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This posting has been a long time in gestation because it has been too painful to contemplate putting the words to the page.
Earlier in the year it became apparent that we had to have our house painted. This all came to light s we had a significant leak into EQ’s room, and a few rotten weatherboards were noted, and on closer inspection the paint work was actually quite shoddy as well. Now painting your house is a bit more involved than you might expect in the UK. As the house is wooden, it means painting all the house. That means scaffolding. Also, for us, as the house is on a significant slope, that means lots scaffolding and tricky to erect. Quotes were obtained, but then getting the company around to actually put it up was hard work in itself. Partly, because as the sun begins to shine everyone wants to get on with the house painting at the same time.
So up it went, and the painters and builders arrived. However, the extent of rotten wood was rather more extensive that anticipated, with more boards, significant parts of the window frame, and wall frames affected. All came to lots more time, slow progress, and loads more dollars out of the door. I never managed to take pictures of the large exposed areas-the psychological barrier was too much.
The painters are yet to finish. They have made good progress up to this point, as the weather has been conducive, but the rain has come, and it seems more likely the remaining scaffolding is here to stay for an unproductive holiday period.

The colours look better though! well worth it.

A busy time of year currently, as the next few entries will pay testament to.
Firstly, on Friday it was end of the school year for EQ and M&D were in attendance for the end of year prize giving. It was a interesting affair, partly because of that very mature feeling of being at your teenage daughters big school function.
The junior prize giving was for her year, and the one above.
Speeches, with a rendition of the national anthem, and a parting hymn sung in Latin, prize giving sessions and star performances by talented musical performers.
There were lot of prizes, and thankfully Eleanor managed to pull one out of the bag.
She now starts eight weeks of holiday, though I am sure we can find her some jobs or ongoing educational projects just to make sure she keeps in the groove.
In the same vein, Eleanor’s school report came home and was very good. M&D are proud of her, and she has adapted to the new school environment and done very well. We do however expect a truck load of prizes this time next year!

Hello, Eleanor here. (:

Yesterday i went to the becah with a couple of mates. The weather was nice and the beach was fairly empty. We all brought our bikinis cameras and any food we could find in the pantry.
Sunbathed, swam, took too many photos and ate non-stop.
My friend emily came down from auckland on friday so i caught up with her and made plans for the rest of the holiday.
It was heaps of fun but i am now suffering the consequences of not putting enough sunblock.
All pictures taken by Nina(the one with me in the coloured photo) and I.
(:

Aside of the sporting trips over the weekend, there was more fun to be had. Firstly, the weather has been good, with sunshine almost constantly for three weeks, and warm over the weekend. The Khandallah pool is now open , so we had two trips over the weekend to try it out. Isaac and Joe did lots of splashing, while M&D are yet to get their toes wet.
Eleanor had her end of year ballet performance on Sunday, to which D had the pleasure of attending. Two shows in the day, including helping to organise the young dancers in their performance.

Saturday night we had an adult night out to see This is England
A good film -enjoyed thoroughly. It took me back to my youth!

For the record Becks scored from the penalty spot in a 4-1 win.
Joe scored 6 in his cricket game on Saturday-not a great innings. He did not get to bowl as the opposition were bowled out for 17 in the 8th over, chasing 240. An early finish.
Isaac was player of the day in his game-2 overs and only one wide, which for his age group is quite an achievement.

The man is in town, and we should all go crazy.
After a mid week game in Sydney, the LA Galaxy and star front man have moved onto Wellington, the sunshine capital of the world, to play the Wellington Phoenix. The game is on Saturday, and I am sure will be beamed live all over the planet.
The Phoenix have a proper game on Friday evening, today, an “A League” game. So the best team will play today and the less best team tomorrow, with how many first pick players currently unknown to me. All does not augur well for a quality game, and at inflated prices to boot.
Joe and Isaac are on a school trip, the whole school I think, to the Westpac stadium today for the watch the Galaxy and Becks train session. Multiple schools have been invited. A big event.
Wellington laps it up.

Yes, a happy time in the sun. The weather has changed and there has been about ten days of sunshine, no rain and calm air. Glorious.
Joe managed “Player of he Day” on Saturday, when the coach finally recognised his skills. 3 for 21 0ff 4, and a better performance generally in the field. However, the team lost-but then someone has to.
The family managed a few games of Yatzee over the weekend, when S showed her grumpy side when not winning. The roll of the dice was not with dad.
The fit family went to Oriental Bay on Sunday morning. 7km run for M&D, a cycle for Joe, Isaac on his scooter, and Eleanor running with him. All total athletes. Then a picque -nique in the sun at the Botanical Gardens, playing catch and listening to Bruce Springstein on the iPod-the hand-me-down-size-of-a- brick one Sara gave me.

Painful just reading about it. I have been trying to kick the emotional sporting habit for a few years. Maybe its a good thing England will not be in the next major tournament.

Somewhat late, as the birthday was last week, and the trip was Saturday, to see the Wellington Phoenix play. They are the NZ team that is in the A league, the predominantly Australian professional league.

Joe and his mates enjoyed the game, as did M&D. Reasonable standard, but not premiership. Good crowd participation, especially when the Sydney player was sent off, and the barrage he “enjoyed” walking down the tunnel.

Joe is sporting a present in the photo-a Samoan rugby shirt(number 12-very clever), which he is very pleased with. That and the Phoenix cap he bought at the game, have been hard to tear off his body. Thanks for the shirt.Though how will he listen to me when I remind him it is the cricket season.
Joe has written comments on his own blog.

S&T had quick trip, during which Sara became a cycling convert after riding for 40 minutes on perfectly flat terrain, as opposed to the home terrain.
A photo also of out short term accommodation.