A Key Distraction...

One classes herself as "retired".  Prior to relocating to Qatar, One had fleeting thoughts on "working"; maybe via contract, or maybe part-time, however, for the time being those thoughts have evaporated as One tends the "Portfolios".


Yes, "Portfolios".  These are three groups of equity investments that Darling Husband (DH) and One have made over the years that are now completely, utterly and totally under One's authority and "expertise".  Needless to say, we have left some other key funds under the watchful eye of Kiwisaver and our property managers - my sense guru Mr Martin Hawes would be pleased with me, however, the bulk of the equity is demanding a significant portion of my retirement day.


The three Portfolios are: (1)  My NZDB superannuation (and I have retained that name for mental purposes), (2)  Our International portfolio that we began some years ago, and (3),  our savings from Qatar.  One checks the status of all portfolios daily, reports on them monthly and reviews each stock / investment on a cyclical basis.  One also MUST watch Bloomberg and review key websites on a Monday - Thursday basis (I employ my third distraction at this time also....more on that another time).  To date....all is trucking along quite nicely in spite of turbulent market conditions.  Why?


Why indeed!  Maybe that is because One has learned many lessons over several years.  Thankfully, many of those lessons were learned on smaller capital - both good and bad. Additionally, DH and One are both of a similar verse in our approach and can have quality discussions on investments. 


The biggest lesson has been primarily investing for income.  One knows that there are many different approaches to investing, however, market times have been so turbulent since 2000 (for us), that knowing there is a steady dividend or interest income seems to make up for any paper losses.  The income, if bought on a higher yield, appears to attract further market interest as others realise the same and begin to push the capital price upwards and very simplistically, BINGO, cash income plus capital growth for us.  Naturally, this is a very simple way of looking at investments and there is no way One bases her decisions on just this item far more is involved, otherwise, One would have little work to do!


Rather than detail any investments, I thought I would point out a recent purchase and a current consideration.  About three weeks ago, One sold an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) out of the NYSE in USD and our international account and purchased share on the LSE in GBP.  Why did One do that?  Firstly, the ETF had done well over a couple of years and exposure to this market needed to be reduced, secondly, the USD to GBP exchange rate at the time was favourable to move funds into GBP and thirdly, following Our trip to the UK, I liked what I saw in some areas so decided to consider moving investments into some of the brands.  So One considered and purchased!  The stock is low in debt, rather modest in its PE ratio, delivers us a yield of close to 4%, 26% owned by the Qataris, has had rather good payout stability over its history, and good plans, hence a purchase.  A stellar performance is not expected at all, rather it will be a GBP "backbone" stock.  For the current consideration, that is Pfizer.  This is a challenge as it is in the health sector.  What One likes is: focus on extracting value out of its current business: speciality care growth, emerging market growth and new uses for established products, and its recent purchase of the Wyeth brand (I like Wyeth). Again, debt is low, PE ratio is very low historically and this becomes low when projected forwards, book value is not too bad (certainly not undervalued as this is a large capital stock) and favourably and most importantly, the yield is around 4.5%.  One shall wait and think a little longer.  So all in all, these two activities have taken about four weeks, amongst managing the current portfolios, so definately not a quick task.


One shall sign off now.  Teagan is rather busy downstairs making bead necklaces using a variety of beads and buttons (One and DH are well adorned now) and One thinks a trip to the Taliban shop for more beads will be in order.

Of One's distractions...

In my last post I talked about distractions; my current main one is Teagan's school uniform.  In average instances, a parent does not need to "source" a uniform, however, when One has a dainty daughter, this becomes a necessity. 


Teagan weighs in at the grand weight of 13.5 kg (now well under the top of the 3rd centile line), reaches to nearly, but not quite, 1 m in height and still sits buckled comfortably in a baby/toddler car seat.  After meeting an Aunty (by Ross' birth line) we have seen her genetic destiny and it is rather dainty!  For once, my weight of 50 kg will appear rather immense next to her in adulthood.


Our initial fitting looked like it would be trouble free.  Darling husband located the only uniform stockist for Sherborne Academy and in we trotted, were directed immediately to the small section, then diverted to the  "measuring section" after a disastrous "skort" fitting.  She was promptly measured and instructions sent through to Dubai.  Meanwhile, her P.E uniform was gathered at size 2.  Shoes also looked like they would be a problem so these were made to measure by McKindley's in Dunedin (NZ) and these now fit nicely.  However, as evident in the photos, the school tie gives plenty to giggle at...hmmm maybe I should shorten this?


No doubt, the last laugh will be Teagan's.  In classic Teagan style, she will go through a 2 week growth spurt of large proportions and necessitate new shoes and a new "skort"!


I will sign off now.  Teagan has just completed her first solo trip to the compound shop to pick up some messages for me.  She went armed with her little shopping bag (thanks Edith), 20 QAR/ 8 NZD and a note for the shopkeeper, she returned home with high pride in herself nearly equaled to mine in her.

One claims distraction....

How does One claim lethargy in blog posting? One does not say "but I am too busy"; this of course would be absolute rubbish as I am not too busy, rather, I am as busy as I want to be - and of course need to be, to contribute to our family life. One, then thinks and claims "it is mere distraction". That is music to One's ears as the distractions are predominantly of One's own making and far too enjoyable to put down. All said, I do enjoy writing down this blog as it is kind of like a letter to my friends and family. Enjoy the following catch-up.


Ours leaves Doha...
Ours has since left Doha far poorer and hopefully plenty motivated. Ours had been rather disappointed in the clothes shopping presented to her in the world capitals of London and Paris (yeah what....you say!). Absolutely true, it was the height of the summer season and all goods were well picked over. One had informed Ours that many of the shops in Europe were here in Doha so with only two potential shopping days in Doha, that is what we did. Ours went back heavily loaded with five new wardrobes.  


All of Ours miss Mum/Grandma but Teagan appears to be satisfied with Skyping for the time being.  Grandma's departure also brought along extreme tears for Teagan over missing Jasmine.  A solution was presented to me quite clearly by Teagan: "Mum, just please buy me a spare house in Dunedin, then I can go and live there and be close to Jasmine."  Which brings One to the love discussion.


One discusses love with Teagan...
One has had discussions with oneself about writing about Teagan's love discussions.  For me, they are too funny to leave unsaid yet, maybe if someone looked at it from an adult perspective they may be hurt.  Thankfully, One (and hopefully most mothers love unconditionally) so hence I shall post.


Teagan: "Mum, you know why I don't make many presents for you?"
Mum: "No, why not?"
Teagan: "Because I really really love my Dad and I don't really really love you,"
Mum: puts sad look on her face
Teagan: "Oh but Mum, I love you a little bit.  And by the time I get really wrinkly, I will love you a lot with all of my heart."
Mum: "Teagan, I will really really look forward to that."
Teagan: puts a big happy smile on her face and gives me the type of cuddle that tells a Mum that they are wanted and loved.


One "deposits" daughter...
Doha is cooking.  The swimming pool/s temperatures are all north of 37 deg C and stepping outside turns you into dehydrated animal skin so four - well very nearly five -  year old child gives up the game.  Following three months at home with Mum, Teagan had had enough.  One Monday, two weeks ago, Teagan was painting and decided that cleaning up was not in her repertoire of skills.  One decided it was, so Teagan spent the next 90 minutes in the back bedroom exercising her vocabulary skills and testing volume control through letting me know how unreasonable I was.  Meanwhile, I was at the computer exercising my "save myself skills" and "let us fix this small issue skills" by locating a really good "summer school".  Following Teagan's tirade she departed the back room, demanded I not look at her, and then cleaned up the paints.  The following morning, I heard back from the Australian based Starfish Lane Summer School (SLSS) and here is an outline of my conversation at 9.00am on the dot:


SLSS:  "Yes, we do have space.  If you would like to pop in to visit us first then we will be happy to accept Teagan's enrolment"
Mum: "So, if we like it, may we leave Teagan there?"
SLSS: "Yes of course, but you may not want to as we have already had Sunday and Monday and we only accept full week payments at QAR650 per week - you would have to pay a full week".
Mum: "OK, we will be out there to visit within the hour"


Meanwhile, we call Ross and get him to rush home with the car.  One packs a lunch and assembles a backpack.  Then, by 10.00 am on the dot Teagan is left at Starfish Lane glowing in excitement and I return home ready for a good dose of distraction....


Summary...
Yes, it has been some time since I last posted and it has been a glorious three weeks.  I am really keen on doing my next post which will outline some of more of my distractions....

Blessed in the Orkneys continued on to The Shetlands...

Ours thought we had struck it lucky in The Orkneys and thought we had been blessed.  Little did we know that we had been granted further divine blessings on hitting The Shetlands; the Mainland had turned on the best weather for the year following a terrible start to the summer.  One stood outside for sometime (waiting for the smaller half of ours to fall asleep what a joke!) waiting in the coolness until 10.30pm for a spectacular sunset over the Spiggie Loch and was not disappointed....needless to say, my endeavour outside was in vain as Teagan remaind awake in the half light until One and Ours hit the pillow.

Ours toured the Mainland in awe.  So open and dramatic.  A good couple of hours passed in the main wool shop and both One and Ours learnt some new things and purchased books and swatches of wool for internet ordering.  Added note for One: do not forget to order some North Ronaldsay wool (the unique seaweed eating sheep breed) from the Orkneys.  And added note for Ours:: do not forget to provide a donation to Sumburgh Airport to upgrade their antiquated scanning equipment (apparantly Ours has a "busy backpack").

Our hotel at Spiggie had wonderful food and a spectacular location.  The ponys over the road entertained Teagan for quite some time as she sang and danced just for them - whilst indirectly amusing the smokers outside.  Teagan also took it upon herself to inform the smokers that "smoking is not healthy and will make you die quickly"....or so I was told by those same people who were not offended and called her a "peddiebric: (sp?) meaning "little trousers" which is a pleasant term of endearment.

We managed to enter the Pict and Viking eras whilst in the lower Mainland.  Ours all dressed up and joined a group of Brownies on a child friendly recreation of the Pict era (2000 BC) and we spent time in their house before hearing of the house renovations and joining the Vikings much later.  Needless to say, One spent far too many pounds in the gift shop obtaining slate carvings and a few other interesting odments.

Ours are now resting up in a Roissy Hotel near CDG airport following a rather intense trip back from The Shetlands: luggage search (both of Ours but not One), two flights, one express train, two black cabs, one overnight in London, one Eurostar trip, one RERB train trip with some beggars (although rather friendly), Ours caught in the train door, and finally one hotel shuttle trip - One can assure youthat we were not at all stressed, just amused and slack with no longer finding the cheapest route; rather the route of least resistance.  In the morning we head to Doha!

Note: there are no photos; for some reason they are "failing to upload".  Nevermind, I am sure I will sort it out tomorrow once I am back in Doha if not before.

Magic in the Highlands

Ours have travelled a lot over the past few days. One is tired and so are Ours! We have travelled up the west coast of Scotland in a magic journey. One's highlight was the
overnight Caledonian Sleeper all 15 hours of it. The aged Ours adored her day on the Orkney craft trail (although, One believes the artisans loved her more), and the younger Ours adored her night sleeping in the castle. We have all been having early nights.  Although, I say early nights, Ours have suffered from 4 year old determination. Last night we had pipers in the street; Teagan managed to stay awake for far too long listening to them playing (rather loudly) outside our window in Stromness - it was magic.

Grandma's craft trail was blessed. The weather here in Stromness was superb, we had a car and driving to each artisan took us through spectacular scenery. One, did manage to redirect the car one or two times to some Neolithic sites, of which, Skara Brae was a highlight!!

Today in the late afternoon we head off to the Shetlands!

Ours meets Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace.....exquisite...

Ours meet up with friends and had a wonderful day at Hampton Court Palace.  Grandma spent the morning with our friends Dianna and Robert and One explored Hampton Court with Teagan.  Grandma adored all she saw but as I understand, she did not get to see or smell the ghosties as Teagan did, nor did she get to see the "long-time ago" toilets.  As I discovered, there were ghosties in the Palace: one at the bottom of Henry VIII 's area (it was whispering behind the door) and some in Mary II 's apartment (smelling ghosties); as it is beyond me to explain this, I will leave it to Teagan at some point in the future.  Needless to say, I spent three hours chasing ghosties and toilets...with a bit of help from other tourists who got in on the exciting game.

Grandma loved the gardens and has found inspiration for her own garden at home....watch out Dunedin.....

The credit card gets a workout in London.....

The credit cards are getting a bit of a workout here in London, naturally, Ours are too and so is a four year old brain! 

As One booked a jail cell at one of the cheaper YHAs in central London, Ours might as well spend the difference in the bookstores, Hamleys and Harrods!  Hence the credit card is doing well; thank goodness the NZD to GBP exchange rate is not too unhealthy.  Teagan had a great time in Hamleys and One enjoyed the upper floors in Harrods: once One got past the Harrods branded section, One found a fabulous selection of decent (ly overpriced) "must-haves" especially as many items are just not available in Doha: note to darling husband 5.1, an absolutely justified shopping expedition. 

Teagan has been enjoying herself.  It has been about kid stuff in the morning and napping in the buggy in the afternoon (whilst One hauls sleeping child through the underground in a buggy).  I do say; thankgoodness for male chivalry in London.  Teagans highlight (well actually she was too tired to get a lot out of it so it was One's highlight) was the Museum of London.  I enjoy visiting it everytime I come to London and this year it got even better (5.1, worth a visit for you in September).  Of course the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace (not the best vantage point though - summer does draw crowds) was great just as A.A Milne had for Christopher Robin going with Alice.... as it was parroted back to Ours.  Methinks, Ours enjoyed it heaps too as I had to drag Grandma away.

P.S  Grandma is spending up a bit.... again, One had to drag her out of Harrods!