A long League-ee weekend

This entry is very slow off the mark. Last weekend was the first long weekend for a while. Labour weekend came with cloud and little sunshine and warmth in Wellington, whereas, elsewhere it as cooking. Or so it seems.

What did we do? The things one always does on a holiday weekend-gardening. Cutting the grass, weeding, cutting the hedges and planting up pots. what more could you ask for-just a little bit of sunburn.

Aside of that we did do something different. We went to see the Rugby League international between Engalnd and the Kiwis. The four nations is being played in Australasia curently, and features Australia and PNG as well. It was only the fourth game I have seen live, rather than on tv. So the perspective was quite different but all the same time, interesting to appreciate more of the action.  England lost, and even I could appreciate their limitations. It was not a great game as both teams made more errors than you would expect. More action on the tv this coming weekend, and probably more gardening.

Spring has sprung

We went to Oriental Parade this morning for our Sunday run and cycle. I find it hard to remember seeing it so busy.

Today is one of those days when ‘you can’t beat it on a nice day” comes to mind. It is warm and dry with little wind. The harbour looks great, with people fishing from the rocks, boats out on the water and cyclists and runners everywhere.

Dad ran 8Km, EQ and Joe less. Isaac rode his bike for the 8Km as he felt he had done enough running during the week!

Sunny times-but how long will it last?

Ryder Cup

 I can see from afar that the golf is on, a high profile event, but the team may need some assistance.

The current competition is being played at Celtic Manor, the scene of my finest EGGS triumph. So, I am somewhat bemused that Montie has not been on Skype to tap into my course experience.

So if the European team fails to win it’s not my responsibility.

Weather update

Heavy rain and gale-force winds are expected to continue battering the country today in the latest of a series of spring storms.
Since the wild weather began a week ago, roofs in Southland have collapsed under heavy snow, and farmers have reported damage estimated to cost more than that caused by the Canterbury earthquake.
More than 87,000 households across the central North Island have been hit by power cuts, with power companies still working to restore electricity to the remaining few today.
A MetService weather warning issued today said another spell of severe gales was expected in some eastern areas, including Wellington, and a period of heavy rain was forecast on the West Coast. TVNZ
I know  that the weather is a bit of a dull theme, but one cannot escape it  here.

Spring has arrived. That is the equinox and not  the change of the calendar to the first of the month.
So the wind has arrived, and today boy has it arrived.
It has been hard enough recently with the cycling recently, but today it is blowing you over strength. At the same time, it has been quite sunny and seductive. Elsewhere the weather has been appalling. Terribly cold and wet with snow in Southland, and very wet in the rest of the north island.
It seems that for a change Wellington is having the better of it!

The desert road.

Full Membership

 
On Monday evening we became New Zealand citizens. The ceremony took place at Wellington Town Hall, with the Mayor doing the honours.
There were about 75 people there to have their status updated. They were from a wide range of countries, which emphasised the current and future diversity of NZ.
Everyone had to swear ans oath or  give an affirmation and then the certificates were presented. There was an opportunity for a posed photograph which we declined.
The event lasted about two hours as the Mayor had a chat to everyone who came up, and did not just hand over the certificate.
So now we are all pround citizens, and EQ is soon to become a black passport holder.