Being in the midst of school holidays (like everyone else?), we are sharing back-at-the-ranch parent duties. Yesterday was my turn. An early rise to drop Sara off for her 12 hour shift and back home again, dark enough to still see the stars. I did not have my Skymap so was a little disorientated, and the sky had moved around form my typical viewing times.
After breakfast it was on with life in the fast lane. Up to Porirua to the pool, with its wave machine, hot pools, “tubes” as well as the more mundane pool for swimming laps. Children and dad enjoyed the “tubes”, and laps were done to improve fitness. Dad retired a little earlier to enjoy coffee and cake while kids expended a little more energy. I was good enough to give them a few crumbs of my cake.
After luuch it was into town to do some secretive shopping, play at Oriental Bay while dad had his camera out trying to acheive a particular shot, but was unsuccessful again. More at some future successful date.
Back home via Nairville for kicking practice and a sumptuous pasta meal.
This dad has all the skills!
Good Friday
A beautiful weekend ahead. A high pressure system lies over NZ, so bright, dry and windless days in store.
The morning started with a view across the way to the ‘witch’s house”.
NZ is closed on Good friday. The shops do not open and no newspapers. Just like the “old days”. It seems peculiar that this relatively heathen country pays regard to important religious festivals. it will be the same on Easter Sunday, and it also applies to the early part of ANZAC day, 25th April.
We went for a walk by Wainuiomata, Moores valley, near the sreservoir. Beautiful and quiet, and a picnic by the river. The water was freezing but did not stop Joe form jumping in. He was however surprised as to how cold it was!
Of course after that we were good left footers and went to St. Bens, though the Quirke family we notable for their non participation in the cross veneration segment.
Later in the afternoon we behaved like Kiwis; we had a BBQ because the sun was out and because we could!
Tiger Telescope
National icon lands in backyard
A different weekend event in sunny Khandallah. In some respects just like others, as I went with Joe to watch Wellington club rugby. This was a bit different in that the game was played at Nairnville Park, the same place graced by Joe’s cricket and football skills. Sara, Isaac and Eleanor were also present and the players’ bench was being kept warm for a while by a certain Tana Umaga.
The most recent All Black captain, as there is currently a void, and Hurrricanes lynch pin, was playing for his local club team. He has been injured for a few weeks and so was presumably a way to ease back into the action. He came on after 30 minutes and the first thing he did was drop a pass, to the groans and amusement of the crowd.
The game would normally be played at the Basin Reserve, but the cricket season has only just finished this week.
Tana playing for Petone (Pet-oh-knee) would be like David Beckham turning out at the likes of Boston Manor Park, Tooting Common or Lower Staughton village green, and playing in front of a few hundred people, maybe for his old boys team.
Because of the unusual circumstances, there were TV cameras at the pitch. There was the natural “scrum” at the end of the game, with the autograph hunters surrounding the national hero. It did not include myself. He did his duty well and was around little and big kids for a long time.
I did take the video camera, but the footage was ruined by interference in the middle of the screen; not sure what went wrong. Would otherwise have been good footage. Memories will have to do!
He played quite well by the way.
For the record Petone beat Old Boys-University. I enjoyed the game, and there is something to said for watching a game close up and real rather than high up in the stands of a modern stadium.
For those rugby officianados out there, OBU are coached by Dave Loveridge-remember him?
Move over Patrick Moore
The nerd was out in the dark last night. I finally got around to borrowing the telescope from the Wellington Astronomical Society this week, and took it for a test run on the deck last night.
It is a 6′ Newtonian, which will something to the occasional person in the audience.
I found Saturn and was so pleased when it worked. The image was there, small admittedly but palnet and the rings visible-brill. It was not a great night fro the stars as too many clouds, but success all te same. So more nerdy nigths in the pipeline.
Rugby from the sidelines
Today were at Ian Galloway Park for day one of Joe’s rugby season proper. He met his new team. Wests Under 11 “Red” team.
http://www.wests-junior-rugby.org.nz/_home/wests-junior-rugby-home.htm
The coach loooked the team over to decide positions. Joe was prop. He did well few good tackles, took the ball on a couple of times and tried to look the part in those mauls. Scrummaging was on though no push at this level. Lack of fitness told for Joe, and was of fthe action near the end and not getting the tackles in. something to work on.
The oppo was well organised having mostly played before and together. One lad really took the eye. He was a back who could run fast, was a well balanced runner with swerve, side step and eye for a gap at the age of 10. One of those who we will see again?
He reminded me of me!
Rugby from the Grandstands
A trip with older rugby mad son to the Cake Tin to see a top of the table class;Hurricanes v Crusaders, first v second. The place was officailly full though there were some empty seats. Presumably some pass holders can afford to shell out lots of dollars and not turn up to the games or be bothered to pass on their ticket for a game.
Despite the numbers still a low key atmosphere. Is it something to do with the stadium shape and size?
A good game in the first half, competitive, running rugby, fast stuff. The Crusaders always had the edge. Second half lesser quality and “Canes” looked ineffective until near the end. Crusaders just too good. Dan Carter very much in control though did make some uncharacteristic simple errors. Rico Gear looked pulsating with ball in hand and ever dangerous. McCaw cheated as well as usual.
Joseph thought hhe game was not too good becuase the Hurricanes lost! A typical kid -unable to appreciate the finer points?
One Season in One Day
Cricket round up
The season is over. It all ended yesterday with a “phut” rather than a roar. The game was cancelled, no surprise given the constant rain this week, with chill and wind to add to the mix.
The end was a team and parents meet up for lunch where the erstwhile coach ws presented with a signed mini bat-cool.
Joe’s figures for the numerate out there:
Played Overs Runs Extras Total Wickets Average Economy
12 22.5 101 26 127 4 31.8 5.5
Played Balls Faced Runs Out Average Runs/100 Balls High score
12 1 37 26 8 3.3 1 9.0 6
Not the best, but not the worst. he is keen to improve his skills with indoor wintr cricket. we will see.
