Day at Coromandel

Two weeks Easter break for schools. Mervin took a day off. Headed to the Coromandel Coast for the day to visit Waiau Water Works and Driving Creek Railway. No one warned us that the 2 1/2 hour drive was going to be as harrowing as it was. Extremely windy coastal roads - many stretches had 35 km/h speed limit ( in other words - really dangerous). A few crazy hell-bound drivers whizzed past us, much to our annoyance. Waiau Water Works was great fun. Chris the owner had created all kinds of neat stuff from recycled materials. Also had lots of play activities which both adults and kids could enjoy. Brilliant guy. These photos don't do justice to his works, more was captured on the video which I'll put up sometime soon. Train ride was so-so but views from the top was nice. Maybe we were rather tired by then.

First taste of Orienteering

Weather forecast was rain but with great faith and a decade of rosary, we had one of the loveliest mornings. Robert and Priscilla took us out west to Woodhill, through Kumeu for an orienteering event, organised by the Auckland Orienteering Club. We did the 1.8km route, took it nice and slow, with many stops for Robert to give Mervin and I interesting information about the flora and fauna. Priscilla took Catherine, Tim and Erica and zoomed off so the kids could clock in their times at the check points. The e-card was good for the kids as it kept them motivated to move along. 'tis our first time, 'twas great fun and we're hoping to do it at least once a month. After all that "hard work", we pigged out on Lamb Briyani at Westgate!

Happy Easter

There was no rain on Good Friday(felt a bit odd)... and we've had a lovely sunny Easter Weekend. It won't be sunny and warm much longer so we took the opportunity to have another BBQ. Adelyn, Vincent & Alex, Lucy, James, Sheldon & Raewyn and Aunty (Lucy's mum who's visiting from Sarawak), Nancy and Gladys, and Kate (Adelyn's friend) , and Mary came along. There was lots to eat - I prepared Chicken wings, lamb and satay sauce for Lucy's yummy satays. Mary did a prawn salad for appetizer. Adelyn brought prawns and fish, Lucy also made potato salad and brownies for dessert. Kids were in a corner playing Eye Toy - got them really tired. It was a wonderful evening with lots of fun and laughter. It was Nancy, Gladys. Aunty and Kate's first time at our place. Comments - like Damai beach resort (Aunty), very English country (Kate), Like a kiwi home (Gladys). The kids are off school for the next two weeks..... and tomorrow, the painters are back to finish off re-staining the outside of our house.

Top Pix: Sheldon, Vincent & Alex (like father like son), Raewyn (in the back) and chief cook, Mervin of course!

Bottom Pix: James (in the far back), Mary, Kate, Adelyn & Alex, Lucy & Raewyn, and Erica.

Grow your own veges

Erica and the rest of the four year olds have been working on their garden project for many months now They sowed the seeds, ploughed the land, watered the gardens and have been watching them grow. On Holy Thursday, parents were invited to watch what they had done. It was a lovely experience.

It was also the last day of school for 3 of the boys who had turned 5. They'll be off to school after the Easter holls. It'll be Erica's turn to leave this wonderful place too in when she turns 5 on August 10. She'll be taking with her some wonderful memories of this place.

A Boy's Affair

Today was Mervin's 43rd Birthday. We had an early start to the day with mass at 8.30am and then off to Waiuku for the Country Boys Toys Fair held at the Aka Aka School Grounds. The stopover at Vicki and Arthur's place took longer than expected as we got sidetracked by the juicy peaches, grapes and nashi pears.

After we'd had our fill, it was off to the fair. The kids headed straight for the massive playground, which was extremely lavish for a small country school. Mervin and Arthur headed off to the Vintage Tools hall whilst Vicki and I went round looking at antique cars. I'm not much of a car fan but this fair was something else, the Bentleys (my favourite), Mustangs, Cheveys etc were in such excellent condition. It was very interesting seing so many vintage cars all at one place. To have a taste of what country life is like, Tim had a go at sawing a log. Not bad, with a lot of help, a piece came off. Back at Vicki's place, Vicki had a surprise birthday cake for Mervin. Thanks Vicki!

Lilly's Locker Beach Trip

About 8 of us mums and dads had to chaperone the 30 littlies to the private beach across the school. The water level was only ankle deep for about 30 metres out in the sea. It was perfect for the outing. The kids had races, swam, built castles, created sand art, picked up little beach treasures and some pirates even left some lollies buried in the sand for them.

Tim and his mates

We brought the boys to Treasure Island Mini Golf. It was a surprise for Tim till we arrived. He was expecting a party at home. Weather was great but very hot. Lovely place for a family outing.