Who's the Daddy? (click on photo to see!)

What a thrill,i had an interview with a large company based in Auckland so me and Joe flew up on Thurs.We decided to look at Auckland City and what a change to what we have back in the South island,smelly and not very nice but we found that just outside Auckland is some better places and very good Schools.Anyway we were walking up a street and there was a Reverse bungy attraction where you sit down and you are thrown Skywards,sadly i could not persuade Joe to go on so we went past.But the next best thing was just around the corner.....the Auckland Skytower,over 200mtrs high and you can jump off at 192mtrs...wow i was there and what a ride.You get taken to the jump point where these photos were taken then after the checks are done you walk out on a platform and i,ve gotta say i was a little bit poopin my pants but i was,nt going back.So they count you down and away you go just step off.....yeah it was that easy...not,i stepped off and at that point i honestly thought my heart had stopped then they drop you alittle then take a bloody photo....get on with it im thinking,then they let you go and it honestly felt like i was flying until you see the ground coming up to meet you...very very fast.So as i approach the landing pad what happens but my legs give way and there i am on my knees with Joe in fits of laughter...yeah thanks Joe.So i had done it and Joe turns round and says do you wanna do it again...what a comedian but er yep you bet but at 190dollars its gonna have to wait a little.

So back to the Job,did i get it?of course but i have another interview with another company in Christchurch on Tues the 30th Jan and its the second one so we are in a quandry as to whether we move..again upto Auckland or stay but the deciding will be done this week so i will let you all know.Keep looking at the blog as i am trying to persuade Tracey to let me do a proper skydive...from a plane next,and also we are trying to keep you all upto date.Bye for now Tony.

Visit to a local winery

Visit to the Winery

(click on Nick for other photos)

There are about half-a-dozen vineyards around us, so Tony and I thought we were honour-bound to try out a couple. Nick accompanied us on our first visit, where he had a 'kids platter' of bits to keep his strength up, whilst we sampled the vino. Needless to say he didn't eat all his carrot sticks! Reisling is popular, but it is lighter than the German version, and some are even a little fizzy. Chardonnay and Savignon Blanc abound, as does the Rose. Reds include Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir - yummy! These pictures were taken at the Morworth Estate winery. It was so good that Tony and I returned there on our own a couple of days later for a leisurely lunch (the boys didn't starve - we ordered pizza in for them!). Absolutely superb.

TRIATHLON TRAINING

Here are the boys, doing part of their training for a triathlon in March. Its all part of a 'Weet-bix' initiative (see weblink). Rob and Joe are taking it very seriously, and follow the published training schedule carefully. There are different categories depending on age, but the two of them fall into the same category. Consequently Rob is having to work really hard to keep up with Joe.
They have to swim every other day, so we have negotiated access to the pool at the local military camp. This sems to get very little use, so the boys often have the pool to themselves. Needless to say, the rest of the family often join them for their swimming training!

Joe driving - at 15!

Oh yes its legal! All over the Christmas holidays Joe studied a very dull tome on the rules and regs of driving in NZ. On the first day the AA centre was open for business, he took and passed his theory driving test. He is now the VERY, VERY proud owner of a Learner Licence. He is only allowed to drive cars up-to 2-litre, so he drives Tony's Mitsubishi Legnum (Tracey's Prado is a 3-litre). The car is an automatic, so Joe doesn't have to worry about gears yet. He wants to drive us everywhere, but so-far he is just doing half-hour type journeys in the area (but not into town). He is very careful, and doesn't get cross with Tony or Tracey giving him instructions, even though he knows the fine details of the NZ road system better than them! He is saving up for driving lessons, and can take another test in 6-months which allows him to drive alone or with a supervisor. He then has to wait 18 months to take another test which will give him a full licence (at 17) BUT if he takes a Defensive Driving Course (which he plans to do), he can get a full licence 6-months earlier, at 16 1/2! Thankfully insurance is cheap - because its not compulsory. It has cost us $65 (about £25) to insure him for this first year.