Thanks! It's been a rather subdued birthday this year. My wife is in hospital with a compound fracture of her femur (thigh) bone. Compounded by the fact that she had a hip replacement last year, so it is, in effect, another replacement hip but more involved than the original one. Not sure when she can come home as it has to be non weight bearing until the bone has set. The staff at the hospital have been great! Not only are they very competent but very smiley and friendly. There is , of course, no financial costs for this medical treatment and because she had an accident (tripped over a power cord) ,ACC (accident compensation commission) will pay for incidental expenses and then pay her 80% of her salary until she is able to return to work.
So it's been a bit quiet here with just me and the dogs.
Civilisation is a veneer, easily soluble in alcohol.