Return to Reality

So the school holidays are over and it is return to work for all. Parents and children back to the coalface on Tuesday.
Isaac came back from first day of school full of enthusiasm and excitement. The older lags were more low key.
The camping trip did not proceed quite as planned. The weekend in Taranaki was fine, easy camping in the host’s garden and a great night for the stars.
“Top 10” campground in Bay of Plenty was busy until the storm arrived. 80Km winds and rain to boot. We were forced out though the tent survived intact, though others on the site did not, including the same Warehouse make that was detroyed with the Rudgley crew in situ.
We moved on to a holiday let and ending up staying for the duration. The weather was then good, sunshine and surf and everyone in the Q household believing they were the best boggie boarder in town. Sara did well to keep surfing at the same time as her bikini was hanging off through wave action.

The fishing proceeded after a brief lesson from the landlord and watching bods in action on the beach. So far two sessions and no fish.It does however relax the mind and get one in touch with nature…..man.
Transfer to Mount Manganui partially successful. Sara did not like the sight of the campsite we were due to use(me likewise), so camping deferred again and 2 nights in apartment. Good walks and good beach action for two days then a turn in the weather and off home.
Kids had fun though Joe disappointed at lack of time under canvas though was a proud assistant to his dad when out with the fishing tackle. He took nifty photo of dad in action.

Trip to Sounds for Waitangi weekend was also a mixed affair. Camping succeeded and weather on day one was great. Kids did lots of jumping off the jetty, bit of snorkling and the fishing rods came out. Eleanor caught a small one with mussel as bait. Dad still to break his duck.
A great night for the stars was had.

Then the weather turned to custard; wind and rain. Time to read the book, and “Long Walk to Freedom” is going well.

Slow movements towards holiday

Not much happening as the countdown to holiday continues. Three more working days until the car is off for a trip to the camping grounds of the Bay of Plenty, with an engagement party on the way, with us camping in the host’s garden, along with a few others.
Roll on sunshine, sea, sand, surf and sailing. Kids excited by the prospect of life under”canvas”. Same for me with prospect of fishing, though I never have before. I am sure some nice Kiwi man on the beach will show us how to add practical knowledge to our theoretical knowldge on surfcasting for out tea. We are proud rod owners.
The kite will come out, or is it the three kites, so that we have enough bits to put one up in the air. Time to practice those loop manoeuvres.
No doubt I will also become “MG” the BBQ king!
Happy dreaming

Victorian Father Relents

So after being advised by modern women and mothers as to his anachronistic ways the father of the house withdrew his objection to the ear ring staging post in a young girl’s life.
Eleanor is very pleased with the outcome and reports it did not hurt too much, though she did feel a bit sick during the procedure. Mum reports she went white as a sheet.
Dad is hoping post-op recovery remains smooth.
Coming of age events are coming thick and fast for Eleanor as she has just inherited dad’s old mobile. He has upgraded fo flip top and so is trying to reach at least the 20th C. This will explain a spate of unrecognised international texts to limited contact list of dad.

School reports for the God Parents out there

A bit late in the day as these came out at the end of term, so just before Christmas, but obviously got lost in the general hubbub of activity.
Another narrow interest item, but you don’t have to read it!
extracts coming;
Isaac “is a very responsible class member. He enjoys undertaking all responsibility that he is asked to do anddoes so to the best of his ability and the minimum supervision”.
Present for good report is a trip to cinema and lunch alone with mum.
Joseph”I have enjoyed teaching Joe this year. He is beginning to take responsibility for himself and his work. Joe is always happy and has a smile on his face.well done Joe.”
Joe’s present for a good report was a trip to the ODI between NZ and Sri Lanka with dad, and even better with mates. For the especially interested, the Black Caps won.
Eleanor “..is an intelligent, friendly and popular student who models exemplary behaviour. She courteous in her interactions with both students and adults alike.”
Eleanor’s present will be taking over dad’s mobile phone when he has anew one soon. Goes to show that the nag factor does work

“I thought they would end up in Kansas”


A bit late in the day but update of the New year period. We went camping up the”cup of tea coast”, Quirkes and Rudgleys in convoy. Tents were erected, and BBQ had, and wine and beer drunk, not withstanding the beers nicked out of the campsite fridge by the local trash. The Rs were in the reserve tent-which is no more. We pitched the tents in what turned out to be a wind tunnel on a very windy night, so much so that the Rudgley abode for the night was turned into a pancake when the three sets of poles snapped. There was lots of noise and a stirring speech from Richard in Churchillian fashion, telling his family it was all fine as long as they did as he said and did not open the tent door and create a vortex. Lisa laughed and cried and got up early to amuse Sara, and children turned over and ignored dad. It was decided to move on earlier than planned and the said “quality” tent from the Warehouse went in the bin.
Back to Wellington for New Year’s Eve on the deck.