After a long break, I am beginning again!   I passed my CELTA course at Poly Tech and am absolutely thrilled to bits!   So, to begin way back in July when I last quit to do my study -

BROCK AND SARAH

Brock and Sarah came to stay for two months. It was the most fabulous time. We loved having them so much and it was great getting to know Sarah in a real family sense. 


The night they arrived, we had a huge snow fall, and in fact, the city closed down again!   We are not used to snow, and our city is not equipped for it!  Here they are with Guy in the middle!

SNOW DAYS

 Our front fence

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JUN LI'S WIFE, AND ELIZABETH

Jun Li was our first ever international student who came to live with us back in 2001. Periodically his wife and daughter Elizabeth come to visit us still. Brock and Sarah were staying with us when they came, so here are some photos of them.   

Heath entertaining the girls.

Brock entertaining the sisters.

There were some papers to be filled in, so Brock helped them.

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SANDY'S 50TH

Our family was invited to Sandy's 50th, and as always, an invitation is a privilege!

I know some of you will be interested in a few of the people present, so will put a few photographs on!

Below: The family... Johnny, Joey, Heidi and little Eddie, and Sandy.

Left: Sebastian, Fernando, May and Rex's backs!

The boys! Mont, Fernando, Seb, Heath.  

Heidi organising her mums cake (Sandy's cake!) .

Two Johnny's!

Nigel

Just for the record, the boys took all the photos... I just gave them my camera... as the evidence might show...

Fernando at large....

One of Johnny's cousins?   (As I said, I wasn't in charge of the camera!)

Fortunately Rex had his phone to keep him occupied much of the time...

Mike was wishing he had his phone too...

Kieran 

Marianne and Connie

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MY BIRTHDAY - AUGUST 7th 2011

Some lovely presents!

Unknown to me, Brock  overheard me saying, how much I would LOVE _____________________'s.   

So, the week before, he (as well as enlisting Mike and Guy's assistance) set to and went about building/creating and putting together this thing he knew I have wanted for a LONG time!   

The Big Day came, a Sunday, and I had to close my eyes and be led outside into the back yard to receive it.   All the family kindly came too......  it was ever so exciting I can tell you!

It is weird being 'led along' with eyes closed...

And here it is!

A new Chicken Coop!!!!!

He got my old, sad, little, no longer used, eyesore green house - 

ripped off the already ripped tarp covering -

covered it with green netting -

built a new door and a wee closed area at the end - 

added some bits and pieces inside -

and wallahhhhhhhhhh!

(More to come on the hen house's inhabitants shortly...)

Meanwhile, back inside, opening my pressies... everyone knows I like

pink

pale colours

lacy

frilly

girly

floral

things...

I am Very Happy!

Nek  day....

we embraced four new members into our family's bosom...

Here they are arriving and being settled in to their new home.

Warning: It was quite a process, and we took our time getting them settled in!

Ok, so let's let them out in here...

Hmmm, let's think about it for a bit longer.... here?

Nah, let's move them to here... this is the place!

Gotta really think about this!

Right!  Let's do it girls!

 Gingerly now... 

Home free!!

Ollie brought me some flowers! 

She especially went up to a shop in Cashmere, and chose these gorgeous colours!

They were very special.

And Rebecca gave me some also!  

Adorable.

Oh - flowers!

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ELLEY'S PARTY!

I did an assignment on a gorgeous Iranian beauty, young, married and living here - on my CELTA course. She invited me to her 25th  birthday party, at a local place, Speights Ale House!   

I went!  

Not like me, but it was a new experience! 

The eclectic mix was quite fantastic. I was fascinated as there was a lovely Jew sitting next to a German... and people from England, Holland and other places.  Elley's motherinlaw was there too, on holiday from Iran - all garbed out in her extreme gear - gorgeous!!

There was a butcher, a city Councillor (Sally Buck) and a hairdresser. And many other varied occupations.

Yep, eclectic!

  I really enjoyed my time with them all.  

Elley - and a new friend I have made from my course, Kate from Germany.

Kate, myself and Elley's hairdresser Iranian husband! Very 'sanguine'!!

Elley and her husband - he organised the cake!!

(You can see Councillor Buck in the background)

Elley and her cute mother-in-law!   

She could hardly speak any English, but in her ultra sanguine fashion,

managed to mostly get across her message!

A birthday embrace!

Elley with Councillor Buck and her husband. I spent quite a while speaking with him, and he was a lovely, gentle, endearing gentleman.

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BROCK'S 27TH BIRTHDAY!

It was Brock's birthday, 20th August, and Sarah's mother came down from Paraparaumu for the weekend. A few came around, and brought extra's! We had a lot of fun!

ANSTIS, ADDINGTONS, US, KARINA, CROPPS, DAD and MARILYN AND MORE...

Sorry the photos are a bit 'light' but the kitchen was so hot and I think the camera got a bit steamed up!

Brock has the 'Uncle John" look on his face...

The girls are discussing weddings - Heidi (freshly engaged) and Sarah (freshly married - sixmonths earlier)..

Some of the lads of the day..

Simon!!

Ok so the camera is doing better now!

Out in the kitchen, Oscar and Rupert...

Max and Heath..

and some more...

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POLYTECH DAYS

Some class mates - Karen and Rita (she is now back in China)

Reza - lovely Iranian guy

Oliver - young 22 year old English lud

(went to CBHS - anyone know him?)

Two of the three tutors on our course, Kaye and  Julie.

From the top floor balcony at Poly Tech, this view of the Blessed Sacrament Church (Barbadoes St) was awesome.   I had only ever seen it from the road.

Very sad to see this beautiful architecture broken up.

BROCK AND SARAH - SKYPE INTERVIEW

They had applied for a job in Singapore, and a skype interview was the order of the day!

There was quite the to-do sorting out the interview place - 

spare bedroom

the right background

the right clothes

the right lighting

the right 'school-desk look'

(They didn't end up with that particular job, but it was a great experience!!)

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HEATH - SCOOTER ACCIDENT!

September 

Heath was scooting along, minding his own business around Antigua/Disraeli Streets, doing a work chore for Mike, when a large 4WD came suddenly out of a side road, didn't see him, and crashed into him. 

He was knocked flying, and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Lacerated liver, bruised innards (lungs etc), and bruised shoulder bone, and a decent amount of grazing on his skin!

It could have been mighty serious, but thankfully, wasn't.

He spent three nights in hospital.

This is in the Emergency Department.

(Hey, why not have pics!)

The awesome WW2 style leather jacket Kent and Mike bought him from a 2nd hand shop which was quite a treasure - 

it probably saved him from much worse, but sadly it lost it's life!

He was moved to a half-way room for the first night, closely monitored. 

Brock stayed the night with him.

Nek day,  a general ward.

I took this photo from outside, as I went to see him the next day!

He had a great view!

Pampered sick one!

He had lovely nurses at his every beck and call!

Poor wee Brockie...

Brock and Sarah brought him their computer, and a BK choc milkshake!

Does it get any better than that?

He went home the nek day.

Driving down earthquake struck Fitzgerald Ave was a pain test for him!

He gradually recovered from the constant pain over a week, then had physio and went back to school.

The End 

of that episode in life!

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UPDATES ON THE HENNIES!

Sarah finished the wee hen house by painting a design on it!

And the hens are doing well!

Go Guy!

Did you know hens love rolling round in the dust!   

Our whole garden is being freshly dug...

The hens are named Milly, Molly and Blondie.

Milly and Molly are sweet natured, pliable, and obliging.

Blondie, who should have been named Mandy, but suited 'Blondie' better, 

is fractious to the extreme. Everything she can possibly do which is opposite to what she should be doing, she does. 

She is the one who, escaped (somehow!) into the school next door and had Mike, Guy and Heath and the school caretaker spending hours trying to coax her back into their now not so loving arms.

She is the one who refused to lay any eggs, and when she finally let it all happen,she didn't bother with the shells! 

She is the one who got into a really bad mood, and became thinner and sicker over 4 days,  fasting  nigh unto death - 

until Mike went out and bought them oyster shell grit to eat, and she perked up no end!

She still insists on no shells though.

Sigh.

(That's her in front)

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SUNDAY LUNCH 

Aren't we all like this?  The moment it is spring, we eat outside on the first hopeful spring day... we are so excited to do this after the long winter!

Our back garden.

Most know, but for those who don't, many, many years ago Brock got into a lucrative business selling wheel chairs! He bought them Very Cheap 2nd hand and sold them at a premium. (How to fund your way through Uni)

The one you see in the pictures never sold, and for all these years has become an institution in our back yard!  

It is a go-kart

a trailor

a tow-along racing vehicle

a chair for picnics

but definitely NOT a wheel chair!

Almost time for Brock and Sarah to leave for far lands...

They race around to say Good bye to Aunt Fi.   It was  'a moment' ...

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DANIEL AND KIRSTEN'S WEDDING

28th SEPTEMBER 2011

Kirsten's dad, Ashley

David and Gabby's little Poppy

Sarah, Brock and Isaac!

The beautiful girls, Heidi and Sarah

My setting

Estelle, Quintin, and Jan

The flowers... 

I actually have some cute videos of the wedding, and want to include them, but as they take some time to upload onto here, I think I will do them 'later'!

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THE PARTING OF WAYS

This was a very sad time.

The wedding was over and Brock and Sarah were saying Goodbye...

they were off to India two days later - from Auckland.

We don;t know when we will see them again next.

Sarah and her mum, Karina

Here we all are at the airport, some to Christchurch, some to Auckland..

Some very tired

Some very sad

These two grew up together from day dot, and are two weeks apart in age! Best mates!

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FINE DINING

Dad and Marilyn invited Mike and I to dinner one night.

Just because...

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HEATH'S CAREER CHOICE

At this stage, we cautiously believe Heath is interested in a career as an airline pilot (eventually).

So, Mike bought him a first flight. 40 minutes, Introduction Pack!

I took loads of pics and videos as it was The First Flight and most auspicious. 

Again I won't put the videos on yet as they take quite some time to upload.

These for now.

At the main counter of the Canterbury Aero Club waiting for things to be finally made ready.

Heath and Craig, the pilot, walking out to the wee plane.

Heath and I thought this pic, although blurry, strangely cool..

The Aeroplane

There they are, Heath receiving instructions. 

The main Christchurch International Airport is seen in the background.

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WENDY STAYED A NIGHT

Wendy came from the West Coast and stayed a night.

We did a bit of a post earthquake tour to places she hadn't seen.

Sumner.

The rock that fell from the cliff and sconed the side of this house!

The Antique Rose Cafe - we went there for a muffin and coffee en route to the airport!

It was funny and it was fun!

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BRISBANE - NOOSA GIRLS WEEKEND!

20-24TH OCTOBER 2011

Had the most fantastic time!

Geoff - the awesome breakfast chef!

Anna and Geoff's house

Anna's car! Our weekend get-about! 

We picked Sharon up and off to...

ahhhhhhhhhhh.. MONTVILLE!

Seriously, can it get any better than THIS?

Poets Cafe!  Would have to be the most gorgeous cafe I've ever been to!

Our seat on the gorgeous veranda

Lemon Meringue Pie

Sticky Date Pudding

Sharon booked us a 3 bedroom apartment in a resort in Noosa!

It was like being on the Carribean!

Balmy, warm (hot!) air.

Pool with beach, cafe/restaurant/day spa etc.

Our apartment was something else!  

Each of us had our own room, and bathroom.

There were two lounges... a few balconies and even a private upstairs roof top place to sunbathe!

One bedroom (all pretty much the same)

Sharon heading off to the rooftop

Views from our windows (we were 2nd story)

The spacious kitchen

Anna and Sharon braved the temperatures and took a bathe!

Mooloolaba 

We went to a cafe for lunch. Faint with hunger, we ordered.

Almost an hour later it came. 

It was not edible.

Although some of us were fainting by the way now, so we ate some of it.

Sharon did some talking and we got our money back.

But, the position and view were gorgeous!

So close to the beach.

Back home again in Brisbane, the next day.

Hannah, Merlene, Sharon and I first went to a cafe, then to line up with a great many others to see the Queen (and Prince Philip!) and then finally it was time for me to go home!

The cafe was amazing. It was right on the river and the massive windows opened up towards it. It  had an amazing atmosphere.

Looking in from the sides also... 

Hannah looked so cute!

Lined up waiting to glimpse the Queen!

Little children picked from the crowd, carrying flowers, 

 off to greet her when she comes!

Lovin' the crowds!

Heralding the arrival

The Queens Press Agent has arrived.

I've forgotten this couple's name, but it was familiar..

You might recognise them..

And - Ta daaahhhhhhhh

Her Royal Highness, The Queen!!

Squint your eyes, angle your head, and you might, if lucky, get a glimpse of a  mint green hat walking down the ramp at the back, towards the boat - which carried her off into the sunset (so to speak!)

That's the Queen!

That's it for the Queen, folks!

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Another cute one of Hannah - under a Jacaranda tree. 

These were so so beautiful, flowering all over Queensland.

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BRISBANE -> SYDNEY -> CHRISTCHURCH

I had a 2 hour stop over in Sydney.

A most incredible thing happened.   Kent, who has been in Orange, Queensland for 3 months nursing, was passing through Sydney the same day, to go and stay at Jadons.  

We had no idea we were both going to be in Australia at the same time (mine was a last minute thought and he had booked ages before) and realised we had a 10 minute cross over time!

Even that wouldn't have worked, but his plane was delayed 30 minutes so we met!   It was awesome!

Finally, it was wonderful to also see Janice M at the airport! She came especially out to see me, and was invaluable in assisting me in crossing to the other airport.

Thank you Janice!

It was a most wonderful, wonderful 4 days away, and I LOVED being with such special friends!