[Janet Kenny]

John,
Welcome back.
New Zealand rivals France and Italy when it comes to stone fruit. (The South Island that is.) And the volcanic soil north of Wellington grows vegetables with that miraculous Italian flavour. (Pity about the cooks--well there are some terrific cooks there now, but our old mums used to boil everything.)

Yes Australia is a bit sad in the cricket department. I listen uncomprehendingly with an earphone when I can't sleep and I can tell by the cheers from the stand that England is doing well. I thought it was going a bit far when one of the commentators called Ponting "Australia's Napoleon";-)

(I love French cooking. I was kidding.)