Author: migrant

We were up 5 minutes beforethe kick off. Settled down with cofee in hand to watch the game. A “game for the purists” I was told later inthe day. I have to agree. Still great viewing if not open, come basketball rugby. A tense finish, though England showed cool heads, no panic apparent from this distance. I am looking forward to the final-“I’ve never met a nice south african…….”-tv show of the 80s.
In contrast, Dad took Joe to watch the Kiwis play the Kangeeroos at the stadium. It was a drubbing and painful to watch. The Kiwis may have won the national anthems-but nothing else.
It was so bad I left 15 minutes before the finish-even Joe did not put up much of a fight. I should have watched in tv and saved $43.

My optimism regarding Spring has gone-it has been chucking it down all week, windy and cold. I should have known, as the cricket season is just around the corner.
I am again thrust into the role of coach for Joe’s team. To the doubters of how appropriate that is, I will say-” I was not out, I did not touch it!”. Last seasons coach has moved on, as his son is in the selected team, so the baton is passed back to me. Not too many people falling over themselves to do it apparently. It should be easier than in the past in any case, as some the more difficult kids( and parents?) have moved to other teams or given up completely.

Go England!
ps. Lost money on the TAB last week-went for wins for NZ, Australia, SA and Argentina accumulator. However, got the quarter final predictions fo Air New Zealand Cup(provincial rugby) correct, and reduced losses.
Still thinking about betting on world cup semis-head over heart?

It is Sunday and the ABs lost!
Today has been tiring, staying up late to watch England conquer the Aussies against expectations, and then up again, though not on time, to watch France play the ABs. I fully expected England to lose, and France to be well beaten.
The weather here has been awful today, with rain, wind and thunder and lightning. I think in keeping with the mood of the country. The inquest has started and blame is beginning to be apportioned.
It will be interesting here in the next few days, come weeks.The national psyche has been injured again.

Come on England!

Not windy Wellington for nothing. More evidence of springtime.

So, big exercise trip did not happen but the family did have it fun. M&D and the boys went to Eastbourne for a walk along the beach. A classic Wellington day, with choppy seas, wind through the hair, if you have some. As the forecast said, the strong winds came along, to walk back to the coffee shop. It then began to rain-the full house, other than me losing(and finding) the car keys on the beach.
All deserved hot chocolate, coffee and cake at the Chocolate Dayz at Days Bay. Isaac impressed us with his definition of exhilarating, and Mum was cheesy saying how “alive” it all made he feel.
And the day goes on. As I type it is half-time of the Rugby League Grand Final-great tv, great event. Score 10-4 Melbourne over Manly. Quality league though some may think it a dull game.
Must go-Ray Warren is back on.

The clocks have gone forward here today, now 12 hours difference with UK.
The bad weather has returned, with cold and the wind. It all makes it more difficult to sustain the exercise regime, but today T&S have been out for runs, Joe has been on his bike. Eleanor however is nowhere to be seen, being on a sleepover, and so watching videos ad nauseam. Isaac will be going for a walk at the beach en famillie.
The planned trip to Oriental Bay again was canned with expected gusts of 120Km/hour.

PS. The website has been updated with new photos.

Part of a project, but a nice momento of young habits-did we all do it, and still do?

The weather has improved and the equinox has arrived.
The real evidence is that I have been out doing the gardening, having cut the grass twice in the last 10 days. I have also been in tow to the garden centres looking for pots!
The exercise spring clean has also arrived, with a bike ride, a walk up Mount Kaukau and running again, including a family trip to Oriental Bay, with M&D doing a 7.6Km run, Joe a 7Km cycle, Isaac on his scooter and EQ doing a smaller run.
This was all topped off with brunch at the Chocolate Fish at Breakers Bay, apparently famous with the stars of LOTR. Dad was upset as Isaac ate all of his cooked breakfast, so no extras available.

It has been updated with photos and the video is back on. The homepage looks somewhat basic and unloved, but hopefully soon will get a makeover.

A standard weekend so far-takeaway on Friday and watched “Project Runway ” with the children-the best of th reality TV genre.
On Saturday we were up early to watch a pitiful England performance against South Africa. It was so bad that when we had a social with the “family group” the Kiwis did not even take the piss, I think they felt too embarrassed.
Isaac signed up for cricket in the morning, so we will see how that all pans out.
Dad and son then went off for haircut each, which made my big”O” seem less bad-shorter is better. Following in MMs foot steps.
It is Sunday evening, and I am looking forward to watching the rugby league game from Townsville-it’s the “business end of the season” and “finals football”.
Oh happy domestic life!