Xmas 2006

On Tuesday we had a family meal with Ruth, Pierre, Charles and Christopher before they flew to Santa Fe. The Xmas tree in the photo was decorated by Charles - Like his mother tradition needs to be properly observed. On Wednesday morning I took them to the airport.

For those of us remaining we planned a picnic lunch for Christmas Day in the Rimutaka forest park - something different so that it wouldn't seem too strange. So about mid-day Megan, Murray and I walked up Grace Stream to a nice spot by the stream.
The weather was humid and patchy sun. It was very pleasant and then we completed the circular track before returning home. We also did a public service by removing two broken bottles out of the track. In the evening we had Pierre's parents, Pop and JJ and his sister, Cornel and her son Tiaan over for drinks and cake. A very pleasant day - quiet and lots of thoughts especially from the two grandmas for family far away - in the USA but also for Pop in South Africa.

Outings

Charles and I attended several productions. The year 7 and 8 production at Chilton was Ebenezer. This was very well done and Charles was familar with the story. We sat at tables and there were soft drinks and nibbles - Charles approved of this as well.




The Tales of Beatrice Potter also had some familiar stories. This was a ballet performance by the Chilton Dance School. The costuming and staging were excellent as was the dancing - though Charles was less keen on some of the dance he enjoyed the story and costumes.


Our next production was at Circa - Roger Hall's pantomime verion of Aladdin. Charles is still talking about Twanky, Hanky and Panky. He enjoyed joining in and made a special effort to thank the stage manager. We rounded off the evening by buying pizza on the way home. Fortunately this was the last day of school so parental rules about bed time could be over looked. Anyway he stayed over with Grand-ma so it didn't matter. The final show we went to was at Capital E. Stu Duval is a writer and story teller and we listened to "Captain Black Custard and the Christmas Pud". We managed lunch at Burger King, a visit to Kirkcaldie's Christmas shop and a look at their Christmas story ( in fact we read it three times as we managed to walk by three times - twice from beginning to end and once from end to beginning) in their windows and a ride on the Cable car before returning home to cook a Bon Voyage/Christmas meal for Ruth, Pierre, Charles and Christopher before they left for Santa Fe.

Term end

We have just finished the round of prize giving and farewells. Heard lots of very good statements about the journey being more important than the destination - which I guess is true but there does seem to be something a bit wrong with the idea of striving all the time and never getting any where - sounds like a wheel in a mouse cage.

I know I will be pleased to be able to vary my journeys slightly much a I like the trip over the Wainuiomata hill to school each day. However first of all marking must be finished. This is a painful process that reinforces the meaning of masochism and reminds one that everything in life ( ie trips to the USA) have a price.

But the exciting news is that I am going to Europe for three weeks in July as part of the school Seraphim Choir tour to two music festivals one in the Czech Republic (The Martinu Festival in Parduice) and one in England(at Wells Cathedral Somerset) . We also have sightseeing days that include Prague, Vienna, London and Stonehenge. Another reason to keep on with the marking!