For posterity and those who did not get a copy of my Thailand journal, check it out on this web site
A South African in Thailand - Impressions and Experiences
"Nogga" update
I have been searching for inspiration for the next blog update………….
Still searching, so I resort to a generic sort of post, pass on the news and maybe stumble onto something while I a about it.
There must have been a clattering of keyboards back in South Africa towards the end of last week and over the weekend, coz I opened my mailbox on Monday morning to a host of news and responses to the last blog update. WONDERFUL!
News from:
Joanne on Ivan’s starring role and Erinn, Chaye and Amber’ progress.
Sean and the system upgrade. (could not resist teasing Sean on the price of new cars here, sorry Cuz)
Updates from the folk (2x, thanks) – Seems Pa is the designated spokesperson now and is tackling this role with heaps of enthusiasm. Keep ‘em rolling in!
Val, my dear friend, with all the EDS SA news (and gossip – that is sooooo cool) and the progress on her “retirement home” Not that kind! Her house outside Hermanus she is retiring to, one day! (tee hee)
Jax, my uvver friend, who delights in giving me a hard time! Her thoughts on Helen Zille? “She is going to need to wear armour plated suits”
And Twinkleberry, with her news of her impending first attempt at the London Marathon. (Just have not had the time to research her performance on the net……) We will find out!
Just for fun, though I suppose this has done the rounds in SA……
Boere Computer Dictionary From South Africa
Monitor - Keeping an eye on the braai
Download - Get the firewood off the bakkie
Hard drive - Trip back home without any cold beer
Keyboard - Where you hang the bakkie and bike keys
Window - What you shut when it's cold
Screen - What you shut in the mosquito season
Byte - What mosquitoes do
Bit - What mosquitoes did
Mega Byte - What mosquitoes at the lake do
Chip – A bar snack
Micro Chip - What's left in the bag after you have eaten the chips
Modem - What you did to the lawns
Dot Matrix - Oom Jan Matrix's wife
Laptop - Where the cat sleeps
Software - Plastic knives and forks you get at KFC
Hardware - Real stainless steel knives and forks from Checkers
Mouse - What eats the grain in the shed
Mainframe - What holds the shed up
Web - What spiders make
Web Site - The shed (or under the verandah)
Cursor - The old bloke what swears a lot
Search Engine - What you do when the bakkie won't go
Yahoo - What you say when the bakkie does go
Upgrade - A steep hill
Server - The person at the pub what brings out the lunch
Mail Server - The bloke at the pub what brings out the lunch
User - The neighbour what keeps borrowing things
Network - When you have to repair your fishing net
Internet - Complicated fish net repair method
Netscape - When fish manoeuvres out of reach of net
Online - When you get the laundry hung out
Off Line - When the pegs don't hold the washing up
On the news front from here:
We have not done that much in the last week or so. The kids have been on holiday and I have been a little pre-occupied with work and the 5 projects on my plate, which are all in planning, so huge overhead and effort on the go to line everything up, get the estimates in and sorted, define the projects and get them approved. Once over this hump, life should ease out a little, though saying that, two more resignations this month, so a little work-load-sharing coming, I fear!
Des is full steam ahead with Home Comfort and her diary is filling up rather quickly. She has some 20 hours booked for the past week and has confirmed 30 odd this week already. The pay is handy and the rate per km for travel is generous. I suspect she will be able to buy her dream car cash, later this year if she just saves the travel portion of her weekly pay. That dream car has always been a Toyota Rav4 or similar. She drove a Suzuki Escudo the other day and was really impressed. I would prefer to se her opt for the Toyota, problem is all these cars really only accommodate 4 people. It would be a second car, so why not! My thinking is if she can get that, I might be able to twist her arm for a 2 seater, open top! (Dreamer, nothing but a dreamer…..) rather get the motorcycle first……
Met our neighbours from 3 doors down yesterday (public holiday – ANZAC Day).
They are from Zimbabwe, left 7 years ago, spent 3 years in Perth and have now been in Wellington for 4. They lived in Wellington until recently, when they bought the house in Kapiti in January. Nice couple and I expect we will spend some social time with them.
They made my day, informing where we could get our grubby mits on Ricoffy and Boerewors. Not so much that we miss the wors as that the stuff that parades as sausage here is pretty awful. So much so, we have stopped trying to find one we like and sausage is off the shopping list. That goes for the ground meat and processed versions. The coffee aint bad, I suppose, but you know how it is, If you like something, you measure all others by that!
Des was thrilled to hear that the store also keeps a few brands of Pap, so guess where we will be visiting this weekend. The prices will be interesting too.
(Carried on from yesterday)
Meghan went back to school yesterday, while the other two only restart on Monday. With Des having a full day planned with Home Comfort activities, Meghan was dropped at school but would be taking the bus home. She is the only one of the kids to have used the bus for schooling purposes to date, the clever girl, so we were not concerned about her making her way home.
On enquiring from her how her day had been and what they had learned, how many windows in her class room, how many in the building etc. Sherrie chipped in that Meghan had arrived home a little later than was expected.
Oh!? Megs, did you miss the bus?
No, not really.
(Now what does not really mean? You either caught the bus or you did not)
Megs?
Yes daddy?
What’s going on?
Well,………. I ran home!
Des, didn’t you give Megs money for the bus? Megs, did you loose your bus money? Why did you RUN home?!
Well, I didn’t really run all the way home, I ran to McDonalds then I walked home. (That is so typical Meghan, she will now start to split hairs)
(McDonalds is halfway home, on the bus route, located at the main shopping centre. It is also the place where she changes busses)
Meghan, what did you buy at McDonalds? I enquire
Quarter pounder, she mumbles from behind her hand.
Huh?
Quar-ter Poun-der, she enunciates, as if to imply we are either deaf or ignorant of the Mac menu.
Turns out she decided that since school ends at 3PM and her bus does not leave till just after 3.30 (it waits for the College kids), she would walk the 2odd kilometres up to McDonalds, get herself a burger, then hop on the bus from there for the 2.5 or 3 odd kilometres home. By the time she had scoffed her Mac burger, it was still too early for the bus, so she decided to walk instead of wait.
So Des and I have had to lay some ground rules. Walking to the shopping mall is fine, there are heaps of children who walk that way so she is not alone, but from the mall home on her own is out of the question.
I suspect her $30 pocket money every second week will find some of its way into Ronald MacDonald’s rather deep, yellow and red pockets.
That child!!!!!! But you just cannot get angry with her. She has also taken a fancy to using the dishwasher. Des added dishwasher detergents and cleaners and anti-streak, and quick dry and washer cleaner and anti-alkaline build-up and washer machine degreaser and some other bottles and tablets and stuff to her shopping list with a view to making use of the dishwasher, now that she is starting to work fuller days. The machine comes with the house and simply stands there, so Megs has become the owner of pressing the buttons. To be honest, I looked at the user manual put it down after checking the maintenance page. She is getting the dishes out clean and that’s all that matters for now.
Des is starting to come home with some interesting stories from her Home Comfort, comforting! I am encouraging her to write them down, so expect some updates about the “old folk”, “lazy folk”, “lonely folk” and “senile folk” in due course. I just laugh when she tells me these stories. Poor Des!
Still searching, so I resort to a generic sort of post, pass on the news and maybe stumble onto something while I a about it.
There must have been a clattering of keyboards back in South Africa towards the end of last week and over the weekend, coz I opened my mailbox on Monday morning to a host of news and responses to the last blog update. WONDERFUL!
News from:
Joanne on Ivan’s starring role and Erinn, Chaye and Amber’ progress.
Sean and the system upgrade. (could not resist teasing Sean on the price of new cars here, sorry Cuz)
Updates from the folk (2x, thanks) – Seems Pa is the designated spokesperson now and is tackling this role with heaps of enthusiasm. Keep ‘em rolling in!
Val, my dear friend, with all the EDS SA news (and gossip – that is sooooo cool) and the progress on her “retirement home” Not that kind! Her house outside Hermanus she is retiring to, one day! (tee hee)
Jax, my uvver friend, who delights in giving me a hard time! Her thoughts on Helen Zille? “She is going to need to wear armour plated suits”
And Twinkleberry, with her news of her impending first attempt at the London Marathon. (Just have not had the time to research her performance on the net……) We will find out!
Just for fun, though I suppose this has done the rounds in SA……
Boere Computer Dictionary From South Africa
Monitor - Keeping an eye on the braai
Download - Get the firewood off the bakkie
Hard drive - Trip back home without any cold beer
Keyboard - Where you hang the bakkie and bike keys
Window - What you shut when it's cold
Screen - What you shut in the mosquito season
Byte - What mosquitoes do
Bit - What mosquitoes did
Mega Byte - What mosquitoes at the lake do
Chip – A bar snack
Micro Chip - What's left in the bag after you have eaten the chips
Modem - What you did to the lawns
Dot Matrix - Oom Jan Matrix's wife
Laptop - Where the cat sleeps
Software - Plastic knives and forks you get at KFC
Hardware - Real stainless steel knives and forks from Checkers
Mouse - What eats the grain in the shed
Mainframe - What holds the shed up
Web - What spiders make
Web Site - The shed (or under the verandah)
Cursor - The old bloke what swears a lot
Search Engine - What you do when the bakkie won't go
Yahoo - What you say when the bakkie does go
Upgrade - A steep hill
Server - The person at the pub what brings out the lunch
Mail Server - The bloke at the pub what brings out the lunch
User - The neighbour what keeps borrowing things
Network - When you have to repair your fishing net
Internet - Complicated fish net repair method
Netscape - When fish manoeuvres out of reach of net
Online - When you get the laundry hung out
Off Line - When the pegs don't hold the washing up
On the news front from here:
We have not done that much in the last week or so. The kids have been on holiday and I have been a little pre-occupied with work and the 5 projects on my plate, which are all in planning, so huge overhead and effort on the go to line everything up, get the estimates in and sorted, define the projects and get them approved. Once over this hump, life should ease out a little, though saying that, two more resignations this month, so a little work-load-sharing coming, I fear!
Des is full steam ahead with Home Comfort and her diary is filling up rather quickly. She has some 20 hours booked for the past week and has confirmed 30 odd this week already. The pay is handy and the rate per km for travel is generous. I suspect she will be able to buy her dream car cash, later this year if she just saves the travel portion of her weekly pay. That dream car has always been a Toyota Rav4 or similar. She drove a Suzuki Escudo the other day and was really impressed. I would prefer to se her opt for the Toyota, problem is all these cars really only accommodate 4 people. It would be a second car, so why not! My thinking is if she can get that, I might be able to twist her arm for a 2 seater, open top! (Dreamer, nothing but a dreamer…..) rather get the motorcycle first……
Met our neighbours from 3 doors down yesterday (public holiday – ANZAC Day).
They are from Zimbabwe, left 7 years ago, spent 3 years in Perth and have now been in Wellington for 4. They lived in Wellington until recently, when they bought the house in Kapiti in January. Nice couple and I expect we will spend some social time with them.
They made my day, informing where we could get our grubby mits on Ricoffy and Boerewors. Not so much that we miss the wors as that the stuff that parades as sausage here is pretty awful. So much so, we have stopped trying to find one we like and sausage is off the shopping list. That goes for the ground meat and processed versions. The coffee aint bad, I suppose, but you know how it is, If you like something, you measure all others by that!
Des was thrilled to hear that the store also keeps a few brands of Pap, so guess where we will be visiting this weekend. The prices will be interesting too.
(Carried on from yesterday)
Meghan went back to school yesterday, while the other two only restart on Monday. With Des having a full day planned with Home Comfort activities, Meghan was dropped at school but would be taking the bus home. She is the only one of the kids to have used the bus for schooling purposes to date, the clever girl, so we were not concerned about her making her way home.
On enquiring from her how her day had been and what they had learned, how many windows in her class room, how many in the building etc. Sherrie chipped in that Meghan had arrived home a little later than was expected.
Oh!? Megs, did you miss the bus?
No, not really.
(Now what does not really mean? You either caught the bus or you did not)
Megs?
Yes daddy?
What’s going on?
Well,………. I ran home!
Des, didn’t you give Megs money for the bus? Megs, did you loose your bus money? Why did you RUN home?!
Well, I didn’t really run all the way home, I ran to McDonalds then I walked home. (That is so typical Meghan, she will now start to split hairs)
(McDonalds is halfway home, on the bus route, located at the main shopping centre. It is also the place where she changes busses)
Meghan, what did you buy at McDonalds? I enquire
Quarter pounder, she mumbles from behind her hand.
Huh?
Quar-ter Poun-der, she enunciates, as if to imply we are either deaf or ignorant of the Mac menu.
Turns out she decided that since school ends at 3PM and her bus does not leave till just after 3.30 (it waits for the College kids), she would walk the 2odd kilometres up to McDonalds, get herself a burger, then hop on the bus from there for the 2.5 or 3 odd kilometres home. By the time she had scoffed her Mac burger, it was still too early for the bus, so she decided to walk instead of wait.
So Des and I have had to lay some ground rules. Walking to the shopping mall is fine, there are heaps of children who walk that way so she is not alone, but from the mall home on her own is out of the question.
I suspect her $30 pocket money every second week will find some of its way into Ronald MacDonald’s rather deep, yellow and red pockets.
That child!!!!!! But you just cannot get angry with her. She has also taken a fancy to using the dishwasher. Des added dishwasher detergents and cleaners and anti-streak, and quick dry and washer cleaner and anti-alkaline build-up and washer machine degreaser and some other bottles and tablets and stuff to her shopping list with a view to making use of the dishwasher, now that she is starting to work fuller days. The machine comes with the house and simply stands there, so Megs has become the owner of pressing the buttons. To be honest, I looked at the user manual put it down after checking the maintenance page. She is getting the dishes out clean and that’s all that matters for now.
Des is starting to come home with some interesting stories from her Home Comfort, comforting! I am encouraging her to write them down, so expect some updates about the “old folk”, “lazy folk”, “lonely folk” and “senile folk” in due course. I just laugh when she tells me these stories. Poor Des!
Not a bad week, as weeks go
Rained buckets early hours Tuesday morning. The weather had been so good to us over the long weekend, so awaking to the din of pitter-patter on steroids was a little disappointing.
By the time I was ready for work, the cloud had lifted so the early morning sun light could reveal how nature had spruced itself up, ready for another day, as clean and fresh as the suits heading off to their filing cabinets.
(Filing cabinets are what Wellingtonians call the city office blocks)
I still do not own an umbrella. I fear that as soon as I invest in a brolly I will need to use it. A little like a Murphy’s Law, so I am hanging in there, but I sense this one will nip me on the backside; probably on a morning when I am late have a customer facing meeting first up and it is the first time I am meeting this customer. Now that would be Murphy!
So a week that appeared to be uneventful, got off to just that kind of start. Tuesday came and went, as did Wednesday. Nothing much to write home about. Thursday rolled along, pay day!
The budget looks OK, then again looks OK and what is left in the end are two very different things. I am encouraged though and we are very quickly making progress on the financial front. The projections suggest we should be in the black, month-on-month, by end May! I am particularly happy about that, even though we still have nought to sit on the lounge. I am considering hiring two sofas from a company that supplies furniture for show houses. Just hate to drop cash into something we will not own.
Should have known the day was going to hold something special when we were treated to a spectacular sunset over the South Island on the train journey home.
Des presented her offer of employment for the coffee shop, that’s two days a week, to compliment her activities with Home Comfort. She also has two new opportunities on her Home Comfort portfolio, so she is flying.
Travis produced a letter from the Horowhenua-Kapiti Cricket Association. He has been selected to the second stage of the Districts under 17 Representative Cricket Team. Winter training will whittle the numbers down to what is required for the coming seasons league.
Four, two hour indoor training sessions are scheduled, commencing in July, with the season kicking off towards October. Travis is only turning 15 at the end May, so he can be proud, especially considering he is a medium fast bowler.
History is littered with young boys making their mark with the bat, while those taking the new ball? He has found heaps of away swing here, which is really encouraging, though he needs to learn how to use and control it. Also, they have been playing on artificial pitches, concrete with a mat. The ball really bounces on these things, which negates a lot within his arsenal. Away ducker, just short of length, beats the bat but goes over the to of the stumps. Pitch it up a little and the batsman is driving.
Representative cricket is played on cricket pitches, so I expect to see him develop a few more attacking skills with the ball, given he won’t get quite the bounce on the grass tops. I look forward to it!
Popped down to see Travis at rugby practice. I was impressed with the quality of coaching and noted that he could catch and pass a rugby ball. HOWEVER! We will need to do some work on his tackling. I said to Travis ”You are tackling with your hands. Tackle with your shoulder!” He seemed a little unsure of what I meant, so I explained thus: “You are tackling like Percy Montgomery! Tackle like de Wet Barry or Tana Umaga”
On that note, the train arrives at Wellington station, so let Friday begin! If it is half as good as the days preceding it, “sweet as!”
By the time I was ready for work, the cloud had lifted so the early morning sun light could reveal how nature had spruced itself up, ready for another day, as clean and fresh as the suits heading off to their filing cabinets.
(Filing cabinets are what Wellingtonians call the city office blocks)
I still do not own an umbrella. I fear that as soon as I invest in a brolly I will need to use it. A little like a Murphy’s Law, so I am hanging in there, but I sense this one will nip me on the backside; probably on a morning when I am late have a customer facing meeting first up and it is the first time I am meeting this customer. Now that would be Murphy!
So a week that appeared to be uneventful, got off to just that kind of start. Tuesday came and went, as did Wednesday. Nothing much to write home about. Thursday rolled along, pay day!
The budget looks OK, then again looks OK and what is left in the end are two very different things. I am encouraged though and we are very quickly making progress on the financial front. The projections suggest we should be in the black, month-on-month, by end May! I am particularly happy about that, even though we still have nought to sit on the lounge. I am considering hiring two sofas from a company that supplies furniture for show houses. Just hate to drop cash into something we will not own.
Should have known the day was going to hold something special when we were treated to a spectacular sunset over the South Island on the train journey home.
Des presented her offer of employment for the coffee shop, that’s two days a week, to compliment her activities with Home Comfort. She also has two new opportunities on her Home Comfort portfolio, so she is flying.
Travis produced a letter from the Horowhenua-Kapiti Cricket Association. He has been selected to the second stage of the Districts under 17 Representative Cricket Team. Winter training will whittle the numbers down to what is required for the coming seasons league.
Four, two hour indoor training sessions are scheduled, commencing in July, with the season kicking off towards October. Travis is only turning 15 at the end May, so he can be proud, especially considering he is a medium fast bowler.
History is littered with young boys making their mark with the bat, while those taking the new ball? He has found heaps of away swing here, which is really encouraging, though he needs to learn how to use and control it. Also, they have been playing on artificial pitches, concrete with a mat. The ball really bounces on these things, which negates a lot within his arsenal. Away ducker, just short of length, beats the bat but goes over the to of the stumps. Pitch it up a little and the batsman is driving.
Representative cricket is played on cricket pitches, so I expect to see him develop a few more attacking skills with the ball, given he won’t get quite the bounce on the grass tops. I look forward to it!
Popped down to see Travis at rugby practice. I was impressed with the quality of coaching and noted that he could catch and pass a rugby ball. HOWEVER! We will need to do some work on his tackling. I said to Travis ”You are tackling with your hands. Tackle with your shoulder!” He seemed a little unsure of what I meant, so I explained thus: “You are tackling like Percy Montgomery! Tackle like de Wet Barry or Tana Umaga”
On that note, the train arrives at Wellington station, so let Friday begin! If it is half as good as the days preceding it, “sweet as!”
Why New Zealand
Let me at the outset apologise for the generalisations this piece is bound to contain. These are my impressions and perceptions of a community and society. I well expect to look back on this in the years to come and perform a modicum of self-flagellation at my naivety.
I am often confronted by kiwis with the question “Why did you choose New Zealand?” I use the term confronted, as I find it such a direct question, almost loaded! The difficulty, in reality, is that I have guilt. Guilt at feeling: I could have!? Should have!? done more! I could have!? Should have been more!? This white guilt, that permeates simple curiosity and results in guarded, carefully structured answers.
The kind of answers that say, “for my career security and opportunities for my children.”
The response is one which explores the cause of that guilt, that carefully considered answer.
“But isn’t the job market good? I have heard people chop and change their jobs heaps?” The honest response, including current unemployment rates, leaves the enquiring Kiwi in no doubt how tough times are for all in a country that should have been better off!
“Yeah! Less crime here, hey?” further explores the ravages of our selfish past and leaves me feeling I may have “run away”.
Then I pick up the paper and read of a body discovered in a suitcase in Auckland harbour! Gang wars in Wanganui! The Easter weekend road death toll! That crime is up 7% on the Kapiti Coast, year on year!
Yes, crime statistics are available and published, scrutinised and swept under the carpet. People get murdered, it is on the news and in the papers, but we do not talk about it.
The road death toll for the Easter weekend is up on last year. It is news, it is in the paper, but not discussed.
Kapiti crime, up 7%! The population is up 12%! So nothing to discuss.
David Benson-Pope, Minister of Education is alleged to have walked into a girls changing room at a camp, 15 years ago, to give them the hurry up! It is in the news, in the papers and BOY! This we talk about!
The Kiwi ask “Why New Zealand?” and I feel guarded. They have a moral high ground in exploring my white South African privilege. The same privilege that provided me the opportunity to immigrate, to have the experience and the loot! They, after all, helped topple the “Krokodil” though I do not believe they would ever say so outright in this context.
Not hard to understand then, this countries obsession and being spurred to action in those dark days, when all we knew was the kicking game! So easy to pretend nothing of gravity requires our attention, the road death toll is up on last year, a staggering 5 in total, but hey, so many more cars on the road. The police have announced measure to curb the gang problems in Wanganui, so it is sorted.
But that David Benson-Pope! He has gotta go! No, he has gotta stay! 3 weeks of it.
Why New Zealand?
Hell, the Kiwi understands exactly how insignificant their troubles are, though real, in a world in turmoil. We know it is going on and we manage to maintain an identity, without becoming embroiled.
Why New Zealand?
For now, David Benson-Pope is my biggest concern! So you tell me……….
Why not?!
I am often confronted by kiwis with the question “Why did you choose New Zealand?” I use the term confronted, as I find it such a direct question, almost loaded! The difficulty, in reality, is that I have guilt. Guilt at feeling: I could have!? Should have!? done more! I could have!? Should have been more!? This white guilt, that permeates simple curiosity and results in guarded, carefully structured answers.
The kind of answers that say, “for my career security and opportunities for my children.”
The response is one which explores the cause of that guilt, that carefully considered answer.
“But isn’t the job market good? I have heard people chop and change their jobs heaps?” The honest response, including current unemployment rates, leaves the enquiring Kiwi in no doubt how tough times are for all in a country that should have been better off!
“Yeah! Less crime here, hey?” further explores the ravages of our selfish past and leaves me feeling I may have “run away”.
Then I pick up the paper and read of a body discovered in a suitcase in Auckland harbour! Gang wars in Wanganui! The Easter weekend road death toll! That crime is up 7% on the Kapiti Coast, year on year!
Yes, crime statistics are available and published, scrutinised and swept under the carpet. People get murdered, it is on the news and in the papers, but we do not talk about it.
The road death toll for the Easter weekend is up on last year. It is news, it is in the paper, but not discussed.
Kapiti crime, up 7%! The population is up 12%! So nothing to discuss.
David Benson-Pope, Minister of Education is alleged to have walked into a girls changing room at a camp, 15 years ago, to give them the hurry up! It is in the news, in the papers and BOY! This we talk about!
The Kiwi ask “Why New Zealand?” and I feel guarded. They have a moral high ground in exploring my white South African privilege. The same privilege that provided me the opportunity to immigrate, to have the experience and the loot! They, after all, helped topple the “Krokodil” though I do not believe they would ever say so outright in this context.
Not hard to understand then, this countries obsession and being spurred to action in those dark days, when all we knew was the kicking game! So easy to pretend nothing of gravity requires our attention, the road death toll is up on last year, a staggering 5 in total, but hey, so many more cars on the road. The police have announced measure to curb the gang problems in Wanganui, so it is sorted.
But that David Benson-Pope! He has gotta go! No, he has gotta stay! 3 weeks of it.
Why New Zealand?
Hell, the Kiwi understands exactly how insignificant their troubles are, though real, in a world in turmoil. We know it is going on and we manage to maintain an identity, without becoming embroiled.
Why New Zealand?
For now, David Benson-Pope is my biggest concern! So you tell me……….
Why not?!
Easter
The rabbit has come and gone!
Nestle, Cadbury and Whitaker’s have probably done well, even without the total onslaught of advertising campaigns commencing 2 days after new year and concluding with post Easter weekend specials on all things chocolate and “rabitty”.
I admit to feeling a little “let down” by the lack of a build-up.
I do so appreciate advertising free TV and radio! Imagine not knowing this was going to happen and slowly figuring out what this strange feeling is in your gut! Too much chocolate? No, it is only Good Friday, so no sucking on “choccies” till your jaw hurts and your stomach complains! Certainly not a hangover, I know what that feels like and what causes it! These are withdrawal symptoms! but from what?
No commercial advertising on TV or Radio, ALL DAY! The only thing to fill the gaps in the scheduled programming? Trailers and enticers of upcoming programming!
No banking, insurance, tomato sauce, toilet paper or loo cleaner! No banking, insurance, tomato sauce, toilet paper or loo cleaner! No banking, insurance, tomato sauce, toilet paper or loo cleaner!
That’s what it is hey!? The same stuff over and over and over again! I cannot wait for Christmas and Easter next year!
So Easter crept up on us, not entirely unnoticed giving the prospects of a long weekend and a chance to charge the batteries. We were treated to the most glorious weather on Friday, wind still, cloudless and an early morning quietness that Sherrie likened to “waking up when you are camping” We resolved while soaking up the early morning quiet and bird song, to grab a few goodies at the supermarket later in the morning and picnic down on the beach for lunch!
So Easter crept up on us, not entirely unnoticed giving the prospects of a long weekend and a chance to charge the batteries. We were treated to the most glorious weather on Friday, wind still, cloudless and an early morning quietness that Sherrie likened to “waking up when you are camping” We resolved while soaking up the early morning quiet and bird song, to grab a few goodies at the supermarket later in the morning and picnic down on the beach for lunch!
Cheese, wine, chips and dip, fruit juice and savoury biscuits! Yummy! Way to go! Tidied up and pottered until late morning, in the car and off the supermarket on route to the beach. The same supermarket that is open from 9AM till 11PM everyday! CLOSED! No worries, we will go to one of the bigger dairies. They have all those goodies! Mostly closed and no booze sales!
Picnic became a family bucket of chicken from KFC, crisps, dip and rounded off with 2 pretty good mangoes, courtesy of Peru. The beach time was fantastic and we spent a little while just sitting on a bench at the kiddies playground, watching the kids at play and the world passing by!
Saturday was another cracker! Beautiful, beautiful weather, though not as quiet as Friday had been. Things were back to normal, advertising luring the “zombie” like back into the malls and shops. Traffic noise, music in the air kids around the neighbourhood. We set off for Waikanae to take in the annual Easter market. Well, small and disappointing really. Had hopes of finding a pancake stall and complimenting it with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for breakfast! Ended up back at Paraparaumu beach Saturday fruit and veg market for a pork sizzle, no coffee!
We popped down to Paraparaumu rugby club in the afternoon in the hopes the first team were playing at home. They were! No soccer for me, bye weekend. A glass of Export Gold draught and the teams are on the field. We score an early try but as the game wears on it is evident the heavier Porirua pack are dominating possession and with that, territory. Our lads are plucky and make try saving tackle after try saving tackle. They soak up pressure well and go into the break 8 to 5 up. The second half is much the same, no ball, no territory. With 10 minutes to go the score line flatters Paraparaumu, leading 18 to 17, but the game is changing! The opposition pack, big and strong are blowing hard and the locals are beginning to enjoy long periods of possession. The result is a number of penalties and 2 tries in the closing 10 minutes with Paraparaumu winning easily in the end.
Quiet evening at home and an expectation the weather would change at some point!
Quiet evening at home and an expectation the weather would change at some point!
Sunday dawned, a little cooler, a fair amount of high cloud and a light breeze. We did nothing of note on Sunday save for hiding a few eggs and waiting for the kids to rise. We eventually rose them at around 10:30 AM! I had queried Sherrie and Travis on the hiding of the eggs thing! They are pretty much past that, I would have thought. There instruction to me was to hide the eggs, they think it is fun! I think they believe the bounty would less if the eggies were simply handed over. I had fun teasing Travis and Sherrie that their eggs were hidden out the front of the garden and in the neighbours front garden across the road, meaning they would have to “hunt in public” I capitulated in due course and explained their “hunting zones”
The kids had fun and we enjoyed watching them look past and miss the obvious……
The kids had fun and we enjoyed watching them look past and miss the obvious……
Monday. Worked in the garden a bit and fixed a rattle on the Camry. Weather much like Sunday, but not the sun drenched affair of earlier in the weekend. Took garden cuttings to the dump and dropped off all the recycling goodies at the same time. Relaxed in the afternoon with a little TV and the girls on the computers playing the Sims.
Back to work on Tuesday for me. Des is day off and the kids on holiday for another 2 weeks.
Home - St James Court
Home from the bottom of the drive, lookin south
Dining room in the bay window section, then kitchen, front door and girls room leading up to the garage
WELCOME!
East from the back garden
Proteas, proteas, proteas
More proteas, we have plenty of proteas
The veranda off the lounge, east side of the house
Looking east with a piece of Kapiti Island just visible between the houses. (from the bottom of the drive
Short history of Wellington
According to Maori legend, Wellington was first discovered in the 10th century by the great Polynesian explorer Kupe and named Te Whanganui a Tara - the Great Harbour of Tara - after his son. To this day the spectacular natural harbour surrounded by steep hills is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. By the time the explorer Captain Cook visited in 1773 the harbour was lined with Maori settlements. Today a popular viewing point, Mt Victoria, is built on top of an ancient Maori burial ground. However, both Cook and Abel Tasman, a previous visitor who stopped by in 1642, were driven back by the fierce winds, which have earned the city its often ill-deserved reputation of 'windy Wellington'.
It wasn't until 1840 following settlement by British pioneers from the New Zealand Company that the city was named Wellington in honour of the Iron Duke who lent his support to the company. Sir William Wakefield who, along with the other founding fathers of the city now lies at rest in the Bolton St Cemetery, led the first wave of settlers. It is said that Wakefield's deals with the Maori included buying Wellington for 100 muskets, 100 blankets, 60 red nightcaps, a dozen umbrellas and other sundry goods.
Wakefield and his followers originally established a base at Petone, however, flooding from the Hutt River forced them to relocate at Lambton Harbour, a drier location and the present focal point of the city.
Lack of space soon led to a decision by the spirited settlers to reclaim the harbour and following the earthquake of 1845, which conveniently raised the foreshore by four feet, the reclamations got underway in earnest. By the turn of the 20th century the original shoreline was totally replaced by wharves and warehouses. It seems hard to envisage, but most of the commercial heart of Wellington was originally sea, and the Town Hall and Railway Station now stand where ships once berthed.
As the shipping industry modernised, it no longer needed many of the waterfront buildings and over recent years some of the best have been redeveloped for public use. One of these historic icons, the Bond Store, now home to one of Wellington's newest museums, the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, was originally an 1892 storehouse for a variety of goods from corsets to whisky and coffee.
In spite of natural hazards like earthquakes, fires and the ever-present gale force winds, the fledgling colony of the mid-1800s quickly became a thriving import and export centre and in 1865 superseded Auckland as the capital. The original powerhouse of the nation, the Old Government Buildings, was built in the 1870s and is the largest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere. Across the road stands Parliament Buildings, built in 1922. Its square marble angles contrast dramatically with the rounded contours of the Beehive, the capital's distinctive circular Cabinet offices, built in the late 1970s.
Another of Wellington's unique attractions, the Cable Car, was built between 1899 and 1902 and received a major upgrade in 1978. Accessed from Cable Car Lane, off Lambton Quay, it climbs steeply to the inner-city suburb of Kelburn, giving stunning views over the city and harbour.
In spite of a massive reconstruction of the city in the 1980s, which saw the demolition of numerous older earthquake-risk buildings, Wellington still has many old buildings, which provide an insight into its history. Amongst the churches which have survived are gems like Old St Paul's Church in Thorndon, the Anglican Diocese of Wellington from 1866 to 1964, and St Mary of the Angels, which shows the influence of traditional French Gothic architecture.
Also providing a precious glimpse of the past and an insight into the lives of the early settlers are the Colonial Cottage in Nairn Street; Ascot St in Thorndon, Sexton's Cottage and Katherine Mansfield Birthplace, where the world famous writer spent her early childhood.
As well as historic buildings Wellington contains many sites, gardens and walks which have survived from the early days. Amongst these are the Botanic Gardens and the famous Red Rocks Seals colony at Owhiro Bay, a rugged stretch of coastline which is supposedly stained by the blood from Kupe's cut hand.
Wellington continues to grow both in cultural diversity and in terms of the numerous attractions on offer. Recent initiatives such as the building of the new national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa, and the WestpacTrust Stadium draw more and more visitors each year. Despite its growth, however, the city retains the natural charm and beauty which originally attracted the early settlers in their droves.
Places of Interest
Wellington's diverse and traditionally transient 300,000+ population base is an eclectic mix of colourful suburban and chic inner-city apartment communities. Many of the central and city-fringe suburbs have been rejuvenated over the past five years creating a vibrancy and positive spirit which is reflected in the region's economic upturn.
Courtenay Place
Courtenay Place is the centre of local theatrical activity and the favoured destination for those seeking entertainment well into the wee hours. Restaurants, cafes, wine bars and pubs line both sides of this long, wide strip with a good spread of ethnic tastes represented in their menus.
Courtenay Place is the centre of local theatrical activity and the favoured destination for those seeking entertainment well into the wee hours. Restaurants, cafes, wine bars and pubs line both sides of this long, wide strip with a good spread of ethnic tastes represented in their menus.
Cuba St
For the young urban dweller, Cuba and Manners Malls are the locations of choice in which to see and be seen. Street theatre and busking are common, especially during the Fringe Festival and the International Festival of the Arts and innovative sculptures and water features add colour to the area. The concentration of cafes on Cuba is phenomenal and there is something there to suit most moods and palates.
For the young urban dweller, Cuba and Manners Malls are the locations of choice in which to see and be seen. Street theatre and busking are common, especially during the Fringe Festival and the International Festival of the Arts and innovative sculptures and water features add colour to the area. The concentration of cafes on Cuba is phenomenal and there is something there to suit most moods and palates.
The Golden Mile
For the sophisticated shopper, Wellington's so-called 'Golden Mile' shopping district provides endless opportunities for spending. Stretching the length of Lambton Quay and Willis St, the area incorporates a number of popular shopping malls including Lambton Square, Capital on the Quay, the BNZ Centre and the newly refurbished Old Bank Arcade. You will find Wellington's answer to Harrod's, Kirkcaldie & Stains, on Lambton Quay.
There are plenty of eating options here too, including the ever-crowded Caffe Astoria, Paris and Forum. Watch out for the suit brigade as you pound the pavements, particularly between midday and 2pm when the surrounding office blocks, affectionately known as Wellington's filing cabinets, empty their drawers for lunch.
For the sophisticated shopper, Wellington's so-called 'Golden Mile' shopping district provides endless opportunities for spending. Stretching the length of Lambton Quay and Willis St, the area incorporates a number of popular shopping malls including Lambton Square, Capital on the Quay, the BNZ Centre and the newly refurbished Old Bank Arcade. You will find Wellington's answer to Harrod's, Kirkcaldie & Stains, on Lambton Quay.
There are plenty of eating options here too, including the ever-crowded Caffe Astoria, Paris and Forum. Watch out for the suit brigade as you pound the pavements, particularly between midday and 2pm when the surrounding office blocks, affectionately known as Wellington's filing cabinets, empty their drawers for lunch.
Civic Square
Civic Square was developed in the early 1990s and forms a natural boundary between the Cuba St and Lambton Quay shopping precincts. A marvellous open area incorporating clever landscaping, it is popular with the lunchtime crowds in summer and is a regular venue for outdoor festivals and markets.The square is ringed by cultural institutions of note; the Wellington Public Library, the City Gallery and the Wellington Festival and Convention Centre, incorporating the Town Hall and Michael Fowler Centre. The architecturally designed City to Sea Bridge provides a quick link with the nearby waterfront.
Civic Square was developed in the early 1990s and forms a natural boundary between the Cuba St and Lambton Quay shopping precincts. A marvellous open area incorporating clever landscaping, it is popular with the lunchtime crowds in summer and is a regular venue for outdoor festivals and markets.The square is ringed by cultural institutions of note; the Wellington Public Library, the City Gallery and the Wellington Festival and Convention Centre, incorporating the Town Hall and Michael Fowler Centre. The architecturally designed City to Sea Bridge provides a quick link with the nearby waterfront.
Waterfront
With cycleways and parks spanning the full length of the inner-city harbour-side from Queen's Wharf to Oriental Parade, Wellington's waterfront is one of the most accessible in the country. The area is a popular weekend destination for families and young people with activities and attractions to cater for all interests. Museum buffs are spoilt for choice with the Wellington Museum of City & Sea having recently reopened on Queen's Wharf and the majestic Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa gracing the shores nearby. In-line skates and kayaks can be hired from Ferg's Rock'n Kayak and if you're in need of a meal or drink both Dockside and Shed 5 have excellent reputations.
With cycleways and parks spanning the full length of the inner-city harbour-side from Queen's Wharf to Oriental Parade, Wellington's waterfront is one of the most accessible in the country. The area is a popular weekend destination for families and young people with activities and attractions to cater for all interests. Museum buffs are spoilt for choice with the Wellington Museum of City & Sea having recently reopened on Queen's Wharf and the majestic Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa gracing the shores nearby. In-line skates and kayaks can be hired from Ferg's Rock'n Kayak and if you're in need of a meal or drink both Dockside and Shed 5 have excellent reputations.
Mt Victoria & Oriental Bay
Mt Victoria's colourful Victorian villas present a picture of island elegance, perched precariously on the edge of this bush-clad hillside. The ignorance of Wellington's original surveyors to the city's hilly terrain has led to eccentricities in streetscapes so you will need to keep an eye out for footpaths that are in fact narrow, winding streets and for private cablecars which provide necessary access to some of the more remote of hilltop homes. The Southern Walkway wends its way through the bush to emerge at the top for spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the city. At its foot, tree-lined streets frame the pleasant inner-city suburbs of Mt Victoria and Oriental Bay. Several excellent guesthouses can be found here including Dunrobin House and some of the finest restaurants are hidden in its nooks and crannies. Try the Roxburgh Bistro, Menton, or for something a little different, Theo's Greek Taverna. The award-winning Parade Café is a popular place for brunch, perhaps after a swim at the adjacent Freyberg Pool.
Mt Victoria's colourful Victorian villas present a picture of island elegance, perched precariously on the edge of this bush-clad hillside. The ignorance of Wellington's original surveyors to the city's hilly terrain has led to eccentricities in streetscapes so you will need to keep an eye out for footpaths that are in fact narrow, winding streets and for private cablecars which provide necessary access to some of the more remote of hilltop homes. The Southern Walkway wends its way through the bush to emerge at the top for spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the city. At its foot, tree-lined streets frame the pleasant inner-city suburbs of Mt Victoria and Oriental Bay. Several excellent guesthouses can be found here including Dunrobin House and some of the finest restaurants are hidden in its nooks and crannies. Try the Roxburgh Bistro, Menton, or for something a little different, Theo's Greek Taverna. The award-winning Parade Café is a popular place for brunch, perhaps after a swim at the adjacent Freyberg Pool.
Thorndon
A quaint mix of old and new characterises this up-market inner-city suburb. One of the oldest areas of town, it was divided by the motorway extension in the 1970s which ripped through the middle of the Bolton St Cemetery, but much of its colonial charm survives in the narrow backstreets which can be explored on foot. Ascot St and Sydney St West are two of the finest examples of collections of colonial cottages but there are also many gems to be found along the main suburban axis, Tinakori Rd.
Historic Thorndon is rich in architectural and cultural attractions. Katherine Mansfield's Birthplace can be visited on Tinakori Rd and the magnificent Old St Paul's should not be missed. Don't confuse it with its newer and larger neighbour, St Paul's Cathedral.
A quaint mix of old and new characterises this up-market inner-city suburb. One of the oldest areas of town, it was divided by the motorway extension in the 1970s which ripped through the middle of the Bolton St Cemetery, but much of its colonial charm survives in the narrow backstreets which can be explored on foot. Ascot St and Sydney St West are two of the finest examples of collections of colonial cottages but there are also many gems to be found along the main suburban axis, Tinakori Rd.
Historic Thorndon is rich in architectural and cultural attractions. Katherine Mansfield's Birthplace can be visited on Tinakori Rd and the magnificent Old St Paul's should not be missed. Don't confuse it with its newer and larger neighbour, St Paul's Cathedral.
Eastbourne
Just across the harbour, a short crossing by WestpacTrust ferry from the central city, lies the pleasant waterside settlement of Eastbourne. Days Bay is a popular destination for families and sun seekers in summer and is also convenient for its close proximity to several excellent reserves and walking areas including Butterfly Creek and the Pencarrow Lighthouse. The unrestricted views of Wellington City and the entrance to the harbour are magnificent.
Just across the harbour, a short crossing by WestpacTrust ferry from the central city, lies the pleasant waterside settlement of Eastbourne. Days Bay is a popular destination for families and sun seekers in summer and is also convenient for its close proximity to several excellent reserves and walking areas including Butterfly Creek and the Pencarrow Lighthouse. The unrestricted views of Wellington City and the entrance to the harbour are magnificent.
Thanks to worldfacts.us
Interesting bits and bobs from the internet
No guesses who’s home page this belongs to:
Welcome to the German Embassy
Welcome to the German Embassy
I was looking for some info on the history of Wellington and came across this piece of census history:
Facts and figures
Country of birth
The New Zealand census figures listed here show the number of residents born in South Africa or its predecessors.
Cape of Good Hope
1874 census: 405
South Africa
1901 census: 474
1951 census: 1,398
1976 census: 3,840
2001 census: 26,061
Ethnic identity
In the 2001 census, people were asked to indicate the ethnic group or groups with which they identified. The numbers include those who indicated more than one group.
South African: 14,913
So of the 26k South Africans here in the 2001 census, only 15 000 viewed themselves as South African. Enough I suppose to have a few locally based Springbok supporters.
We have just completed the 2006 census, wonder what it will reveal
Tunnels – Facts and Figures
The train route which provides my daily commute passes through a number of tunnels. Many are not tunnels in the strict sense of the term. These are sections of track laid in a groove cut through rock with a “roof” covering, giving it a tunnel look and feel. Why are these covered you ask?! No idea, but maybe “because they could” is a good answer! Any body know?
Back to the topic. Two tunnels we travel trough are really long, so I went looking for info and found this:
Back to the topic. Two tunnels we travel trough are really long, so I went looking for info and found this:
The 4th longest railway tunnel in New Zealand (and the longest double-track tunnel in New Zealand) is the 4324 m long Tawa No.2 tunnel between Wellington and Tawa. It was opened in 1935 for goods trains on one line and in 1937 for all traffic.
The longest?
The longest railway tunnel in New Zealand, and indeed the longest in the southern hemisphere, is the 8879 m long Kaimai tunnel at Apata on the East Coast Main Trunk Line. This tunnel was opened in November 1980 replacing the longer Karangahake Gorge route. Note, however, that some hydro tunnels are much longer than this.
The second longest railway tunnel in New Zealand is the 8798 m long Rimutaka tunnel between Wellington and the Wairarapa. This tunnel replaced the Rimutaka incline in 1955.
The third longest railway tunnel in New Zealand (and the longest railway tunnel in the South Island) is the 8566 m long Otira tunnel through the Southern Alps between Arthurs Pass and Otira. This tunnel is on a continuous 1 in 33 grade and was opened in 1923.
Information courtesy of Return to Peter McGavin's train page.
Grandpa! Next post will have a count of tunnels through which we pass. While I will not be able to provide total distance, I can provide total time spent in tunnels….. then again, I never did tell you how many windows there were in any of my schools, so this too may not come to pass….. (hee hee)
The Teenage Life of Sherrie
My name is Sherrie and I am a 16 year old teenager.
You all Know my dad, his name is Alan.
Lately I have been taking an interest in BOYS, my dad isn't to happy about it.
My dad doesn't realize it yet but I am growing up, and that's what teenager girls are interested in at my age.
I have many interests, I love to rock climb, absail, swim, hike, take long bubble baths and walks on the beach.
Since we have been in New Zealand things have been going really well for me.
School is really interesting and My friends are so cool.
I have also been going out a lot over the weekends, my dad's not so happy about that ether, because I never used to go out as much as I do know.
I particularly like the weekend that just past{7,8,9 April 2006}. Many wierd and wonderful things happened.
I know that many more will come my way and I am looking forward to it as well.
Progress reports - Kapiti College
The reports I mentioned in the previous posting
Sherrie: (click images to enlarge)
Sherrie: (click images to enlarge)
Travis:
Travis Certificate
Wellington from my office
Northeast view out into the bay
Northerly view up Lambton Quay, toward the Station.
East from our building with Oriental Bay in the backgroaund. Gotta love the old building in the foreground.
Bit more of the view across to Oriental Bay
Northerly view up Lambton Quay, toward the Station.
East from our building with Oriental Bay in the backgroaund. Gotta love the old building in the foreground.
Bit more of the view across to Oriental Bay
The week that was……...7 April
A week in which I was challenged and accused of misrepresenting the facts! True! Desiree, my beloved, and Sherrie, the traitor, have questioned my interpretation of events! Honestly, I slave over this keyboard, to record and communicate; and in return?
The upshot of the accusations, counter claims, prolonged and intricate negotiations, in an attempt to save what little honour and dignity I had left?!
The contentious statement? “Sherrie now has a boyfriend….” 
And of course, a pic of our Meggy......
The upshot of the accusations, counter claims, prolonged and intricate negotiations, in an attempt to save what little honour and dignity I had left?!
“Well if you don’t like my version of the truth, post your own version of events!”
“Ah, but we don’t know how!?” they bleated. If I remember, through the red mist of rage, or is that the mist of old age? it may have been that word, BLEATED, that was the catalyst.
“Ah, but we don’t know how!?” they bleated. If I remember, through the red mist of rage, or is that the mist of old age? it may have been that word, BLEATED, that was the catalyst.
The contentious statement? “Sherrie now has a boyfriend….” Apparently I am now a-typical of a parent of a teenager, am insensitive and tell lies! “I DO NOT HAVE A BOYFRIEND!” she said, “Good, then we can expect you will spend some time with us this weekend!” my sharp and witty, gotcha retort…….
yes, I realise I have an immense amount to learn about being parent to a teenager……it is something like being married! Every time we men think we have it down, we are forced into submission and the perfunctory “Yes Dear!” (One can only imagine the ammount of pain I am going to be in now!)
Comments and advice from any adults recently transitioned form teen-mare would be appreciated, though I suspect it will all be beyond me and I will reconnect with my kids in about 20 years time! I am sure they will have a fascinating story to tell me………… (firmly tongue in cheek)
I trust that my approach will have encouraged them to put fingers to the keyboard or pen to paper! They have no excuse and they mitigate the risk of being fingered by embellishments.
Des has been active in the job hunting arena. Interviews and applications. I personally hope she lands something in the catering industry. If she is going to work, she may as well be learning while earning and preparing herself for the day she opens her own shop!
Comments and advice from any adults recently transitioned form teen-mare would be appreciated, though I suspect it will all be beyond me and I will reconnect with my kids in about 20 years time! I am sure they will have a fascinating story to tell me………… (firmly tongue in cheek)
I trust that my approach will have encouraged them to put fingers to the keyboard or pen to paper! They have no excuse and they mitigate the risk of being fingered by embellishments.
Des has been active in the job hunting arena. Interviews and applications. I personally hope she lands something in the catering industry. If she is going to work, she may as well be learning while earning and preparing herself for the day she opens her own shop!(Des hitting the streets……. Job hunting!)
It is Friday (7 April) and I suspect, for the first time, that winter may be forcing its grey and grubby paws on our lifestyles!
Not yet cold and not windy, but today is a grey day with rain. The train is air-conditioned and I have not yet found one that leaks, so getting to
Wellington is a dry affair. The trip from the station to the office can be completed by bus, with one only needing to cross a single road, exposed to the elements. Ultimately, it means that a brolly and a jacket are all that I need to get from Paraparaumu Station to the office and back. My challenge is going to be the 100 metres to the bus stop and trying to keep dry in the wind driven rain. Those raindrops that come in parallel to the ground and get right up your nose! Those wind driven squalls that render umbrellas useless, turned inside out!
Kiwi land! When will the weather arrive? Or is it that the Kiwis have told the world all this time how bad it is in winter, how wet, windy and miserable as a nationally conspired ploy to keep us migrants away! Encourage tourists in the summer months, rake in the dough, let them play on our mountains, soak in our thermal pools, raft our rivers and tramp our countryside, but put the fear of the weather into them and they wont stay!
Clutching at straws? Me thinks! But hey! Global warming, changing weather patterns and El Niño!?
The big news this week is school reports. The first term reports have
arrived from Kapiti College and to my surprise and relief, Travis and Sherrie have done remarkably well! Sherrie’ report is all fantastic and Travis was invited to tea with the Deputy Principal, to discuss his results. He has received a certificate of Merit for his academic pursuits; an acknowledgement I hope will spur him to set his sights a little higher than “average”.
District cricket trials are this Sunday, but I fear the weather is changing and we will probably have rain all day on Sunday. Soccer for me this Saturday so aches and pains again until Thursday next week!
I still marvel at the beauty of my daily commute. I have just caught myself
staring out the window of the train as we track along the shore through Mana and on toward Paremata. Even though it is grey and wet, the water is a "turquiosey" colour with little caps of white, riding the swell. Patches of sunlight, sneaking through the clouds, highlighting a clump of yachts and houses at the waters edge. A watery rainbow, as if there, simply to make the point!
We are running late this morning! There are problems on the line up ahead! My fellow commuters restless, me enjoying the opportunity to sit and stare out the window, pen this piece!
Have got the cameras up and running again, so from next week some home grown pictures, or pictures of our home, or both! I hope to find a web site where I can upload video, for you guys to download. Do not want to send video a pics via email, especially if folk have dial up connections or limited bandwidth.
That’s my piece for this week, so have great rest on this weekend before the Easter madness!
Not yet cold and not windy, but today is a grey day with rain. The train is air-conditioned and I have not yet found one that leaks, so getting to
Wellington is a dry affair. The trip from the station to the office can be completed by bus, with one only needing to cross a single road, exposed to the elements. Ultimately, it means that a brolly and a jacket are all that I need to get from Paraparaumu Station to the office and back. My challenge is going to be the 100 metres to the bus stop and trying to keep dry in the wind driven rain. Those raindrops that come in parallel to the ground and get right up your nose! Those wind driven squalls that render umbrellas useless, turned inside out!Kiwi land! When will the weather arrive? Or is it that the Kiwis have told the world all this time how bad it is in winter, how wet, windy and miserable as a nationally conspired ploy to keep us migrants away! Encourage tourists in the summer months, rake in the dough, let them play on our mountains, soak in our thermal pools, raft our rivers and tramp our countryside, but put the fear of the weather into them and they wont stay!
Clutching at straws? Me thinks! But hey! Global warming, changing weather patterns and El Niño!?
The big news this week is school reports. The first term reports have
arrived from Kapiti College and to my surprise and relief, Travis and Sherrie have done remarkably well! Sherrie’ report is all fantastic and Travis was invited to tea with the Deputy Principal, to discuss his results. He has received a certificate of Merit for his academic pursuits; an acknowledgement I hope will spur him to set his sights a little higher than “average”.District cricket trials are this Sunday, but I fear the weather is changing and we will probably have rain all day on Sunday. Soccer for me this Saturday so aches and pains again until Thursday next week!
I still marvel at the beauty of my daily commute. I have just caught myself
staring out the window of the train as we track along the shore through Mana and on toward Paremata. Even though it is grey and wet, the water is a "turquiosey" colour with little caps of white, riding the swell. Patches of sunlight, sneaking through the clouds, highlighting a clump of yachts and houses at the waters edge. A watery rainbow, as if there, simply to make the point!We are running late this morning! There are problems on the line up ahead! My fellow commuters restless, me enjoying the opportunity to sit and stare out the window, pen this piece!
Have got the cameras up and running again, so from next week some home grown pictures, or pictures of our home, or both! I hope to find a web site where I can upload video, for you guys to download. Do not want to send video a pics via email, especially if folk have dial up connections or limited bandwidth.
That’s my piece for this week, so have great rest on this weekend before the Easter madness!
And of course, a pic of our Meggy......Megs?
Yes!?
What are you doing?
Sitting!
Some fun
Check out the interactive animation at the following web site!
In the words of Twinkleberry…..
One of the most creative pieces I have seen!
Move your cursor & watch what happens, it is delightful and strangely addictive.
You won't want to stop messing with it. Just use the pointer and click on one or more of the boxes in the upper right corner. Keep your sound on.
Wellington, Waikanae and Raumati
Raumati Beach
When we first arrived in Wellington, we hired a holiday home on the beach in Raumati, close to the schools and on the beach! This pic is the view down the beach, south toward Paekakeriki and Pukerua Bay.
Waikanae, our neighbours to the north are as blessed as we are with views, natural beauty and peacefulness! These photos should prove my point……....
Wellington
In all my correspondence, posts, emails and web site links, I have yet to mention Wellington. This is certainly not because it is unworthy, in fact I have drawn many comparisons between Wellington and Cape Town, People, Culture, Feel, Beauty…….
So before I am accused of not giving Wellington it’s due, check these out (and thanks to the photographer (not me….)
Oriental Bay – on the southern side of the city, City fringe is visible in the distance.
The bay from – from Kandalah – looking south, city is on the right, just out of pic
When we first arrived in Wellington, we hired a holiday home on the beach in Raumati, close to the schools and on the beach! This pic is the view down the beach, south toward Paekakeriki and Pukerua Bay.
Waikanae, our neighbours to the north are as blessed as we are with views, natural beauty and peacefulness! These photos should prove my point……....
Wellington
In all my correspondence, posts, emails and web site links, I have yet to mention Wellington. This is certainly not because it is unworthy, in fact I have drawn many comparisons between Wellington and Cape Town, People, Culture, Feel, Beauty…….
So before I am accused of not giving Wellington it’s due, check these out (and thanks to the photographer (not me….)
Oriental Bay – on the southern side of the city, City fringe is visible in the distance.
Lambton Quay – Downstairs from EDS offices, shop, shop and coffee. The landmark Old Bank Building is on the right in the foreground.
The bay from – from Kandalah – looking south, city is on the right, just out of pic
Panoramic view of the bay, harbour and city. Panoramic view of the bay, harbour and city. Notice the fountain in Oriental Bay
Sunset from the Southern bays of Wellington (Island Bay / Lyall Bay toward the South Island
Wellington has some wonderful views, sights and I must take the time to sort through my video and create some still of us all at Oriental Bay, Travis at the X-Games Festival, Cuba Mall, the Botanical Gardens and the “cable car” to the gardens and university
Hope this did not kill your browsers, but the pics should have been worth it……
Getting here and getting started!!
(Extracted from a letter I wrote to my friend Valerie)
I have a little time, so here is the detail of our move to NZ…….
Beginning October was resign from EDS SA with a view to being in NZ first week Nov, try to land a job before the year end shut down………. (fortunately, in hind sight, it did not happen that way)
BP added their joint venture in Algeria into the mix and asked if I would manage the piece of work as an "extension" to the existing project which was going to be done and dusted by the end of October.
I suggested they "make it worth my while" and negotiated a little extra, plus I was able to manipulate EDS, as I had resigned and would need to be engaged as a contractor…… we got creative and we agreed the rates, in my favour………… (Went to Algeria for 2 weeks, won’t do it again)
This decided and agreed, I arranged for a container for my furniture, which would be delivered just before Christmas, stored in Cape Town until I had landed a job here and then be shipped………the best laid plans……….
So December rolled in and I contacted the shipping agents to arrange the date for delivery of the container and firm up the agreement with the storage, only to be told they could not accommodate me with storage……. Best they could do would be to store all my stuff in their warehouse, then they would pack the container and ship it when I was ready………… no guarantees on how well they would pack, I would have to take insurance while it was in their warehouse etc. I decided to take the risk. Deliver the container, I will pack it (22 Dec) and it ships to Auckland on 28 Dec, expected to be on the water for 6 to 8 weeks. Done!
Container packed, keys handed over to the landlord we spend the night with friends in Cape Town (our 15th Wedding Aniv) and hit the road to JHB early the morn of 23rd, make good progress and drive straight through……….. To JHB! (The kids had flown up a week earlier) So we are reunited in Benoni and spend XMAS and New Year with family and friends…..
I am organising my trip to NZ during this time and around the 9th I target a number of job ads and personnel agencies, sending my CV and dedicated covering letters specific to each job……….
The response is encouraging and I confirm my reservation to Auckland on Emirates via Dubai, Singapore and Brisbane, scheduled to depart on Sat 14 Jan at 14h00.
In true Alan fashion, I decide on that Saturday morning at about 7AM that it would be a good opportunity for father and son to bond, so contact the travel agent at home, get her out of bed and task her with securing a ticket for Travis so that he can join me………… she obliges and by 9AM the electronic tickets are issued and I have transferred the cash……….. Travis is advised he is going to New Zealand in 5 hours time and it would be a good idea to pack some kit…….. That is just soooooooo me! Hey!?
Arrive Auckland after the 27 hour ordeal and head off with my cousin to their South Auckland home…. Couple of days to recover and on Wednesday a buy a car……. A 1991 Honda Legend, 3.2 litre, V6, leather top of the range saloon thing, for the princely sum of R9600.00…… it has 145000km on the clock, I know it won't last forever, but for that money, if it gets me through the next 3 to 4 months, it will serve as a cheap trade in……. So I fork out the cash and take ownership……
….… it is making some strange sounds now, but I have already been approved for an HP deal, so am just waiting for the right car at the right price.
Back to the story………..
I have 2 initial interviews in Auckland, in that first week, then EDS advise they want to talk and a contract opportunity / interview presents itself in Wellington, so Travis and I pack the car and drive down to Wellington, taking 3 days and visiting lots of places (Taupo, Wanganui and Otaki) taking our time, bonding
We love Wellington at first sight and Travis is over the moon……….. The interview goes poorly and I am disappointed, but it is good enough with my EDS references and EDS eventually make the offer. I did not want to risk maybe not landing something else / playing the field, so I accept the EDS offer and start the work permit process. EDS are registered with NZ Immigration as a “Talent Sector” employer, meaning my application process is streamlined and guaranteed not to take more than a week.
I had applied for my police clearance before leaving SA and was informed that it could be collected 28 days from that date…….. And that my mother could collect it etc…..
I now want to apply for my work permit so I can get started……… Hello ma! Any news on the clearance? Will check today son……… no, not ready…… but it has been 35 days……. Eventually we get the damned thing and it is faxed over, I go to Immigration in Wellington to lodge my papers and they issue my work permit immediately, I kid you not, IMMIDIATELY! While I am talking to a case worker.
I phone EDS to advise I have my permit, but they are not ready for me so delay by a week and I start 6 March.
Oh, forgot about the rest of the family…….
The idea was that Des and the girls would hang out in JHB until I got a job offer and new that things would sort of work out…….. They lasted about two weeks and then started bleating about missing us and it was not fair we were there and they were there or not there or wherever…….. Hee hee…….. So they talked me into agreeing that they book their flights for as soon as they could get away………. They arrived Auckland 3 Feb, we packed or stuff in the car and drove to Wellington on 6 Feb……………….driven by my desire to be independent, get the kids I school in Wellington and not impose on the family. Having 2 extra bodies around is one thing,,,,, a family of five?!
I arranged for a holiday house, on the beach in Raumati, next door to Paraparaumu…… cost plenty in SA Rand, but the cheapest way for a family of 5 to be accommodated….. The owner of the place was such a cool guy…….. And after a week and a bit, we met, so I could pay him, and we chatted for about 2 hours…….. I said we would be vacating from a certain date and that the cash in the envelope was up to that date……. He asked what my plans…….. My response that we would be looking for something cheaper resulted in an offer to use the house until the next tenants arrived, at no additional cost…… as a thank you we gave the place a spring clean and I fixed a couple of things that needed mending………… we stayed on another 4 days, which was all we needed to get our furniture out and move into our new place, which we had agreed to rent….. The landlord being accommodating in that we did not have to take occupation, till we were ready and the furniture arrived…… so it all worked a treat……… which brings me to the furniture……
The furniture had arrive Auckland 2 days before we were departing for Wellington, so I arranged with the agents to on-ship the container to Wellington, paid them their money and the on-shipping and forgot about the container for a couple more weeks…….
We had now found a place to stay and the container was due to arrive in Wellington. I went off to a clearing agent I had been referred to and met with a chap. It was the first time since I had been here I go the feeling I was being ripped off and worked over.
Couple of issues surfaced though. I could not get the container released from customs without a document confirming I had a legal right to be in the country, Work permit as an example, also the contents would need to be inspected by the authorities and then I would have to get the stuff the 50KMs to our new home.
The agent was prepared to "help us out" for a fee of somewhere around 700 to 1000 dollars, but armed with some knowledge of the process and no longer fearing the authorities, cos they really are a delight to deal with, I set about finding out and organising things myself. An approach of….." I am new, how do I do this, what is required, can you refer me" is a great strategy and those tools are effective.
Customs explained what paper work was needed and a visit to the Quarantine authorities resulted in an agreement between themselves and a local warehouse, transit type company, that the transit guys would offload my container in their warehouse, we would meet the quarantine guys there the next morning, help them identify the things we though they needed to check, golf clubs, soccer boots, hiking boots, some wood artefacts etc…….. Quarantine billed us the minimum they could, $60 and the ware house guys offloaded and stored for $300…… I hired a self drive truck for $85 and on arrival was informed that Quarantine had cleared my goods, I could just pack and be off…… Customs had been sorted for us at no charge, cos one of the guys was going over there so he took the docs and got the clearance for us…………
That is the kind of life we have here. People are helpful, thoughtful and I think it is wonderful!
So everything came together, just in time, with a little luck, a little perseverance and a little initiative.
The kids were accepted in to school immediately, meaning they only missed the first 3 days of the school year. Travis has a girlfriend, plays cricket and represented the college at the regional athletics meet, then the Wellington Champs. I reckon next year he will go on to represent North Island against South Island at what is called the Colgate's in the long jump. He consistently jumps the qualifying distance with ease, we just got in too late this season, but he is now with a club and will be registered and included next season (we still have things to learn)
Sherrie has a boyfriend, so Dad is like a bear with a sore tooth, but I am learning to deal with it, she is 16 after all, but still my baby……..
Meghan is about to get settled into her horse riding and has been to the South Island on a school camp, travelling across on the ferry and spending a week. The weather treated them really well and she had a ball. She will need to post the details of her story….
So, that is a whole bunch of news, slightly disjointed. I apologise, but it is there for posterity……..
Alan
I have a little time, so here is the detail of our move to NZ…….
Beginning October was resign from EDS SA with a view to being in NZ first week Nov, try to land a job before the year end shut down………. (fortunately, in hind sight, it did not happen that way)
BP added their joint venture in Algeria into the mix and asked if I would manage the piece of work as an "extension" to the existing project which was going to be done and dusted by the end of October.
I suggested they "make it worth my while" and negotiated a little extra, plus I was able to manipulate EDS, as I had resigned and would need to be engaged as a contractor…… we got creative and we agreed the rates, in my favour………… (Went to Algeria for 2 weeks, won’t do it again)
This decided and agreed, I arranged for a container for my furniture, which would be delivered just before Christmas, stored in Cape Town until I had landed a job here and then be shipped………the best laid plans……….
So December rolled in and I contacted the shipping agents to arrange the date for delivery of the container and firm up the agreement with the storage, only to be told they could not accommodate me with storage……. Best they could do would be to store all my stuff in their warehouse, then they would pack the container and ship it when I was ready………… no guarantees on how well they would pack, I would have to take insurance while it was in their warehouse etc. I decided to take the risk. Deliver the container, I will pack it (22 Dec) and it ships to Auckland on 28 Dec, expected to be on the water for 6 to 8 weeks. Done!
Container packed, keys handed over to the landlord we spend the night with friends in Cape Town (our 15th Wedding Aniv) and hit the road to JHB early the morn of 23rd, make good progress and drive straight through……….. To JHB! (The kids had flown up a week earlier) So we are reunited in Benoni and spend XMAS and New Year with family and friends…..
I am organising my trip to NZ during this time and around the 9th I target a number of job ads and personnel agencies, sending my CV and dedicated covering letters specific to each job……….
The response is encouraging and I confirm my reservation to Auckland on Emirates via Dubai, Singapore and Brisbane, scheduled to depart on Sat 14 Jan at 14h00.
In true Alan fashion, I decide on that Saturday morning at about 7AM that it would be a good opportunity for father and son to bond, so contact the travel agent at home, get her out of bed and task her with securing a ticket for Travis so that he can join me………… she obliges and by 9AM the electronic tickets are issued and I have transferred the cash……….. Travis is advised he is going to New Zealand in 5 hours time and it would be a good idea to pack some kit…….. That is just soooooooo me! Hey!?
Arrive Auckland after the 27 hour ordeal and head off with my cousin to their South Auckland home…. Couple of days to recover and on Wednesday a buy a car……. A 1991 Honda Legend, 3.2 litre, V6, leather top of the range saloon thing, for the princely sum of R9600.00…… it has 145000km on the clock, I know it won't last forever, but for that money, if it gets me through the next 3 to 4 months, it will serve as a cheap trade in……. So I fork out the cash and take ownership……
….… it is making some strange sounds now, but I have already been approved for an HP deal, so am just waiting for the right car at the right price.
Back to the story………..
I have 2 initial interviews in Auckland, in that first week, then EDS advise they want to talk and a contract opportunity / interview presents itself in Wellington, so Travis and I pack the car and drive down to Wellington, taking 3 days and visiting lots of places (Taupo, Wanganui and Otaki) taking our time, bonding
We love Wellington at first sight and Travis is over the moon……….. The interview goes poorly and I am disappointed, but it is good enough with my EDS references and EDS eventually make the offer. I did not want to risk maybe not landing something else / playing the field, so I accept the EDS offer and start the work permit process. EDS are registered with NZ Immigration as a “Talent Sector” employer, meaning my application process is streamlined and guaranteed not to take more than a week.
I had applied for my police clearance before leaving SA and was informed that it could be collected 28 days from that date…….. And that my mother could collect it etc…..
I now want to apply for my work permit so I can get started……… Hello ma! Any news on the clearance? Will check today son……… no, not ready…… but it has been 35 days……. Eventually we get the damned thing and it is faxed over, I go to Immigration in Wellington to lodge my papers and they issue my work permit immediately, I kid you not, IMMIDIATELY! While I am talking to a case worker.
I phone EDS to advise I have my permit, but they are not ready for me so delay by a week and I start 6 March.
Oh, forgot about the rest of the family…….
The idea was that Des and the girls would hang out in JHB until I got a job offer and new that things would sort of work out…….. They lasted about two weeks and then started bleating about missing us and it was not fair we were there and they were there or not there or wherever…….. Hee hee…….. So they talked me into agreeing that they book their flights for as soon as they could get away………. They arrived Auckland 3 Feb, we packed or stuff in the car and drove to Wellington on 6 Feb……………….driven by my desire to be independent, get the kids I school in Wellington and not impose on the family. Having 2 extra bodies around is one thing,,,,, a family of five?!
I arranged for a holiday house, on the beach in Raumati, next door to Paraparaumu…… cost plenty in SA Rand, but the cheapest way for a family of 5 to be accommodated….. The owner of the place was such a cool guy…….. And after a week and a bit, we met, so I could pay him, and we chatted for about 2 hours…….. I said we would be vacating from a certain date and that the cash in the envelope was up to that date……. He asked what my plans…….. My response that we would be looking for something cheaper resulted in an offer to use the house until the next tenants arrived, at no additional cost…… as a thank you we gave the place a spring clean and I fixed a couple of things that needed mending………… we stayed on another 4 days, which was all we needed to get our furniture out and move into our new place, which we had agreed to rent….. The landlord being accommodating in that we did not have to take occupation, till we were ready and the furniture arrived…… so it all worked a treat……… which brings me to the furniture……
The furniture had arrive Auckland 2 days before we were departing for Wellington, so I arranged with the agents to on-ship the container to Wellington, paid them their money and the on-shipping and forgot about the container for a couple more weeks…….
We had now found a place to stay and the container was due to arrive in Wellington. I went off to a clearing agent I had been referred to and met with a chap. It was the first time since I had been here I go the feeling I was being ripped off and worked over.
Couple of issues surfaced though. I could not get the container released from customs without a document confirming I had a legal right to be in the country, Work permit as an example, also the contents would need to be inspected by the authorities and then I would have to get the stuff the 50KMs to our new home.
The agent was prepared to "help us out" for a fee of somewhere around 700 to 1000 dollars, but armed with some knowledge of the process and no longer fearing the authorities, cos they really are a delight to deal with, I set about finding out and organising things myself. An approach of….." I am new, how do I do this, what is required, can you refer me" is a great strategy and those tools are effective.
Customs explained what paper work was needed and a visit to the Quarantine authorities resulted in an agreement between themselves and a local warehouse, transit type company, that the transit guys would offload my container in their warehouse, we would meet the quarantine guys there the next morning, help them identify the things we though they needed to check, golf clubs, soccer boots, hiking boots, some wood artefacts etc…….. Quarantine billed us the minimum they could, $60 and the ware house guys offloaded and stored for $300…… I hired a self drive truck for $85 and on arrival was informed that Quarantine had cleared my goods, I could just pack and be off…… Customs had been sorted for us at no charge, cos one of the guys was going over there so he took the docs and got the clearance for us…………
That is the kind of life we have here. People are helpful, thoughtful and I think it is wonderful!
So everything came together, just in time, with a little luck, a little perseverance and a little initiative.
The kids were accepted in to school immediately, meaning they only missed the first 3 days of the school year. Travis has a girlfriend, plays cricket and represented the college at the regional athletics meet, then the Wellington Champs. I reckon next year he will go on to represent North Island against South Island at what is called the Colgate's in the long jump. He consistently jumps the qualifying distance with ease, we just got in too late this season, but he is now with a club and will be registered and included next season (we still have things to learn)
Sherrie has a boyfriend, so Dad is like a bear with a sore tooth, but I am learning to deal with it, she is 16 after all, but still my baby……..
Meghan is about to get settled into her horse riding and has been to the South Island on a school camp, travelling across on the ferry and spending a week. The weather treated them really well and she had a ball. She will need to post the details of her story….
So, that is a whole bunch of news, slightly disjointed. I apologise, but it is there for posterity……..
Alan
Activities and things of interest this past weekend (01 - 02 April)
Friday evening quietly at home. Sherrie's friends popped in to introduce themselves to us, I insisted as they are "boy" friends and she has been spending a fair amount of her social time with them. Seem like boys, to me……… So Des and I enter a new era, our eldest, it seems, has a boyfriend, I am paranoid, jealous and outright bloody afraid!
Extended her home time 10PM last week to 11PM this week…… meant I lay in front of the TV and padded around till 11 before playing taxi…….mmmmm - old enough for boyfriends, but too young to be driven around by them!
The Bulls were pathetic, again, and I only saw about 20 mins of the Stormers game. They were not much better, struggling against the bottom of the log team….. How painful it must be for you all. My team went down as well, but it was quietly expected in these parts. I think we would rather lose to the Crusaders now and beat them in the final. (Go the 'Canes)
So that was Friday and Saturday arrived, good weather!
Last cricket match of the season, Kapiti College A vs. Kapiti College B, yep, at Kapiti College. Travis plays in the B side, as much because he arrived in the second half of the season and that the sides are pretty evenly split, so that both can compete and because the league is not very strong. Strength and quality is found in the representative age group cricket, played at District level. Travis picked up 1 for 12'ish in 4 overs and was not needed with the bat. The B team won by 4 wickets chasing 102 off their 25 overs.
Travis has cracked a nod to the under 17 Trails for the Horowhenua / Kapiti District team trials, this coming Sunday at Waikanae Park. A tough one, coming in at 14, almost 15, but would be great for him if he could sneak a place this year already! Would mean trips around the North Island and some tournament weekends etc.
Des and I popped across to Porirua to have a look at a car in between the cricket action. Too expensive for the year, mileage and condition, so we trudged back to Kapiti fairly disappointed. Have spotted a 2000 Toyota Camry, which I will test drive one evening this week!
Saturday afternoon was also the start of the soccer season. I am playing for Kapiti Coast United Football Club (KCU FC) and our first game was against the second masters team from KCU FC, so not a difficult game, on paper! With 10 mins to go it was 1-1 and we were lucky to get the winner in the last 5 minutes. I played second half and within 2 minutes of being on was questioning why I was doing this to myself, AGAIN! (No exercise since about October last year). Des, Meghan and Travis found it most amusing and I heard a number of giggles form the sideline, which resulted in scowls and posturing on my side. I, unfortunately, remain competitive (some may call it "thuggery") and gave a way 2 free kicks, Think they were the only free kicks in the whole game…… but then again I was always pretty clueless when it came to the finesse aspect of the game!
We go the 3 points and enjoyed a couple of beers at the club rooms after the game. Quiet evening at home……….
Sunday was a little overcast, but really warm and fairly muggy. Pottered around the house and rebuilt the home computer. Was so full of virus and spyware and adware that it had to be done. Also meant I did not have to pad my stiff and fairly sore bones around the place, to the rest of the families amusement.
I had also promised 9 holes of golf with Travis for Sunday afternoon, so yes, I never learn……
The format and software rebuild completed without any dramas and some decent firewalling, security and protection measures are now in place, so the ADSL can be put to its intended use. Still have a few apps to install again and a clean out of the archived stuff (videos photos etc to CD)
Travis easily beat me over the 9 holes at Kapiti Golf Club. Nice place to have a relaxed round, no big issue on attire and must have golf shoes etc… Public course, with good greens, a few challenging holes and very little water, at the moment. However, the bush is "bushy" so if you go long on couple of the holes, your ball is GONE!
You can check the details of the course here, though no pics,
www.nzgolfcourses.co.nz/kapiti/
Des made us a great roast for Sunday late lunch, early supper and we sat around the dining room table, me complaining about how sore I was, the rest of the knuckleheads teasing and poking fun. Travis was plain gloating about the golf!!!! Sent him to bed early! (Only joking)
So that is the weekend that was. I have included another website to check out, this has some stunning photographs and worth a quick look through.
http://www.enterprisecoastnz.com/
Will beg the kids and Des again to contribute to the blog! Hope they will have something for everyone this week.
Alan
Friday evening quietly at home. Sherrie's friends popped in to introduce themselves to us, I insisted as they are "boy" friends and she has been spending a fair amount of her social time with them. Seem like boys, to me……… So Des and I enter a new era, our eldest, it seems, has a boyfriend, I am paranoid, jealous and outright bloody afraid!
Extended her home time 10PM last week to 11PM this week…… meant I lay in front of the TV and padded around till 11 before playing taxi…….mmmmm - old enough for boyfriends, but too young to be driven around by them!
The Bulls were pathetic, again, and I only saw about 20 mins of the Stormers game. They were not much better, struggling against the bottom of the log team….. How painful it must be for you all. My team went down as well, but it was quietly expected in these parts. I think we would rather lose to the Crusaders now and beat them in the final. (Go the 'Canes)
So that was Friday and Saturday arrived, good weather!
Last cricket match of the season, Kapiti College A vs. Kapiti College B, yep, at Kapiti College. Travis plays in the B side, as much because he arrived in the second half of the season and that the sides are pretty evenly split, so that both can compete and because the league is not very strong. Strength and quality is found in the representative age group cricket, played at District level. Travis picked up 1 for 12'ish in 4 overs and was not needed with the bat. The B team won by 4 wickets chasing 102 off their 25 overs.
Travis has cracked a nod to the under 17 Trails for the Horowhenua / Kapiti District team trials, this coming Sunday at Waikanae Park. A tough one, coming in at 14, almost 15, but would be great for him if he could sneak a place this year already! Would mean trips around the North Island and some tournament weekends etc.
Des and I popped across to Porirua to have a look at a car in between the cricket action. Too expensive for the year, mileage and condition, so we trudged back to Kapiti fairly disappointed. Have spotted a 2000 Toyota Camry, which I will test drive one evening this week!
Saturday afternoon was also the start of the soccer season. I am playing for Kapiti Coast United Football Club (KCU FC) and our first game was against the second masters team from KCU FC, so not a difficult game, on paper! With 10 mins to go it was 1-1 and we were lucky to get the winner in the last 5 minutes. I played second half and within 2 minutes of being on was questioning why I was doing this to myself, AGAIN! (No exercise since about October last year). Des, Meghan and Travis found it most amusing and I heard a number of giggles form the sideline, which resulted in scowls and posturing on my side. I, unfortunately, remain competitive (some may call it "thuggery") and gave a way 2 free kicks, Think they were the only free kicks in the whole game…… but then again I was always pretty clueless when it came to the finesse aspect of the game!
We go the 3 points and enjoyed a couple of beers at the club rooms after the game. Quiet evening at home……….
Sunday was a little overcast, but really warm and fairly muggy. Pottered around the house and rebuilt the home computer. Was so full of virus and spyware and adware that it had to be done. Also meant I did not have to pad my stiff and fairly sore bones around the place, to the rest of the families amusement.
I had also promised 9 holes of golf with Travis for Sunday afternoon, so yes, I never learn……
The format and software rebuild completed without any dramas and some decent firewalling, security and protection measures are now in place, so the ADSL can be put to its intended use. Still have a few apps to install again and a clean out of the archived stuff (videos photos etc to CD)
Travis easily beat me over the 9 holes at Kapiti Golf Club. Nice place to have a relaxed round, no big issue on attire and must have golf shoes etc… Public course, with good greens, a few challenging holes and very little water, at the moment. However, the bush is "bushy" so if you go long on couple of the holes, your ball is GONE!
You can check the details of the course here, though no pics,
www.nzgolfcourses.co.nz/kapiti/
Des made us a great roast for Sunday late lunch, early supper and we sat around the dining room table, me complaining about how sore I was, the rest of the knuckleheads teasing and poking fun. Travis was plain gloating about the golf!!!! Sent him to bed early! (Only joking)
So that is the weekend that was. I have included another website to check out, this has some stunning photographs and worth a quick look through.
http://www.enterprisecoastnz.com/
Will beg the kids and Des again to contribute to the blog! Hope they will have something for everyone this week.
Alan
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