The school year seems to getting ready for the end of the year (which is in December).
Barneys school (Longbeach if you remember http://www.longbeach.school.nz/Home) is throwing events thick and fast. Last week was country day. Which was basically an excuse to bring in your best pet. In this case, as its a country school, that seemed to involve dogs budgies or rabbits (if you were a bit townie) or sheep, horses, calves and a couple of chickens for the farm folk. Chaos. But everyone else seemed to know what they were doing.
Yesterday was sports day for all the local schools. No school buses so we all had to get to Hinds School under our own steam. There seemed to be about a million schools there. But on the whole exactly as we remember sports day to be. It was the taking part that counted no matter how fat, unfit or just plain crap at it, you gave it ago. Barney gave it his best. The highlight was the high jump. Not sure how the scoring was supposed to go as no matter if everyone knocked the bar of the ladies still raised it and everyone still went round again till the half hour was up and the whistle went. Jenn unfortunately could only stay for an hour or so because she 'had to help Sean'.
Jack in the meantime is desperately trying to get his points to get his NCEA level 1 - if not he's going to have to do GSCE's all over again and we don't want that now do we (?). So for him its gearing up for exams and he's doing mocks. Last week was science and geography and german. German he's enjoying but will fail as he's so far behind. But we don't care so long as he's enjoying it. The other two he got merits for. Sadly they were just mocks. However, it turns out that if he doesn't turn up for the real thing those marks stand and he can have those. Mmmmm. We wondered. So what exactly is the incentive now to sit the real thing?
The sun is shining and its properly summer now and the local A&P show is on this weekend (A=agriculture P=produce). Awsome.
11:77
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Rodeo fun
Its labour weekend here which is the southern side doing May Day except its not May its October. The Rodeo was on in Methven and, well we couldn't let an opportunity like that go by. So it was off to Methven we went. It was awsome. Sean thought said it reminded him of banger racing in Kings Lynne...
We saw them ride the bulls, the horses and the sheep.
Saw some truly terrible falls. Stand out moment was for one poor chap during the bareback round. They ride bareback with the exception that they have one hand strapped, yes strapped, to the horse. We asked ourselves was this wise? No surprises when some of the cow boys come off and their hand is still attached. This poor fellow came off and couldn't get his hand out. He was thrown here, he was thrown there, and the horse kept on leaping and a bounding around the arena. Sean says the expression on the cowboys face as he ran past will live with him forever.
Prizes go to this guy for the best moment though:
11:82
We saw them ride the bulls, the horses and the sheep.
Saw some truly terrible falls. Stand out moment was for one poor chap during the bareback round. They ride bareback with the exception that they have one hand strapped, yes strapped, to the horse. We asked ourselves was this wise? No surprises when some of the cow boys come off and their hand is still attached. This poor fellow came off and couldn't get his hand out. He was thrown here, he was thrown there, and the horse kept on leaping and a bounding around the arena. Sean says the expression on the cowboys face as he ran past will live with him forever.
Prizes go to this guy for the best moment though:
11:82
Friday, 22 October 2010
why livestock sucks
Update on the chicken situation. After the moment of tremendous excitement of seeing the lovely fluffy cute little chicky we came crashing back down to earth with a vicious bump.
Another chick did indeed hatch but somehow got its poor little head bashed in. It was just about alive but looked as if it had either been seen to by its sibling or got injured in some weird chicken scratching incident. Cause and culprit unknown. Sean had to be a manly man and take it round the back of the garage to help it on its way.
Meanwhile we took the remaining 12 (yes 12) eggs away and wondered what to do as they had been in there under those chickens for some time. We tried holding a light up to them (candling is the proper technical term apparently). Then we tried gently shaking them by our ears to hear if there was any slooshy sounds. We were advised to do this carefully as a bad egg can go off like a grenade. We didn't want that to happen.
Any way we decided that they were all dud and Louise was putting them on the compost heap when one of the eggs went 'cheep'. She brought it in and yes we all heard it go cheap. So it was put in the airing cupboard over night. The next day, yes, there was a definite crack. The crack started to go all the way around and then bingo the top popped off and there was a little wet chicky. Any way to cut a long story short it had dodgy legs. Lou took it too her chicken guru to see if anything could be done. Sadly no and that little chicky was dispatched as well.
In the meantime the one healthy chick was ready to go out and about a bit. So off it went for a walk with its mothers. Who in their limited little chicken brains thought the paddock with the dog was the place to be...the rest you can guess.
So then there were none.
The dog still hasn't apologised.
Suffice to say when we come home and Sean gets his chickens they will be from Mrs Eglund the chicken rescue lady and there will be none of this egg hatching shenanigans.
11:83
Another chick did indeed hatch but somehow got its poor little head bashed in. It was just about alive but looked as if it had either been seen to by its sibling or got injured in some weird chicken scratching incident. Cause and culprit unknown. Sean had to be a manly man and take it round the back of the garage to help it on its way.
Meanwhile we took the remaining 12 (yes 12) eggs away and wondered what to do as they had been in there under those chickens for some time. We tried holding a light up to them (candling is the proper technical term apparently). Then we tried gently shaking them by our ears to hear if there was any slooshy sounds. We were advised to do this carefully as a bad egg can go off like a grenade. We didn't want that to happen.
Any way we decided that they were all dud and Louise was putting them on the compost heap when one of the eggs went 'cheep'. She brought it in and yes we all heard it go cheap. So it was put in the airing cupboard over night. The next day, yes, there was a definite crack. The crack started to go all the way around and then bingo the top popped off and there was a little wet chicky. Any way to cut a long story short it had dodgy legs. Lou took it too her chicken guru to see if anything could be done. Sadly no and that little chicky was dispatched as well.
In the meantime the one healthy chick was ready to go out and about a bit. So off it went for a walk with its mothers. Who in their limited little chicken brains thought the paddock with the dog was the place to be...the rest you can guess.
So then there were none.
The dog still hasn't apologised.
Suffice to say when we come home and Sean gets his chickens they will be from Mrs Eglund the chicken rescue lady and there will be none of this egg hatching shenanigans.
11:83
Monday, 11 October 2010
Chicks have had chicks
Wow! Remember those chicks we got? Remember Bubbles with the poorly leg? Well those chicks have had chick (s? yet to be confirmed as there are 9 eggs under those hens). Check out the new arrival:
Everybody say hello. Lets hope its not a Cockerel...
PS Update on Fidget the lamb - she still growing well and is looking swell.
13:94
Everybody say hello. Lets hope its not a Cockerel...
PS Update on Fidget the lamb - she still growing well and is looking swell.
13:94
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Queenstown ladies sing this song...
We have been camping in Queenstown, adventure sports capital of the world and historic gold rush area. Yeehah. Mecca for adrenaline junkies (gamblers and rich folks). How was it? Jack and Barney thought it was the bees knees. Sean and Jenn weren't so sure. It was busy and reminded Jenn of Newquay in high summer Yuck. A real tourist trap. Lots to see and do though, if you are young and carefree its a fun place to be.
We began our adventure with a car crash. Jenn had her very first accident in 24 years of driving. She rear ended someone at a single lane bridge. The Mondeo remained unmarked by the incident so nothing to bad. For those of you familiar with Norwich this is a spooky bit now as the Bridge was the Edith Cavell Bridge. For those of you who don't know, there is a statue of Edith Cavell outside the cathedral, as well as a pub named after her. Doo do doo do.
Jenn made Sean drive the next 200 metres up the hill along the gorge to the campsite. We camped at the Top Ten Arthurs Point Shotover camping ground. The camp manager raised one elegant eyebrow almost to his hair line when he found out we were camping. Aparantly we were the first family camping that year. We found out why a little bit later. We should have realised when we noticed there was snow still on the hill tops and the ski field was still open. It was so very very very cold at night. But the lounge and kitchens were toasty and warm and we spent a good evening playing cards, putting wood on the fire and drinking hot chocolates and avoiding going to bed until we had to.
We had resolved not to move the car again until it was time to pack up to go home. So out came the bikes and off we went to Arrowtown. The sun was shining and it was a great ride out.
Quaint.
It seems to be the place where the kids that went to Queenstown go when they've grown up. Great fush'n'chup lunch with vinegar! Nzers don't do vinegar on their chips as a rule, odd. Very sobering historic Chinese gold miners settlement. Some stories of the young men who came and got left behind for whatever reason to grow into an impoverished old age. The ride back was not so jolly. It turns out the reason why the ride in was so nice was because we were going to face the head wind on the way home. OMG did it blow hard and gusty.
Following day was cycle trip into Queenstown for Seans birthday treat – the Luge!
Great fun had by all. We recommend it. Going up in the cable car and the chair lifts were an adventure in themselves. White knuckle ride for those who don't do heights (that would be Jenn then).
We moseyed on down to the lakeside where there was an artists market and some live music. Then it was back to base for another night of cards and instant mash potato with baked beans. Yum. And another cold, cold night of not quite sleeping.
The Sunday saw us pack up camp and the long drive home. We had planned to go through a very scary mountain road to Wanaka for lunch. However, we turned right instead of left. Now this shouldn't have been a problem but right took us away from Queenstown and petrol. 10 kms up the road Sean says “ umm we need to get fuel soon”. As we approach the turning for the the Scary zigzaggy James Bond in Switzerland mountain road we stopped. Looked up. Looked at each other. Looked at the fuel gauge. Turned, looked behind us at the trailer. Looked at the boys. And decided that that would be a very dumb thing to do. We opted for the less thirsty route to Cromwell. After about another 5 kms the car spoke. “Ding”. “That was the fuel warning light” said Sean. Sean began to sweat a little which in turn made Jenn a bit nervous. We were about 25kms from civilisation on a twisty turney mountain pass road with no idea how generous Ford were with their fuel warning system. Jenn reckonned that it was a Ford and therefore catering to idiots so it would be quite generous. Sean said he hoped so because, he reminded Jenn, if the engine cut out so would the steering and the breaks. “Oh” gulp. So after some very fuel efficient driving from Sean we crept up the mountain through the pass, down the mountain (fingers very crossed here) and onto the valley towards Cromwell and fuel. We made it! Sean filled the tank and calculated that we had less than ¾ of a wine bottle of fuel left in the tank. Ice creams all round. So top tip. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FUEL TANK FULL ENOUGH. There is not a petrol station on every corner out here.
We had a very stylish picnic at Lake Dunstan and then of to a soak in the hot pools at Tekapo before taking the last stretch home. Which was nice.
14:99
We began our adventure with a car crash. Jenn had her very first accident in 24 years of driving. She rear ended someone at a single lane bridge. The Mondeo remained unmarked by the incident so nothing to bad. For those of you familiar with Norwich this is a spooky bit now as the Bridge was the Edith Cavell Bridge. For those of you who don't know, there is a statue of Edith Cavell outside the cathedral, as well as a pub named after her. Doo do doo do.
Jenn made Sean drive the next 200 metres up the hill along the gorge to the campsite. We camped at the Top Ten Arthurs Point Shotover camping ground. The camp manager raised one elegant eyebrow almost to his hair line when he found out we were camping. Aparantly we were the first family camping that year. We found out why a little bit later. We should have realised when we noticed there was snow still on the hill tops and the ski field was still open. It was so very very very cold at night. But the lounge and kitchens were toasty and warm and we spent a good evening playing cards, putting wood on the fire and drinking hot chocolates and avoiding going to bed until we had to.
We had resolved not to move the car again until it was time to pack up to go home. So out came the bikes and off we went to Arrowtown. The sun was shining and it was a great ride out.
Quaint.
It seems to be the place where the kids that went to Queenstown go when they've grown up. Great fush'n'chup lunch with vinegar! Nzers don't do vinegar on their chips as a rule, odd. Very sobering historic Chinese gold miners settlement. Some stories of the young men who came and got left behind for whatever reason to grow into an impoverished old age. The ride back was not so jolly. It turns out the reason why the ride in was so nice was because we were going to face the head wind on the way home. OMG did it blow hard and gusty.Following day was cycle trip into Queenstown for Seans birthday treat – the Luge!
Great fun had by all. We recommend it. Going up in the cable car and the chair lifts were an adventure in themselves. White knuckle ride for those who don't do heights (that would be Jenn then).
We moseyed on down to the lakeside where there was an artists market and some live music. Then it was back to base for another night of cards and instant mash potato with baked beans. Yum. And another cold, cold night of not quite sleeping.The Sunday saw us pack up camp and the long drive home. We had planned to go through a very scary mountain road to Wanaka for lunch. However, we turned right instead of left. Now this shouldn't have been a problem but right took us away from Queenstown and petrol. 10 kms up the road Sean says “ umm we need to get fuel soon”. As we approach the turning for the the Scary zigzaggy James Bond in Switzerland mountain road we stopped. Looked up. Looked at each other. Looked at the fuel gauge. Turned, looked behind us at the trailer. Looked at the boys. And decided that that would be a very dumb thing to do. We opted for the less thirsty route to Cromwell. After about another 5 kms the car spoke. “Ding”. “That was the fuel warning light” said Sean. Sean began to sweat a little which in turn made Jenn a bit nervous. We were about 25kms from civilisation on a twisty turney mountain pass road with no idea how generous Ford were with their fuel warning system. Jenn reckonned that it was a Ford and therefore catering to idiots so it would be quite generous. Sean said he hoped so because, he reminded Jenn, if the engine cut out so would the steering and the breaks. “Oh” gulp. So after some very fuel efficient driving from Sean we crept up the mountain through the pass, down the mountain (fingers very crossed here) and onto the valley towards Cromwell and fuel. We made it! Sean filled the tank and calculated that we had less than ¾ of a wine bottle of fuel left in the tank. Ice creams all round. So top tip. ALWAYS KEEP YOUR FUEL TANK FULL ENOUGH. There is not a petrol station on every corner out here.
We had a very stylish picnic at Lake Dunstan and then of to a soak in the hot pools at Tekapo before taking the last stretch home. Which was nice.
14:99
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