To celebrate we enjoyed an afternoon drinking tea and eating French patisserie.
A different and enjoyable experience, a lovely varied choice of teas and then the variety of savoury and sweet food.
Category: Family
Samoan Speech
Isaac has studied Samoan over the last 2 years of so and has done very well. So much so that he was the year 11 rep for a speech competition. He had to prepare the speech, talk for 5 minutes without notes. He is the first non-Samoan to participate. The other performers were better than him but he got a special mention, did very well anyway and was mentioned on Samoan radio. A star.
There is no Q in Samoan apparently which may explain the spelling error!
Graduation day in Auckland
Roaring Forties – wellington : Comedy Festival
An alternative night out on a Friday. The first time in a few years that I have seen live comedy and almost a hark back to student life to see a comedian in a small venue. Almost back to Tooting, Balham or the Jongleurs in Clapham.
We have seen Ed on he telly in one place or other and so there was value in seeking out the live experience. A trip for 4; the older Quirkes went off to Hannahs. Again just to go to a small theatre made for a little enlightenment.
I enjoyed the evening-I laughed. Mrs Q rather a lot.
Maybe a prod to do more of the same
Good Friday
A long weekend lays ahead. Currently enjoying a slow start to the day although the virus in my throat being somewhere else would be nice. Reflective parts will ensue with church and Malvina Major duty.
Family time and fun along the way. Walks, exercise and laughs with the boys. No egg hunt this year?
Family visit to see Selma
A very early(midday) trip to the cinema for family (including Swen) fun and apparently an education session for Isaac. He is studying the American civil rights in history currently. Off to the Lighthouse in Petone into the cinema not much bigger than our lounge.
A good film, fine performances and instructive to have the violence depicted to convey the reality that people fighting for their rights does not just involve talking and verbal discussion. Fear and physical risk is involved as well as the psychological humiliation that pervades racist attitudes.
Everyone enjoyed the film; the usual suspects cried.
As commented afterwards, is there racist irony in the fact that the lead did not get at least a nomination for the best actor at the Oscars?
Ace driver
Congratulations to Joe as he passed his full driving test today.
Wonderful news and good for him to have his success.
Driving Instructor
Back on the the teaching trail for dad.
Eleanor has decided that learning to drive is actually necessary and that the restricted license needs to be had by the end of the year. Swen is smiling at the reality that he does not have to be the teacher.
So today was day 2 of the regimen, our first trip to Ian Galloway Park.
A day of clutch control and getting into second gear in the racy Fiat Punto.
Possession of a restricted licence
So today succeeded in passing his test. He has been learning for the last 13 months with me mainly, with some professional lessons. Today was attempt number two, and he passed. The pass rate is 53% nationally, so he is Mr Average.
It is so important to pass as he starts at Whiteria next week in Porirua and traveling by bus would have been a hassle. So now some freedom.
The restricted license means he can drive from 06-00 to 22-00., no passengers who do not have a full license, and no alcohol. He can take his full license in 18 months, or six months earlier if he takes a safe-driving course.
Well Done Bro!
Bye Nigel
Nigel went to the grave today, having been put out of his discomfort yesterday. He had been failing fro a while but deteriorated quickly on Sunday. He had some nasopharyngeal tumour I think as he has developed progressive right sided cranial nerve palsies, along with his persistent shrieking cry.
Nigel had been with us for the last nine years. A large tiger in his prime, he has certainly faded recently. He now joins Spud in the garden.
