New Brighton - Kite Day

Yesterday after Church we took off to the beach to fly our kites - it would seem a few others had the same idea!

A basic principal of flight (and driving for that matter) is to maintain separation! Well that was nigh on impossible yesterday as the airspace was overcrowded to say the least but - it was great fun. And while we had a couple of tangles we did not cause any crashes even if the neighbouring kite did have razor wire in its lines as it proceeded to cut through Alana's kite line!! Thankfully this did not cause a problem at the time.


Alana and Samuel both took to flying the dual control line delta wing kites with real flare and are keen to go again - so after some minor repairs this week I hope



we can go back this weekend and once again experience "tight lines" as they say!! Danielle loved the traditional diamond kite with the tail.

Five go camping - or is that 20?

Here are a few pics from our 4 days / 3 nights camping at Temuka. Enjoyed by everone, although I'd love to be able to sleep better next time (Ann).

We joined 3 other families who have been camping together for the past 3 years. They went for the 7 days but we could only go for the 3 nights. This year they brought along a community gazebo (flimsy white tent) where we cooked and ate, played games at night etc. It was a great central point for everyone - that is until the wind came along yesterday (Monday 21st) and nearly blew it down :-(

The kids all got on really well (8 adults and 12 kids) and had lots of fun. Their favourite activity was when we went to a river, so I've added photos of that as well. Poor Alana did a major chest flop when she jumped from the highest point - wondered if she'd broken a rib at one point as it really hurt to cough but she eventually recovered. Mind you she didn't go back to the high spot again.

The Campsite









Geraldine Forrest Water Hole
This was an awesome spot for the kids - what a great spot on the river!

Christchurch City International Buskers Festival

This began the weekend we went camping and I was worried we would miss out on seeing some of it. I need not have feared as on Saturday the 26 Jan we spent nearly six hours in the city, the kids and me, watching a variety of performers and performances. Here are just a few with the kids ratings of them out of 5: 1 being no good and 5 being the best.

Mr Green - 4.5









The Amazing Drumming Monkeys (Bongo and Congo) - 5








"Punk The Clown" - a mere 2.5, a bit harsh.









"Motley Two" alias Mullet Man & Mohawk - 5

Then there was Mr Spin and Pandora Pink - 4

Christmas Parade

We had heard so much about how Christchurch celebrates -

Christmas with the Ballantynes Store Nativity Windows and the parade,

we just had to go and see it.

Here are a few snaps of the parade which went for a long time!!

Christmas in Christchurch

We had a relaxing Christmas day: it started with a few pressies for the kids and then off to friends of ours, Nick and Paula, Polly & Theo Daniels for an amazing waffle breakfast. Lots of fun

After this we headed out to Allanton Reserve, which is the next big bay round from Governor's Bay, for a family bike ride and picnic lunch. It all went well in the end, the bike ride that is, after Danielle had recovered from being wiped off by a cutty grass bush because Dad got the angles wrong coming off a bridge. You'll see what I mean when you see the "Trailgattor" she is riding on. Alana and Samuel loved it as they got to ride their new bikes!!





Ann also has a bike now thanks to good ol' Trade Me and so it was a real family affair making it much more enjoyable.









After a good ride and very nice lunch it was time to ....!













Later in the evening we caught up with Andrew, Lorraine and Sam for some great fast paced, high action fun (and that was just for the adults watching!!)










This was followed by more great Christmas fare on a very balmy evening!! Thanks guys!!