Further on in the game, waiting up till the children came. Place your bets, no regrets. We got married (Paul McCartney)

Nearly twenty years ago (2007)

Wie geht's?

Part one ended at April 21st, 2004. From then until 2007 we lived in Leigh-on-sea, an old picturesque fishing village in Essex. Victoria Road holds many memories: foxes destroying rubbish bags at night; Jade inconsolable when Adam returned to NZ; Jacky and the girls dancing in the snow; walking to the train station; walks to Rayleigh Castle; the 30 second walk to the Broadway for Costcutters, Fives, and the pet store. I loved Victoria Road.  

At the start of 2007 we returned to NZ, in time for me to start at Stratford High School, while Jacky worked at Taranaki Base Hospital.

Having lived, worked, and had many adventures in Qatar, The UAE, and China, we were, by April 21st, 2014 back living again in Hawke's Bay - Otane to be specific. I was working at Woodford House, Jacky was at Hastings' Hospital.

Keegan, Adam, Samantha, and Jade were now in their twenties and all grown up. Yes - we were now empty nesters! It's a strange feeling. We'd spent twenty years as a family of six living together, and now the kids were no longer kids. They were now busy living their own lives, without needing us in the same way. As I said, it's a strange feeling.

The photo from that time, taken during a tour of The Emirates stadium, implies we were still in the UK but we'd flown back for a holiday while living in Otane.

OngaOnga, April 2024.

That brings us bang up to date - April 21st, 2024. After a stint in Maungaturoto and Caterham (Surrey), we now find ourselves living in Central Hawke's Bay. I work for OneSchool Global and Jacky is at Hastings' Hospital again.

As for the rock steady Purdy crew: Keegan lives in China; Adam lives in Melbourne with his wife Ashleigh and their daughter - Poppy; Samantha is in Los Angeles with her partner, Andrew;  Jade is in Palmerston North with her son Asher and her partner Chris.

Living their lives.

Jacky and I head into our 5th decade together with an eye for fresh adventures. Things like retirement will eventually have to be considered. But not yet.

Love and peace - Wozza/WNP/dad/Abu Keegan/El Presidente (Greg and Kev will understand)