Orbit Camp

Slip sliding away

This weekend the kids and I were away at the Lake Waihola, CYC camp site, with DCBC at the Orbit Camp (youth camp for the 5-10 years old age group). Danielle joined us and had a ball too.

The timing was good in one sense as Ann started night shifts so at least we were not around the house crashing and banging disturbing her sleep!

Bum Wrestling!

Renovations

Blair has become a wizz at blogging so while he is away in Invercargill for work I thought I'd give it a go as well. As well as the activities Blair has posted on our site we have also been very busy redecorating the flat below us (the one my brother John lived in before we asked him to move, in the hope of selling our home to buy in Christchurch). My Mum & Dad have done most of the painting which we have so appreciated - they have worked so hard - and they think they've 'retired'!! They may have to redefine the meaning of retirement!

We are looking to provide a self-contained unit to those coming from out of town for surgery, dialysis training, chemo etc. Basically anyone needing accommodation that is a home away from home during their time in Dunedin. We have named our business 'place2stay' and hope to get started in 2-3 weeks. One of the social workers at the hospital remembers me talking about wanting to do this 20 yrs ago and is very supportive of our venture. It's exciting to be finally here and about to see a dream come true.

Flat before renovations:





Flat after renovations: (notice how the wide angle lens makes it look huge)

Doorey Story

P.S. W'ell up date the photo guys when you give us one!!

Tonight we caught up with our good friends Julian and Claire, Sam and Lucy Doorey who are back in NZ, from Bangladesh, on home assignment . We have known the Dooreys from the time of our early DCBC days. They live and work in Bangladesh: sent by tranzsend (NZBMS) and work with BanzAid (Baptist Aotearoa New Zealand Aid - the aid and developmet arm of tranzsend) in partnership with Baptist Aid-BBCF (Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship). You can read more about what they are doing here at Doorey Story and here at Banzaid

We had a great time catching up over a meal. The kids? They played so well together. It has been several years since they last saw each other and they certainly seemed to enjoy the opportunity to meet up again.

Thanks for making time for us in your really busy schedule - we really appreciated it!

Cruise Ships

Some very large cruise ships visit Port Chalmers and it is amazing to see them berthed in such a small port. Recently we headed off down to the Aramoana Spit to watch one of the ships leave port.

Is it BBQ weather?

Yesterday, it looked such a beautiful day, I sent a text quesiton home asking, "is it BBQ weather?" The text came back that the kids were all for a BBQ!

It was a family effort with Alana on meat with me, Samuel made a fantastic chocolate crunch for dessert while Daneille helped Ann with the salads.

And so we had a long overdue BBQ and enjoyed our tea on the deck enjoying the setting sun.

Birthday Season

February - March is birthday season with Alana and Samuel celebrating their birthdays three days apart!

This year, while we had individual family meals and celebrations on the day, we held the two parties on the same day so I could ride the rail trail the following weekend - see earlier post. I don't think we will do this again - what a full on day.

Samuel turned 8yrs and had 5 friends over for his party which was a car rally treasure hunt. They split into 2 groups and then had an hour to get around town to find the answers to the questions or to acheive the task assigned. Eg: go to someones home and ask for a smelly sock, what colour is the door of 42 Balwin St, what time does the next train for Middlemarch leave etc. The boys had a wonderful time and finished up at Lazer Force for a single game before heading back for something to eat.

Here is a photo of Samuel and his friends:

Then in the evening, Alana's friends arrived for her party which consited of Fish & Chips, games, sleeping overnight and finishing with waffles in the morning. Some of the games were finding the chocolate in the flour mountain, a gross 'Fear Factor' type food game, wrap the 'mummy', spot light etc. They had a fabulous time!

"Ok, who hid the chocolate?!"

Any one seen (a) Mummy?

Rail Trail 2009

(Click to enlarge)

"Five, Set Off, on the Rail Trail."

Once again the trail beckoned and Dave (first timer - orange shirt), Emil (voted 'King of the Trail' - did you see the size of those calf mussles?!!), Alan (far left, third time & seasoned trail rider), Andre (far right, fellow rider and man who made it happen - with out our support vehicle and driver it would not have happened - thanks Andre!) and enthusiastic plodder (that's me - behind the camera!) set off to ride the 150 km over two days. Did we do it? What did Sir Ed say when they got to the top of Everest?



We had a great time, the trail was busy, we were the youngest by far, the wind was awful but the accommodation was awesome (Otago Rail Trail Rail Stay is great and Phyllicia's hospitality was much appreciated - highly reccommended) and as always the meals at the Tavern were epic and the beer was sooooooooooooooo gooood. Thanks Eric!! Along the way we had lots of stops and laughs.

Weet Bix Triathlon Mosgiel 2009

Once again this year Alana was really keen to complete the Weet Bix Triathlon. Un like last years beautiful day in Christchurch the weather was cold and wet but this did not put Alana off giving it her best. Here is the evidence of the wonderful effort she put in. Samuel only just missed out on giving it a go as well: he did not turn 8 soon enough by just a day or two.

Another very proud moment - well done Alana!!

Not as warm as CHCH!!

A wet and slippery start

Total commitment: nearly there - keep going!

Wind Farm Visit

Wellington's Hard to beat on a great day!

Photo by Danielle!

On our way north last Christmas we stopped off in Wellington to catch up with my (Blair's) family and to spend time enjoying Wellington.

Botanical Gardens








Woops! Oh no, not again!!






What courage!

Christmas 08

Last Christmas we headed on up to Palmerston North to stay with Ann's brother Dave and his wife Helen and their kids, Katie and Ben. We had a great time tenting on the lawn, sharing time with family (Ann's parents Bob and Margaret and brother John) and enjoying the rural outlook - a wonderful spot you guys have.

Here are some pics from out time up north:

Beach North Island style!










Faster Dad




The kids