Mike's Birthday

It was my birthday on Wednesday and I am now 42. The wags have been telling me that I now know the meaning of life and maybe they are right! I reckon I have got more idea of what it is about than I did half my life ago when I was 21. I remember going on a holiday hitching round Ireland with the purpose of working out what life was about - and singularly failing to do so.

We have had an up and down week. Eric and I went fishing on Sunday at our favourite spot. It was calm with the threat of rain but still pretty sunny. We were surprised to find 2 other cars parked up and our fave spot already taken. We had a go a bit further round the rocks. It was too weedy and we had no bites. Fortunately the other people went so we got ourselves a feed of mussels and moved. The water was very clear and I couldnt see any fish. We fished for an hour with no bites and I was resigned to going home empty handed. I told Eric I would reel in and then we would go. As I reeled in slowly, the bait wa staken with a whack and I was into a massive kahawai. It was all over the place trying to lose the hook. I was afraid the rod would snap as I pulled it out of the water but it was safely brought in. Measured about 24 inches. We ate fried fillets for tea and it was lovely.

The next night we had snapper courtesy of Aaron who had been out on his kayak. One of the benefits of living in the Far North.

Stuart is enjoying his new bike and went down with me to the museum on Saturday afternoon. We had not been for at least a year and I had forgotten how good it was. There is a good mix of natural history, geology and human stuff. Always something new to see and ponder about. This time I was struck by the number of moa skeletons that had been found near our fishing spot.

We have had a few losses on the farm this week. The worst was Picton the cat getting run over this morning. Eric was pretty upset especially as his last cat got run over as well. We lost our only sussex pullet to a hawk on Wednesday and then lost a barred rock hen today. At this rate we will have no chickens left by next w/e when I had planned to move them to more secure quarters. We will have to make it a priority tomorrow.

I was at school on Wednesday for my big day and so it was a pretty normal. The boys had made cards which was nice. Chantelle got up early and made me breakfast which was nice. We had an Indian curry for tea from Redan Road dairy. We had butter chicken, chicken Korma and a lamb rogan Josh(?). The korma was best, but not a patch on a Lancaster Nice and Spicy. I reckon we will have to get the spices and have a go at doing it ourselves.

Patrick has been growing in front of our eyes these last weeks and he was off on Thursday from the effort, plus a tummy bug. We knew something was wrong when he didn't go out for an hour on his bike after tea. I took the day off because Chantelle's stuff was less rearrangeable than mine.

Thanks to everyone for their birthday cards and wishes. The celebrations continue ... I like to string my b'days out for at least a month. Had cake with my housegroup at school today, then drank the english beer I had been saving for a special occasion at Social club tonight. Tomorrow C and I are off to The Beachcomber for a meal.

Pics to follow .... after I have taken some!