Category: Uncategorized

A reader corresponds
“Dear Captain Quirke, I need to formally complain about your selection criteria of “Blog-Pics” on your site. …….I mean what was that – “a frigging extra- extra – wide lens” you were using? Like is that equivalent to a “ 4 XXXX”!!!?? I look like a bloody kiwi shearer!! Now if you are ever to holiday with me again in the Marlborough Sounds, I suggest you remove that hideous picture of me and select a much kinder one – perhaps you could replace it with the attached – which will outline how happy I was on my last working day from the Emergency Department after 11years service ….. As a victim of your un-expecting, un-forgiving lens, please give this some serious consideration, so your friends in the UK will get a much better idea of your wife’s new work partner/friend and trusty and loyal, very deserving of just one nice picture of me on your blog future sounds holiday girl. Regards Lisa “

ANZAC Day here, an official holiday and remembrance.
We went to the Wellington dawn service again. The big knobs I expect are at ANZAC Cove in Turkey.
Hayley Westenra sang the national anthem.
There was a conscientious objectors protest which caused a bit of stir when the police moved in after I think they burnt the NZ flag. A bloke was whining about being assaulted and his freedom of speech as he was lead off with his female companion in tow. Absolutely no street cred. If you want to protest at that sort of occasion then do so with your banners, but to do more and then complain when you get man-handled off is a sign of tosserness.
Bad photo of banding marching off.

Our first Saturday morning back on the rugby circuit. A change of shirt colour this year as they ran out of blue shirts. A good thing anyway as they have to play three other Western Suburb teams during the season.
They played MSP and won a tight one 17-15. Joe was prop….no surprise there then.
A new pair of boots for the season , which Joe is in love with. I am not sure sure myself. A bit too “Beckhamesk” for me.
mesaage form the game. He needs to work on fitnesss…no surprise there, and more aggression. More big tackles needed.

A trip to watch the big boys play this afternoon. Wests lost to MSP.
For throse in the know Craig was playing-in desperate need of a haircut.
Lome Fa’attuu playing for MSP, and david `smith of the “Canes” came on for Wests.
MSP won a tight game 9-3. Joe is now a Wests supporter of course so someone will need to work hard on the Catholic angle to win him back over to MSP.

Friday night was my first trip to the stadium for nearly a year. A super 14 game on a cold evening to watch an underperforming team play and lesser quality South African team. An evening yhat required the donning of thermal lng johns and tee shirt, plus other layers, topped off with a ski jacket and hat. The game was reasonable, but lacked excitement, and the below par crowd of about 15 thousand watched quietly. Joe enjoyed the game-maybe more for just being there, and having a hotdog and Fanta. Hurricanes won and officially are still in the running for the semi-finals. I cannot see it myself.
So then onto Saturday. we went to watch a club game at the Basin Reserve, that icon of New Zealand cricket. OBU were playing Wainuiomata. A bright and warm sunny day. As ever I enjoyed this level of game more than the Super14. Close up to the action and direct play. It was one sided so lost its attraction after a while.
Of note was Jimmy Gopperth coming on in the second half for OBU, having come off the bench the night before to play 1st 5/8th for the “Canes”. Apparently Conrad Smith was watching on the side with Paul Tito, according to Joe.
Isaac actually watched bits of the game when he was not asking for “spin arounds“.
Happy autumn.

So she has been to the flicks with the lad-a film with lots of dancing. I presume her choice and that he is a compliant lad.
Caught sight of him later when I had to drop EQ off to give him his key back..I think a ploy to extend day’s fun.
Anyway looked like a typical youth; beany on his head,wearing a grin and sports jacket. On the positive side a surprisingly good complexion.

Well, we’ve been so lucky with the weather

Autumnal weather more like summer; a message to those with time to travel.

A lovely long weekend, with sea and boats to travel on, swimming and snorkelling, then beer, wine and BBQ time.
Early to bed after watching the stars. Three great nights for the stars, clear skies and no one else around with their light pollution.

We are off to the Marlborough Sounds tomorrow morning until Monday. Off to J&L’s land, via a ferry ride to Picton and then a thirty minute trip on their boat. They stay in the shed, we camp in a tent. It is secluded and beautiful. Thankfully, the weather forecast looks good, with mainly sunshine, and 20C. Happy autumn.
The truth will be known on Tuesday.

Last game of the season on Saturday, which I missed because of other commitments…work.
Sara was in attendance to watch the lads soundly beat the oppo who apparently had a concentration problem. Maybe straight out of the local ADHD school?
Joe took a wicket and bowled well it appears. I put it down to sound discussion of bowling techniques with Dad prior to the off.
The game played in mixed weather conditions, after the Friday was gorgeous 28C and wall to wall sunshine.
Final season figures;33 overs, 5 maidens, 7 for 119, with average of 17 and economy of 3.6, plus his 3 wickets in Hastings tournament.
batting: balls 124, runs 5o, average 6.25, at 40/100 balls. Catches 3.

So to Sunday with first meet up and practice run for his rugby team. There were quite a few familiar faces, and familiar lack of fitness. They were soundly beaten by another Western Suburbs team. So apparently there is plenty to work on during trasining this week. Joe also has scrummaging training this week! They are allowed to push this year, but only 0.5 metres.
Joe will be in intensive fitness and skills training around the streets of Khandallah before the official start of the season.

I was on pick up duty again last Thursday. The venue for the teenage dance event seemed quite a dingy one-lots of dry ice coming out of the doors.
Anyway, “the lad” was there again, and EQ has been more upfront and a date is wanted. Duly discussed by M&D, and event planned for holidays. A “turning point”.

Last night I did another of those “collect me” trips. Eleanor went to a school dance(disco in other language)at the equivalent boys’ college in Kilbirnie. I was on collection duty for her and her friend. It was another of those “life is changing moments”, as I stood on the pavement waiting for her, surrounded by a throng of young girls with too much make-up and bad dress sense!
It was all excitable conversation about who did what and who was with who.
This morning it was followed up with a “hypothetical” question of how I would respond if a boy asked her out- a friend of a friend!
Hmmmm….. I blame it all on allowing the ear piercing.