Friday, 22 November 2013

Fishing Trip

Today was a special Sol and Mum day. I could think of nothing better than going fishing with my youngest.  He loves fishing, and so do I.  So off we traipsed to Mapua Wharf, to meet friends, drink coffee, eat ice-cream and reel in some big ones together.

While fishing, we meet a lovely older couple who were visiting from Amberley, who 'helped' Sol and our friends, catch a fish.  'Helped' can be translated: when they caught a fish, they called over each child in turn to reel it in.  All were able to have their photo taken with a fish, all around the same size as this one...



They decided to cut the head off and use it for bait, as well as explore the intricacies of the fishes insides.

Before Sol and I went fishing, we said goodbye to Dadda, who was off for a 2 night tramp/hike with friends, and goodbye to Seb, who had a Survivor Day event organised by our local Christian home educators group. It was Seb's dream day; making shelter, rafts, fire, whittling, chasing Weka, swimming, and hanging out with his buddies, Ez and Sam.

He came home tired and happy, and so to finish the day we made fire at home and cooked some damper. While they ate it, I read them a chapter from our current read-aloud, a Gladys Aylward Biography.
Seb keeping an eye on Sol's cooking of his damper.

Damper Recipe:
1 cup self-raising flour
25 gms butter
pinch of salt
pinch of cinnamon
1/4 cup milk

Rub butter into the flour. Add salt and cinnamon. 
Slowly add milk to make into a dough consistency.
Use less or more milk as required.

Wrap around a clean stick and cook over a fire, time varies with heat of fire.  
Damper pulls off the stick cleanly when cooked all the way through.
Enjoy.

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

Bug Week

Surprise discoveries are so exciting.  This week we were blessed with welcoming the first of this summers cicadas, which initially is exciting, later on in the summer they are deafening.


Our next discovery was a little more unexpected. I have not seen a Weta this size before, and I certainly didn't expect to see one as I was pulling my sage bush out. Seeing this attractive creature reminded me of the Bear Grylls clip when he was filming a show in New Zealand. He got bitten and it drew blood! This made me very cautious when handling it. Bear Grylls then ate it, this is a funny clip, worth a look. View clip here. We did not eat it.




Monday, 18 November 2013

Cross Country Fun

Our local Christian Home Educators Group Cross Country Event

Gathered around listening to the directions for the days running and biking events. There was so much excitement and anticipation.

SOLOMON #17
Here I am lining up ready for the race, I was feeling a little bit nervous.

 Here I am, coming in 7th place. I was very proud of myself.

RABBIT ISLAND
 Moturoa, sometimes I am amazed we get to live, run, bike and swim here.

SEBASTIAN #34
Ez and I, extremely tired after the run. Ez placed 1st, I placed 2nd.

Just crossed the finish line, quite tired.

Kori the Penguin Came for a Visit

What a delight to get a surprise visit from Kori the Penguin and Aunty Shirlene.   Such an occasion requires Solomon to dress up - in his swimming goggles.