Patrick takes a close look at the process.
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!
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