My son Chris

This week, son Chris is visiting from the UK. Unlike his father, Chris is a handsome devil, as you can see from the accompanying photo of the two of us at the Wellington Business Gold Awards dinner, where Magritek was a finalist in the Export Gold category.

Chris has been checking up on my daily routine, even trying some of the famous veggie mix (well, a teaspoonful), and accompanying me on my walk up to the reservoir. As you can see from the next photo, the weather here has been miserable this week. Chris flew in from London on Monday and leaves Sunday to return to James and Hiva who have very kindly done without him for a week. It's been a chance for the two of us to catch up, and for Chris to get some R and R from his busy life as a surgeon.

For Chris it's also been a chance to catch up with old friends, to visit his Mum and his Aunties, and to help me and Miang at home. The week has been quite a "Magritek week" with cakes at the company Tuesday, with the Gold Awards last night, and with a shareholders annual meeting this morning, which Chris attended as an observer. He has had the chance to renew acquaintance with some of my young friends, such as Mark Hunter (pictured here with Chris and me). Mark went to the same school as Chris (Palmerston North Boys High) and was a first year pupil when Chris was one of the seniors. If Mark is looking happy, that is in part because he submitted his PhD thesis on Monday! Mark, like Chris, is a Dad of a lovely 2+ year old, and is expecting another child in the spring.


Needless to say I am immensely proud of my son who seems far too wise to be my offspring. In addition to giving me excellent medical advice, keeping us well entertained, and generally being kind beyond anything I deserve, he is a just great company to have around and his visit here has been hugely cheering for both Miang and me.