Journal. Ashlee and other things.

It was Ashlee's birthday yesterday, 15. Her school had a half day yesterday so we picked her up from Sacred Heart boarding house and took her and best friend Catherine out to lunch at the Hamilton Gardens Café. The day was brilliant and we sat outside in the warm sun. This evening she will be allowed to go to her Aunt Debbie's home in Hamilton for dinner. Much better than the boardinghouse food I would say.

Catherine comes from the Château up on the Mt. Ruapehu ski fields where her father is manager. Ashlee often goes down at weekends with Catherine to the Château and is learning snowboarding. Catherine's father presented Ashlee with a season ticket for the slopes worth $400.00 and free hire of equipment. Lucky girl!

Pat picked out a bracelet for Ashlee for her birthday inlaid with Paua shell, apparently all the rage with teenagers at the moment. She seemed pleased with it. It is hard for grandparents to pick the right things for grandchildren.

Ashlee now has her braces off her teeth, a fortnight ago. The dentist has done a good job. Now Ashlee wants a diamond set onto her front tooth, another "in" thing. No doubt she will work on her mother. Better than a tongue piercing I think.

Ian called on his mobile yesterday all the way from England. It was good to hear from him. Pat is always so pleased when he calls. He and Vicky will be here in NZ at the end of October for a holiday. We look forward to seeing them once more even though it will be only 15 moths since we last saw them on our 2003 visit to the UK.

Well the rain has now arrived as for-casted and should be clear by the weekend.

Bye the way August just gone was a "blue moon" month. August in the Southern hemisphere and July in the northern hemisphere.