Kia ora all
I am not sure how many of you are still getting these blog updates as it looks like there are more and more setting changes which may be stopping my blog updates getting through.
So as a consequence, and after almost 7 years of writing these updates online, I have decided it is time to stop using this platform. I will continue to do an update each month in a document and send it to those who wish to see/hear what we've been up to.
If you want to still get updates from me then please e-mail me at becominghealthynz at gmail dot com ...... please be sure to put a quick hello message in so that I know who it is :)
Hope this finds you all warm and snuggly as we have snow swept winds blowing all around us here.
Arohanui
Y
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Another update from Us lot
Wow, into February already and less than a week till we are off visiting friends and family up North! The last month has seen Jasmine turn another year older, the kids grow in swimming abilities, lots of sunshine, lots of walking, creating, cooking, making and of course .... baking ;)
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| Jasmine making breadsticks to go with the 'Shelly' Soup that she was making for tea. |
Yes, you read correctly.... Jasmine is another year older and some days I can't believe that she is 7 now - combination of years going quickly and behaviour it has to be said ;). Every odd birthday (1yr, 3yr etc) the kids get to invite friends over or have a party if they wish, with the other year being just a family day out with a meal of the birthday person's choice. This year being one of Jasmine's odd year birthdays she decided to have 2 wee friends over, with her choice of mince pies - crazily this is a real treat for her ;) - and home-made pizza for tea. Prior to her big day she was busy telling me all about the 'Princess' pavlova cake that I had to make and I was trying to imagine how I would be creating a 3 tiered pav....... however when we were down at the supermarket her wee eyes spied a gingerbread house kit complete with icing and lollies so you can guess the outcome. Yep, we had a birthday girl decorated ginger-bread birthday house ;) I'm all for the easy life!
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| The kids and their friend decorating the birthday gingerbread house cake. |
Every year Hokitika has fantastic Driftwood and Sand event which runs a during Jasmine's birthday week which we love to visit. This year they had a special treasure map making session on her actual birthday so down we all headed dressed as pirates to create a map! The best part was that the local pirate (The Red Moki from Hoki) turned up and lead all the kids on a real treasure hunt with bars of gold hokey pokey at the end. Jasmine was absolutely delighted by it all and it made for a great relaxed birthday treat for her without any hassle for us! Now that has to be good doesn't it? ;)
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| The Red Moki from Hoki checking out Jasmine's treasure map. |
She really is growing up in many ways and the past month has been filled with her little events, achievements and success. Jasmine has always loved being out in the garden with Himself and this year they planted lots of veg for us to enjoy, some of which were some cucumbers grown from seed and some potatoes. When the A and P show arrived here we decided to enter the produce section for judging. It was an early start to drop off the veg and enter along with a long wait till judging was finalised, however it was well worth the wait as herself won first prize for her cucumber as well as a second and third for her 2 different kinds of spuds. We still have the certificates up for the world to view ;) She was so happy and never fails to tell us where the certificates are or that the spuds and cucumber we are eating are so delicious because she grew them.
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| The proud produce place getter with her wares. |
The weather here has been great not just for growing veg though as we have been able head out on a few walks over the sun-filled weekends when Himself has not been painting or repairing houses. The kids are getting better and better at the longs walks so it is great to be exploring the West Coast beyond the 30 min return tracks. It is such a beautiful and unique part of the country and we are loving making the most of it especially when the sun shines.
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| Himself and the kids on the Coastal Walkway near Hari Hari. |
So till we see some of you face to face I Hope this finds you all bathed in sunshine and enjoying life.
Arohanui
Y
www.becominghealthy.co.nz
Sunday, March 31, 2019
March Madness
Another busy month mixed with crochet, sewing, card playing, sickness, ice skating, patch work, train travel, markets and biscuit selling. It is one of those days where procrastination is ever abundant so I will just pop in a few photos to update you all.
Arohanui
Y
Arohanui
Y
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
February update from the Fay Family
A little late I know however I'm sticking to the old adage ' Better late than never' :) We have had quite a busy, and hot, February packed with loads of different things aside from all the term-time activities beginning again for themselves.
Our weeks suddenly went from not having anywhere planned to go to at least one activity each day at the start of the month. It was an adjustment for all with a start back into Maths club for both of themselves, Judo for Himself and Guides for Herself along with a patchwork course for myself. Thankfully only one of these is prior to lunch time and none of them are as late as when we where here last. Themselves have really loved catching up with friends here again the activities after the Summer break.
Herself was also part of a poetry slam workshop and event, though her nerves got to her in the end and she didn't perform to a wider audience. She created a great poem about the bus and got to work with artist Daisy Lavea- Timo which was an amazing opportunity and growth experience for her. It has also inspired a whole heap of poetry writing, mainly in the form of limericks (the sillier the better it seems) to occur since then ... Edward Leer has a lot to answer for :) The final workshop was in Christchurch which combined nicely with us heading down to get some work done on the bus along with catching up with some friends and family in time for the noodle market.
While we were in Christchurch themselves and I decided to do the touristy things. We caught a bus into town and then checked out the brilliant new library Tūranga, created at Imagination Station, went on the tram around the city, played at Margaret Mahy playground and lunch out and generally explored the city centre. It was strange, and cool, to share with them all the things I could remember from my childhood and coming into the city most days.
Down in Christchurch we also took part in the first ever South Island Road-schooling Rally which is really just a chance for like-minded families who home-school on the road (full or part time) to meet up. It was a lovely group of families and the kids had a great time in the river, running around, playing games, whittling and camping out together. They were so entertained with each other that the parents hardly saw them and got to have a few relaxing chats and drinks too ... always a signal of a great camp!
Back we wandered to Kaikōura in time for the A & P show (Agricultural and Pastoral show .... not animals and produce show as some of us thought). It is surely a dying thing these days to see these 'farming' themed days however we enjoyed checking out the sheep winners, the produce, sand saucers, the vegetable people/creatures, the bicycle run shearing and of course the rides and rubbishy food :) It was a beautiful day and we time our visit perfectly before the much needed rain arrived.
Aside from that it is life as usual on the bus albeit a little more chilly than last month. Hope this finds you all well and until next month ...
Arohanui
Y
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| Down at the beach in Kaikōura to cool off |
Our weeks suddenly went from not having anywhere planned to go to at least one activity each day at the start of the month. It was an adjustment for all with a start back into Maths club for both of themselves, Judo for Himself and Guides for Herself along with a patchwork course for myself. Thankfully only one of these is prior to lunch time and none of them are as late as when we where here last. Themselves have really loved catching up with friends here again the activities after the Summer break.
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| The little monkeys in Hagley park |
Herself was also part of a poetry slam workshop and event, though her nerves got to her in the end and she didn't perform to a wider audience. She created a great poem about the bus and got to work with artist Daisy Lavea- Timo which was an amazing opportunity and growth experience for her. It has also inspired a whole heap of poetry writing, mainly in the form of limericks (the sillier the better it seems) to occur since then ... Edward Leer has a lot to answer for :) The final workshop was in Christchurch which combined nicely with us heading down to get some work done on the bus along with catching up with some friends and family in time for the noodle market.
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| On the tram |
While we were in Christchurch themselves and I decided to do the touristy things. We caught a bus into town and then checked out the brilliant new library Tūranga, created at Imagination Station, went on the tram around the city, played at Margaret Mahy playground and lunch out and generally explored the city centre. It was strange, and cool, to share with them all the things I could remember from my childhood and coming into the city most days.
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| Lego creation in Imagination Station |
Down in Christchurch we also took part in the first ever South Island Road-schooling Rally which is really just a chance for like-minded families who home-school on the road (full or part time) to meet up. It was a lovely group of families and the kids had a great time in the river, running around, playing games, whittling and camping out together. They were so entertained with each other that the parents hardly saw them and got to have a few relaxing chats and drinks too ... always a signal of a great camp!
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| Fish finding down in the river .... so glad that it is in a healthy state! |
Back we wandered to Kaikōura in time for the A & P show (Agricultural and Pastoral show .... not animals and produce show as some of us thought). It is surely a dying thing these days to see these 'farming' themed days however we enjoyed checking out the sheep winners, the produce, sand saucers, the vegetable people/creatures, the bicycle run shearing and of course the rides and rubbishy food :) It was a beautiful day and we time our visit perfectly before the much needed rain arrived.
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| On the rides at the A & P show |
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| Back home with Bertie (the black hen) and Gertie (the brown one) |
Arohanui
Y
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Update Jan 2019
Another year over and the first month is at an end too. I'm sitting in a heatwave, hiding off the bus in the shade to write this. Thankfully we have a great little nook here in Kaikōura where we can escape into the shade of the trees.
The start of this month we had a fabulous week up in the Marlborough Sounds at a friends place. It was fantastic being off line and out of cell phone reception for a bit and meant that we could really catch up with our friends fully. Themselves had a great time swimming in the river right beside us, feeding the local eel and protecting Bertie from the numerous Weka (yes, we were crazy enough to take our chicken on holiday with us!). We also had an opportunity to get into the sea for a swim and a kayak which was a highlight for herself.
After a week of sunshine and extreme heat we returned to drizzle in Kaikōura which was a bit of relief to be honest ;) Themselves settled straight back into our routine of doing a bit of school work in the am, exploring and hut making, math club in the afternoon and helping with the ponies up the road. Even the chick has made itself back at home and is slowly integrating into the main flock here again .... and not a moment too soon for Liam! Bertie does hang around the bus a bit though when it (still waiting for an egg or a crow) can see us and has even been enjoying the odd pilfered drink of beer!
We also had a birthday here on the bus. Herself is now only a year away from teenagehood. She was a bit spoilt with a surprise party from her friends at Math club and also our friends coming over for a visit. We all had a great time catching up with our West Coast friends along with a pizza tea out for the Birthday girl. Hard to believe that the girl who was born one of the coldest days in Ireland that year turned 12 on one of the hottest days in New Zealand this year!
Herself has also been crocheting up a storm getting ready for a local market, making presents for friends and fulfilling orders. She is getting faster and more creative everyday! Himself has more of a sewing and crafting bug. He too has been creating his favourite characters into little cushions after drawing and making the patterns. He often creates in miniature and loves adding all the detail or creating extra items to go with things like personalized storage containers, bags and books.
Aside from that it has been a lot of getting out of the heat and into the sea where possible to cool down ... in fact that is where we are headed soon so better be off.
Until next month
Arohanui
Y
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| Relaxing in the shade by the bus |
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| Swimming out at Titirangi |
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| Feeding the local eel |
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| River fun with the dog ... can you tell the temperature of the water??!! |
After a week of sunshine and extreme heat we returned to drizzle in Kaikōura which was a bit of relief to be honest ;) Themselves settled straight back into our routine of doing a bit of school work in the am, exploring and hut making, math club in the afternoon and helping with the ponies up the road. Even the chick has made itself back at home and is slowly integrating into the main flock here again .... and not a moment too soon for Liam! Bertie does hang around the bus a bit though when it (still waiting for an egg or a crow) can see us and has even been enjoying the odd pilfered drink of beer!
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| Some school work after finishing her 'pre-ordered' bear. |
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| Kayaking in Punga Cove |
We also had a birthday here on the bus. Herself is now only a year away from teenagehood. She was a bit spoilt with a surprise party from her friends at Math club and also our friends coming over for a visit. We all had a great time catching up with our West Coast friends along with a pizza tea out for the Birthday girl. Hard to believe that the girl who was born one of the coldest days in Ireland that year turned 12 on one of the hottest days in New Zealand this year!
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| Bertie and her friend Gertie |
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| The birthday girl and her cake |
Herself has also been crocheting up a storm getting ready for a local market, making presents for friends and fulfilling orders. She is getting faster and more creative everyday! Himself has more of a sewing and crafting bug. He too has been creating his favourite characters into little cushions after drawing and making the patterns. He often creates in miniature and loves adding all the detail or creating extra items to go with things like personalized storage containers, bags and books.
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| Jasmine's creation based on her Great-grand mother's wedding photo |
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| Daniel's Tazmanian Devil |
Aside from that it has been a lot of getting out of the heat and into the sea where possible to cool down ... in fact that is where we are headed soon so better be off.
Until next month
Arohanui
Y
Monday, December 31, 2018
Another year over .... goodbye 2018
Another year over and another year on the bus. We have now been living life on wheels for 2 years and it looks like there is at least another year in us yet as Liam has work planned around the country next year.
As I write this we are in a wet Kāpiti parked up alongside the downstairs flat. It is great to have our own shower, washing machine and dryer for a while and not have to ask or pay to use others. Nothing like your own space! I guess it is about making the most of what we have wherever that may be.
This year has be filled with many highlights as we travelled around the North Island and also a few lows which caused more than a few stumbles in my life over the past few months. All in all though life has been very good to us and I'm really grateful to have this time with my family and the opportunity to visit the amazing country we live in and the fabulous people we know around it.
Here are a few special moments from the last month :)
Arohanui
Y
As I write this we are in a wet Kāpiti parked up alongside the downstairs flat. It is great to have our own shower, washing machine and dryer for a while and not have to ask or pay to use others. Nothing like your own space! I guess it is about making the most of what we have wherever that may be.
This year has be filled with many highlights as we travelled around the North Island and also a few lows which caused more than a few stumbles in my life over the past few months. All in all though life has been very good to us and I'm really grateful to have this time with my family and the opportunity to visit the amazing country we live in and the fabulous people we know around it.
Here are a few special moments from the last month :)
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| Decorating Mum's grave for Christmas |
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| Maths Club in Kaikōura |
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| Having the ponies (Ruby and Lola) visit |
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| Welcome Bertie Chick to Bus life ... temporarily that is :) |
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| Creating a hutch for Bertie |
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| Mini Golf in Kaikōura |
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| Pop up Mall games |
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| Another Tiny Wee Library in Kaikōura |
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| Christmas Fun with family |
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| Harvesting plums at a park over spot |
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| Nothing like a good jigsaw on a rainy day ... in our downstairs flat |
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| Herself's latest project .... a do-up job |
Y
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Back in the South Island
Well, here we are again back in the South Island! All year Kiwirail have been trying to get Liam back to Kaikōura and now they have him :) Looks like we'll be in the South for a few months yet too so it is a good chance to catch up with our friends down here and visit a few yet to be visited spots. We have a great place to park the bus in Kaikōura for the duration and get a few bonuses thrown in ... like the use of their hot tub :)
While in Kāpiti, for the first two weeks of November, we sorted out the house so that we could rent out the upstairs and have the downstairs as a base. After unpacking what we had stored under the house and giving all the furniture that didn't sell in time for our departure in 2016, which then was shoved under the house, it was pretty evident that our largest possession was books! Thankfully we kept all the bookshelves Liam created so we could make a floor to ceiling home for them all :)
It was great to have everything unpacked though and realise what a good job we did do in clearing out the clutter before we left - shoved stuff excluded here :). It was also great to get a few things, which we had purchased and wanted to keep, off the bus. Best of all was having my own washing machine and line to use at my whim :) While we love the travelling there is nothing like your own space to do whatever you like in.
Themselves loved heading back to Guides and Cubs along with seeing all their friends. Thankfully the weather was amazing so we had lots of opportunities to be out and about ... unlike the weather by the time we arrived in the south! They say rain is a good omen so I guess I'll focus on that ;)
Since coming to Kaikōura themselves have also lucked out in being about to look after two little Shetland ponies at the end of the road we are staying at. Jasmine heads down there most days (in between rain showers) to muck out, brush and walk Ruby and Lola (the ponies) while Daniel has been making the most of keeping their kid Georgie company (see photo). During the four days of solid rain and a few overcast and drizzly days on either side Jasmine has been crocheting up a storm. She has added to her bear collection and made lots for items for them to wear and share. She really is a creative whizz with the crochet now!
Till next month
Arohanui
Y
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| Enjoying the hot tub where we are staying |
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| Waving at the Prime Minister as the Coastal Pacific came through town for the first time since the earthquake |
While in Kāpiti, for the first two weeks of November, we sorted out the house so that we could rent out the upstairs and have the downstairs as a base. After unpacking what we had stored under the house and giving all the furniture that didn't sell in time for our departure in 2016, which then was shoved under the house, it was pretty evident that our largest possession was books! Thankfully we kept all the bookshelves Liam created so we could make a floor to ceiling home for them all :)
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| Even Rex enjoyed being back home |
It was great to have everything unpacked though and realise what a good job we did do in clearing out the clutter before we left - shoved stuff excluded here :). It was also great to get a few things, which we had purchased and wanted to keep, off the bus. Best of all was having my own washing machine and line to use at my whim :) While we love the travelling there is nothing like your own space to do whatever you like in.
Themselves loved heading back to Guides and Cubs along with seeing all their friends. Thankfully the weather was amazing so we had lots of opportunities to be out and about ... unlike the weather by the time we arrived in the south! They say rain is a good omen so I guess I'll focus on that ;)
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| Daniel getting his Silver Award from Cubs |
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| Hut building with friends in Kāpiti |
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| Riding the waves with Rex in Kāpiti |
Since coming to Kaikōura themselves have also lucked out in being about to look after two little Shetland ponies at the end of the road we are staying at. Jasmine heads down there most days (in between rain showers) to muck out, brush and walk Ruby and Lola (the ponies) while Daniel has been making the most of keeping their kid Georgie company (see photo). During the four days of solid rain and a few overcast and drizzly days on either side Jasmine has been crocheting up a storm. She has added to her bear collection and made lots for items for them to wear and share. She really is a creative whizz with the crochet now!
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| Jasmine with her handmade bears - (L - R) Lucy, Rosemary Lavender and Sapphire Primrose |
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| Fast asleep ... Georgie making the most of snuggles |
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| Jasmine with Ruby and Lola ... we can't believe our luck! |
Till next month
Arohanui
Y
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