Military Visit

Not quite a RAF airfield, but a visit on NZ scale.
Monday was the Queens Birthday holiday here-no I do not know why! We went to Wright’s Hill to the site of a defensive gun emplacement built during WW2 to offer protection from the expected Japanese invasion. It has been renovated by a trust and opens to the public on four days of the year. We walked around where the guns were, and through the tunnels and then had a mock battle display. The Kiwis were fighting off aset of bad guys in German uniforms-I think too difficult to get the right gear nd make up to look the part. Anyway lots of bangs and grown men acting like big kids.
On a historical note, work started in WW2, and by the time came to guns being installed the threat was over. Two of three originally planned guns were installed but never fired in anger. One has three test shots in 1946, the other in 1947. They were later dismantled and the guns sent to Japan as scrap!

Return of Culture

Father and daughter had an afternoon date at the ballet, to see Swan Lake
I have never seen this ballet before( I have not seen that many at all!), and it has its”hits” which are good. The swan scenes are great but the other aspects are less good to my eye, and the music less memorable on its own that others I feel. Still, a great afternoon.
A synopsis for those interested.

Aggro on the touchline

A controversial trip to under 12 rugby this week. Joe’s team played Newlands, who are only a junior club, and come from the suburb that I work in.
A new sight of rucking the body of a player on the floor in the first half, and with the changing of refs in the second half-incompetence or just cheating? he awarded a penalty for a forward pass from which the oppo then scored a try. I admit, I saw the next fracas from a distance; a punching was alleged, and their best player, a strapping wide as a house lad, was “substituted”. Then to round it off there was a 26 man melee, grappling for the ball and went over our try line. The ref gave the try. Now it may well have been a try, I was too far away to see, but I knew as the play went on that if they got over te try line a try would be awarded. No TMOs at this level!
Not surprisingly, this resulted in one very unhappy coach.

Round Up

So, it is a while since I last wrote a post, but have been to busy doing stuff. I ahve not been doing interesting stuff like day trips to cricket, but day to day stuff that takes time.
Sport obviously ongoing, though it has been of a variable experience for the clan.
For two weeks I went to watch EQ play netball. She has never really played before, having done other things on Saturday mornings instead of team sports. She is in one of the lower school teams, decided upon after pre -season trials. There was a stuff up on the part of school, and her team was not put in a division, and so has played teams in a series of sorting matches. It has meant that they have played teams older and better girls, and taken some heavy thrashings, other than last week when they had a competitive loss.
Anyway she is learning, and despite the troubles enjoying her time. The exercise is good.
Joe’s team won yesterday, a good competitive game against a J’ville team. They played well and tackling and passing were part of the game. They have lost two games heavily to two other West’s teams, because they did not compete, tackle of show any sign of aggression-important factors. Last week they played wellas a team, but were well beaten by a ream who had a super star in the team, who Sara says was bigger than her, so a tricky person to tackle for the average 11 year old. Jo is doing ok, and we are working on his fitness. Speed I fear will never be part of his lexicon.

I myself will need to work on the fitness side of things before aged body takes me over.

More cheer soon.

Birthday


Eleanor hits the teens, and here is a late post about it.
She played netball inthe morning with Mum in attendance. Another thrashing recieved, though I have it on good authority that she played well along with 2 of the other girls, though there appear to be otherwise be a few significant weak links in the team.
In the afternoon it was Mum and daughter shopping time-great fun I am sure.
The evening included atrip top “Monsoon Poon”, oriental food and then a trip to the stadium en famille to see a terrible Super 14 game, thankfully for those masochists, the last of the season for the Canes.
Happy Birthday.

Letters to the Editor


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 “

Dawn Parade

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.

First Game of the Season


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.