Arrived Monday into Auckland and like all scholars decided to book into the Langham Hotel where i had afternoon tea and contemplated my next 10 days in New Zealand but avoided the Spa as im a stone heavier from leaving home and decided to keep my true Nuffield body to myself. The next morning i travelled to Christchurch in the south island which is based on Cambridge. Meet with the NZ scholar Paul Mcgill, still the James Bond of Nuffield. Had a ride about town on the tram looking at the sites of Christchurch which was enjoyable. Up with the crack of sparrows and off to the annual combinable crops conference near rakaia at the FAR (Foundation of Arable Research) research site. I appreciate its cold at home but its 10C this morning and i’ve had to find my jumper from the china trip. Sounds like next week will be a Nuffield reunion as Jim Baird from Scotland, Rhyes and family from Wales, Julian from Ireland will all be here, so the four nations reunite. Paul will have no time to write his report pre christmas. Sorry not to be in Australia after seeing the cricket result.

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