Author: telboy2

Kia ora to all and any new viewers.

Today is a national holiday and commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, between William Hobson, representing Queen Victoria and the Maori chiefs. It is the document that was meant to define the relationship, and the closest to a founding document of New Zealand. The influence of the Treaty is ongoing, as it is interpreted and applied to the present, though as the two language versions are not the same, it leaves room for “discussion”.
Anyway, this is the closest to a New Zealand national day. It means different things to different people, some celebrating the diversification of the country, some emphasising things Maori, some just going to the shops. It also has a significant big political overtones with respect to the Maori-and the rest relationship.

Today we went to a public celebration in Wellington, at Waitangi Park, where else? Bit of food, bit of live music and general people watching. Music low calibre, maybe would have been better to go to Haitaiti and “One Love” again, to celebrate Bob Marley’s birthday, also today. We have done that for last three years, hence the change in venue.

Also, Ash Wednesday today, and we attended for our forehead cross.
Which reminds me, good luck on Maunday Thursday!

I do not think I have previously done an entry about work, but here goes.
I saw a 5 year old boy about 2 weeks ago, who was brought in because he had involuntary movements for the previous two weeks, which he demonstrated very well when I saw him. I do believe I heard the diastolic murmur also. Anyway, the discharge summary came today and confirmed that I had seen my first case of acute rheumatic fever.

Wow.
It is not so uncommon here-affects the brown boys and girls.

Back in the armchair, typing, after out holiday to the east coast of the north island.

The initial aim of the trip was the cricket tournament for Joe, the same one he played in last year. However, this year there were two teams, with the talent split between the two.
They played six games, winning three. Joe had more of a go with the ball and took three wickets, with no star turns with the bat.
The video shows him modeling his momento bat.
The cricket was good, though somewhat marred by long outfields that made scoring a boundary a mighty effort. Joe enjoyed himself, and so did everyone else.

When the cricket was over it was time to move on with the tent to Porangahau . The weather was great, dry and some great wind to have some long forgotten success with the kite-no video available unfortunately.
It was the most successful camping trip we have had since being in NZ. The campsite was basic, but quiet and not crowded. Fun had by all, time to read books, play in the sea, and play games.

Now back at work, and children counting down to return to school

Off to Hawkes Bay tomorrow. Cricket tour for Joseph, for the rest of us to watch, and score, and umpire.Then off camping for a week, the weather permitting of course.
The weather has been great, but now that we are going away, to be turning to custard. Hopefully only short term.

The tree in our garden has come to life.

So for us the big day is 0n and coming to a close, but for others just beginning.
This morning the weather was windy and distinctly wet. However, “four seasons in one day” came to pass, and the afternoon was wonderful as we went for a walk at Owhiro Bay, which we usually save for a cold winter’s day.
We opened our presents in the afternoon, and listened to Radio 2 over the net, the early morning stuff for the locals but perfect for us. Very nostalgic.
Turkey has been eaten with the roast potatoes, and home made Christmas pudding. Thanks to wonderful efforts of Sara.
Happy Christmas to all.

Preparations are well in hand for the visit of the man and his reindeer. Excitement is high, anticipation is high.
Will let you know how it all turns out.

Yesterday evening we went to a French restaurant en famille. It was the first time I think we had tried one in NZ. The visit was to acknowledge the good school reports for all three darlings.
They enjoyed the experience, though service became slow later into the evening.
The sun continues to shine down this way in an unseasonal fashion. Today 21C here, elsewhere I think up to 27C-I must remember to move to Alexander in Otago.
Trips to the outdoor pool continue to be a favourite, and the garden has been receiving some attention.
The painters have not yet finished, but will soon, and of course the scaffolders did not manage to come back to take the pools down before the Christmas shut down.

Last night Sara and I went to a performance at a church in Dixon Street. It has almost become an annual event, this being the third time since we have lived here.
It was a small affair, with an audience of only about 120. It was performed by 18 people, who shared the lead roles and became part of the choir as a whole. The performers were a mixture of professional and amateur, all performing for free. It was a really good performance, and despite the small numbers they became a powerful choir. The venue was good and we had a good view of the action, unlike the last time we went, which was two years ago at another church.
The performance lasted two hours, so a relatively brief. During the performance the church moved-literally. Was it a message from above? Or was it the earthquake that hit Wellington, the biggest we have felt for a while, but which has a much larger impact on Gisborne.
Anyway, a good evening, but probably the Albert Hall and the Huddersfield Choral Society from yours gone by still have the slight edge. Probably all down to the company that evening.

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.