Category: Family

Rugby Debut

After showing no interest in rugby when growing up in New Zealand, the land of rugby obsession, IQ had developed his career in east London. He has been learning the skills and playing with the renowned club King Cross Steelers.

After a training/ learning schedule disrupted by the pandemic he had his end of training showpiece game. M&D were in attendance to watch him run round for about 50 minutes out of 80.

There was some fine line-out lifting, big tackles and carries, all done at pace while at times needing a little rest to ‘suck in a few big ones’.

All he needs now is to buy some boots that fit.

Next up the touch rugby season before the winter season starts again?

Lovely afternoon sitting on the bank, in the sun, watching a good standard for players who have been learning and listening to the banter.

Who would want to watch a football match?

Ham

A visit to a new garden yesterday. As with these things I have known of its existence for many years but never took the time, effort or cost to go and see.

So a trip with Shaz, cheaper because of RHS membership, to sunny Surrey on the 65 bus.

Beautiful, interesting and very relaxing with a pleasant walk along the Thames to Richmond high street at the end.

Back home

Joe is now doing his enforced quarantine in Auckland having left the UK on Thursday. Two weeks of limited movement in Ellerslie Novotel.

He left from Heathrow on Thursday with tears all around.

So back to Kiwiness for the more Kiwi Quirke and a new adventure with Victoria University and more familiar features of Wellington life.

Go well.

Family walk

On Friday we were all together as Joe is soon off, to celebrate birthdays and as it was the first time for many months EQ was allowed out of Scotland.

A walk through parts of west London, including a view of the Almond Ave.

That was followed by Gunnersbury park and saying hello to grandmother and grandfather, plus a clean up of the grave.

Next stop were the gardens of Chiswick House before the lunch stop at Kew.

Nice.

Birthday walking in Powys

We are on holiday. Photos of the hut to come on due course.

We are officially in Herefordshire but on the border with Wales. The area feels Welsh as the names are more Welsh and the accents are more like that too.

Today was a walking day. First to the Skirrid which was steep and tough on the legs. At the top the views were good and the wind and rain strong.

In the afternoon we managed to do the Sugar Loaf on the other side of Abergavenny, though we did have a bit of trouble finding the car park for the start. It was very much ‘4 seasons in one day’ stuff. We did not reach the summit but that did not matter.

South London walk

The beginning of the walk from Streatham to Crytal Palace of the way to Nunhead

I seem to be struggling with the format of this thing currently, but here goes.

On Friday, the walk we followed was as action of the Capital Ring and the Green Chain Walk; the latter component of which did seem to be that much more pleasant.

In total the walking was about 22 Km, a little more than planned.

The end stop was Nunhead cemetery which has been close to admissions for many years and nature has reclaimed the area, and so it is very beautiful. However, there are a number of war graves sites, which of course, continue to be maintained.

  • The derelict chapel
  • Heading out