Journal. David and his Book.

3 days ago I had out of the blue a package from David and Moira which I knew immediately was the draft manuscript of the 2nd part of David's book. When we visited and stayed with them in June 2003 I offered to edit then print up his draft copy of this manuscript. He told me he could not do the necessary after his stroke which had affected not only his speech but full control of his right hand; he could not control his finger movements his hand was too weak. He can drive and grasp the steering wheel but not control individual finger movements.

I knew he was disappointed so I offered to compile the information and type it up but suggested he first think it over. That was nearly 18 months ago. I shall start it around Xmas; this 2nd part is in journal form so I will do an entry at a time.

Pat said it is so thick, but I shall do it. His mother and mine were sisters. Part of David is me and I am part of David.

Journal. A Tale of Two Computers.

Yesterday I decided to have a look why Pat could not use the CD writer on this computer. All I could find was the missing drive letter D and looking further, according to the computer D drive did not exist. I gave my friend Brian a ring, told him the symptoms and he said "funny...", I'll come over, I have to go downtown". The CD Writer loaded a disk, spun the disk and nothing else.

Brian duly arrived checked what I'd done already and then proceeded to run a few of his test programs. "H'mm" he said, its probably either a loose plug or its the drive". So we duly pulled the computer apart, and checked the plugs. All OK. Brian then got a spare CD writer, plugged it in and 'hey presto" everything was back to normal. So we left the test drive sitting on top of the computer case until I get a new replacement.

Anthony has been wanting a new computer for a while. He has my old computer but it is now long out of date. He has checked quite a few packages good and not so good. Last Thursday, the day before yesterday he called me to have a look at a computer package offered by Dell which I duly did yesterday, Friday. He wanted a quick answer to what I thought because the offer closed at midnight that day. Anthony rung me at 7.30 p.m., I told him what I thought and he said he would buy it. I said to him to give me a ring after he had ordered it. He laughed and said that it might be midnight as he was dickering about whether or not to get a couple of extra add on's. I said "don't bother.

Its Saturday 2 p.m. now and he hasn't rung yet. I wonder if he did order it over the Internet by the midnight deadline?

This morning I went down to my other friend Gregg at his computer shop and got a new CD Writer kit. I will fit the new drive next week. I never pick Gregg's brains, he probably would offer to look but he is the business professionally and time to him is money. It is an unwritten rule in business not to ask a friend a favour like this. Greg brings his monitors to me to fix and and I take my problems to him to fix or ask elsewhere like my friend Brian who is an avid computer enthusiast.

Journal. A Windy Day.

Sun, showers and wind this morning, pleasant when the sun is out. I'm down in the office again. We have modified the office layout after we closed the business down. We should have used this layout originally, we now have much more room.

Pat is away again at a meeting, she left mid-morning and will be back mid-afternoon. It is a Church craft get together making new Xmas cards from old ones to sell for the Ladies Fellowship funds of which Pat is Chairlady ( I don't like this Chairperson business). She left around 10 a.m. armed with coloured card, old Xmas cards, press-on stamps and glue sticks. She will pick up a roll for her working lunch.

I've just been looking at a local NZ web site... Price Spy which monitors the price changes of computer parts. I have it set for monitors. I'm going to buy a new monitor, a 19 inch TFT flat panel when the prices come down a little further. Prices have been dropping steadily. I will still keep and use my present 19 inch CRT monitor both hooked up to this computer.

I installed the beta version of Google Desktop on my laptop last night to try out its features. It integrates together the normal Google internet search and Desktop Search to search your own computer. I have come to no conclusion yet due to lack of time last night. I did try 2 searches and it seemed to work ok. I also put in "Eric" and I got over 1300 hits, not much good with broad searches but may be good to find that old file 10 layers down. We'll see.

Journal. Monday Morning.

Just another day now that I am retired, the day we put out the recycling items for collection. Vicky and Ian were in my thoughts again this morning, not that they are usually far away at this present time. The photos of Jen and Pete's new born baby had just arrived and the world is their oyster and I thought to myself, life it is continually changing. We have our ups and downs, joys and sadness. One household of our family is up and another is sad.

Spring is here and with it sun and showers. Downstairs here in the office I spend time on the computer on days like this. It is nice to work in the garden in the sun but everything is wet from the showers. Weeding in the wet is not my favourite job.

Journal. Thoughts and a Visit.

Pat didn't go to Church this morning, it is not often she misses but she did go for a Church meeting later. I spent the morning doing genealogy, something I haven't looked at for a while. I have just received a new computer program, a dedicated database for storing all kinds of genealogical data so I was modifying it for my needs.

Anthony arrived late morning so we spent the rest of the morning chatting and looking round the garden. After lunch Anthony suggested we might go round the Lake in the late afternoon for a walk and I jumped at the idea. I had let my walking lapse since we returned from England and I have made a few half-hearted attempts to start again without much success.

After lunch Pat and Anthony went through the way to talk and I went downstairs to send some emails off and a little more genealogy.

We enjoyed the walk later. We went via up Rayner Rd and then across the paddock to the lake. Pat picked us from the Yacht Club later, my legs were tuckered out.

Anthony didn't stay for dinner. In the evening Pat had the local bird club monthly meeting and I once more continued with my new program.

I don't seem to be able to raise much enthusiasm for birdkeepng anymore after getting rid of all the birds after I became ill. We did try for a while, bought a kitset aviary but never managed to erect it other than make a base for it. After the kitset lay un-erected on its prepared base for over 12 months we sold it.

I've not had too much luck with some of my interests over time. Model railways came to a sticky end too. I had the old empty bird breeding shed 4.2 metres by 2.4 metres which I widened to 3 metres (14 ft. by10 ft.). Ideal for model railways.

Over time ants had made their home in the structure. I thought I could eradicate them but no, they returned and returned. Cutting a long story short the only solution would have been to abandon the shed and put up a new structure elsewhere in the garden. The problem with ants is that they leave their droppings all over the model structures.

How one can ramble... this started out as a short few lines.

Journal. Early Morning.

I woke early this morning about 3.40 a.m., lay awake and listened to the on the hour radio news. The more I lay the more wide-a-wake I was. I decided to get up, I knew from past experience I would not sleep again. I did go to bed early last night at 9.00 p.m., I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was very tired. Caitlin and I went around our lake for a walk late yesterday afternoon and the Pat picked us in the car part way round. My legs were like lumps of lead on the end of my legs. Cell phones are handy when you need them.

4.10 a.m., I made my usual cup of tea and a slice of toast and read the news on the computer from The UK Telegraph and then switched to the Sydney Morning Herald. I then read my usual on-line forums and checked my genealogical incoming list emails. Nothing of much interest there.

The dawn broke at 5.30 a.m. and I peered out to see what the day had in store for us... some morning cloud in an otherwise clear sky. The sun has not come over the horizon yet to warm things up. We were promised a warm sunny day with thickening cloud this evening with rain maybe tomorrow.

After doing some genealogical work I sit and ponder. I've must get back to my life story writings. I've been saying that for a while now but I have been putting it off so that I can finish off writing up my 2003 UK trip journal. But I'm not doing very much of that either!

I am now nearing the end of the journal writings so-o-o-o I must make a big effort to finish it.

It's 6.30 a.m. now and the sun is up over the horizon and soon it will burn off the water vapour carrying cloud which is hanging around.

Will Caitlin entice me to go walking again around the lake this evening? She probably will. She enjoys the walk and so do I, always something fresh to see, questions to ask and questions to answer. At 10 I enjoy her bright cheery company and enquiring mind.

Journal. The Month of September.

A quiet month and we do not seem to have done much over this period. Yesterday Caitlin, now 10 arrived to stay for the last week of the school holidays. Gillian brought her over and it was good to see her once more.

We have been busy with our Spring cleaning. The past year or two has just been a clean and tidy affair so we decided this year to give everything a thorough going-over. We started early, September so that we would be finished before Vicky and Ian's arrival on October 30th. Usually we don't start until mid October after the gas heaters are put away to bed for the Summer. Portable gas heaters tend to give off a slightly oily film which shows up on the windows and venetian blinds mostly and to a lesser extent on the paint work. I don't like cleaning the blinds very much and we do have a lot. I usually take each one outside, slosh plenty of water on them with the hose and then clean each slat with a proprietary cleaner. After drying they are sparkling once more. Later this morning I will do 2 more!

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.

Journal. Officially Spring Today

Yes, Sept. 1st is the first day of Spring in NZ and our long spell of fine weather is about to break. Rain is due. We have had a lovely July and August, plenty of sunshine and the rain pells which we needed got it over with quickly. Some areas of NZ got more than their share and with the rain came flooding on low lying land.

We have had frost too these past few days but this was only air frosts in the pre-dawn period and were gone bt 9 a.m. Ther frosts were brought by cold air streams from the antarctic regions but we didn't mind this at all. For with the frosts came crystal clear days with bright sunshine and low humidity.

The trees and shrubs have been bursting into leaf these past 2 weeks; Spring was early this year.

Journal. Raynor Road Sub-division

The new subdivision started in earnest today. I am proposing to take a series of photos from our house as work progresses. They have started first putting in the stormwater drainage and then the power cables and water next I believe. The sewerage line is already there running right to left where the digger is situated and then will follow the construction of the first road.


Rayner Road Sub-division

There will be 35 homes eventually on larger than normal sections and aimed at the higher end of the market. The Auckland motorway now stretches down to Huntly except for one short section near Te Kauwhata. The troublesome Meremere section is now in the last stages of completion. Auckland is where demand is expected to come from.

Journal. Going to St. John's Camp.


Caitlin 

Journal. A Mixture of Thoughts.
 
Tahlia and Ashlee started back at Sacred Heart School yesterday for the term 3 of the 4 term year. Pat is again getting up at 6.15 a.m. in the mornings to see Tahlia off to the school bus. I am up at my usual 6.00 a.m. stint reading my email and forums,  catching up on the world news and maybe writing a piece as of this moment.
 
These past 2 days I have been spending time with our new garden shredder and winter pruning our numerous shrubs and small trees. It works well and its heavy duty motor does not complain even with the thicker hardwood branches. I am stock-piling the shreddings... there are too many to put into the composter... they will used later to mulch a problem area under the trees.
 
This morning it is too cold at 7C. to go out early, the sun is trying to pierce the high wispy cloud and is still watery. The sun is winning... slowly.
 
I keep thinking of my life story lying in the doldrums at the moment. It's not as if I have writers block, I just need a good kick start. My Travel 2003 Journal is almost in the same category too.
 
Well the morning is warming up, it is past 10.00 a.m. and a cup of coffee calls. Then out with the shredder and work until lunch time. I must get these shrubs pruned, they have been neglected for a few years now.
 
 

Journal. God's Own Country.


The sky is brilliant blue this morning and the air still. Earlier the lake and low lying land was a photographer's dream with the swirling wisps of morning mist changing from moment to moment with the warmth of the sun.  
 
Truly, on a morning like this in its own peace and quietness New Zealand is "God's Own Country".  
 
Or as we locals like to call it, "Godzone".

Journal. Epilepsy and A Foggy Morning.

I have just had a call from our aerial man returning a borrowed item. Stu was full of worry. His youngest son has been diagnosed with epilepsy. He has been having seizures for a while now unbeknown to Stu but the last two were serious, biting his tongue badly and causing damage.

Stu worries and wonders of the future and as he says you cannot help but worry. The boy has his problems too asking how will it affect him and none of the doctors or specialist can give him a definitive answer yet except "we need to do more tests". The point of his epilepsy lies within the skull.

As a single parent raising 2 teen-aged boys, that is the last thing Stu wants.

Its a foggy morning and the mist should have risen by now 10.30 a.m.but it hasn't. The temperature was down to zero degrees C. for a time last night. It felt so-o-o-o cold this morning. We were promised a beautiful day and 15C. by the forecasters last night. What happened?

Journal. A Beautiful Mid Winter's Day

The sun is shining, the sky is wall to wall bright blue and the leaves on the trees scarcely move. A slight chill is in the air and the temperature is 17C. After our past week of sun, rain, hail and wind it is pleasurable to be alive. The anticyclone sitting in the Tasman Sea has moved on to NZ at last.

We often get get these sort of calm days in July during our winter but with a somewhat lower temperature. Some say a good time of year to go on holiday in the settled weather.

I think I will get the garden blower/vac. out this afternoon and blow away the leaves off the lawns down into the bottom section.

Or, shall I just sit out in the sun and browse and think about the leaves? There is always tomorrow when you are retired.

Journal. Food for Thought.

A few moments ago a cold shiver went up my spine. I was entering details into my Family Tree. I was checking my father's details for correctness and entering further expanded details. I sat looking for a moment and noticed his age, he died at age 67 and here was I at aged 70 with lots of things to do and see yet. And as I said a cold shiver went through me.

I was aged 41 at the time he died and I considered him old. Does my family find me old and look on me as old? I don't feel particularly old, even if I am aged 70.

Journal. A Funny Food Weekend.

We went out to dinner last Friday night with son Anthony and friend Craig. We had a barely passable smörgåsbord meal at Memory Lane in Hamilton City.

The impression was confirmed on this visit that Memory Lane like a lot of other food places, that the quality of the fare is slowly drifting down-wards.

The soup was not good and the ice cream machine pumped out a mixture of white frozen milk diluted with water and tasted awful. The ice crystals were evident. The management did not seem too concerned to a polite chide. But the seafood was excellent and Pat went for a little more. I doubt that we shall go again. A pity I have always liked the ambiance of Memory Lane aka The Old Flame.

However on the subject of food, I was impressed by the Casino Restaurant on 2 recent visits, the food was superbly prepared and very edible. Craig tells me that he knows of other traditional food eateries which we will visit. If these sink in quality there is always my favourite to fall back on, Indian fare with more than one good restaurant in Hamilton with the odd good Chinese now and then.

A pity about Memory Lane I enjoy a good traditional English roast served in a Smörgåsbord manner, to chose what I like.

Food places come and food places go. Some lasting longer than others. Give customers sub standard fare, customers remember and talk.

Otherwise our weekend was enjoyable and we returned home in a happy frame of mind.

Journal. This Story made me Smile.

One sunny day in 2005 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he'd been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine looked at the man and said, "Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The old man said, "Okay" and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush." The Marine again told the man, "Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here." The man thanked him and, again, just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying "I would like to go in and meet with President Bush."
The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, "Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I've told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don't you understand?" The old man looked at the Marine and said, "Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it." The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, "Yes Sir. See you tomorrow."

Journal.Winter Weather.

Yesterday we had high winds, rain, hale and sunshine. Sometimes all together! Today the wind has dropped, morning rain showers and sunshine and the weather is getting progressively better. Temp today is 17C.

Journal. Letters.

Wrote and posted 2 letters today to David Bell, my cousin living in Ponteland near Newcastle-on-Tyne and Harry Douglas, retired Schoolmaster at Bromfield in Cumbria.

Ponteland is very much like a leafy NZ suburb

Bromfield village probably hasn't changed since my mother went to school there in 1912 to 1920 era. Visiting in 2003 I thought time must have stood still.

Journal. Harry Douglas Letter.

26 Dudley Ave
Huntly, 2191
New Zealand

23 June 2004

Dear Harry,

You will be surprised no doubt to get a letter from New Zealand. I visited Bromfield last year in June enquiring about my Uncle Joe Brough and also Tommy Brough who lived at Intack House, Crookdake.

I have just been writing up my daily journal précis notes of my 10 week trip to the UK and I have just arrived in Bromfield. I thought I would drop you a line of thanks for the time you took with me and your help gladly given. I was glad to come and see Bromfield once more, my last visit was when I was a small boy.

I also had another reason to write to you. After leaving Bromfield my next stop was Ponteland in Northumberland to visit my cousin who, on relating my experiences in Bromfield promptly said to me "I know Harry Douglas, we went to Teacher's Training College together". Do you remember David Bell from Aspatria?

David's mother, my mother, Joe & Tommy Brough were brothers and sisters. David unfortunately had a stroke 2 years ago which badly affected his speech and weakened his right hand although he can still drive. His mind is still sharp. He asked to be remembered to you.

As I write up my notes and this letter I feel I would like to make another visit to Bromfield; I didn't really get all the information I wanted, I did not allow enough time for the exercise. A day and a half was not sufficient. I didn't get the photos I should have done either, however I did get a photo of my grandfather's gravestone Joseph Brough Snr., with his 2 wives inscriptions. His first wife died at the age of 32. The white grave-stone on the far rear end wall of the churchyard.

Again, thank you for your help.

Kind regards,

Eric Brough Irving

Journal. David Letter.

26 Dudley Ave
or PO Box 80
Huntly
New Zealand

22 June 2004

Dear David and Moira,

Thought I would drop you a line to fill you in what is happening to us in this neck of the woods… not that there is much to tell. I have finished work completely now after the last few years of semi part-time albeit shortened hours.

The closing down of the business took much longer than expected. The accountant said to allow about 3 months with all the paper work involved and he was right, but everything is cleaned up now. I’m now busy with all the things I have wanted to do and couldn’t because of work or too tired in later years to do them.

I had a phone call from my eldest son Ian a few weeks back to say you had phoned him and were intending to send the draft copy of the second part of “ Thanks for a Life” for writing up. Send it anytime that is convenient to you, I will be more than delighted to do it for you. It will make a pleasant interlude between poking around in genealogy and writing my memoirs and gardening.

John and Edith Irving have just returned from visiting here NZ last week and were talking of visiting you at some stage on their return. They made their base at their son’s place and came and stayed with us for a time.

On their return after a few days they were going house and cat sitting for a month in Harrogate at Edith’s brothers place whilst he is Australia visiting his daughter.

It is our winter now; the shortest day is now past and I’m trying out growing winter tomatoes in the new greenhouse. Others do it but we have to be careful of early morning air-frosts next month, which can knock them back. Lettuce and other vegetables grow well. Oh, and not forgetting flowers. It is rainy squalls at present with wind and sunshine following but mild.

I do hope your daughter is bearing up after her sad loss and the children too. It is difficult to say in writing what you want to say but you will know what I mean.

By the way David I’m about to drop a line to Harry Douglas to thank him for his help in Bromfield when we were there and I will mention you to him. I’ve just finished writing up that part in my journal that I kept of our trip.

Over the page I’ve placed a poem I came across some time ago on the Internet. I immediately thought that you would like to see it David, I remembered you used to like Cumbrian dialect. The web site also had the copy of the 1954 Directory of Aspatria and District. Under Mealsgate and Bromfield were entries for Joe and Tommy Brough, East House including the Bungalow and also my Irving entries. I had a look under Aspatria and would guess that you would know a lot of the names listed. I can take them off on the printer if you like.

Well I’m over the page so you will see the poem.

I will say cheerio for the present and keep well. Say hello to Diane and Slinky

Regards… Eric

P.S. The spell checker didn’t like the poem!!




A Poem
This poem, attributed to Gordon Nicholl, describes the demise of Bulgill Colliery in about 1910.
Original West-Cumbrian Version Translation
Bulgill's buggert marraWukken out cum's fastIf thou gits t'backshift inThat cud be thee last Bulgill's buggered friend,Working-out comes fast,If you get the backshift in,That could be your last
T'Powney's gone till RiserT'Ingins gone till t'sealsThompson's up afoort t'bossFer pinchun six inch neals The pony's gone to RisehowThe Engine's gone to the salesTompson's up before the bossFor stealing six inch nails
Tyson's gone till ButhyCass till OutersideUncle Joe's at Number FowerAn Tom's at Number Five Tyson's gone to BothelCass to OughtersideUncle Joe's at Number fourAnd Tom's at Number Five
Bulgill's buggert marraJust a wa' o steanDivent ga 'till ButhyThoo's better off at yam. Bulgill's buggered friendJust a wall of stoneDon't go to BothelYou're better off at home
Ere we ga up t'clog trodIn till t'Railway PubGet thee wissel wet me ladSee-un thou'll be on't club. Here we go up the pathInto the Railway PubGet your whistle wet my ladSeeing as you'll be on the club

Journal. J & E Home

John and Edith are now home in the UK and no doubt in need of a good rest. The only problem, they have to go in 4 days to Harrowgate to house sit for a month.

I sent them a welcome home email and some photos. The last 2 bounced, their box is full. I also sent the same pix to Ian and also Jen.

Ian phoned last night and I didn't get to bed until well after midnight. His late call was welcome, we had not heard from him for a while and Pat thought he had dropped off the end of the earth with her texting to him going un-answered.

Journal. Field Days

Every year in mid June and our winter here in NZ, Agricultural Field Days are held at Mystery Creek near Hamilton. All the manufacturers and importers of agricultural products and machinery set up their stands and marquee's. Other sellers of products also show their wares and an instant town springs up over the preceding week.

Visitors number into 6 figures and each year the preceding years record is usually broken. And every year it rains; the weather forecast for the opening tomorrow after our nice weather this week is it will rain cats and dogs again starting tonight.

Journal. John and Edith. Caitlin and St. John's.

John and Edith returned to stay with us last Thursday again before returning home to the UK on this coming Tuesday. We again enjoyed their company.

Yesterday, Saturday we went over to Thames (the NZ one) taking J and E with us. We went to see our grand-daughter Caitin enrolled as a cadet into the order of St. John's Ambulance Service along with 65 other inductee's with an age range from 8 to 18 years from the surrounding towns and country areas. Most were teenagers. All were dressed in uniform and they looked a picture.

We enjoyed the old world ceremony and a pleasant finger food meal afterwards. The day was fine and the sun shone.

Afterwards J and E left us seperately and were returning to spend the rest of their time with Geoff and Anna in Waiuku. Anna will see them onto the LA flight on Tuesday where they will spend 2 days before proceeding home.

Journal.The Past Week

The the weather has been variable during the past week with rain, sun, wind and sunshine. Of course it is the start of our winter now here in NZ. The day temperatures are starting to drop down to a maximum 14-18 deg.C. and nights down to 9 deg.C.

The Huntly Railway over-bridge is now completed and the by-pass extention is now in use. Much finishing is still to be completed so that may take a month or two.

This weekend is Queen's Birthday Weekend and Paul and Gill with Caitlin and Ashley have gone to Taupo. The highlight will be a jet-boat trip up the river (or down stream) I'm not sure which. Tahlia didn't go, preferring to go to her friend's house as she does most weekends. We dont't see her much... only during the weekdays. Tahlia is nearly 17 now so maybe she thinks she is too old to go with Mum and Dad?

Pat has adopted the stray young cat she has fed for over a year now. It is black with white paws and nose. She had me pick it up on Tuesday and take into the vet's to be "fixed"... a good Kiwi expression! We knew it as variously as "Street Cat" and "Blacky". Pat rechristened it "Dudley"... our street name where we found it. Dudley has now been let into the house for the first time.

During our 10 weeks holiday in the UK the stray cat had a rough time having to scavenge for its food and he was very thin on our return.

Pat still thinks of Biggles and gets upset now and then. We talked of him yesterday. And she has the date of him going missing firmly planted in her mind as she has the date of his birth 11 years ago.

I must dig out a picture of Biggles and put him on the weblog.

Journal. Quiet on the Weblog Front.

Yes, I've been lax with all my weblogs. My time has been spent getting my new genealogy program Family Historian up and running and evaluating its capabilities. I like it even though it is a little harder to master, Much better than my original program.

So far I have entered my present family, my parents and grandparents families on the Brough's side first together with all their siblings and other details I have accumulated. I used my mother's family, the Brough's first because it is easier and more comprehensive. The family tree is laid out graphically on a very large A0 sheet of paper.

The Huntly Bird Show is over for another year. This year the paper work was computerized and although it was only a little quicker than the manual system it was easier on man power.

Journal. Family Historian.

After some thought I purchased the program Family Historian today. I have in front of me a big job transferring all my information across from my old program. But I will enjoy it!

It is British based and orientated whereas most others are US orientated and out of date in their thinking.

Journal. J & E Left Friday

John and Edith left today and returned to their son Geoff's home at Waiuku for a few days. Then they will tackle the Waihi and Tauranga directions. It rained today after 7 beautiful days, but the rain will be short lived.

We enjoyed having them stay and we did miss them when they left us. The noisy house became quiet. But as Pat remarked we could again relax and do our own thing.


Pat, John and Edith in Hamilton Gardens whilst visiting us in NZ. May 2004 

Journal. Tuesday Picnic

On Monday we stayed around home. I gave John some tuition on the computer and he was as pleased as punch that he could do new things. I liked his Sony laptop particularly the very wide viewing angle. I also filled his "Favorites" with many of mine and showed him how to do it. Both of them also spent time sending emails to friends.

Late afternoon John decided he needed a photo of the roosting Cormorants and both of them went down to the lake.

On Tuesday we decided to take them to Hamilton Gardens. They visited here 3 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The day was beautiful as it has been since they arrived. Again they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Salmon plus cheese and tomato sandwiches, NZ orange out of cups, quince and fruit then basking in the warm Autumn sun. Bliss said John.

We slowly walked through the many gardens starting with the Italian one and ending with the Chinese garden. As the late autumn afternoon chill approached we wended our way home tired and happy.

Journal. Sunday Outing.

John and Edith did arrive last Friday and we were glad to see them. Saturday was a quiet day, they seemed pleased to want to go for a walk around our lake. They really enjoyed the experience. The Canada Geese were there in droves finding sanctuary during shooting season but the highlight was seeing the Cormorants all perched in a big willow tree preparing to roost for the night.

Now the Sunday outing. We took them to the Casino for a meal at the restaurant. They thought the view from up high over the river and Hamilton fantastic. We had a walk around the Casino floor later but they wisely kept their money in their pocket.

Anthony came too and John and Edith were pleased to see him.

Journal. John and Edith.

They are now due this coming Friday to come and stay with us. John is constantly reinventing his itinerary to fit everyone in. I think he may be staying a week. We look forward to seeing them. I enjoy brotherly bonding sessions with John. I used to watch my parents do it when I was young. They didn't call it bonding then, just family get together.

Journal. New Blogger and Gmail.

Well Blogger has upgraded to a new look yesterday and now uses a dashboard to input new comment to the weblog. Those at the receiving end will see no difference. So the information is of no use except to me.

Blogger is part of Google and so is the beta program Gmail. I have been using Gmail for a while now and I expect it to be a leap forward in web mail when finally released. When Gmail is introduced to the public I can see a great surge forward.

Journal. Rain

At long last we have the rain. The forecaster's had been promising the rain for almost a week now and at last on Saturday it arrived. 50mm... 2 inches on Sunday and heavy showers since.

The barometer is starting to climb again I see today. John and Edith headed up to Northland this past weekend I believe. They will be coming to stay with us this coming weekend or perhaps Monday for (perhaps again) a week or so.

Gillian came over on Friday to take Caitlin for another scan of her leg. It is progressing well. Another scan to be taken in 3 months time. A nasty business.

Gillian stayed 2 nights, taking the opportunity to do some Hamilton links here shopping on Saturday despite the heavy rain.

Journal. The Lower Section

I spent the morning clearing up the dead undergrowth from the bottom section from my weed spraying program. I worked until I was too hot and tired to do more.

The top half of the section would look very bare if it was not for the planted trees and shrubs. I will have to do some resprays later in the year, dormant seeds will sprout when the rains come.

Journal. Pat's Birthday and Anzac Day

We went for lunch at "Happy Days" in Hamilton to celebrate Pat's birthday. I think everyone enjoyed the outing.

Ian phoned with best wishes to Pat. Vicky came on the line, too.

Tahlia returned with us to stay for another school term at Sacred Heart.

Journal. Gardening morning

Busy morning doing some planting on the lower half of the section. Three young Locquat trees and 2 Cassia bushes. I grew them all from seed harvested from our plants.

Locquat fruit were a favourite with Gillian, Ian and Anthony when they were young. The slightly tart orange yellow fruit were delicious. Unfortunately the goat ring barked our original tree and killed it. A year or three ago I got new a tree and took the seeds from last season's fruit and raised 4 plants. They grow quickly.

Digging the holes I disturbed some bulbs of I don't know what. They we just beginning to shoot. I planted them elsewhere.

We are now getting the Autumn leaf drop plus leaf drop due to drought conditions all over the section. I purchased a leaf blower 2 years ago and it makes life easier for my tired bones. It is switchable to vacuum mode too.

In the Glasshouse I sowed 3 punnets of Cineraria and the young seedlings are just peeping through. The young tomato plants are growing well along with Basil and Lettuce. I've planted some Pepino cuttings to over-winter in the greenhouse; at present they look dead but I shall wait.

Journal. Flowers for Pat

Tomorrow is Pat's birthday... Anzac Day. Flowers arrived today from Vicky and Ian. Very exotic looking bouquet of Leucadendron and Protea flowers with miniature palm leaves and other tropical greenery. Very nice indeed.

Gillian phoned to say she and the girls will be arriving tomorrow morning around 10 a.m.

Journal. Testing Gmail

3rd test.

Journal. Gmail

Today I was asked by Google as an active user of Blogger if I would be willing to beta test Gmail the new email system to be made public shortly by Google... no date yet.

I have activated OldEric: my funny motto to be run by Gmail.

Journal. The Islands

I have just been reminded. An advert on top of my weblog page advertises " The Real Fiji Experience". Yes it will be an experience. For the past few months it has been the rainy season up in the South Pacific Islands. November to April. The Cyclone season too.

The rains have been more prevalent this year than normal up in the Islands. Flooding has been rife and houses washed away. Emergency funds and help have been supplied by Australia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile holidays are continually being advertised at rock-bottom prices at barely more than the plane fare. Each evening here in NZ the Pacific weather map is shown during the evening news hour with black cloud and lightning symbols continually over the Islands.

This is probably why we have had so much unstable weather this year, our weather is affected by the tropical belt at this time of year.

Why do I continually spell continually... contiually when I know it should be continually? I always do it... contiually.

Three cheers for spell check but its contiual reminder doesn't cure me!!

Journal. John and Edith again

John and Edith will now have their feet firmly planted on NZ soil. Their plane was due in at Auckland Airport two and a half hours ago at 5 a.m. And so were 9 other long-haul Jumbo's due in too around this time. The Airport will be busy. An empty airport and then 2000-3000 people milling around.

It brings back memories.

Journal. This and That

Pat decided to paint the redwood fence again. We rubbed the fence down and washed away the lichen on Friday and put the first coat on, on Saturday. Worn out on Sunday and declared Sunday a day of rest. Anyway Pat has 2 meetings today. First is the Church Vestry meeting and in the evening the Bird Club meeting which she cannot miss, Pat is still President. We will put the second coat of paint on the fence tomorrow, Monday.

The weather is now stable, we have had morning fog these past few days which heralds a fine sunny morning by 9 a.m. and stunning early autumn days. The long term forecast says this weather will continue.

Journal. John and Edith

They will have now flown out from Manchester Airport by British Airways. John says they are staying over in LA and then fly by Qantas to Auckland arriving Sunday.

Geoff will meet them off the plane at the Airport. Anna is still in Arizona and will not be back until the middle of next week. Apparently Anna is enjoying her farriers course at the ranch, Geoff tells us. We look forward to hear of her adventures.

Journal. Two Weeks of Retirement

Well here I am 2 weeks into retirement. I still feel a sense of relief having no longer obligations to my customers, I can now refuse incoming jobs. Not that I have had many come in.

It feels more like being on holiday, I feel relaxed in myself. I have been pottering around the garden doing odd jobs. Planting tomatoes in the glasshouse and sowing seeds trays for winter and early spring bloom.

That reminds me I must get some Pansy seed. Pansies grow well through our NZ winter.

Journal. Easter

Gillian came over from Whitianga on Thursday before Good Friday to pick up Tahlia and Ashlee from Sacred Heart School. They all stayed overnight. Gillian also brought over Caitlin with her. The house was certainly lively.

Caitlin's leg is now better but she is still under observation.

Gillian and Paul have another new car, another GM Holden 3.5 litre. Gillian has bought an old car for Tahlia to practise with for her driving license... bright yellow. It will do for Ashlee to learn in next year when she is old enough.

The school holiday's are tacked on to Easter, Tahlia and Ashlee have managed to retain their part time jobs for the holiday period.

We stayed at home this Easter and just relaxed.

Journal. Monday Morning

Although I have retired a few phone calls have been logged on my mail box. Two queries and 2 jobs. I say yes to the jobs, they are old customers, they will be small jobs and straight forward.

There were not too many calls in the weeks prior to retiring. In a small town my retirement soon passes by word of mouth and people begin to look for a replacement source of expertise.

I will probably accept 1 or 2 jobs from old customers when it suits. It will keep my hand in and I can take my time.

Journal. A Red Letter Day??

Today is the last day I shall be operating my business. Tomorrow I will be a retired superannuant. I thought it would have been a sad day, a day of nostalgia. I don't feel a thing but a slight sense of relief. I will be free to do what I please tomorrow.

I will, won't I?

Journal. Our Wet Summer

The wet weather is with us once more. Today we are being drenched from a low which started to develop off the northern east coast of Australia, off Brisbane a few days ago and then moved fast to-wards the North Island of NZ.

Waiting in the wings is a topical cyclone just south of Fiji which has passed through the neighbouring Pacific lslands. We are due to get the tail end of it when our present spell of bad weather passes. So more rain to come and high winds as the cyclone tail passes down the east coast of NZ.

Every day the South Pacific weather map shows tropical rain and lightning. Even though it is the cyclone season up there, it is abnormal.

We, here in NZ have been having abnormal rain since early December with fine spells in between. Our garden is reaching jungle proportions from the rain and the heat. Usually we are well into summer drought conditions by now.

We look forward to normally stable Autumn conditions and maybe a dry warm and sunny winter.

Journal: Business

Today we made the first steps to close our business and signed the Cessation of Business form to take effect on 31 March 2004.

A red letter day, we then become superannuants and sit in the sun all day.

Journal: Caitlin

Caitlin's leg has begun to swell once more. She has been placed back on antibiotics once again. Oral, not intravenous this time. She is to be examined on Thursday 26 February by a visiting specialist.

A bit of a worry.

Journal. Ashlee's teeth

Yesterday, Monday we took Ashlee to Thames (in NZ) to have her braces checked and then return her to Sacred Heart School where she boards.

We set off at 7.20 a.m. and arrived back home by 11.30 a.m. most of the time spent driving. That also included spending a little time having a peek at a house Anthony has an interest in buying. He has a few reservations about it and he will look again on Wednesday.

Journal. A Party

Today is Saturday and a lunchtime birthday party had been arranged for me. We went to Hamilton Casino (and here too) and had a long leisurely lunch with family only.

Everyone enjoyed the outing, even the children. The Casino café is set up high overlooking the Waikato River and our table was along side the glass wall and a panoramic view.

We spent over 3 hours here, eating from the buffet, chatting and then sitting on the sunny outer deck with coffee. Some including Pat spent time in the gambling hall trying for the Merecedes sports car but without luck.

We all had a lovely time vowing to "do" it again soon.

Oh, and it was Valentine's Day too.

Journal. Waitangi Day

A long weekend and another public holiday. Today the Treaty of Waitangi is celebrated by a few only. Today the majority of the population do not believe in the Treaty of Waitangi and are openly scornful of it.

I think within a few years the Treaty of Waitangi will no longer exist and the population of New Zealand will breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Journal. Tahlia and Ashlee again

Tahlia started back at Sacred Heart this morning. On her return to Huntly I took her up to the examination office for her driving license written exam. She passed with flying colours. A fee of $80.00 is required.

On Monday along with Gillian and Paul and Tahlia we took Ashlee to Sacred Heart boarding accommodation. The rooms are so-ooo small. She quickly made friends with the other 4th form boarders and an outgoing girl from Taramanui took her in hand. Ashlee is 14 now and quiet with a dry sense of humour. Three days later she is enjoying her new home for the next 3 years or so.

Tahlia arriving back at school looked her up the first day to check that she was finding things ok. Tahlia is like that, thoughtful.

Pat has got gout again. She must drink more water. The weather is so hot and humid at present, I will do the shopping again today.

Journal. Tahlia and Ashlee

Today is Sunday. Tahlia returns today to us to start next week her 6th form and probably final year at Sacred Heart Girls College.

Ashlee too will start this week as a boarder at Sacred Heart for the first time in the 4th form.

Gillian and Paul are coming over from Whitianga to see Ashlee firmly settled in the boarding house. I do hope she likes it.

Journal. The Bird Club BBQ

It is Sunday and today is the Bird Club BBQ. A fine hot day was forecast and visitors came from Auckland too. Fred Rix showed up with his new friend Cath. They seemed happy and Cath was a nice person to talk to. Fred does well it must be a few years now since attending his 70th. birthday.

Alan Foote had been down the bush shooting and he brought fresh venison to the BBQ for everyone. Some say venison tastes "gamy". These steaks didn't, they were delicious. The deer had probably been feeding on the sweet bush foliage.

The BBQ was a success if the happy smiling faces was anything to go by.

Journal. Caitlin Monday report

Caitlin has been taken off the antibiotic drip and now taking oral antibiotics. If successful the doctor says she should be able to go home on Tuesday.

Her leg plaster cast (to hold the pus drain in place) has been cut ready for removal when she reaches home.

Caitlin is now back to her usual cheery self and Gillian looks better. Gillian and Paul went shopping today and Caitlin was happy to be in our charge, so she must be feeling better.

Its a relief to everyone.

Journal. Caitlin Sunday Report

Caitlin was much improved yesterday. Twenty four hours has made a vast improvement to her, she is still on the antibiotic drip and possibly for a further 24 hours. Gillian looked better although still pale, she too has had a harrowing ordeal.

Gillian, Pat and I took Caitlin for a walk in the wheelchair to the cafeteria, down the lift 1 floor, down a passage and then up a lift again 2 floors. Caitlin enjoyed her cafeteria visit I think.

Monday's doctor's examination should give us some news of her progress.

Journal. Caitlin again

We travelled back from Whitianga yesterday to Waikato Hospital. She is not too well. Her leg is poisoned and she continues on a 24 antibiotic drip.

Her ankle joint has been scanned for infection which is clear fortunately. A further MRI scan shows infection around the bone and her leg was operated on and drained on Friday.

She is very sore and in pain and has been mildly sedated with morphine patches. She also has had to take unpleasant oral sedatives to which she becomes fractious and administration becomes difficult. Changing arm drip entry points is painful too for her.

Caitlin looks worn out and so does Gillian, she has been sleeping alongside Caitlin's bed each night.

Hopefully and a little luck will see her improve over the next 2 days. To see her and watch her is difficult, it gives one a feeling of helplessness. I don't think she really trusts the hospital staff... their necessary interference with her usually equals pain.

We are staying at least 2 days at Anthony's flat in Hamilton.

Journal. Last day of October

I put up the Gazebo first thing this morning. The day I put up the Gazebo is the day I consider the 1st day of summer. It will stay up now until the end of May. I then dragged out the 4 ft. round glass topped table and the 4 lounger chairs and cushioning. This will be my domain for the next 6 to 7 months.

Lunch is always eaten here by Pat and I providing the day is fine and breakfast by me also if the early morning is warm. This is my brother John's favourite place also when he is on his periodic visits from the UK.

I spend the mid summer hot afternoons here also when it is too hot to do anything else. Oh, it is good summer is here again!

Journal. Caitlin

Yesterday Caitlin had to visit the local Coromandel doctor for a painful leg who sent her for examination to Thames, NZ hospital who in turn referred her to Waikato Hospital.

She has an infection from either a bee sting or an ankle scratch visiting a friend's farm. She is on a 48 hour antibiotic drip and is now waiting for a bone scan to check for futher infection.

She is presently in the children's Ward 52. Caitlin was with Gillian and Paul at the beach up towards Port Charles on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Gillian slept alongside Caitlin's bed last night in the hospital.

Anthony visited the hospital this afternoon.

Journal. Ashlee

Today Ashlee became one of the legions of the pierced ones... her belly button will never be the same again!

Journal. Christmas Eve

I got up early this morning, had my breakfast of one third of a tin of baked beans and bacon and then proceeded to make the stuffing for the Christmas turkey. I found a recipe on the BBC website for apricot stuffing from a noted chef, it was simple and straight forward. The lady chef will use the stuffing later after it marinates in the fridge. After finishing and cleaning up I was clear by 8 a.m.

We had an email from Ian this morning, he has his laptop with him down in Usk. He said he broke a tooth eating breakfast!?! So I sent him our news back... I had made the turkey stuffing.

Hosing cats and dogs this morning but the rain is forcast clear up later. Enough rain to top up the fish pond... one less job to do before we go on holiday on Boxing Day.

Oh, its heading for our midday and the sun is out once more.

Journal. An Interesting Site

If you want a good read and straight from the horses mouth try this site "Letters form Iraq"

Who knows when you read the the newspapers or view the TV news or CNN, whose slant is it?

And its usually doomsday stuff!

Journal PS

Sick of the expense of buying batteries for the digital camera. 4 AA batteries a pop and fade out at 1.2 volts. Bought 2 sets of rechargable batteries and a computer contolled charger.

Journal. Just Musings

I closed the Workshop from today for the Christmas and New Year break except for in hand work. Going to Whitianga on Boxing Day for 2 weeks. We are in charge of 2 teenagers. Lucky us?

Shirley O'Halloran was buried today, a staunch bird enthusiast, a friend of ours.

Took Friday off and went shopping in Hamilton yesterday, I bought another HTML book, good reading over our break. Purchased the last 4 concrete slabs to pave the glasshouse internal and external paths. The last expense? We miss the large station wagon for bulky load carrying. A car carries so little.

Ian and Vicky's Xmas card has just arrived. Yes Vicky, the glasshouse is almost finished, I will send a photo soon.

Love from us all and a Merry Chrismas.

Journal Our bad Weather

For the past 5 days NZ has been trapped between 2 almost stationary high pressure areas and these have been dragging down large amounts of moist air from the tropics giving us in the North Island heavy rain and almost 100% humidity at times with temps in the 26-30C. region.

These highs are slowly dissipating and moving away from NZ. A relief to everyone.

I heard at 5.30a.m. on the radio that Saddam has been caught. I couldn't resist getting up and trawling the Internet news sites. Read one site and the other sites are just an echo of the first one. The Sydney Morning Herald was the best one by a long chalk.

Telegraph | News

Look here for The Telegraph Report on Middle Earth and Wellywood renamed by some Orcland

Journal The Lord of the Rings

The 3rd of the Lord of the Rings trilogy The Return of the King world premiered today in Wellington.

The Return of the King is said by film industry insiders to be the best of the trilogy. I wonder if it will not only be nominated for an Oscar as the other were but this time Peter Jackson will take an Oscar? Or is Hollywood still a closed shop to viewed "upstarts"?

Wellington... Middle earth is now known as Wellywood.

Yesterday

Picked more Tangelos, juiced enough for 3 litres of juice and a glass left over. I doubt we will be able to use them all up before they deteriorate. We have taken only the best fruit so far from the top of the trees now 15ft. up. We have a photo of Mrs. Vicky Irving up the ladder during a visit some years ago.

Journal Tangelo's

A lovely afternoon so I picked a plastic shopping bag on Tangelo's from our 2 tree's, put them through the juicer and got just over 1.5 litres of fresh juice. I put the juice in the fridge to cool.

Tangelo's are a cross between an Orange and a Grapefruit and very, very juicy. We have had a bumper crop this year and looking at the tree's I haven't made a visible impression on the amount of hanging fruit yet.

Here in NZ they ripen in October, our mid-Spring and will hang on the tree's until mid- January and then they start to slowly dry out.

Definition: The tangelo probably originated in southeastern Asia over 3,500 years ago. It is most likely a result of insect cross pollination of the Mandarin orange and the pummelo (pummelo is the ancestor of the grapefruit).

Journal Ashlee

Gillian brought Ashlee over yesterday from Whitianga to sit her maths exam today for entry to Sacred Heart Girls College in Hamilton. She has been accepted but which stream should they put her in? Ashlee will enter the 4th form and board.

Home was full of laughter last evening with 6 of us. Tahlia was present and Anthony visited us also. I think the girls like Anthony and his steady chatter and a little leg pull.

Journal Templates

Well I, at long last managed to crack the OldEric template code and have modified the template to suit with links. Probably simple to an expert but difficult to a novice trying to write HTML code.

Journal Sacred Heart Prize Giving

A week or so ago we were invited to prize giving by our granddaughter Tahlia who is spending 2 years of her education staying with us. The ceremony was for years 7, 8 and 9 students, or forms 5, 6 and 7 (to those of us who think in forms).

Tahlia wasn't too sure what prize she was getting and I think we were all thrilled to find, when her name was called, of the 2 maths prizes of Diligence and Excellence she had achieved Excellence. In her last 2 maths tests and with-in school assessed, she had achieved 100% in each test.

I'm glad she did so well, it will be a good boost to her moral, to show her the result of her hard work. Her previous school at Whitianga with a poor education record had let her down and her move to Sacred Heart Girls College has been this year, a difficult learning curve.

I'm glad to see that for all of Tahlia's trials and tribulations this year she still wants to continue next year at Sacred Heart.

We should all shout... WELL DONE, TAHLIA!!

Sacred Heart College Girls College, I see, still maintains a good traditional role of education. I was impressed when Fiona Sing, the head girl, completing her end of year speech, every student stood to acknowledge her and applaud her, the applause was sustained.

The only thing that bothered me a little was the emphasis of Maori and over emphasis of culture. We are ALL New Zealanders first irrespective of the many races/countries present. No race should be held above another.

Journal. Labour Day. Long Weekend

When Labour weekend arrives I think of it as hearalding the Summer. We go to Whitianga today Friday, early on a sunny day.

Caitlin goes to St. John's camp, Hinua this afternoon. We are to pick her up from school at lunchtime, wash and scrub her and deliver her to the bus at 2.30 p.m. She is exited, a fresh adventure for her. Her eyes sparkle through the bus window as the bus moves off and she waves until the bus recedes in the distance.

Saturday was wet and we just relax, talk and read. The sun is out once more on Sunday and Monday and we go home on Tueday in the rain.

Caitlin came home on Monday night still exited and eyes shining bursting to tell us of all the things she had done. Her energy is boundless. Dinner, a scrub in the shower and she is ready for bed and soon asleep no doubt dreaming of all her adventures. Up early on Tuesday morning, she readies herself for school once more and says goodbye to Pat and I.

Journal Birthdays

Phyl Cartmill's birthday today... 23 October. Pat took her out to lunch at the Ngarawhaia RSA.

Jim Gibson's birthday was yesterday... 22 October. Pat usually remembers.

Journal General

Last night we had a heavy rain warning and high winds forecast for over night. The rain arrived last night and ceased mid morning but the winds continued at reduced strength. I completed the construction of the 4 sides of the glasshouse yesterday and the tried to join the 4 sides together without success. The corner posts were mis assembled and, after righting these, the 4 sides fitted perfectly. The rain has prevented me from continuing this morning but the sun is now out so I should be able to continue this afternoon. Pat and I moved the glass house skeleton yesterday into its final position to square up and mark the corner post-holes ready for boring.

I have finished putting David's Story on the other weblog so that will be all until I get Part 2.

We again talked of Biggles yesterday. Pat still grieves.

Journal Our Glasshouse

Well on this wet windy morning our our glasshouse arrived in its kitset pieces. Transported from Auckland to the freight depot in Hamilton and then the local carrier brought it here to us in Huntly.

The glass for the glasshouse arrived by another freighter, a special vehicle designed to solely carry glass direct from Auckland. I was quite surprised everything arrived so quickly.

Now we have to get rid of the old clothesline so we can erect the glasshouse. We have the new rotary clothesline sitting in its kitset state in the garage, just waiting to be erected.

Its all very exiting! At least to us it is

Journal A Book of Poetry

At various times I have tried to obtain a book of poetry with not too much success, at least not the kind of poetry I'm interested in; a compendium of the famous poets through the ages.

One day in the late 1990s I was in a second-hand book shop in Hamilton here in NZ and whilst browsing, my eye came to rest on a dog-eared, with broken spine, maroon book entitled" The School Book of English Verse" by Guy Boas. I idly flicked through and it had inside its covers all I wanted, over 550 pages. First published in 1938 and this was a 1956 reprint.

The inside cover said it was once the property of Hamilton Boys High School and it had a large purple stamp "Do not Deface this Book" stamped inside.

I bought this battered book for the asking price of $5.50 and considered it a bargain. And 4 or is it 5 years later, I still prize my "bargain".

Journal A Clothesline and a Glasshouse

Well our new rotary clothes line is now in place and in its original position where the aviaries used to be. It has a turning circle of 4 metres (circa. 13 feet) and it is galvanised then painted environmental green. With plastic line which we were not too keen of at first but it does have tighteners to take up any slack of stretched lines. The lines too are green. It has a 10 year guarantee and is an Australian Hills product much respected for over 40 years that I'm aware of.

I borrowed our neighbours post-hole borer and soon had the 2 ft. 6 in. hole in the ground to take the centre post. Then a bag of pre-mixed concrete, Pat holding the post and the spirit level and hey presto there it was in place. Oh, and the centre post base is in a sleeve socket and the whole rotary line can be easily lifted out of the ground if need be.

I have started building the glasshouse from the kit set which is all aluminium construction and everything fits together like a glove... so far. I have 4 sides constructed, no roof or door on yet and of course no glass fitted. I am building it on the concrete pad of the old aviaries, or at least the half pad that is still left. Then when I get the 4 walls joined together Pat, Tahlia and I will hopefully be able to lift it and fit the glassless glasshouse to its final position and complete the construction.

We have had a few fine days this week so I have been able to get on with the work. But rain is in the offing for the next 2-3 days. Rain showers mostly with the equinox winds still persisting. At least they are from the tropical north so the temperature is up around 18C. most of the time. The garden is growing rapidly.

Journal A Glasshouse, a Clothesline and a Dryer

Today I ordered a Glasshouse. I have been considering one for a while now. Deciding to retire soon and as I like gardening I will get lots of pleasure from the glasshouse, I think. It will be initially be 6 x 8 feet with provision for extension later if I so wish. To erect the glasshouse I need to move our large rotary clothesline to fit the glasshouse in. The clothesline is 15 feet across, the winding mechanism gears for elevating it have long since broken and the upright pole is bent at an angle from our son(s) and their mates swinging on the bars in their young days. So we will dig out the concreted in pole and pension off the clothesline for it must now be 40+ years old now. We moved into this house in 1967 and it was well worn even then by the previous owners.

We will get a smaller clothesline; again it will be a rotary one and erect it where our aviaries used to be. It will be one of those ones where a piece piping is inserted into the ground with the top of the pipe set at ground level and the clothesline piping can be inserted into the ground level pipe. The clothesline can then be pulled out and tucked away when not in use for we only use the clothesline now for large articles, sheets, blankets, washing Venetian blinds... we have many and other such things. The rotary arms fold away when not in use. Or will we be lazy and just leave it mounted?

I shall be sad to see the old clothes line go, it does bring back many memories.

The life our electric drier has also come to the end of its life the noise from it became unbearable. The appliance mechanic thought it was just the tumbler drum bearing worn out but when he came to repair it he found a piece of flexible curtain wire lodged internally probably many years ago and it had slowly worn the stainless steel drum rivets down until they popped out.

The drier was purchased in 1976 but as the appliance mechanic said this old drier was normally just like the old Holden car, they usually run forever. For those who don't know the Holden it is an Australian designed car, which would go round the mileage odometer and still give good service. They now belong GM Motors. Well another little piece of history to look back upon in a year or three.

Back to Secondary School tales next time.

David Letter

Hello David and Moira... thought I would drop you a line and let you know we are now safely back in NZ and have reverted to our usual quiet way of life.

It is our winter here now of course and our arrival home was marred by wet and cold. But for the past ten days we have been blessed with frosty cold nights and lovely sunny days with temps up to 15C. by lunchtime, surely it can't last much longer! Spring is now close and the first willows will be showing colour by the end of this month, August and the daffodil's are out now, the snowdrops have been out for sometime. Our winters aren't very long... about two months maximum. Some plants grow all the year round.

We enjoyed very much our trip to the UK most especially our visit to you. We wished we could have stayed longer. Of course we didn't quite know how the situation was with you and we didn't want to impose. The high light of my visit was our excursion down to South Shields. How the place has changed, I couldn't find anything familiar until we worked our way down to the harbour entrance area and there was Ocean Rd., changed but recognisable.

I think brother John has been in contact with you, David. I'm glad I mentioned to him the proof reading and return of the second part of your memoirs. He had misunderstood. I hope when you finish them that I could have a copy. I read a few exerts from them and I found them most interesting. When you have finished them I have a question(s) for you regarding various Brough family members. Not now but later. I will not burden you with them now.

Since arriving home I have sat down and read your book, David and enjoyed it very much. Our eldest son, Ian read parts of it too whilst we were in England and found it most interesting as well. I hope you won't mind if I make a copy of your book on to computer and if any family members are interested I can pass it on. Not only is it a record of the Brough and the Bell families, I realised it is also a social history record of a way of life long gone and unknown to our children and those who will follow them. We came in at the tail end of the old way of life and grew up in the early beginnings of life as we and our children know today. H'mm, this getting a bit heavy.

Well our visit to Ponteland and meeting you both again was one of the highlights of our trip. I would like to think we can do it again sometime. I would also like to think we could get hooked up by email and I could send you some of the short pieces of 1-2 A4 pages I have written about my life and the people I've met along the way. Nothing on Aspatia...yet, but plenty on Ullswater and my RAF days. I hope to knit them into a composite piece one day.

Well I will say goodbye for now, and bye the way, I always remember Ponteland when I have a shower. Pat brought those lovely pieces of soap and you both usually come to mind as I shower!

Love and best wishes from Eric

PS Our Email is pat.eric@xtra.co.nz or olderic1934@yahoo.co.nz or if you are near one of the family computers look on my small web-site olderic.blogspot.com

Journal Flanders Fields

OldEric says (:-]. Should you read this poem read it slowly, and savour it. The poem tells a poignant story.
On 2 May, 1915, in the second week of fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres Lieutenant Alexis Helmer was killed by a German artillery shell. He was a friend of the Canadian doctor Major John McCrae and it is believed that McCrae began the draft for his famous poem 'In Flanders Fields' that evening among the carnage.
Each year on Remembrances Day this poem is repeated, and the dead and dying of all wars are remembered with tears. This is the time when men and wives and lovers and sons and daughters, weep for lost husbands, fathers and grandfathers, lost in the carnage that was Flanders fields and in all battle fields since, both remembered and forgotten.
I was a boy of 6 when WW2 started and 12 when the war ended. I remember the poem since that time, each time I hear 'In Flanders Fields' the words never fail to bring a lump to my throat. Each time I read the poem I always read the last verse again, the last verse says it all, when you think about it. Evil in the world still abounds and will continue to exist into the future; we should be strong and face Evil.

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Journal Waitangi Day

OldEric says :-) Like most people we don't support Waitangi Day, if Waitangi Day falls on a weekday.... it was Thursday the 6th this year.... we just use it as another public holiday.

This Waitangi day we used it to erect our new bird aviary, a kit set. Everything was prepared in advance, Tony came down from Hamilton to help and he was here by 8am and by 8.30am, we with great confidence started our project. Pat, Tony, then Tahlia came and me.

Within a short time we struck problems, The damn thing wouldn't fit! We pulled the two erected sides down, restacked them on the base and went and had a coffee. Did we really want an aviary? There's one going cheap at 26 Dudley Ave in Huntly. Or maybe we will try again next year.

I hope Tony didn't have anything planned otherwise, it was a wasted day for him. We will take him out to dinner and celebrate my birthday this Friday. Shall we go Indian, Singaporean or just plain old Kiwi??. Or shall we go on Thursday instead.... decision,decisions. We will be taking Tahlia too, better be Friday.

Journal Wembley Towers

OldEric says :-) Well Wembley demolition is starting at last. See link.

Journal Gillian's visit

OldEric says ;-) Well today Gillian came over from Whitianga for an appointment with the Dean of the 5th form of Sacred Heart College to confer with her regarding Tahlia’s education and to satisfy herself that things are going well. She arrived at 10am and we chatted for an hour with her before she had to leave us.

Yesterday was Waitangi Day and another Public Holiday. Gillian worked yesterday on the accounts of one of the firms she does her part time work for to bring them up to date so she could take today off.

Tahlia will go back with her to Whitianga for the weekend and she will get an early morning ride back with someone from Whitianga on Monday who will drop her off at the school gates.

Tahlia seems to have settled in with us ok and seems happy, at least she has no complaints to Gillian so we are pleased. Apparently it was purely Tahlia’s decision to go to Sacred Heart and had asked to do so. She seems to be putting a positive effort into her education so far, does her homework willingly and freely acknowledges that she has to catch up.

Tahlia got a surprise the first day at school by being asked to remove her ear-rings and something else, I’m not sure what now. The only adornment to be worn is studs or sleepers in the ears, a cross round the neck or a tiki…. Tahlia wears a greenstone tiki so that was ok.

The other surprise was no talking in class and no talking when the teacher is talking. Tahlia found the quietness, in her words…. Scary! For the first few days until she got acclimatised.

The last teaching Nun has now left and all the teachers are lay teachers. In Gillian’s day it was a mixture of Nuns and lay teachers. Gillian recognised some of the techers names from her day. Today was swimming sports day so no doubt Gillian will have a look in if she has time. Tahlia isn’t taking part, which is a pity as she is a strong swimmer.

So in a nutshell we are very pleased with Tahlia and are happy to have her. Pat is enjoying having someone to look after and worry over again.

A Tangi for Lou

I went to Lou Brookes' Tangi (funeral) this morning. Lou was a year younger than I. Lou had cancer and, in his last stages asked to be moved back from Auckland to Huntly where he was born.
Lou was a Maori and in his younger days was a salesman for the firm I worked for at that time. Everyone liked Lou and liked his fast patter. In later years Lou worked the markets up in Auckland and everyone knew him, once met forgotten, never!
Lou's Tangi was held at Te Ohaki Marae and the Tangi follows a similar format to the more familiar Church funeral service. The Tangi differs subtly in feel to a Church funeral. A sorry sadness pervades, that the person has left his relatives and friends behind and softly in the background keening will be heard from one or more of the older ladies. The Marae service is relatively short but the graveside service is much longer than a Church service. The hymns are sung as in Church, but no organ music is needed here. The Maori have fine and tuneful voices.
At the graveside, speakers will talk to the person in a conversational tone as his body rests in the grave. Some may sing a verse or two of a favourite remembered song. The immediate family standing around the grave will cuddle each other adults and children and often will sadly weep. It is very moving. Truly felt emotions are not at all suppressed. An orator or orators will call out the persons' life and ask why he has left them.
I was glad to be able to say goodbye to Lou. I was glad I could drop a proffered flower on his coffin. I was glad I met his remembered family now grown up with children of their own. And, I was glad they came up and remembered me. Lou was a little more than an acquaintance Lou was a friend from long ago.

Journal Bullies

OldEric says :- Another dark and/or controversial subject. The newspapers are often full of bullying reports in schools both here and overseas. Bullying has always existed both mental and physical. I'm not talking gang related stand over tactics but general bullying, one trying to dominate another bullying.
From experience of 4 schools I attended in the 1940s bullying was generally tolerated by authorities in England as long as it didn't get out of hand. It was tolerated because it was a part of growing up, it was considered as part of the formation of ones character--it helped to form ones character, to stand on ones feet. Some may say hindered the formation of ones character. I'm inclined to the former. Bullying was tolerated by authorities to help one to learn how to deal with the problems of life both in childhood and most certainly in adulthood. Bullies grow up and in the main bullies do not change their ways, they may change their methods but they still bully if allowed to do so.
I will over the next few days relate 3 stories of bullying and the results during my school years.

On a High
OldEric says:- I'm on a high today. no, not that high, just feeling pleased with my self. At last got my Home Page under construction and the first thing I did was link my blog to it. It worked, at least for me it did. Been on the web for I think 5 years or is it 6? Never had a yen before. Blogging one day and Web pages the next. What next? I'll have to give Nomad a hurry up not much movement on his wed site.
Feeling better now that nine eleven is over. At least that is what they call yesterday down here in NZ. Don't feel like working today so I did'nt. Sorted 2 customers out and fired up the computer. Here in NZ Spring has sprung and that feeling is in the air. Work is often quiet this time of year. Must be feeling tired this afternoon, I keep having to rectify typing errors. I was up at 4.40 am this morning, could'nt sleep so fired up the computer wrote up some of my 2000 trip journal from the notes I kept. Boy, am I a sluggard. I only do it when I get the urge.
Its 3pm, time for a coffee and then I'm going to link my 2000 Journal to my home page.
Not bad for a 68 year old!!

Journal A Short note

OldEric says :- I've 10 minutes only. Pat needs the computer for the local bird club newsletter. I shan't stop her ,as co-newsletter publisher, it is less for me to do,hi. Then I can spend more time opening up my mind to the Blog (just joking, of course). Some say, if the thoughts there....... Spent time on my 2000 trip journal. this afternoon. I close down at 3 pm most days but today I closed my work a little earlier.
Had Emails from my son Ian and also my niece's husband Pete, otherwise known as Nomad, when surfing the net. They have both found my other website and hence the Blog. I have a link to it.
Well 10 minutes have elapsed and I wait for the shout from upstairs, "Eeeeric, will you be long?". Goodbye for now.

Journal My Birthday

OldEric says :-) well I have just had my birthday once more on the 13th and I’m a year older and really I don’t want to be. In fact if I had my way I would not now have a birthday and be reminded of the event. Ah, well.

On a brighter note Ian phoned up first on our Thursday morning with best wishes and as always a pleasant chat. Then next was Phyl Cartmill who sang a very nice rendition of “Happy Birthday, she has a nice voice.

Next was Tony with best wishes also and asking whether we are coming to dinner Thursday or Friday. Then Gillian phoned in the evening after work followed by Geoff when he could at last get through. The phone line is always busy, busy especially with the computer and Tahlia in the evening.

I’ve got a nice array of cards on the china cabinet. John’s was missing this time; they are on an extended trip to Spain and Portugal.

Pat bought me a 1250 page book by Microsoft on XP so I was pleased with that.
Gillian some book tokens, which I always like, and Tony a two-litre bottle of Tanqueray Gin, nothing but the best, which I like also. The Queens tipple too!

Pat made a lovely traditional roast dinner with Kumera and Pumpkin on the eve of my birthday, my favourite followed by Apple crumble, another favourite.

Last night, Friday we went to Tony’s he made Curry followed by Apple crumble, I could eat it constantly. A big glass of gin, bitters and lemon and wine with our curry. Yes another pleasant night out.

All in all a very pleasant birthday and I again say to myself how glad I am to have such a nice thoughtful family to share my birthday with. Many are not so lucky as I.

Tahlia went home for the weekend directly from school on Friday night.

Journal

OldEric says:- Well heavy morning mist this morning the sign of a hot sunny day. By 9am the sky is blue the sun is hot and wisps of mist hang over the lake. Our back section is just about out of control with the trailing weed Convulvus and I decided to try and do something about the problem. I got up at my usual 6am time had a cup of tea and a biscuit and thought about my problem. I waited until 8am until most of the heavy dew had evaporated filled the sprayer with Roundup and went to face the problem.

I sprayed 5 litres of the weed poison over everything grass included and then gave up on the very steep part of the section. I had had enough. I was hot, tired and my gammy foot was hurting.

I came up from the back and I felt a bit despondent, how much longer can I keep this up? I'm 69 this month and each year the section maintenance becomes a little more difficult. I know it won’t be long before I can no longer continue my fight with the back section and it will then become a wilderness. I then wonder how long can I keep the upper section going?

Well I have had a late breakfast now and I feel better. I will get Pat to get some more Roundup and I will have a go at the rest of the back and then wait 14 days to see how the poison has affected the Convulvus. I guess it will take two sprays-overs, Convulvus is hard to kill. Then in future years try to keep the creeping enemy under control.

Well I have got that off my chest I feel better still. My trouble is I have too many interests and I don't want to give any of them up. I never dreamed age would slow me up, but it has and I don't like the feeling.

Journal. Three Score and Ten
Today is my birthday If you do not know the meaning of a score it is the figure 20. To tell the truth I was not looking forward to this day. I realise it is just a number but on the other hand it is also a reminder. A reminder that the human body slowly but inevitably wears out.

Time seems to pass so quickly, it does not seem so long ago I was young and robust, now I start to feel the little aches and pains. I don't normally take much notice of them but on a day like today I am brought face to face with reality.

This morning I got up promising myself that I would face my bithday morning clean and well dressed. I rose had a shower, shaved and put on clean new clothes.

Postscript: I felt uneasy all day and although I took the day off I could not settle to anything. I had plenty to do, to occupy me but I could not settle.