The crashing $NZ spells an end to the dream run of CD importing I have undertaken since my money started rolling in. I feel it's about time I have a break from my daily eBay and trademe, and about time for a holiday in the realms of email and experimental write up that I not visited much of late.

I can add Kiwifruit and Banana Crumble to my ever growing repertoire of crumble successes. This is hot on the heals of a Apricot and Banana Crumble that pleased many a palate a week or so ago. I am growing more convinced that any fruit can be crumbled, especially with banana at its side.

Twas good to spend a little time with my brother Matthew these past couple of weeks. It is nice to form a bit of a duo and run off each other in the company of others. Many laughs. Maybe he shall move more north next year, I hope so.

Planning my parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary bash has involved the scanning of many photos that detail the history of this branch of Bairds. Seeing us kids grow over the years and Mum and Dad playing with us has triggered off a more intense settle-down response. I am even more desirous of laying up my single mantle to take up the heavier but more valuable mantle of husband- and father-hood.

It is good to be back in the role of demonstrator. I have moved on from 1st year to 2nd year chemistry students. For once I feel that I know a reasonable wealth of valuable knowledge that I can pass on to the student. I train students for their first solo rotavapouration, distillation and in some cases separation. I am not an ideal example for good separation techniques having sprayed acid twice on myself during my many separations. Thankfully I haven't past on these techniques to the chemists of the future.