Just as we were heading out to Taipa Bay to check out the fishing competition, we got an invite to do some fishing on 90 mile beach. Ended up at Cooper's Beach for some body-boarding then had a look at the weigh-in. Didn't hang around for long, looked quite relaxed, lots of beer being drunk and prizes given out. No fish on show while we were there.
Our own fishing was fun and is mostly explained by the pictures below. It was great to see the boys running in the surf and up the dunes. That was one of the main reasons why we moved here, to see them doing more active things outside.
We got home at 10.30pm and Stuart was complaining that he had not had chance to watch his daily 2 hours of TV!
Sunday, January 30, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Kaitaia Walkway - second attempt
Mum was helping set up computers this morning so we had a boys outing to Kaitaia Walkway to reach the lookout point this time. Mood was upbeat at the outset, boys collected rations hats sticks etc. They even carried all their own gear. We quickly reached the point at which we had turned back last time. I was thinking that the going was a bit tame a bulldozed, clear flat lane through bush.
We got to the bit in the 3rd photo below where there had been a slip. After that the track was much more interesting. Let's say it was not wheelchair accessible any more. Stuart fell by the wayside so we said we would come back for him in 15 mins. Eric was keen to reach the top. Paddy was taking it all in his stride. Eric in fact stormed off ahead which I was not pleased about in case he or I slipped - nightmare scenario come to think of it - it is a good job I didn't have to do a risk assessment on this trip! Just as I was starting to become concerned as the track was becoming overgrown, with slippy bits going straight down the hillside, Eric appeared. We decided to head back to Stuart who had been waiting for over 15 minutes on his own. Eric was pretty tired, but reckoned he had reached the lookout.
The first picture was the last one taken. (Remember to post them the other way round in future.) They were pretty mutinous by the time that one was taken. I was the worst father in the world for dragging them up there etc etc. I bet they will talk of this walk in years to come as an epic in family history.
In the mean-time, I am up for Kaitaia Walkway no.3 if anyone cares to join me?
We got to the bit in the 3rd photo below where there had been a slip. After that the track was much more interesting. Let's say it was not wheelchair accessible any more. Stuart fell by the wayside so we said we would come back for him in 15 mins. Eric was keen to reach the top. Paddy was taking it all in his stride. Eric in fact stormed off ahead which I was not pleased about in case he or I slipped - nightmare scenario come to think of it - it is a good job I didn't have to do a risk assessment on this trip! Just as I was starting to become concerned as the track was becoming overgrown, with slippy bits going straight down the hillside, Eric appeared. We decided to head back to Stuart who had been waiting for over 15 minutes on his own. Eric was pretty tired, but reckoned he had reached the lookout.
The first picture was the last one taken. (Remember to post them the other way round in future.) They were pretty mutinous by the time that one was taken. I was the worst father in the world for dragging them up there etc etc. I bet they will talk of this walk in years to come as an epic in family history.
In the mean-time, I am up for Kaitaia Walkway no.3 if anyone cares to join me?
Monday, January 24, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
Summer Evenings
Tea over and boys in bed and futon assembled I can continue with my ramblings.
We have been swimming nearly every day we have been here. There is a public "proper" pool in Kaitaia but they charge $1.50 each so we have been in the sea or lake or the river at Digger's valley. Had a good swim there yesterday. We were invited over for a bbq and had a swim first.
Paddy is out of his depth in the deepest bits so I played at lifeguard. Saw a crayfish in one of the holes in the rock. There are eels in the water but I hve not trodden on one yet!
We did do some eel observations after the barbie, attracting them with rotten eggs and then getting them on the bank with a bag of rotten meat attached to a line. Very slimey wriggly things. Ruth and I were trying to work out how they breathe as they do not have large gill openings. Any eel experts out there care to inform?
After that we had a family demo of cow insemination which was most instructive. The boys were very interested. I promise to post photos as I am sure people will find them interesting.
Digressing slightly 3 things that are different in NZ to Uk that we didn't know about.
We have been swimming nearly every day we have been here. There is a public "proper" pool in Kaitaia but they charge $1.50 each so we have been in the sea or lake or the river at Digger's valley. Had a good swim there yesterday. We were invited over for a bbq and had a swim first.
Paddy is out of his depth in the deepest bits so I played at lifeguard. Saw a crayfish in one of the holes in the rock. There are eels in the water but I hve not trodden on one yet!
We did do some eel observations after the barbie, attracting them with rotten eggs and then getting them on the bank with a bag of rotten meat attached to a line. Very slimey wriggly things. Ruth and I were trying to work out how they breathe as they do not have large gill openings. Any eel experts out there care to inform?
After that we had a family demo of cow insemination which was most instructive. The boys were very interested. I promise to post photos as I am sure people will find them interesting.
Digressing slightly 3 things that are different in NZ to Uk that we didn't know about.
- You pay $1.50 for each sack of rubbish you put out for the bin-men. It really concentrates the mind on waste reduction. Recycling stuff is (apparently) free.
- Banks are NOT free. They charge for having an account, for cheque-books and for alsorts of other things that would be free in UK
- When the siren goes off at 6.30 am or 9.23pm or whenever, it is not the 4 minute warning as we thought the first time we heard it! It is a summons to the firemen to get on over to the station - they are not on full-time cover. Phew that was a relief!
Summer days
Been having a busy few days here. Spent a frightening amount on furniture on wednesday including 3Xdesks and swivel chairs for boys. Then had to assemble 6 items. By the last one I managed a respectable time of 21 minutes, passing out shortly after 9pm. We also ordered a futon and a dresser and 5xbedside cabinets. The bank account was smoking, but we have never bought any new furniture before and the second-hand here seems to be as expensive as the new.
Remind me to post up some pics if you are interested. The boys immediately went about arranging their possessions on their desks. Pictures from old schools took pride of place, so it was interesting to see what is on their minds.
We have visited 2 more local schools and have decided to send them all to Pamampuria school which is 10km out of town.
More later but tea is ready now!
Remind me to post up some pics if you are interested. The boys immediately went about arranging their possessions on their desks. Pictures from old schools took pride of place, so it was interesting to see what is on their minds.
We have visited 2 more local schools and have decided to send them all to Pamampuria school which is 10km out of town.
More later but tea is ready now!
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Monday, January 17, 2005
We are back on-line
Sound of trumpets in the background!!!
Chantelle is very good with computers and has managed to get us online again, despite the usual problems with this bit of equipment not being compatible with that bit. What would I do without her?
So now you can expect a speedier response to emails.
Congratulations to Alex for passing her driving test - look out Manchester.
Rang up mum this morning and she said that you were expecting blizzards. We are sheltering inside from the strength of the sun. The sun is fierce here, apparently because of the hole in the ozone layer. The Indian guy who runs the local dairy says that he does not burn in India, but has to be careful here. We are following the local advice to "Slip, slop, slap ..." basically put yer hat on and the sunblock.
Chantelle will be wanting the machine back so I'll just post up some photos. More later. Mike
Chantelle is very good with computers and has managed to get us online again, despite the usual problems with this bit of equipment not being compatible with that bit. What would I do without her?
So now you can expect a speedier response to emails.
Congratulations to Alex for passing her driving test - look out Manchester.
Rang up mum this morning and she said that you were expecting blizzards. We are sheltering inside from the strength of the sun. The sun is fierce here, apparently because of the hole in the ozone layer. The Indian guy who runs the local dairy says that he does not burn in India, but has to be careful here. We are following the local advice to "Slip, slop, slap ..." basically put yer hat on and the sunblock.
Chantelle will be wanting the machine back so I'll just post up some photos. More later. Mike
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