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.
Monday, April 26, 2004
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Saturday, April 24, 2004
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
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.
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.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
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.
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.
Monday, April 05, 2004
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Saturday, February 28, 2004
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Friday, February 20, 2004
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
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.
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.
Saturday, February 14, 2004
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.
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.
Saturday, February 07, 2004
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.
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
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.
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.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
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.
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.
Monday, January 19, 2004
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
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.
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.
Monday, January 05, 2004
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.
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.
Sunday, January 04, 2004
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.
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.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
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!
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!
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
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.
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.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
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!
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!
Saturday, December 20, 2003
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.
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.
Monday, December 15, 2003
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.
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.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Telegraph | News
Look here for The Telegraph Report on Middle Earth and Wellywood renamed by some Orcland
Look here for The Telegraph Report on Middle Earth and Wellywood renamed by some Orcland
Monday, December 01, 2003
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.
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.
Monday, November 24, 2003
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).
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).
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
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.
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.
Saturday, November 08, 2003
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.
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.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
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.
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.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Thursday, October 09, 2003
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.
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.
Saturday, October 04, 2003
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
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
Thursday, October 02, 2003
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".
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".
Saturday, September 27, 2003
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 12, 2003
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
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
Sunday, March 30, 2003
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.
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.
Monday, February 10, 2003
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.
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.
Saturday, February 08, 2003
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.
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.
Monday, November 18, 2002
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 06, 2002
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
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!!
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.
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.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
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.
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.
Thursday, February 14, 2002
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.
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.
Thursday, January 01, 1970
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.
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.
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