Author: migrant

We were all up this morning to watch the big show. I must say I enjoyed it and was pleased with the themes presented. That is saying something for someone who is a MG.
I thought the historical perspective was well done and brought into focus the current UK well with its cultural diversity. I loved the singing at the beginning with the Welsh, Scottish , Irish and English children and loved the redition of ‘Abide with me’ -so beautiful. Old gits like me must have appreciated The Jam as well as the 60s and 70s music with the modern teenage story as the backdrop.

My only moan; no problem with the NHS but cliche land was entered with the focus on GOSH-again. Please save us.

Looking forward to the rest and late nights

We lived in London for years and never managed to go to see this.

On Thursday Sara, the boys and I went to see a production put on by St Pats. Other schools were involved in order to obtain enough quality talent, as the singing roles are so demanding.

It was a great story and so well done. Enjoyed every minute.

It goes to show what some schools can do and how they can invigorate their community.

Now I will have to see a professional production!

On a lesser level another long term item has gone.

The BBQ  has finally moved on.

It has been with us for nine years and after many years of hoping for “one more year” it has finally bitten the dust, as the valve has corroded and so the gas cannot be turned on.

So off to the tip next week.

Yesterday was a special day for the adults in the family.

There was no sport for Joe to go to so the grown ups had time to do some jobs and have some fun.

After going to a market and buying some French pastries and some take-away coffee we went to the Botanical Gardens to take in the atmosphere, the view and feel peaceful.

Oh to be so old.

Euthanasia is appropriate when your ailments mean you can no longer care for yourself.

Nice final ceremony in the garden.

The opera buffs were out last night, revisiting our love affair with Rigoletto. This opera was the first one that we ever saw, we think. The last version we thought was brilliant with great music, singing, costumes, acting and sets in a traditional production. Last night again was a great event to attend. This was modern setting which was so brilliantly done. The Duke and his hangers-on and thugs wear modern suits, a big screen shows multiple media inputs like tv studios do and as one review said, has echoes of Berlusconi.

It was great entertainment and we loved every minute.

Interesting was the observation that we made about the audience-they were all so old and white. Then we looked at ourselves!

ANZAC day to most New Zealanders is the important national day of the year, in preference to Waitangi Day. In part because there is little national conflict or politics associated with ANZAC day, unlike Waitangi, and ANZAC is more in the conciusness of the European part of the population.
As the commentators say, after 1915, a national identity and independence was forged from a military catastrophe.

We attended the Johnsonville service this year for the first time. It was a different experience to going to the main dawn service in Wellington city. The Khandallah scout group attends each year, so as Isaac needed to go, and I am a leader, we went en famille.

Love the words to the songs and poems!

A beautiful autumnal morning, perfect for a run.
 A calm day with the harbour a delight. Flat sea with a lovely blue sky with a smattering of clouds. The orange tug boats were guiding in a RNZ naval ship and and the interislander was in the background.

There were lots of people running the streets and I had a good run myself. 11 km and still feeling good.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rodifJlis2c]