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Glad you enjoyed the movie, mate.

The very best part of it, for us Kiwis, is that "Narnia" is one of three movies, this year, filmed in New Zealand and likely to go to the Oscars and clean up.

The other two are "King Kong" and "The World's Fastest Indian".

This follows hard on the heels of New Zealand's other movie triumphs: "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "Whale Rider". (I forgot: "The Piano" was also pretty good, a few years ago).

Not to mention New Zealand's TV triumphs, "Xena Warrior Princess", "Hercules" and yes "Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers".

Yeah this is a shameless gloat, and an open invite. Our wee Nation has the population of greater Chicago, and we're located on two small islands in the South Pacific. We make great wine, cheese, olive oil, avocados and lamb. And our wonderful seafood needs to be experienced to be believed.

We are quiet achievers, we don't make alot of noise. Our Rugby team, the All Blacks, dominate their sport internationally, as do our Netball team, the Silver Ferns, as do our Softball team, the Black Sox, and our cricket team, the Black Caps.

Come visit us DownUnder, and have a good ol' squizz at our Country, do a Narnia tour, or a Lord of the Rings tour. you will be amazed, and you will be made to feel most welcome. Because you are.

The US dollar goes a very long way DownUnder in NZ. If you have spare time after your visit here, maybe check out West Island (Australia) but I wouldn't bother: OZ is a great country but you'll have more fun here.

Go on! Visit New Zealand for a change. Give Hawaii and Europe a rest: been there, done that. Accept our Nation's Hospitality, and have a wonderful time while you're at it.

I attended the US Army MP Officer's advanced course in 1995. One of the foreign students with whom I developed a close friendship was a captain in the Australian Army, and when I got my follow-on orders for Korea he offered me an open invitation. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I never took him up on his offer. I'd love to visit Oceania some day...the landscape depicted in the movie was simply breathtaking.

I see you're a German Shepherd Aficionado (I'd think they'd be Alsatians in NZ due British cultural influence...is this not the case?) What technique/school/methods do you employ?

These are my two sons....

I raised the big boy in strict accordance with the principles of the Monks of New Skete, and he's a more perfect gentleman than most of the people I know. I take him with me virtually everywhere and he never fails to draw complements on both his looks and behavior. There's a nearby cafe with an outdoor terrace that we frequent. Many of the other regulars will greet him by name, but fail to recall mine!

The little one is a rescued abandonee from Hurricane Katrina. He has a few annoying behavioral issues (he's a New Orleans native so that's to be expected) but they're more annoying than dangerous. I'm estimating the dog's age at 18-24 months, and it's a pity I didn't get him at an earlier age, as he's displayed more natural scenting and tracking ability than any other shepherd I've ever worked or have seen working.

Well I've strayed a bit off topic haven't I?

> Yeah this is a shameless gloat, and an open invite. Our wee Nation

I have only been to the South Island, but I loved it. Wish I could go back and drive the from Christchurch to Dunedin again. Next time I'd spend longer at Mount Cook and of course would keep going not stop at Dunedin. And I would not waste much time watching the wizard, if he's still around ...