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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

On the rides at the A & P show

Back home with Bertie (the black hen) and Gertie (the brown one)

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