Sunday, April 17, 2016

South Island

Fun trip to Kaiteriteri for the Go-4-12 adventure race with Oak...


Loading up MAVY.  16 kids, 10 adults.


This is how the bikes travel...


We stayed at a campground across the from this beautiful beach.  Water beautiful, but not warm.



12 hour race started with a few hours of kayaking, then biking, then initiatives,
then running rogain, then more biking.  6AM - 6PM, with major point penalties
for every minute overtime.  
Nathan Fa'avae gave a speech at prize giving. 

packing up again.

a little kayaking with Sue

Queen Charlotte Drive on the way back to the ferry.  Oak's team and Annabel and Poppy
- lots of Loaded Questions,  card games and laughs in the back of MAVY on the way home.  

Books of the Week







Tuesday, April 5, 2016

What's in the Cupboard?

I would guess that anyone from New Zealand would know what is in this cupboard....

Cupboard in the camp kitchen, Mercy's Year 8 School Camp

HOME BAKING!

My kids - in primary, intermediate and high school - are asked to bring HOME BAKING to lots of events:  school sporting events, school trips, picnics, orchestra rehearsals, camp week, basketball exchanges, field trips, adventure races, bus rides, class parties, etc.  Home Baking is usually packed in blue or gold ice cream boxes (see photo above).  Home Baking is often shared with the group during morning or afternoon tea, along with something to drink and an apple or some other kind of fruit.

Is it similar in Australia?  UK?


FLAG REFERENDUM




Flag referendum - the New Zealand flag will remain as pictured on the right.  Many people think the current flag is too closely tied to Great Britain, is almost identical with Australia's flag, and leaves no space for Maori contributions. . . but it's hard to give up something with which you've grown up, and which your grandfather carried into WWI and WWII.  Besides, Kiwis are proud of their country "as is."

Vote was 57% to 43% in favor of keeping the current flag.

Oh well...I would have voted to change. As Nathan Fa'avae said, "[It] is a flag...we do need to change...people fought hard for our freedom and we should respect them by exercising it."

Love,
Holly