Wairaki River bridge

This is the bridge we cross on our journey up Mount Hutt. The river is very low at the moment, but we are told that in spring the gorge is full. It is a massive river, and the picture doesn't really do it justice. Crazy people bungy-jump off that tiny bridge! The tiny boat at the bottom picks them up - hopefully! There are also speed boat rides up the river, but the kids opted to wait until it is more full so they get a more exciting ride.

Rob's cricket (click photos for more)

rob cricket

Rob is settling down nicely with a team from nearby Springston. He was worried his bowling was letting him down, so the coach gave him a bit of 'one-to-one'. This week he bowled two overs - gave one wide and took his first wicket. He was so chuffed - all the kids clapping him on the back etc etc. He also made his highest ever run of 11 before he retired - hitting a boundary and very nearly clearing two more! When they nominated him 'Most Improved Player' and gave him the little trophy (and a Mars bar & coke) the grin went from ear-to-ear! The weather was fab too, so we were all there watching him.

The team is doing well. As you can see from the photos, there are some girls in the team - they are pretty fair players too. Its easy to 'spot the Pom' in the team because the kiwi 'whites' are true white, where as Rob has his cream-coloured ones from the UK. No one cares tho - very relaxed here. Its really nice for Rob at the moment because he is still not at school (Mum and Dad haven't got jobs yet so it is one of the few opportunities he has to mix with kids his own age.

On a crusade ! (click to see horses etc)

canterbury crusaders

The battle cry for the Canterbury Crusaders! Tony, his nephew Stuart, Joe and ROb went to see them beat The Reds (Queensland, Australia) last Saturday evening. As you can see, they put on a good show in the style of medieval crusaders (bit odd, cos no one lived in NZ in medieval times as far as it is known!). Rob loves his new hat and can't wait to show Jacob Olive!

hOT roD hOT pLATES (click to see more!)

hot rods

Private plates are big business in NZ. Here are a few good ones we noted when we went to a local Hot Rod show.

Joe - update

Here he is in his school uniform (aren't the shorts sweet? especially with the long socks!). He was adamant he would be wearing trousers, but it is far too warm - and all the others are wearing shorts, so.......

The cast is NOT compulsory. This was the result of leaping into a 'lazy river' at an aquatic centre in town. It took six days for mum to decide he needed a hospital visit, where a broken fourth metatarsal was revealed under x-ray.

Needless to say, this has made him very miserable (look at the face!). He has had to miss athletics, sports day, trials for school teams, cricket and (because he is doing year 12 PE) the 'city to surf' 12k run and all the training that precedes it. This means he will have to do an extra module in December to finish his course requirements. C'est la vie!

PADDY

Paddy is fine. Thank you to everyone who has enquired after him - especially Lorriane and Bryan. He is looking pensive here, but he had spent the previous hour cavorting in the river with the boys. The weather doesn't seem to bother him, and the vets have sourced the special food he needs to keep his weak stomach in order (what a relief!).

Summer Sun

Yes - sorry to rub it in, but it is summer here. This is a beautiful, quiet beach about an hour from home. We go here because the dog can come and run loose with us - its so big and quiet.

The surf isn't as good as some of the other beaches though, so we have to vary our beaches to keep everyone happy.

Everyone is picking up a nice tan (except Paddy of course!). We have to be careful cos NZ has a big hole in the ozone layer above it (do you blame the cows farts, chinese manufacturing or American gas-guzzlers?) , so lots of sunscreen and hats.

Wish you were here?