*F* NZ Meet report

[Joy Green]

After a grey and drizzly start to the day the evening turned out fine and
warm for the 1st (2nd?) NZ apfmeet at Queens Wharf in Wellington.
Participants came from as far afield as Palmerston North and, well,
Wellington.

Present were: John Fouhy, Andrew Ruthven, Tracy Wilkinson, another Andrew
whose surname I didn't catch, Nicholas Green and yhn.

Everyone found everyone else with surprisingly little difficulty and
after an initial embarassed pause conversation flourished. Topics
covered included elephant jokes, religeous jokes, racist jokes, work,
university, school, Pratchett and computers.

Questions asked included: don't you just hate those sf books where all
the heroines are beuatiful? Where can one buy a decent indian meal in NZ?
and is it worth spending $45 each on the hardbacks of Hogfather and Feet
of Clay, when I have a mortgatge to pay?

A document on the treaty of Waitangi was perused and the instructions on
what to do to ensure it is honoured discussed - should one write 'This
is Racist' in engineering text books from the library?

Food and chocolate products (afpropriately Terry's Chocolate Orange) were
consumed by all and alcohol in moderation consumed by those old enough to
do so (who didn't have to drive home).

It was decided _not_ to set fire to the bill and sing 'Happy Birthday' as
we couldn't guarantee getting free drinks out of it. John however
provided yhn with a gift in the form of chocolate wrapped around truffle
and biscuit pieces (very nice indeed - thanks John).

The assembly broke up decently early in order for yhn and spouse to
return to the wilds of PN, dropping John and Andrew on the way.

Quotes of the evening:

'My uncle used to live in Palmerston North but he moved to raise pigs in
Motueka'

'There's a good Indian Restuarant in Paraparam, they do brilliant spring
rolls'

All in all a very convivial evening and more will be planned.

Joy