The teeth are slowly falling out. The missing front teeth look has arrived. It does not make him look at his best.

Currently there is a distinct lack of a kitchen. As I write the men are bringing in the new cabinets from the trunk, and over the next two days a man will install it, and the electrical and plumbing men will fix and attach the important components.
We have spent the last two weeks or so taking woodwork out and dismantling pieces, including being up in the roof space, contorting my body to cut through an extractor pipe with a selection of tools, and managing to keep the damage to my hands to a minimum.
We have been living on takeaways and microwaved soup with toasted sandwiches for the last few days.
On a dark calm evening , having a BBQ adds a spice of variety to the menu.
Here’s to a smooth successful installation, and back to normality pronto.

Miracle Man

Saturday fro those not in the know. A delightful boiled egg and soldiers in bed, and presents, with tea and cake delayed until the afternoon.
On the present front I did well. A new jumper so Shaz can be proud of me in public, a new wallet so that I do not lose my cards, a book about the beauty of clouds, and their deeper meaning and best of all a book on home brewing-so far read avidly. I am in the process of finding important items of kit. More to come I am sure.

Fourteen…..I can still remember her coming out and being covered in vernix.

Smelly had a party yesterday at home, while Dad and the boys made themselves scarce. Was it seven or eight who were there? Games were played suiting the modern teenager, cake is still fashionable, and she borrowed one of Mum’s dresses and looked lovely.

How fitting that with the Olympic games just around the corner, that when we are on holiday and passing through Opunake, on the surf highway, that we came across a bronze of Peter Snell, noted middle distance runner, and son of NZ.

A few days away in North Taranaki, at a place called Wai-iti beach. we were the only people staying on the site. It has converted ship containers for accommodation, as well as pitches for tents and more palatial “cottages”. The site would be too cramped when busy but was good for us. There was a cafe on site which we sampled for one night and found new beer from an organic micro-brewery just down the road. It is mild, not something one gets to grips with much these days.
We enjoyed good walks through the wild scenery, enjoyed the sea views, and took it easy. I started reading the “Little House” series, so now am into real living, and self sufficiency, and after visiting the brewery I am now going to be reading up on brew your own.

Everyone had a good time, and all that walking was good for Joseph’s rugby training.
No one actually ventured into the water, and the day I had the kite ready-no wind.

unday, May 04, 2008

Storm’s full force still to come – MetService

Updated 1:30PM Tuesday April 29, 2008
By Craig Borley

Photo / Keith Brimmer

Thunderstorms, lightning, torrential rain and gale-force winds will strike much of the country this afternoon and tomorrow as two huge fronts collide.

MetService forecaster Oliver Druce said there is a lull in the rain at the moment but a lot more is to come later this afternoon.

Thunderstorms are predicted from Northland to Westland. Taranaki and the Kapiti Coast expected to be worst-hit, bearing the brunt of the weather tomorrow morning.

An updated forecast from MetService this morning said “intense downpours” would bring between 60 – 100mm of rain to areas in the North Island today.

Boaties are being warned to check moorings before the weather hits, and people are being cautioned to stay away from rapidly rising waterways in the eastern North Island.

MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt told the Herald people in the worst hit areas should avoid driving if possible, as the wind, wet and poor visibility would make driving conditions perilous today and tomorrow.

Well, in fact we had a fine weekend.
After the fine walk on Friday, the good weather persisted on Saturday, with the high pressure system sitting over NZ, giving us fine blue skies, no wind and warmth. After a stint of cleaning up the garden we had a family trip on the harbour, with Isaac’s friend Heidi, who now lives in Sydney, along for the trip. We took the ferry from the city to Eastbourne, with a quick look at Seatoun. It was a great day for it, with a chance for a close up look at a large ship anchored in the harbour. We walked along the beach at Eastbourne, then squeezed in a ice cream chocolate and iced coffee. The view of the city was refreshing from an alternative viewpoint.The visiting French frigate was waiting on the quay.
Sunday was another “Quirkes are active” morning. A trip to Oriental Parade with M&D running to Kilbirnie and back for 10Km of activity with Isaac doing some scootering with Eleanor n with him, and Joe keeping up the activity with a 5Km run. Then feeling like heroes it was off to lunch with the Burgesses at the St Johns ambulance bar. Good form and fun.

Back to the ranch for relaxing tv-you just can’t beat it.