It's a cool, rainy day here, actually not all that different from the weather I see reported for Northampton. I had planned to go to the Auckland Art Gallery, so I hope the rain tapers a bit later in the morning.
I had a nice day yesterday. But first the flight: I calculated that it took me 30 hours to get here. A direct flight to Dallas. Then a 2 hour layover. The 15 1/2 hour flight to Brisbane was actually nice. With the help of some drugs, I was able to get a decent nights sleep. Then 4 hour wait there, though was a bit much, though I had joined to American Airlines Club in order to be able to sit in a nicer space at the Airport Quantas Club. I actually had a shower though I hadn't realized I could and so did not have a chance of clothes.
It's interesting being back in Auckland. Wendy, Jake (age 1), and I lived here for 8 months nearly 19 years ago. There has been a huge amount of building and change, but I keep finding things I remember. I strolled through Albert Park, a small but beautiful park near the University and recognized the Morton Bay Fig trees. Unfortunately I didn't have my iPhone with me, so I couldn't take a picture. If it clears before I leave I will they are amazing trees and Jake liked to climb on their huge, exposed roots.
The big event yesterday was a workshop I gave for P4C-NZ at the Balmoral School on doing philosophy with children. I realized that I had been at a conference they organized almost exactly a year ago. Around 40 teachers came, many of whom had heard me already, to my surprise. It was a lot of fun and much less stressful than today's venture of delivering a paper to the philosophy department.
I have a day off to go around Auckland on Saturday and I head down to Wellington on Sunday. Wellington is colder than Auckland and the forecast is for rain, rain, rain. I knew I should have brought my waterproof hiking pants and long underwear. Oh well.
I'm afraid this isn't as exciting as walking the Milford Track and other such adventures we undertook last year. But some of you were interested in hearing what I was up to down here, so I'll keep you in the loop!
With best wishes,
Tom
