Christmas News

Hi to you all. We spent Christmas day with Leanne and Danny and Maddison and while there I took some photos of their new house as I thought you might be interested and this made for an easy way of explaining how the house sits on the section.

This looks West. You will see they have planted the bank on the right around the pool and have some lawn started. To the south as the crow flies 5k or so is the road to Helensville

 State Highway 16. Their block is wooded (manuka and natives) to the right and left as you look at this photo. The drive winds through the bush ahead to the closest road about 400m. Some concrete and some still in metal / mud when it rains / some puddles.

This is from the same 

spot looking East. You can see the shed danny built that had the caravan behind it and where they lived while the house was being built. They have two piglets in the fenced area, chooks on the right and recently developed vege gardens also on the right. To the left they have planted a heap of fruit trees and along the fence at the back they have planted hedge trees to grow privacy in the future.

If you stand by the shed and look down and east you look right at the village of Kaukapakapa.

So we had a pleasant two nights with them. Tracy and Shane and the girls also stayed Christmas Eve and Santa found his way into the house much the the delight of everyone on Christmas morning.

Here is Nana and the girls just before everyone headed off to open presents. 

As you can see the excitement was intense.

Trust you all had a great Christmas.

Please make a comment to this blog especially if there is anything you want to ask about.

Take care you all.

Noho ora mai.

Long Wait

I didn't realise how long ago it was that I posted the last blog. In fact it probably doesn't matter too much as there is not a long of news since then. 

Toni of course has been unwell with Glandular Fever and had 5 weeks off school. She is now recovering well, back to school and taking a limited amount of exercise to retain her fitness. Unfortunately he rep netball has had to be abandoned and her swimming training is very limited. Otherwise she is looking and feeling better.

Had the grand daughters for various nights over the holidays and enjoyed their company. Leanne and Danny and Maddison have continued to stay on Saturday nights although this may not be for too much longer as their new house is due for hand over on 13 August.

I have done only limited work days - by choice and over the last few weeks have "run in" my new eye. I'm now officially the $6000 man.

We celebrated Beat's birthday with lunch in Orewa with Tracy and tea with Leanne etc.

Last Saturday night was the encore at our place but only Tracy etc could come as the weather was so shocking Leanne stayed home to hold down their caravan.

Beat and I have gone to the movies a few times and continue to enjoy our shopping trips to Albany / Takapuna.

We are both well, walking lots and keeping occupied.

Thursday 1 May

Well it's been a while since the last post and everything continues to go along well. All family are fine and Beat and I also. The new house is closed in and the lining has been started. We have seen the brick and it looks good. It's a huge house and should come together well. 

We took Toni shopping on Tuesday and she bought a pair of skinny jeans for herself while Natalie scored two new pairs of pyjamas -funny that. Maddison received a great end of term report and is close to a Bronze Award for behaviour. She is going well.

For Beat and I we continue our walking etc and try to keep fit. Work starts for me again next Tuesday which isn't a thrilling thought.

So to anyone reading that's it. If nobody does then I can read my own ramblings.

It's Raining!!!!!

A brief catch up since the last posting. I am writing this to myself as none of you turkeys who might be able to read these are doing so and if you are then your feedback is not really up to the mark.

News of the new house is that it is up to the brick stage. Roof is on, wiring is done and the gas fitter has been. Leanne and Danny have  put in lots of trees and mulched the sides of the drive so the overall look is also improving.

Grandkid news is that Maddison and Toni are into netball practice for the new season. Toni is also playing rugby and soccer and keeping up her early morning swimming training. Maddison received two certificates at assembly last week - academic and citizenship. Natalie can write her name and enjoys her pre-school on the three days she goes. Nana and Pop go to her swimming lesson on a Friday and she goes to gymnastics once a week. Pop believes the sport is more important than the school work.

Everyone else  is OK. 

Would somebody please read this and make some comment.

This Weeks Catch Up

Well the weekend is over and it was back to the computer today. Leanne and Danny and Maddison stayed again Friday night and were away early Saturday morning - early for them that is. We went over to see them yesterday and worked all afternoon on clearing manuka and gorse so that they can mulch and plant the area along one side of the drive. The photo is of their new house as of yesterday - it's huge.

Tracy and Shane arrived with Natalie and Toni and brought tea for us all. They barbecued etc and we all had a good time together at the end of the day.

Worked two days last week visiting  teachers in classrooms which is quite enjoyable and this week I have three days work.

Re-sowed the lawn of Saturday and now wait with everything crossed in the hope we have a good strike of new grass.

Just a quick catch up since the last post.

Leanne and Danny and Maddison stayed again last Friday night as they have since they started living in the caravan on their block of land. The good news is that the frame for their house is going up and by the end of last week it sounded as if most of the framing had been erected /assembled.

We continue to follow grandchildren to their various sporting events - on Monday just gone Toni ran in an 800m race at the Millenium Stadium to represent the school. Suffice it to say she is no Kenyan.

Beat and I continue our daily walking to maintain the fitness levels and I had to go to work yesterday which was a shock to the system after such a slow start to the year. The drive to Auckland (south of town) continues to be challenge. 2 hours for what is only a 1 1/4 hour trip can be frustrating if you let it be. A good chance to catch up on the latest music and news.

Working at home today hence have time to add another blog. Still no rain. The deadest lawn in the street and the need to re-sow if it ever rains again.

Catch Up Time

Well the last few days have been pretty much as usual. Worked in Auckland last Wednesday for the day and then Leanne and Maddison stayed over Friday night and left for home late Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday we went to the Auckland Region Surf Club Champs and I acted as a helper for the day. Long hot day and that was just watching. Toni excelled. She won the Board race, Diamond and Beach Sprint in her age group and her team came second in the Cameron and third in the board relay. A very successful outing. Meanwhile Natalie spent a morning at her surf club (Shrimps) and really enjoyed it. A future Flags champion.

Maddison played Touch on Friday afternoon and is still enjoying it.

Heading off to collect Tracy this morning as she has a date with the dentist. Ouch!!!

Thanks for the tip on podcasts Shane it has given me an idea for a trial.

Tuesday 5 March

Reporting from the running yesterday. In only her second attempt at running 800m Toni barefootedly managed a 3rd at the North Harbour Inter Secondary Schools Sports. Running like a gazelle she held on to easily complete the distance.

The relay team she was in came 3rd we think although it could have been 4th.

So Toni how was school today?? Must be a bummer having to do Maths and things.

Monday 4 March

A quick review of the weekend spent at The Mount. Well Toni won her first gold as part of the beach relay team running a tremendous third leg and setting up the final runner to take out the win. The water was really rough from Saturday onwards and after a brilliant Friday Saturday was wet and Sunday somewhat better. Toni made the final of the beach sprint and ran in 3rd or 4th, or 5th or 6th in a blanket finish. In the board final she made a creditable 6th in humungous waves. The Diamond didn't work out as after an easy heat win she dipped out in her semi.

What a busy weekend this is. How good was Natalie to play all day and enjoy the company.

we headed home in the late afternoon and arrived in Warkworth at 8.45 pm.

second post

Now I know how to keep adding to my blogsite. Toni you should have one as well.

Hi Guys

Just a brief note to see if you can access my blogsite and respond to my message. At the time I ma writing this you are in the car on the way to the Mount and we will follow tomorrow.

Let's hope when you read this we are all smiling and happy. Say can't you access it from the laptop.

Will talk to you when we get there and try it.