Category: Family

Boxing Day

A suite of activities with chats EQ and JQ who is of course in Wellington.

The activities included watching London Scottish play in Richmond with IQ and Anthony. It is good to see ‘real rugby’ or maybe old-fashioned. The players are not all uniformly the size of houses and subtlety seems to play a bit more of a role.

Next it was a trip to Kew Gardens to see the light show. A team of three this time with Shaz and IQ.

Next after that fun ti was off to the pub to watch Brentford play BHA. Not a good performance and not a good result.

Christmas Day at Mervyn

A few pictures to show the day, which, as well as the fine feast, included Mass at St. Peter and St. Paul, Northfields, video chats with EQ who was and remains marooned in Glasgow because of Covid.

Along with the food and alcohol there was the annual viewing of ‘Love Actually’ plus the 1971 Morecambe and Wise classic Christmas special.

Patrick’s clock

Finally back on display after being in a box for so long. It has not worked for about 10 years. We tried to have it repaired in New Zealand without success and I think with it nearly not returning from a trip to Christchurch. A slow process to have it fixed here too.

It makes a nice sound.

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.