From the editor- Back from holiday | Canterbury Opinion | Local Voices from Canterbury, New Zealand

I didn't win Lotto last weekend so I've been back on deck this week after a couple of weeks off.

I had one of those great holidays - I did very little.

I stayed in Christchurch, walked and ran the dog on the Port Hills and the beach, played golf (badly) and got on the bike as much as I could so I didn't feel so guilty after spending more time than usual having a few ales at my localsl.

With the other half away overseas visiting family, what else does a bloke do on his holiday down time!

And with strict instructions to keep the house clean, it seemed commonsense to stay away from the house for as long as possible!

But it's been back to the cold hard reality of work this week.

The morning grind of getting ready, driving across town and striking the Auckland-like traffic from Fitzgerald Ave and confronting the mountain of tasks and complaints that have mounted up in my absence.

I've almost got to the top of the mountain, but tomorrow's there's another major task waiting for me - housework.

The other half arrives home on Sunday and I'll know I'll be in deep trouble if things aren't looking like how she left them.

The weekend's also significant for another reason.

i had a call out of the blue this week from an old mate, Euge, who is back in town. He's been in England for 20 years or so. His older sister Karen has lived there for years too.

Karen's back to get married in her home town to longtime partner Pete, a Brit.

When Euge and I we were knocking around as teenagers, Karen was usually our driver - and she had a Chev to boot. She'd drop us off to where ever we were going, and if she was in the vicinity later she'd pick us up.

We felt like kings hanging out in that car.

So Karen all the best for your big day!

And if my luck's in tomorrow night, I'm going on holiday for good.

I'd better buy an extra Lotto ticket.