Happy new year everyone. Thank you all for your messages and cards and stuff. It was really lovely to hear from you. Jenn cried - AGAIN!
We arrived home on New Years Eve tired but ready to embrace the New Year. Definitely not in the right frame of mind though. We think you need your friends around you. Missed the party! Still we spent today having many New Years Eves listening to Seans internet radio following it around the world until we got to the UK as we cleaned the car ready to sell it. Somehow it seemed properly New Year once we had heard Big Ben chime.
The saying goes 'you can't polish a turd but you can roll it in glitter'. We proved it wrong. The Mondeo is sparkling like it was its first day out of the factory. Lets hope somebody wants to buy it before we step out of Ashburton.
Oh and we discovered that the chicks have been busy whilst we were away and have had a very successful attempt at hatching chicks MII. We were wondering where they had gone. Bubbles has three and the vicious white one has one. No doubt they will all be horrendously loud cocks...
2:13
Friday, 31 December 2010
traditional kiwi christmas
We've just got back from spending our christmas in traditional kiwi style. Camping at the beach (or you could go bush but we went beach) -Waikuku Beach to be precise:
View Larger Map
We went for 5 days with the Davidsons next door (they are caravaners and we took the tent). We spent a lot of time practicing our doing nothing much skills (skills gained on many days at Whitwell - we look forward to showing them off next season back home). Sean in particular was focusing on achieving Masters level.
We got blessed with the weather most days with the exception of Wednesday where it decided that biblical rain was called for. We escaped the cabin fever by taking a tiki tour to Oxford. Oxford in the rain sucked. We couldn't find anywhere that we wanted to lunch in (either restaurant gastro or cheap and greasy bakery/cafe you can eat it but it will have had a face - the boys went for this option and Sean and Jenn got theirs from the local supermarket). So it was a fun lunch steaming up the car - small pleasures. We took the scenic route back stopping off at Ashley Gorge Reserve for a damp squelch at an historic camping ground and then onwards for a tramp on Mount Thomas (the rain had gone down to a light drizzle). Jenn managed to convince the boys that it would only take half an hour and when they got back to the car they could finish of the Hokey pokey (think Crunchie bar if it came in squares) and the liquorice. Well they took off at a gallop and managed an hours walk in 40 minutes. Shame they can't do that more often. Still it was good to be back in the trees with the smell of honey of the black fungus and the sound of the bell birds calling. Back to camp to discover a few leaks and a little damp but nothing to distressing. As it turns out we got off lightly as there was major flooding elsewhere - the main route one south was closed at the Rakaia Bridge. A long slow evening playing cards and reading. The weather returned to sunny for the next day which was good as Jack decided that we all ought to see the sunrise.
Even Jenn wasn't moaning about the 5.30 start as it was just magical.
We spent the next few days doing nothing much and playing on the beach kite flying, jumping waves and playing frisbee.
Barney especially enjoyed the surf being a bit of a selkie. Great fun way to kick off the long holiday home.
2:14
View Larger Map
We went for 5 days with the Davidsons next door (they are caravaners and we took the tent). We spent a lot of time practicing our doing nothing much skills (skills gained on many days at Whitwell - we look forward to showing them off next season back home). Sean in particular was focusing on achieving Masters level.
We got blessed with the weather most days with the exception of Wednesday where it decided that biblical rain was called for. We escaped the cabin fever by taking a tiki tour to Oxford. Oxford in the rain sucked. We couldn't find anywhere that we wanted to lunch in (either restaurant gastro or cheap and greasy bakery/cafe you can eat it but it will have had a face - the boys went for this option and Sean and Jenn got theirs from the local supermarket). So it was a fun lunch steaming up the car - small pleasures. We took the scenic route back stopping off at Ashley Gorge Reserve for a damp squelch at an historic camping ground and then onwards for a tramp on Mount Thomas (the rain had gone down to a light drizzle). Jenn managed to convince the boys that it would only take half an hour and when they got back to the car they could finish of the Hokey pokey (think Crunchie bar if it came in squares) and the liquorice. Well they took off at a gallop and managed an hours walk in 40 minutes. Shame they can't do that more often. Still it was good to be back in the trees with the smell of honey of the black fungus and the sound of the bell birds calling. Back to camp to discover a few leaks and a little damp but nothing to distressing. As it turns out we got off lightly as there was major flooding elsewhere - the main route one south was closed at the Rakaia Bridge. A long slow evening playing cards and reading. The weather returned to sunny for the next day which was good as Jack decided that we all ought to see the sunrise.
Even Jenn wasn't moaning about the 5.30 start as it was just magical.
We spent the next few days doing nothing much and playing on the beach kite flying, jumping waves and playing frisbee.
Barney especially enjoyed the surf being a bit of a selkie. Great fun way to kick off the long holiday home.2:14
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Happy Christmas everybody
Its christmas night and the sun has just set we are feeling slightly achy from all the nuts and cheese and watching The A-Team (Jack got it for christmas). We've said it before but we'll say it again its just to damn weird having christmas at mid summer. Where's the incentive to feast drink and make merry when the sun is high in the sky, you've got swallows building nests in your shed and you're out helping your neighbours bring in their hay as the sun sets?
Anyway, we monahans gave it our best shot to do it kiwi style. So it was up with the lark for a present ripping open frenzy. The boys did very well. Jack looking so cool in his new German Army parka - he's going to need that very soon when we step off that plane into the new subarctic climate in the UK. And a widget for his camera so he can take some cool pictures. Barney got a mobile phone, a bushmans hat and an All Blacks watch. Sean got a fossil fish and a very fetching neck pillow and eye mask for his coming travels. Jenn got some wool dye (for all that stuff she's been spinning), and a rather lovely Lazy Kate hand made by Sean (also for the spinning go look it up on google if you need an explanation) and a beautiful silver spoon from Parliament in Wellington.
So we made plans were for a joint big family affair with the Davidsons next door. The girls were especially chuffed as they have never had a christmas with the cousins and aunty. So in the kiwi spirit of doing as much as is strictly necessary the barby was wheeled around to the least windy side of the compound and some steaks were defrosted and salads knocked up and vast quantities of beer put down to chill. Jenn went all out and made a pavlova (kiwis have a very very very sweet tooth and love their puddings to be teeth achingly sweet):
which was yummy and she thinks she will have to institute a new family tradition of mid summer pav fest. Expect your invites in June.
No crackers or hats. No nuts. No turkey (or suitable vegetarian substitute), or christmas puddings. No brandy, champagne and orange juice breakfasts, port or sherry. No old movies or cheesy repeats of those rubbishy old favourites (Jenn misses The African Queen but dug out her old copy of Casablanca instead). No storing the beer outside the back door with the cream and vegetables that wont fit in the fridge because of the vast amount of cheese thats in there. And, worst of all, no time with the people that we like to spend time with.
Anyway in keeping with the traditional kiwi christmas we are off camping now for a week. Back for the new year when things get busy preparing for the return journey.
We hope that you all have the best christmas ever. And we wish you all a very very happy near year. Whatever it brings. XXX
3:20
Anyway, we monahans gave it our best shot to do it kiwi style. So it was up with the lark for a present ripping open frenzy. The boys did very well. Jack looking so cool in his new German Army parka - he's going to need that very soon when we step off that plane into the new subarctic climate in the UK. And a widget for his camera so he can take some cool pictures. Barney got a mobile phone, a bushmans hat and an All Blacks watch. Sean got a fossil fish and a very fetching neck pillow and eye mask for his coming travels. Jenn got some wool dye (for all that stuff she's been spinning), and a rather lovely Lazy Kate hand made by Sean (also for the spinning go look it up on google if you need an explanation) and a beautiful silver spoon from Parliament in Wellington.
So we made plans were for a joint big family affair with the Davidsons next door. The girls were especially chuffed as they have never had a christmas with the cousins and aunty. So in the kiwi spirit of doing as much as is strictly necessary the barby was wheeled around to the least windy side of the compound and some steaks were defrosted and salads knocked up and vast quantities of beer put down to chill. Jenn went all out and made a pavlova (kiwis have a very very very sweet tooth and love their puddings to be teeth achingly sweet):
which was yummy and she thinks she will have to institute a new family tradition of mid summer pav fest. Expect your invites in June.
No crackers or hats. No nuts. No turkey (or suitable vegetarian substitute), or christmas puddings. No brandy, champagne and orange juice breakfasts, port or sherry. No old movies or cheesy repeats of those rubbishy old favourites (Jenn misses The African Queen but dug out her old copy of Casablanca instead). No storing the beer outside the back door with the cream and vegetables that wont fit in the fridge because of the vast amount of cheese thats in there. And, worst of all, no time with the people that we like to spend time with.
Anyway in keeping with the traditional kiwi christmas we are off camping now for a week. Back for the new year when things get busy preparing for the return journey.
We hope that you all have the best christmas ever. And we wish you all a very very happy near year. Whatever it brings. XXX
3:20
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Christmas eve
We guess this is the day that we begin to feel our distance from home the most acutely. Everything is topsy turvey. The sun is shining and we've had a solstice. But it was the summer one and not the winter one. It ought to be cold. We ought to be out about spending time with friends and family. We ought to have put up some decorations and holly and ivy. So traditions are on hold until next year. For now we are keeping it kiwi.
And do nothing much. Not the same as nothing as its doing nothing much.
But we did decide to risk life and limb and take a walk up in the hills. What with the ankle injuries we decided to try and avoid the steep woody foothills and go as far as we could in the car (we know: what a cop out) to minimise risk of further injury and an easy way to get to the views.
It was raining in the plains but we left it behind as we climbed up the Mount Hutt ski road. We say road, the tarmac ran out within the first 50m and the road became more of a rubbly track etched into the side of the mountain. A rock face to one side, which was losing rocks all over the road and a precipice to the other side. Sean drove, Jenn sat clenched beside him. Knuckles white as she gripped the passenger door. We don't know why because, lets face it, if a boulder did decide to launch itself onto them or the car suddenly veered of the road over the edge it wouldn't have done her any good. But it was worth it as within a mile or so of climbing, scrambling and general escapading we made it to a lovely spot with a good clear view over the plains and the fluffy clouds. Even Jack and Barney stopped moaning and enjoyed themselves.
Looking forward to christmas day now and a barbecue and lots more doing nothing much for the next couple of weeks before we have to a lot of much. (Mostly panic we suspect).
3:21
And do nothing much. Not the same as nothing as its doing nothing much.
But we did decide to risk life and limb and take a walk up in the hills. What with the ankle injuries we decided to try and avoid the steep woody foothills and go as far as we could in the car (we know: what a cop out) to minimise risk of further injury and an easy way to get to the views.
It was raining in the plains but we left it behind as we climbed up the Mount Hutt ski road. We say road, the tarmac ran out within the first 50m and the road became more of a rubbly track etched into the side of the mountain. A rock face to one side, which was losing rocks all over the road and a precipice to the other side. Sean drove, Jenn sat clenched beside him. Knuckles white as she gripped the passenger door. We don't know why because, lets face it, if a boulder did decide to launch itself onto them or the car suddenly veered of the road over the edge it wouldn't have done her any good. But it was worth it as within a mile or so of climbing, scrambling and general escapading we made it to a lovely spot with a good clear view over the plains and the fluffy clouds. Even Jack and Barney stopped moaning and enjoyed themselves.
Looking forward to christmas day now and a barbecue and lots more doing nothing much for the next couple of weeks before we have to a lot of much. (Mostly panic we suspect).
3:21
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
weather two
Its been interesting watching you guys in the UK shiver your way through yet another winter of "snow fed chaos" and endless reams of journalistic twaddle on "why can't we cope when it snows?". We are hoping that Heathrow is cleared by the end of January.
We would hate to feel left out of the "weather chaos" so we've been having a rare old time with what is known locally as a "Nor'wester". Gar the natives will say and look mystically into the distance when reminiscing about the Big One of '86 or some such other. Basically its a very hot and hard wind that blows in from the Northwest. Apparently it sends people mad. We can believe it. The Canterbury plains heat up like a frying pan and the air is so hot and dry. And it blows. Hard. On Jenns local weather windscale its really very bloody windy. No windows can be opened and the house rattles and shakes and the windows bow and buckle as it sucks and blows.
Sean is sulking as its so hot and sunny outside but the wind is relentless and there is no escape from it so he has been trapped in doors. A bit like a caged bear with a bit of a headache and with nothing to do but stare out the window at the sunny blue sky and count the minutes, hours and days of it that he's got left of it before he has to face the gloomy grey of a UK January. Everyone is hot, headachy and narky so there have been arguments galore. Still it should only last another couple of days. And it makes a change from watching the telly.
3:23
We would hate to feel left out of the "weather chaos" so we've been having a rare old time with what is known locally as a "Nor'wester". Gar the natives will say and look mystically into the distance when reminiscing about the Big One of '86 or some such other. Basically its a very hot and hard wind that blows in from the Northwest. Apparently it sends people mad. We can believe it. The Canterbury plains heat up like a frying pan and the air is so hot and dry. And it blows. Hard. On Jenns local weather windscale its really very bloody windy. No windows can be opened and the house rattles and shakes and the windows bow and buckle as it sucks and blows.
Sean is sulking as its so hot and sunny outside but the wind is relentless and there is no escape from it so he has been trapped in doors. A bit like a caged bear with a bit of a headache and with nothing to do but stare out the window at the sunny blue sky and count the minutes, hours and days of it that he's got left of it before he has to face the gloomy grey of a UK January. Everyone is hot, headachy and narky so there have been arguments galore. Still it should only last another couple of days. And it makes a change from watching the telly.
3:23
weather one
Saturday saw a blistering hot day (touching 30oC in the wind) and an invitation to a barbeque with the neighbours in the evening. For the day the sane ones stayed in doors rather than get fried outside by the UV (the sun was so intense your skin could feel it hitting it). Walking down to the neighbours at about 5.30 Sean remarked "wow look at that cloud bank in the south" thinking nothing more of it as we sweated away on the walk down. A large broiling cloud was bubbling away on the horizon coming at us from a southerly direction.
Within half an hour the wind had began to whip about. Paper plates, plastic cups, wine glasses and the odd skirt whirling about in the gusts. Within in an hour the temperature had dropped by about 10oC and within two hours the cloud had rolled in and the wind was really blowing and the temperature was down to a cool 15oC or there abouts. That was a southerly. half the adults braved it out moving round to a less exposed side of the house and the others (women and children) took to the inside. Luckily the intrepid monahans had thought to pack fleecy jackets so with that and the wine they were ok. A nice time socialising was had by all.
3:26
Within half an hour the wind had began to whip about. Paper plates, plastic cups, wine glasses and the odd skirt whirling about in the gusts. Within in an hour the temperature had dropped by about 10oC and within two hours the cloud had rolled in and the wind was really blowing and the temperature was down to a cool 15oC or there abouts. That was a southerly. half the adults braved it out moving round to a less exposed side of the house and the others (women and children) took to the inside. Luckily the intrepid monahans had thought to pack fleecy jackets so with that and the wine they were ok. A nice time socialising was had by all.
3:26
Friday, 17 December 2010
Day at the races
We are a bit out of synch at the moment with the blog due to an internet connectivity problem (we blew Grandads 10MB download limit and were punished by being reduced to 0.006MB speeds).
All this happened last sunday (12th December). Jack had his penultimate race meet out at Barhill/Rakaia Road. Which was fortunate as it was also race day at Methven. So we decided to drop Jack off to do his thing and drive off to the races and pick him up later (this involved an additional 60km drive but thats nothing out here). As usual, as it was a Sunday and on this occasion we had all decided to come along, so we were running late. Jacks in the car hissing like a cat whilst we are all still doing stuff but anyway we all get in the car late with about 40 minutes to do a 45 minute journey. Only Sean says "we've got no petrol!" yes says Jenn I told you that yesterday. Seans grip tightened on the steering wheel and his teeth clenched just a little bit. We all feel the Gees as Sean does something out of character and starts driving too fast. Screeching to a halt in the petrol station. Anyway off we go to Barhill at break neck pace (luckily no cops and Jenn saying quietly Sean do you think you ought to slow down just a bit, you wont get a fine at this speed you will get a ban and your license removed). We get to Barhill. Nothing but tumble weed. We drive round the block. Tumble weed. "Did you ask last week exactly where it was" says Jenn. Seans grip tightens just a little bit more on the steering wheel "No I just assumed that Barhill/Rakaia meant Barhill" So we drive down the road to Rakaia. Meantime Jack is in the back having the biggest strop ever as the time for registration came and went (Jacks club is a stickler for these things). And yes there they all were at at Rakaia but fortunately the club there was slack and Jack got to race.
He came in third. Happy chappie.
Sean, Jenn and Barney then went back the way they came to the races.
No but seriously more like this:
Over here its the trotting races with some very lovely looking horses and buggies. The crowds were out in either their very best gear for a day at the races or in their everyday gear. Great fun and a great opportunity for anthropological study.
4:33
All this happened last sunday (12th December). Jack had his penultimate race meet out at Barhill/Rakaia Road. Which was fortunate as it was also race day at Methven. So we decided to drop Jack off to do his thing and drive off to the races and pick him up later (this involved an additional 60km drive but thats nothing out here). As usual, as it was a Sunday and on this occasion we had all decided to come along, so we were running late. Jacks in the car hissing like a cat whilst we are all still doing stuff but anyway we all get in the car late with about 40 minutes to do a 45 minute journey. Only Sean says "we've got no petrol!" yes says Jenn I told you that yesterday. Seans grip tightened on the steering wheel and his teeth clenched just a little bit. We all feel the Gees as Sean does something out of character and starts driving too fast. Screeching to a halt in the petrol station. Anyway off we go to Barhill at break neck pace (luckily no cops and Jenn saying quietly Sean do you think you ought to slow down just a bit, you wont get a fine at this speed you will get a ban and your license removed). We get to Barhill. Nothing but tumble weed. We drive round the block. Tumble weed. "Did you ask last week exactly where it was" says Jenn. Seans grip tightens just a little bit more on the steering wheel "No I just assumed that Barhill/Rakaia meant Barhill" So we drive down the road to Rakaia. Meantime Jack is in the back having the biggest strop ever as the time for registration came and went (Jacks club is a stickler for these things). And yes there they all were at at Rakaia but fortunately the club there was slack and Jack got to race.
He came in third. Happy chappie.
Sean, Jenn and Barney then went back the way they came to the races.
No but seriously more like this:
Over here its the trotting races with some very lovely looking horses and buggies. The crowds were out in either their very best gear for a day at the races or in their everyday gear. Great fun and a great opportunity for anthropological study.
4:33
Schools out for summer
Barneys now finished school. The lead up was filled with activity. Wednesday night saw the school prizegiving at the big hall in Longbeach for a 2 hour - yes we kid you not 2 hour long - prizegiving. We think they thanked everybody right down to the pet rabbit brought in on pet day in October. At 9pm the ceremony was over and then the supper began. We have learnt that in NZ no function is complete without a plate and food. Might explain why there are so many amply proportioned people in the community. We had had enough by then and ducked out quickly after saying our hellos.
Last day of school decamped to Lake Hood for a day of water sports. The usual parents and families to provide all the transport, supervision, equipment, such as boats, jetskis, kayaks, donuts, biscuits and hot dogs (everything here is about food it seems). Barney, being 13 now and so much a grown up didn't need any adult supervision so that let Jenn off the hook. She and Jack cycled up after lunch to show willing and supportively making the right noises. Jenn also got to say thank you and goodby to Barneys awesome teacher, Mrs Jackie Quinlan. She is the best teacher in the world. ever says Barney. We wish her luck with the baby in 2011.
4:29
Last day of school decamped to Lake Hood for a day of water sports. The usual parents and families to provide all the transport, supervision, equipment, such as boats, jetskis, kayaks, donuts, biscuits and hot dogs (everything here is about food it seems). Barney, being 13 now and so much a grown up didn't need any adult supervision so that let Jenn off the hook. She and Jack cycled up after lunch to show willing and supportively making the right noises. Jenn also got to say thank you and goodby to Barneys awesome teacher, Mrs Jackie Quinlan. She is the best teacher in the world. ever says Barney. We wish her luck with the baby in 2011.4:29
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Its just a jump to the left
Going to the Panto isn't going to happen this year (boo hoo says Jenn as its her favourite thing to do at midwinter) so Sean, Jenn and Lou did the next best thing. They went to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Christchurch. Staring Richard O'Brien as the Narrator.
It was really rather jolly good! Lovely to see Richard was working that denim in a full teddy boy suit with biker boots and breaking the cardinal rule of fashion: denim on the top or denim on the bottom but never denim all over or you'll look like susy quattro. But the award for most stage presence had to go to Dr Frankenfurter! Wow! Juan Jackson was possibly the sexiest man to wear a pair of fishnets and heels ever. We almost got knocked off our seats with the charisma. Sean says he's not gay but he would...
The audience did the usual dressing up thing - though in some cases we think that they hadn't it was their normal attire. Lots of singing along, some annoying quoting the script verbatim going on. Rice throwing, water squirting and some very adult content. We had a very good time. Sean says its the best stage play he's been to in a long time - he has realised how much he has missed sitting in the cabaret tents at music festivals...
5:
It was really rather jolly good! Lovely to see Richard was working that denim in a full teddy boy suit with biker boots and breaking the cardinal rule of fashion: denim on the top or denim on the bottom but never denim all over or you'll look like susy quattro. But the award for most stage presence had to go to Dr Frankenfurter! Wow! Juan Jackson was possibly the sexiest man to wear a pair of fishnets and heels ever. We almost got knocked off our seats with the charisma. Sean says he's not gay but he would...
The audience did the usual dressing up thing - though in some cases we think that they hadn't it was their normal attire. Lots of singing along, some annoying quoting the script verbatim going on. Rice throwing, water squirting and some very adult content. We had a very good time. Sean says its the best stage play he's been to in a long time - he has realised how much he has missed sitting in the cabaret tents at music festivals...
5:
Barney goes to Wellywood
Barney was off last week for an overnight school trip to Wellington - very excited by the prospect of a short hop on the plane across to the other island.
He went without so much as a glance behind him and came back dark and glassy eyed and very short tempered but happy nonetheless.
He got to do and see some cracking things. Such as a TV studio where the class made and posted a video news cast: http://capitale.blip.tv/file/4480317/
HE also got to go to Parialment and visited John Keyes office - John sadly wasn't there to meet'n'greet them but Barney was most impressed to learn from Johns PA that John was a very sociable man and was often inthe bar chatting. Barney was also very impressed by the knowledge that there was a secret bunker underneath the building. To which we all are thinking it doesn't sound that secret when even a bunch of 13 year olds knows...
Still he was chortling at the fact that he spend nearly $50 on mints - 'I was addicted to eating mints' - including a packet of Parliamints that he bought at the parliament (you see what they did there? ha ha mints...ments..).
5:36
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Hobnobbing with the local gentry
This is a little behind the times because the internet it very bad at the moment.
Saturday night saw the Monahans hobnobbing with the local gentry at their annual shed party.
Don't let the words gentry and shed fool you into any judgements. Firstly the 'shed' usually housed a combine harvester with plenty of room for a spare jumbo jet. It was huge and in it was a bouncy castle, a gladiators style pugel sticks thingy (any one remember Gladiators? The one where you and your opponent climbed up on opposing podiums and then knocked seven shades of something out of each other with big sticks until one of you falls off?), a barbecue and a bathtub bar (basically a bathtub filled with ice that the guests dumped their beer in and everybody helped themselves). Add to this loads of the locals, hordes of screaming kids and the odd bit of runaway livestock then that about does the ambience.
New Zelanders do not do gentry, you really can't tell who owns stuff and who works stuff. There was roughly half the GDP of the south island in that shed and you wouldn't know it. Most had just stepped out of their blue overalls or changed out of the kiwi farmer uniform of boots, thick woollen socks, very short 1980's nylon shorts and t-shirt/vest (fleece jacket if its chilly). We are trying to get a photo of the iconic kiwi farmer but are afraid of the subject taking offence...
Anyway, the entertainment was fairly familiar to us by now: music, beer, lots of beeer, more beeeeer. Drink lots more and then some more, and then all pile into the truck with the designated driver – you could tell who they were because they could still stand, sort of, and walk uprightish – and drive home. We decided as it was a lovely evening, to cycle the few miles and decided to leave on our bikes before everyone else got in the trucks. Safest all round we thought.
Jack was elsewhere at a 16th birthday party in town. So Jenn had to remain sober and drive into town at midnight to collect him, her little hands gripping the wheel in sheer terror waiting for a drunken kiwi farmer in a truck to drive over the top of them or into the side of them or some other horrific accident. Thankfully they made it all the way out to town and back home again safely.
5:39
Saturday night saw the Monahans hobnobbing with the local gentry at their annual shed party.
Don't let the words gentry and shed fool you into any judgements. Firstly the 'shed' usually housed a combine harvester with plenty of room for a spare jumbo jet. It was huge and in it was a bouncy castle, a gladiators style pugel sticks thingy (any one remember Gladiators? The one where you and your opponent climbed up on opposing podiums and then knocked seven shades of something out of each other with big sticks until one of you falls off?), a barbecue and a bathtub bar (basically a bathtub filled with ice that the guests dumped their beer in and everybody helped themselves). Add to this loads of the locals, hordes of screaming kids and the odd bit of runaway livestock then that about does the ambience.
New Zelanders do not do gentry, you really can't tell who owns stuff and who works stuff. There was roughly half the GDP of the south island in that shed and you wouldn't know it. Most had just stepped out of their blue overalls or changed out of the kiwi farmer uniform of boots, thick woollen socks, very short 1980's nylon shorts and t-shirt/vest (fleece jacket if its chilly). We are trying to get a photo of the iconic kiwi farmer but are afraid of the subject taking offence...
Anyway, the entertainment was fairly familiar to us by now: music, beer, lots of beeer, more beeeeer. Drink lots more and then some more, and then all pile into the truck with the designated driver – you could tell who they were because they could still stand, sort of, and walk uprightish – and drive home. We decided as it was a lovely evening, to cycle the few miles and decided to leave on our bikes before everyone else got in the trucks. Safest all round we thought.
Jack was elsewhere at a 16th birthday party in town. So Jenn had to remain sober and drive into town at midnight to collect him, her little hands gripping the wheel in sheer terror waiting for a drunken kiwi farmer in a truck to drive over the top of them or into the side of them or some other horrific accident. Thankfully they made it all the way out to town and back home again safely.
5:39
Friday, 3 December 2010
A career is born
Well here we are and its December already.
We've been hearing all the stuff about the snow back home and some kind of famine is already happening in the shops. Jenn says thats no biggy it sounds like the kiwi shopping experience. Kind of wish we were there and kind of glad that we are here and decided to stake an extended holiday until the new year. Although the summer is very familiar as we had heat for about a week and now its overcast and cool and looking to stay that way for the forseeable future. The wind is now thankfully down to a moderate breeze but the flies are out in force.
It was a week ago when it suddenly dawned on everybody that there was only 20 odd days until christmas and then Sean has to pack away his tools lovingly in bubble wrap and they begin their journey home. A short panic and plans were hastily drawn up for the erecting of a fence, building of pillars and fitting of front gates for Chez Davidson. It will look positively palatial and a million dollars by the time he's finished.
So this week its been all go for Monahan and Sons as Sean made use of Jacks free time to do 'fun stuff' such as go shopping at Bunnings and hire mini diggers and augers for post holes.
It turns out that Jack has a natural aptitude for the mini digger, much to Seans chagrin. Sean spending an hour or so concentrating till his eyes squinted and his brow sweated and still making half arsed wobbly scrapes. Jack jumps in and away he went in minutes. Sean tells Jack that if you can dig a hole you will never be out of work. A career is born?
5:41
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