VSA required us to leave and re-enter Vanuatu before our 1 year visas ran out on 12 July. We flew to Brisbane on 4 July and back on the 12th with Louise spending her week in between in Sydney with Holly and Hamish, and me spending it back in the South Island.

I was only in Christchurch briefly, spending time with daughter Sophie, having one real ale appreciation evening and then the weekend up in Nelson where Sam flew in from Wellington to join Sophie and I. This may prove to be a unique get-together of Dad, daughter and son without partners. It was their delayed birthday present to me – the time together and a magnificent lunch at Mahana Winery which included wonderful friend, Judy – photo above right. 

We happened to be there for the Nelson Light Show – what a bonus. We delayed our visit to The Free House so as to stumble our way through Queens Gardens in the dark, dazzled by the creativity and luminous exhibits. Two are shown below: a phantom Moa dwarfing me (left) and a troop of ballet nymphets over water.

         

This was a beautiful weekend, one I treasure.

Returning to Santo was unsettling again at first, but now we are back in tune with our life here.

 

We began our two year stint in Vanuatu on 13 July 2015. Now, in late July 2016, we are progressing through the final year with the end date likely to be 12 July 2017, unless something happens to make it sooner.

VSA required me to submit a 12 month report. The main points that relate to my VSA assignment were:

• Partner Organisation lack of support and engagement;
• Alignment of Partner Organisation to my VSA assignment and accountability of partner organisations to VSA as the ‘donor’;
• Delay in funding for the Value-add applied research work;
• Data access challenges when assembling an economic model.

The 12 month ‘Personal Report’ was far more positive – we’re continuing to enjoy living here with all its colour, freedoms, friendliness and contrasts.