The passage of time in Wellington and elsewhere
So today succeeded in passing his test. He has been learning for the last 13 months with me mainly, with some professional lessons. Today was attempt number two, and he passed. The pass rate is 53% nationally, so he is Mr Average.
It is so important to pass as he starts at Whiteria next week in Porirua and traveling by bus would have been a hassle. So now some freedom.
The restricted license means he can drive from 06-00 to 22-00., no passengers who do not have a full license, and no alcohol. He can take his full license in 18 months, or six months earlier if he takes a safe-driving course.
Well Done Bro!
Nigel went to the grave today, having been put out of his discomfort yesterday. He had been failing fro a while but deteriorated quickly on Sunday. He had some nasopharyngeal tumour I think as he has developed progressive right sided cranial nerve palsies, along with his persistent shrieking cry.
Nigel had been with us for the last nine years. A large tiger in his prime, he has certainly faded recently. He now joins Spud in the garden.
Yesterday was officially Joseph’s last day at school. There was a special Mass, also to celebrate All Saint’s Day. There was the presentation of the ‘Leaver’s Tie”, speeches and beautiful singing. It was a lovely event and again reminded me of the important aspects of school life. A positive experience.
At the end, The Year 13s and the rest exchanged the Haka. So New Zealand.
21 July 2013Last updated at 07:26 GMT
The 6.5-magnitude tremor was centred 35 miles (57 km) off the coast south of the capital at a depth of 6.3 miles, said the US Geological Survey.
But while some structural damage and power cuts were reported, officials said there was no risk of a tsunami.
The quake hit at 17:09 (05:09 GMT) and was felt as far north as Auckland.
It smashed windows, knocked stock off shop shelves and burst some water pipes, but there have been no reports of serious casualties.
Wellington resident James Barwell said the earthquake had caused power cuts in the city suburbs and prompted the temporary closure of its airport.
“There’s been a bit of structural damage, lots of shattered glass everywhere,” he told the BBC. “Initially there were a few screams and panic, people thought it was another Christchurch.”
A 6.3-magnitude earthquake centred near Christchurch in February 2011 killed 185 people.
Sunday’s tremor was the latest in a series that have shaken the lower half of New Zealand’s North Island in recent days.
New Zealand lies on the notorious Ring of Fire, the line of frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions that circles virtually the entire Pacific rim.
The country experiences more than 14,000 earthquakes a year, of which only around 20 have a magnitude in excess of 5.0.
Well the place is called the “Shaky Isles” and over the last few days that has certainly been the case. We have had lots of earthquakes over the last three days; persistent and big ones- lots of movement of the house with items falling off the shelf. Magnitude was 6.8 this afternoon, and all the activity is just off the South Island in the Cook Strait.
Yesterday evening we went to see Baz Lurhmann’s lastest effort. The reviews of the critics have been mixed as best, so my expectations were relatively low. I was also concerned about the running time of 2h 20. This was my second 3-D fils after the latest Star Trek.
I think the use of 3-D for Gatsby was often a case of it being used because it was available, rather than usefully adding to the experience. All the same, I enjoyed the film. Good music, good acting and I story that I had not experienced for a long time.
Another example of a technology being ‘flavour of the month? Or more cynically, the masses bring sold something as great, that in fact is not, just to increase film studio revenue?
