The Fay Family 4: An Early August Update

Finally it feels like Spring is touching out lives on the bus ... it gives me a whole new burst of energy which is why I'm getting onto the August update now ;) The days are getting longer and the days, though not always the evening or mornings, are getting warmer. The calves are increasing here on the farm and themselves are loving being outside more. Life is so much better with a bit of sunshine!!

Himself helping with calf feeding

Enjoying the sunshine at the farm

The month began with us heading up Mt Fyffe again for a wee tramp. It was certainly was a good way to warm up quickly on a frosty morning that is for sure as the track is very steep all the way. Herself had the idea to go up to the lookout so that she could take a few photos for a local photo competition which gives you 48 hours (over a nominated weekend) to capture local images. She took some amazing shots and entered 2 in the Junior section. The thing I love most about small towns is being able to get stuff done without a wait and within a day we had the images printed and mounted! The longest part of the process was waiting until the last weekend of the month for the judging. It was worth the wait though as she received highly commended award for her 'Sheep Circle' photo.

We have been making the most of our weekends on the bus lately. Each Saturday we wake, eat, pack up, empty the grey tank and fill the water tank then head off somewhere. Sometimes it is for the night and sometimes just for the day but either way it has been a great break and very restorative especially when themselves are happily entertained on the beach for hours on end. Mostly we have ventured South, as the state highway north of Kaikoura is still closed, or just parked up around town.

The road south

Parked up near Oaro

Himself jnr. has begun Judo here so our weekly routine has got a little busier in the afternoons. He is absolutely loving it! He was quick to pick up a bit of Japanese too, that is spoken in class, and by the third session surprized everyone, including me, by being able to fluently count to 10 in Japanese for the stretch section of the class. I think herself is a bit worried as his skill base increases and improves but I think it will be a while before he is more than a white belt ;)

Ready for Judo

The warmer days have also given themselves plenty of sunshine to quietly whittle outside. We recently invested in a knife for them each to add to their whittling kit (a peeler and 3 shaping tools we got online) and I have really noticed the difference it has made. It was a special thrill to see them so engrossed in working their wood and an even bigger one when I was presented with a tekoteko from each of them for my birthday. I've even been having a go and can see how addictive it can be!