Jet lag

We arrived back in New Zealand safely. I had to ensure we left various students at places along the way - with a responsible adult - it was a bit like 10 in the bed..... I started with 33 at Brussels, left with 30 to go to Heathrow (and aren't I glad we left before all the flooding that has occurred this week). I left 2 in HongKong so went on to Auckland with 28 where I left one and so returned 27 to their families in Wellington.

It was back to school the next day at 8 am. I give full marks to the PD speaker who kept my attention - amazing as I usually drift off when not jet lagged!

I made it though the week. The fact that Murray has recovered the data from the dead disk and that a new computer has arrived removed one source of worry. One night when I thought it was day time I was able to talk though a topic I am teaching with Murray and so I felt much better about the classes for Level 2. The GIS at school has worked well so Level 1 Geography went really well. Philip's reliever is excellent and so after one sort out of the content to be covered I have not had anything extra on that front.

More interesting though it was Christopher's birthday on Tuesday. His second and the first time I have been home - I was away with USA visitors when he was born and last year was in the USA with Christine and Richard. Christopher was delighted with his present. We had the family meal yesterday which he also enjoyed until it got all too tiring.

The weather is appalling today and I should be doing a number of things other than bringing my blog up to date.

Reflecting on the Europe trip has been interesting. Some how all the things that could have gone wrong hit me more this week. I guess when you are in the midst of something you just cope - such as with lost passports, keeping track of people in crowds, the lack of street savy of some - it is afterwards the reaction comes. I particularly enjoyed the Czech Republic and would enjoy seeing more of the country. I also enjoyed (maybe the wrong word) the battlefield experiences in Belgium. It would be good to explore the wider country further. I am getting a lot of pleasure now reading the various booklets I bought so that I can put the whole experience into some sort of context.

Belguim

The trip from London was straight forward once the passport issue was sorted and extras joined the trip.

I found the visits to the war graves very moving but from the point of view of the tremendous waste of life. More people need to refuse to fight - though the need for defence is still important given the realities of the real world.

London

I had fun yesterday taking a group around London on the underground. Made sure everyone was able to read the maps on the train - I am not sure I would let two of them off on their own. Not yet achieved on map reading! We saw the Tour de France flash by - more police cars and security that bikers. Then a good walk around the Tower of London - I would like to go again - in winter or at least the down season. We got there fairly early so it wasn't too bad and I saw a lot. We then did the shopping then for the rest of the group - Harrods, Piccadilly and Covent Garden. I now have a clear picture of Picadilly - my other memory was rushing though with Megan and Mike on the way to a meal in Soho - in the early evening - so getting dark. Safely back to Hammersmith with all the group.

Off to westminter Abbey and Belgium today.

Sight seeing

On Monday our hosts took us to see the Moravian Karst country near Brno. This was a great day and a change from being in town. The cave complex took about 45 minnutes to go through. Particularly interesting was the wet section where we went by boat. Tuesday was a visit to the world heritage sites at Kutna Hora. We visited the ossary, the cathedarl of St Barbora and the Italian Palace ( was has been variously a mint, a palace, a hospital and a girls school.) The choir also sang a concert in the late afternoon. This was a nice town to wander around in. The next part of the trip has been visits to large cities - with a rushed overview. Vienna has been slightly better than Prague as we have had two nights. However Margaret's planning has been great and we have been able to see some sights and have time to take them in. I find I need time to get my bearings, where is the place geographical and time to set it in some sort of historical context. it has been good here in Vienna having internet access as I can look stuff up on the web. ie the family tree of various Hapsburgs. In Prague I particularly enjoyed the Charles Bridge and the Vltava river. There was serious flooding in 2002 so that was interesting as well. Looking back to the castle and St Vitus church is spectacular. In Vienna the Schnobronn Place was a highlight. I think we should have looked at a difference section of the Hofburg though what we saw was interesting. For musical interest both the Mozart Museum and the House of Music were very interesting and extremely well presented. It was thoughtful of the cathedral buiders of St Stephens to include a lift up the spire! - it was a great view. Heavily decorated cathedrals are a bit over the top - I can sympathise a little with the reformers - seems to be more about the greatest of the human sponser than encouraging a reflective spirit but I guess it is a matter of taste.

More detail

I have found the internet is still free and I have a little more time. So thought I would get down a few more reflections.

The flights over were as expected long and the third leg from Hong Kong particularly so although when it was clear the landscape was fascinating - China - lots of terraces the whole landscape looked brown and some green but carved over. Then the desert of the Gobi but some areas of green in patches. The mountains of the north Tibet plateau could be seen to the south. Slept and then we were passing over Russia very green with very dark brown ploughed soil showing. The rest was too cloudy over Baltic, Denmark Holland and into Heathrow. We had a delay here due to a gas leak on the runway but only about 40 minutes. We reached Prague around 11pm local time and then had an hour and a half bus trip to Padubice and bed. The students have been fantastic.

The next day it we into the festival. My role while they are singing and practising has been largely that of a gofer. I have done a lot of walking and now know the centre of town really well - including ice cream shop and money machines and the quickest way to our various venues. geography rules! This meant I have also been able to see a lot and have found lots of interesting sculpture and historical items - need to ask students if want to know the shopping options!

The choir also sung in the town of Chrudim yesterday - about 15 minutes due south of Pardubice . This was a concert for the choirs who didn't win gold awards. This town has an extremely interesting puppet museum. Puppets are a feature of Czech culture. Later in the afternoon we walked around the castle and historical area of Pardubice, including the castle and Green gate.

Czech republic

I have a lot of interesting things to add but this will have to wait. My main impressions are the changes in the last 5 years. More open to tourists and generally the consrtuction and improvement at least for some in the goods available. The police now look like Police not military. The girls are being great though it is well outside the cultural comfort zone of some.

Winter walks

Charles, Christopher and I have done two more Sunday walks lately. We completed the Gum Tree walk along the Wainuiomata River. We had tried to do this a few weeks ago but began walking from home and found Hine Road rather long before we got to the the walk. This time we took the car to the carpark and then walked. We forgot to take the camera so have no photos but we all enjoyed the swing bridge and having our snack where an old cottage had been. Last Sunday we went up to the cellphone tower. I wondered if I could do it with Christopher mostly on my back ( 20kg all up) . I wondered this even more as we started up the track proper but we made it. Christopher enjoyed himself and only fell asleep as we were reaching the bottom.

We had hoped to see many red toadstools at a point where there are usually a lot but only saw two in another part of the track. Maybe it has been too dry or maybe we were too late in the season.

Talking to the bridge troll

Christopher did walk

A well earned rest and snack

Nearly there

Home again!

Holiday adventures

Liam summed it up really just before he returned to the USA "We've had so many outings I can't remember the first one." We decided that the first one was going to Petone to ride on the model trains one Sunday afternoon. We had three rides and played on the playground in between.

We also all went to the river at the end of our street- that is Liam , Charles, Madeline Christopher and I - I had the stroller and backpack to make the getting there easier. The older boys were pleased because they were able to use stones to get across the Wainui River - this shows how dry it has been and how low the river is. Fortunately Madeline and Christopher didn't want to follow them being content to throw stones into the river. To add to the interest a digger was working on the Hair Street Creek which joins the main river near where we were.

Liam and Charles and I went into the Zoo. We enjoyed the one- legged Kiwi as well as seeing the chimpanzees being fed and the new baby Sun Bear cub. Another day Liam Charles and I went into Wellington. The intention was to go to Te Papa and then have a ride on the cable car which we did but we went passed the vertical bungee and stopped to have a jump. Charles was keen but Liam preferred the playground. Then he decided he would like a jump so Charles had a second jump. This got us a frequent user card with only one jump to go and then a free jump. We completed these jumps the following week. Of course I forgot my camera both times.

During the first week of the holidays Liam Charles and I caught the train to Wellington from Waterloo and then took the Johnsonville train to Johnsonville. The goal was to visit Mack's Tracks. Only a couple of the layouts he has were working but he got Thomas going while we were there which of course was much more interesting. After refueling the boys at McDonald's and them enjoying a play on the playground we retraced out journey by train to Wellington and back out the Waterloo. Fortunately an incident where rocks fell on the Johnsonville line didn't occur the day we travelled.

We enjoyed three walks up the Wainuiomata River. The first was a duck feeding exercise with Madeline and Christopher. The second Liam, Madeline , Christopher and I ( Charles was unwell) did a circuit up the river (Including feeding the ducks) and then home along Hine Road. Today (ANZAC Day) Charles and Christopher and I took our lunch and walked along Hine Road and into the bush area to eat out lunch by Nikau Stream. I hasten to add that I had the backpack for Christopher and the stroller for Madeline on these "walks".

Liam, Charles and I also went for some bike rides and to various play grounds to try out the play equipment. Christopher also got to go for a ride on the back of the bike to the cafe.

Madeline, Christopher and I went for a walk one late afternoon ( so tea could be cooked) As they were walking we made the half block returning home through Cornel's place.

On Monday we had to say goodbye to Liam and Madeline as they returned to the USA - with many adventures not completed but on our list for next time. It was all in all a great 5 weeks and an especially good two weeks school holidays - not much work done but it felt like a real break. The work was still there waiting for me but the boys and girl are growing fast and childhood doesn't wait.

I have not been doing nothing since last posted. I have photos to add but need to change the batteries to down them. Charles and I have had a number of outings. We went to Te Papa and saw the Egyptian exhibition. One Saturday we took Grand-dad's camp stove and cooked our lunch up near the cellphone tower. We have been for several swims at the local pool during March when the weather has continued to be hot.
With Liam home for a few weeks we have been to Petone and had some train rides and to the zoo.

Flying kites

Yesterday on Waitangi Day it was fairly breezy and Charle suggested it would be a good day to fly the kites. This was done successfully.

Outing

Had our first outing since Xmas today. Note the blue sky -second fine day in a row and even warm - needed sunhat and sunglasses.

Picture shows us "packed" up for the outing. There is a trailer under there!

Local adventures

Having had our travel in the middle of the year we are having more local adventures this January. I have put up our calendars purchased at the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley so while others in the family travel we can remember our travel. Our current adventures consist of discovering the sections and it looks as if our next trip will be to the local rubbish dump! I haven't been out of the valley since the 23 Dec.

I am pleased with the result of the effort so far. The strawberry and blueberry patch at Ruth's is much improved with weed cloth - why didn't I think of that sooner. It should reduce the weed problem. No problem with sunburn - have been gardening in the rain with a warm jersey on. "summer days" - yeah right!

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!

Half way through the term

While the travels are more restricted at present I do think I am very lucky that my journey to school is a very scenic one. The view of Wellington harbour from the Wainuiomata Hill road is a fantastic one -as another friend who travelled a lot once said to me when we travelled together to the Hutt by bus - " you pay a lot to go a see all sorts of sight around the world and for a bus fare you can see this every day". And every day it is different and interesting. The Hutt River was running very high yesterday and you could see the muddy river water spreading into the cleaner sea water.

Currently I car pool with another teacher to get to school. Charles come with us and catch his bus to Wellesley from outside Chilton - which works out well. He comes out with me on school patrol duty and then walks to the bus with other Wellesley boys. We have got into a got routine - he usually cleans my whiteboard and then writes his name on it or plays with some of the other equipment I have - like the long tape measures. He measured my office today. It is 6m long ( for four people). On patrol days we then go and do that, otherwise we have a few minutes on the adventure playground.

At school we are doing some interesting topics - Term 4 always allow us to be more creative as the unit are not assessed with formal tests but with students completely activities - my class is making money - including a wallet for an imagery new Pacific State. The year 9's have been having a great time with a simulated voyage of the early Maori in 12th century. Another year group has made card and board games about the Middle Ages and are then going to make castles. I am collecting up boxes from the cafe for the teacher to use. And the year 10's are in themiddle of their enterprise companies - some very creative. In the midst of all this creativity the teachers are writing reports!

Holiday adventures

Charles and I made a list of places to visit. These included the Wellington Zoo and Te Papa. On Sunday we set off just before lunch for Te Papa. This proved to be a good time as we were there in the later afternoon and the crowds dispersed. Charles first stop was the Golden Days exhibit which he saw a few weeks ago for the first time and which he really enjoys. Monday was reasonably fine so we set off to the zoo. Ruth and Christopher joined us on this expedition which began with lunch at Eva Dixon's. We were able to see most of our favourites although there are some major changes occurring as the zoo renews some areas and refocuses its displays. It is 100 years old this year and they are planning clebrations this month. It was fine at the zoo even though there was rain to the north.

Although Saturday was showery we decided that none of us would melt and we visited the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. We had not been there since the new fence and mainland island predator free area had been established. I was really impressed. It is easy to forget the local attractions. Charles and I took a ride on the lower dam in an electric powered boat and saw a number of bird inlcuuding black shags nesting. We walked up to the upper dam but the highlight for Charles was the old goldmine. Unfortunately the guide was at lunch so we couldn't go in the whole way. At the this point the rain became more steady so we retreated planning to go again and to take lunch.

I spent four days in the second week on the school holiday in Kaikoura with my Year13 geography students. The weather was not the best but we were able to complete everything -only getting a bit wet while cycling to the seal colony on Tuesday. The girls were able to get out to swim with the dolphins and on Wednesday although the day started very wet in Kaikoura it wa fine in Hanmer Springs - and although the rain doesn't affect swimming in the hot pools being fine makes the whole trip more pleasant.

Our last holiday outing was to go to see a production at Capital E called "On our Street". This was good fun.

Then back to school and ERO. I tend to agree with Charles that the holiday are the best part of school!, although Charles started straight back into a school trip to the Museum of City and Sea which also included playing in Frank Kitts Park. So not all bad.

To LAX - on time

To complete the record of Murray'travels in the USA. He continued driving westward and reached California where he followed the Smith River. The forest changed progressively from the Douglas Fir (as in Oregon) to Redwoods. On reaching the coast he put his feet into the eastern side of the Pacific assuring another chap that NZ also has beaches - being on the other side of the same ocean.

Murray was due to fly out on Monday evening so Saturday and Sunday were to be long driving days without sightseeing. However this lasted only until he reached the Avenue of the Giants. This 32 mile section of road goes through a State Park and has magnificant stands of Redwoods. At the Visitors Centre there was a section of log with rings counted back to 1148AD..

Following the advice of a ranger Murray turned from the 101 onto route 20 to join the I5 and thus avoid San Francisco. After a fast drive on the freeway ( with a slight diversion into a senior living complex with maze-like roads when looking for petrol - the signed station was closed) Murray travelled on and stayed the night in Los Banos. This proved to be an attractive place and the motel was as cheap as earlier ones and a bit better appointed.

Some on us might not have been as surpirsed as Murray was to find he was making a late start on Sunday - actually he wasn't his cell phone was still on moutain time. He drove across endless horticultural land with truck loads of tomatoes. The Sierra Nevadas were lost in the murk. Murray had planned a camping place but the road that heads south in the mountain was closed at either 10 miles or 20 miles ahead depending on which sign you believed.

He didn't want to get lost on side roads but found a road that went back to the I5 but on the way passed through a national forest. The map had tent symbols so this looked promising for the final night in the US. He found Toad Spring camp ground down a narrow dirt road - basic with no water or toilet but the grass was cut and it was free. He began a clean out of the car which continued the next morning. He found a truck stop and dumped two bags of rubbish and then rest at a petrol station.

The next part of the trip was carefully mapped out to negiotate the freeways into LA, find the rental car depot (before it closed for the night) and get across the the airport - flight not till 11.30pm. This worked well until there was an unexpected lane division. Murray exited from the 101 and sorted this but the name didn't match any he had on his list. However the sun was in the right place and he then realised he should have been on the 105. Fortunately he had plenty of time and was at the airport by 3pm.

Having anticipated the extra security he had his carry-on luggage in a Wal-mart plastic bag - which turned out not to be strong enough. There appeared to be a long queue but this was for domestic flights. Murray's queue was short and security efficient. A long wait and then the pleasure (?) of seeing "16 Blocks" for the 3rd time on as many flights. Overnight it was Wednesday and back to the cold of NZ and waiting to be picked up on a windy corner in Lower Hutt after catching the airport flyer to Queensgate. I had managed to leave my cellphone at home so this complicated coordination until I had gone back to get it.

Back to the cold and work - but a great trip with fanastic memories.

Pemmican cakes

Those of you who have read "Swallow and Amazons" will be aware of pemmican cakes. Charles and I have just finished reading "Swallows and Amazons". We have been discussing making pemmican cakes and cooking outside. It had been put on our holiday list and so today we made pemmican cakes. We make the cakes ( with luncheon meat) and as we had decided we could not light a fire outside near a house we borrowed a fuel stove ( along with friendly native alias grandad). The cooking was a great success and the friendly native was invited into Charles' fort in the native trees at the side of the house. Baby Vicki ( alias Christopher) was in the backpack to avoid any issues with stoves and hot pans, had his in the backpack. A pleasant time on a day otherwise taken up with getting extra supplies to the golf course and sorting out the non-printing eftpos machine ( wrong tape)

Volcanic dust or maximising a National park pass

When Murray go back to New Zeland I washed his Icebreaker top and even after several rinses there was still grit in the sink. This came from the next section of his trip. After leaving Devil's Tower he camped in the Big Horn Mountains - these are a very ancient formation - Precambrian. The next day he travelled to Yellowstone National Park. Murray mostly freedom camped in national forests but here due to grizzlies also sharing the forest he chose to camp in the official site. He explored part of Yellowstone early before the crowds built up saw Steamboat geyser one of the world' largest turn on a minor display. The evening was spent camping at Palisades reservoir after driving through the Tetons. Murray was just thinking how alludes it was when a thunderstorm arrived. He managed to get tea between storms.

The next day was to be seeing Craters of the Moon and Sawtooth but the best laid plans... Instead it was EBR1, Craters of the Moon plus Palisades dam and roadworks. The last was a half hour delay. EBR1 was the first nuclear reactor to generate electricity in 1951. The whole place has been decontaiminated and he could walk aroud. Outside were two reactors built to develop a nuclear engine for a long range bomber. The idea was for it to fly non-stop for 5 days - there were even menus planned for the crew. The plane was never built.

Craters of the Moon are in Idaho. The lava caves were particularly interesting with ice in the bottom - a huge contrast from the heat outside. A torch is needed but thanks to Merewyn, Murray had his. Idaho itself is quite different from Wyoming. Much of the State is volcanic. In next few days as Murray attempted to move westwards he also made good use of his National Park pass he visited an interpretative centre for the Oregon Trail. John Day Fossil Bed Monument,Newberry Volcanic Monument and Crater Lake. He continued to camp - mostly free except in Ontario, Oregon where he stayed in a cheap motel. The only cooking device was a microwave which was of limited use with metal billies so he boiled some vegetables in the plastic bowl and fried meat, onions and mushrooms with the camp stove on the table - this probably would have pleased the owners as much as it would have pleased the camp controllers in the former Stalinistic Youth camp we stayed in, in Hungry - fortunately in both cases they didn't know and so everyone was happy.