Long silence
and no photos -seem to be have used Ruth's camera. My last post was at Easter. The last 12 weeks have been stressful -though gradually feeling better as Judith makes good progress. There have been some downs and she has just heard that she will need surgery on both hips sooner rather than one hip replacement later. She has had to cope with cryptosporidium as well but currently is gaining strength with gym and swimming and is able to go out with a wheelchair. I have enjoyed a couple of outings. We had a nice lunch on a lovely mild late autumn day at the Ashurst Domain and then on 26 June we had lunch in town and look at some clothing shops before visiting Anna at there new house. I am going up every third Saturday -though Ruth and the Boys and I are planning to go this Sunday before we go to Canada.
The weekly work routine continues. I have been busy at school with exams and reports as well as the usual preparation and teaching. Currently both my geography classes are using GIS so we are having a lot of fun. it is working well and the students clearly understand the geographic pattens and relationships.
On Tuesday Charles catches the bus back to Chilton after school and then we go to music. he played at his school assembly last week, his year group were in charge of the programme. Apparently he played well. He has a recital with the Suzuki group this weekend. on Wednesday's I get home in time to look after Christopher while Charles has soccer practise. We have been going to the super market to do the cafe shopping and ride on the rides - a helicopter and pat the postman. Thursday I pick Charles up from gymnastics and then its Friday and I manage a school badminton team. This is not a hard task but I like to support them and it avoids any problems.
We managed to get the garden at Ruth's under control before winter and recent weekends we have been raking leaves - "blown off by the wind and rain" as Christopher pointed out. We have started the pruning just 3 tree left. We will ensure everything that needs to be is securely covered against frost before we leave. I don't think the garden will be Pierre's top priority especially once Murray is away as well and Pierre is it for the cafe as well.
Most weekends we have had a walk ( mostly up the Wainuiomata river) or a bike ride. In the school holidays we did a number of outing. I ventured to Lollipops with the boys - Ruth was at the cafe. We went bowling at Strike - Christopher beat me! We managed a fine day to go to the zoo. It was a day were zoo card members could go early. It was a good time to see the animals.
Another day when Ruth was doing a shift at the cafe I took the boys swimming - we all returned safely with all our gear - I almost lost a shoe. We had a great game of mini-golf at a Pirate Mini-golf centre. Christopher only lost two balls that we couldn't rescue. He preferred to see them in the water. We came home over Hayward's and had a picnic lunch at Dry Creek. The weather was very nice though it had been raining earlier in the week and so the stream was too high for us to ford.
Recently Christopher and I have been watching the phases of the moon - someone - a space person took a piece away! it has bee to wet to watch the waxing of the full moon.
The cafe continues about the same as last year - maybe a little up but then costs are up with increased in fuel and dairy products. Getting the roster sorted for July has been a challenge but I hope I have someone in every space!
Ruth had a stamping party last week which was fun. Different and relaxing even though it was a school night and there was a serious accident which made the demonstrator an hour late. Along with Charles doing some class work on family traditions I feel spurred on to continue sorting out the family tree stuff. This is involving sorting out storage and organising the space a bit better. I think I might invest in some decent shelving as a starting point - then I can see what I am trying to do.
I will see if I can get some photos from Ruth.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Back to school
The new school year has started - as one Year 7 said we have have had 3 lots of two days. Which is true for students. I have actually been there every day for the three weeks except for Waitangi Day.
On Waitangi day Ruth, Charles, Christopher and I went up to see the tram Museum at Mckays Crossing. We had a tram ride and then enjoyed out lunch on the beach - this was proably the highlight for Christopher. We then went into Raumati to see if their minature train was running but it wasn't so Charles enjoyed a play in the play ground while Christopher slept. When he woke Christopher thought we were still going to the trains - fortunately the train was running at Avalon park in Lower Hutt so we had out train ride and another playground play. A very enjoyable day - though very hot.
Yesterday Charles, Murray and I got tidied up after Charles had had cricket and went into Government House. We walked up with crowds of others, collected our paper bag lunch and drinks - a very nice lunch and found a spot on the hillside. Great to bump into Judith and Don. We enjoyed the pre concert music before the main concert - a Day in St Petersburg so excerpts of well known Russain composers. The cannons were the big highlight for Charles. he had look at them during the interval and then enjoyed the explosions during the 1812.
No photos as I foget my camera on both ocassions.
The new school year has started - as one Year 7 said we have have had 3 lots of two days. Which is true for students. I have actually been there every day for the three weeks except for Waitangi Day.
On Waitangi day Ruth, Charles, Christopher and I went up to see the tram Museum at Mckays Crossing. We had a tram ride and then enjoyed out lunch on the beach - this was proably the highlight for Christopher. We then went into Raumati to see if their minature train was running but it wasn't so Charles enjoyed a play in the play ground while Christopher slept. When he woke Christopher thought we were still going to the trains - fortunately the train was running at Avalon park in Lower Hutt so we had out train ride and another playground play. A very enjoyable day - though very hot.
Yesterday Charles, Murray and I got tidied up after Charles had had cricket and went into Government House. We walked up with crowds of others, collected our paper bag lunch and drinks - a very nice lunch and found a spot on the hillside. Great to bump into Judith and Don. We enjoyed the pre concert music before the main concert - a Day in St Petersburg so excerpts of well known Russain composers. The cannons were the big highlight for Charles. he had look at them during the interval and then enjoyed the explosions during the 1812.
No photos as I foget my camera on both ocassions.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Merewyn and Josh's wedding
Had a great time camping at Rawene. Nor sure who won the 500 school. Boys played some great games in the bush by the camp site, including setting up a "crane". No-one fell out of tress!! We enjoyed swimming in the camp pool. On Friday half the party went to help with the wedding organisation while the rest entertained the younger members. We went swimming at Opononi and after lunch took the ferry across the harbour. Saturday was the big day and the organisation was timed closely to get everyone to the right place having had a sleep first if under 3 years. A misplaced key at the last minute didn't interfere as we got a lift with some others - and the bride was a little late so all were in the right place ready. The children were delightful and everyone else looked suitable for the occasion. Murray and I drove back to Auckland - met up with Chrisitne and Richard and collected car seats and saw them onto their plane before I ran over to catch mine. Murray had another day in Auckland before driving back down to Wellington.
Had a great time camping at Rawene. Nor sure who won the 500 school. Boys played some great games in the bush by the camp site, including setting up a "crane". No-one fell out of tress!! We enjoyed swimming in the camp pool. On Friday half the party went to help with the wedding organisation while the rest entertained the younger members. We went swimming at Opononi and after lunch took the ferry across the harbour. Saturday was the big day and the organisation was timed closely to get everyone to the right place having had a sleep first if under 3 years. A misplaced key at the last minute didn't interfere as we got a lift with some others - and the bride was a little late so all were in the right place ready. The children were delightful and everyone else looked suitable for the occasion. Murray and I drove back to Auckland - met up with Chrisitne and Richard and collected car seats and saw them onto their plane before I ran over to catch mine. Murray had another day in Auckland before driving back down to Wellington.
Holiday activities
Over January we enjoyed many activities with all the grand-children or various combinations.
One day we walked to the local park and had a picnic lunch - this trip turned out to be longer than I thought as my watch stopped.
We visited the Karori WildLife Sanctuary. We should have made this trip a little earlier so we could ride on the boat but it was still fun.
I spent 4 days on the south Wairarapa coast with a group of students from school who are working towards their Gold Young New Zealander challenge (formerly known as the Duke of Edinborough award). We were relatively lucky with the weather. We did have very striong winds on the first night and drizzling rain on the second day but we were able to meet all challengs and complete the planned activites. The last day was beautiful and the view from my tent door says it all. The night sky was marvellous. Unfortunately the next day was misty, windy and colder. Time to go home - and back to cellphone coverage!
The last outing we did before the family returned to Canada was to go into Wellington to an event in the Dell. Christine , Madeline and Izabel went in early and caught the first show before the rain set in in. Ruth, Charles, Christopher, Liam and I drove over to Waterloo and took the train into town and then walked along Lambton Quay to get the cable car. We joined the others as the rain bewcame established- so no dancing and picnic in the Dell. We picniced in the Hot House gardens by the Lady Norwood Roase Gardens. Wile the young ones and their Mum's returned home, Liam , Charles and I walked back throught the Botanical Gardens taking in the Tree House and the Cable Car Museum before riding down on the cable car. It was no longer raining, in fact it was quite pleasant. We then caught the ferry to to Day's Bay where we had an ice cream and palyed in the sand before catching a bus to Lower Hutt. We had to take a second bus back to the Waterloo train station to pick up the car. A fun trip - I still have a pocket full of shells collected at the beach.
Over January we enjoyed many activities with all the grand-children or various combinations.
One day we walked to the local park and had a picnic lunch - this trip turned out to be longer than I thought as my watch stopped.
We visited the Karori WildLife Sanctuary. We should have made this trip a little earlier so we could ride on the boat but it was still fun.
I spent 4 days on the south Wairarapa coast with a group of students from school who are working towards their Gold Young New Zealander challenge (formerly known as the Duke of Edinborough award). We were relatively lucky with the weather. We did have very striong winds on the first night and drizzling rain on the second day but we were able to meet all challengs and complete the planned activites. The last day was beautiful and the view from my tent door says it all. The night sky was marvellous. Unfortunately the next day was misty, windy and colder. Time to go home - and back to cellphone coverage!
The last outing we did before the family returned to Canada was to go into Wellington to an event in the Dell. Christine , Madeline and Izabel went in early and caught the first show before the rain set in in. Ruth, Charles, Christopher, Liam and I drove over to Waterloo and took the train into town and then walked along Lambton Quay to get the cable car. We joined the others as the rain bewcame established- so no dancing and picnic in the Dell. We picniced in the Hot House gardens by the Lady Norwood Roase Gardens. Wile the young ones and their Mum's returned home, Liam , Charles and I walked back throught the Botanical Gardens taking in the Tree House and the Cable Car Museum before riding down on the cable car. It was no longer raining, in fact it was quite pleasant. We then caught the ferry to to Day's Bay where we had an ice cream and palyed in the sand before catching a bus to Lower Hutt. We had to take a second bus back to the Waterloo train station to pick up the car. A fun trip - I still have a pocket full of shells collected at the beach.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Boxing Day
Xmas day was spent with various other family branches and Boxing Day saw a gathering at our place. The weather was fine enough that we did sit outside for some of the BBQ before very heavy rain. The raincleared enough for some outdoor activites including flying Josh's radio controlled plane, briefly. He is going to need a good supply of propellers.
Xmas day was spent with various other family branches and Boxing Day saw a gathering at our place. The weather was fine enough that we did sit outside for some of the BBQ before very heavy rain. The raincleared enough for some outdoor activites including flying Josh's radio controlled plane, briefly. He is going to need a good supply of propellers.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve 07
As well as the usual Christmas preparations and ensuring everything was sorted at the cafe for the two day break, this Christmas eve was even more exciting. By mid-day no-one wanted to go too far from home..... then they arrived. It was delightful to see the two boys hug and Christopher and Madeline play together and of course to welcome the newest family member to New Zealand (even if she is here on a visitor's permit being a Canadian). We now look forward to a family event on Boxing Day.
As well as the usual Christmas preparations and ensuring everything was sorted at the cafe for the two day break, this Christmas eve was even more exciting. By mid-day no-one wanted to go too far from home..... then they arrived. It was delightful to see the two boys hug and Christopher and Madeline play together and of course to welcome the newest family member to New Zealand (even if she is here on a visitor's permit being a Canadian). We now look forward to a family event on Boxing Day.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tree removal
A large Banksia on the north west corner of Ruth and Pierre's was starting to block the whol
e front of the property. So although it was a good climbing tree - but we were concerned about the concrete under it - it was decided it had to go. It has opened the front up really well and it will be interesting to see if Charles' room is warmer in the winter.
e front of the property. So although it was a good climbing tree - but we were concerned about the concrete under it - it was decided it had to go. It has opened the front up really well and it will be interesting to see if Charles' room is warmer in the winter.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Walk in Forest Park
On 11 November we - Murray , Pierre, Charles, Christopher , Lucy and I went into the Orongorongos. We took lunch. Christopher enjoyed the ride in the back pack and playing at the river. It was alongish walk for Charles, especially as his good walking boots are just too small. However we made it both ways and he quickly recovered once we were home again.
While we heard some birds in the park we have had two pigeons in the neighbourhood lately.
On 11 November we - Murray , Pierre, Charles, Christopher , Lucy and I went into the Orongorongos. We took lunch. Christopher enjoyed the ride in the back pack and playing at the river. It was alongish walk for Charles, especially as his good walking boots are just too small. However we made it both ways and he quickly recovered once we were home again.
While we heard some birds in the park we have had two pigeons in the neighbourhood lately.
5 November
While the celebration of Guy Fawkes in NZ may be puzzling ( I did read a justification of the importance of democracy but I think that pass most people by) the fireworks were fun and probably this will be the last time that home fireworks are allowed. And as we had a rogue firework that exploded behind us I think I support the banning of fireworks except in public displays. It was a school night and so we couldn't go to the big display in Wellington though we could hear it and watched it on the computer. The kids had fun with the sparklers.
While the celebration of Guy Fawkes in NZ may be puzzling ( I did read a justification of the importance of democracy but I think that pass most people by) the fireworks were fun and probably this will be the last time that home fireworks are allowed. And as we had a rogue firework that exploded behind us I think I support the banning of fireworks except in public displays. It was a school night and so we couldn't go to the big display in Wellington though we could hear it and watched it on the computer. The kids had fun with the sparklers.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Cultural Day
The Suzuki Music group that Charles' music teacher is part of, had a concert at the University School of Music on Sunday. It was great fun - relaxed and kids all did well. Charles played "Lightly Row" and "Cuckoo". Christopher was fascinated with the grand piano . Food and drink made a popular end.
We then went to the Wellesley Gala for lunch and a look around. After this Christopher, Charles and I went to the Circus Proms with the Wellington Vector Orchestra 
"Roll up Roll up! Come to the Circus! The Vector Wellington Orchestra is joined by Wellington's circus troupes to present a concert for the whole family. Enjoy spectacular aerial performers, sensational stilt dancers, jugglers, tumblers, unicyclists and, of course, everyone's favourites - the clowns! All the fun, excitement and wonder of the circus accompanied by the Orchestra playing such favourites as Swan Lake, Baby Elephant Walk and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy."
It was great fun and as Christopher commented "lovely Music"
The Suzuki Music group that Charles' music teacher is part of, had a concert at the University School of Music on Sunday. It was great fun - relaxed and kids all did well. Charles played "Lightly Row" and "Cuckoo". Christopher was fascinated with the grand piano . Food and drink made a popular end.
We then went to the Wellesley Gala for lunch and a look around. After this Christopher, Charles and I went to the Circus Proms with the Wellington Vector Orchestra 
"Roll up Roll up! Come to the Circus! The Vector Wellington Orchestra is joined by Wellington's circus troupes to present a concert for the whole family. Enjoy spectacular aerial performers, sensational stilt dancers, jugglers, tumblers, unicyclists and, of course, everyone's favourites - the clowns! All the fun, excitement and wonder of the circus accompanied by the Orchestra playing such favourites as Swan Lake, Baby Elephant Walk and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy."
It was great fun and as Christopher commented "lovely Music"
Monday, October 22, 2007
Wrights Hill
On Labour Day Charles, Christopher Murray and I went to see the Wright's Hill Fortress. They were having an open Day so we were able to walk through the tunnels and see how the defences would have operated if they had been needed during World War 2. Unfortunately I left the camera behind. Christopher particularly like a small tiger moth pedal car and Charles enjoyed the firing of blank ammunition with various firearms.
On Labour Day Charles, Christopher Murray and I went to see the Wright's Hill Fortress. They were having an open Day so we were able to walk through the tunnels and see how the defences would have operated if they had been needed during World War 2. Unfortunately I left the camera behind. Christopher particularly like a small tiger moth pedal car and Charles enjoyed the firing of blank ammunition with various firearms.
Friday, October 05, 2007
The advantages of imagination
We have been planning a trip to Somes Island for some time and had a booking for last night. However the weather was awful, strong northerlies and heavy rain, so we decided that promised a little too much adventure. Instead we 
settled for virtual islands in the lounge with Charles sleeping in my tent. Please note the brown rug is actually rocks and the green dressing gown is clearly grass - with a ferry (red boat) pulled well up due to the bad weather. I slept on Motopuka Island (usually known as the couch ). We were warm and snug as the wind howled around and rain beat on the roof. We have only postponed the actual trip and will try again in December. The weather was lovely this morning but the wind has now come up again.
settled for virtual islands in the lounge with Charles sleeping in my tent. Please note the brown rug is actually rocks and the green dressing gown is clearly grass - with a ferry (red boat) pulled well up due to the bad weather. I slept on Motopuka Island (usually known as the couch ). We were warm and snug as the wind howled around and rain beat on the roof. We have only postponed the actual trip and will try again in December. The weather was lovely this morning but the wind has now come up again.
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