Expansion packs

As much as Josh would like another Age of Empires Expansion pack, I am in fact referring to the new extension to the house.  We have go the approval from the council to go ahead with a 4th bedroom, adding a shower to the downstairs toilet, and a deck out into the garden from the 4th bedroom.  Work starts in the next few weeks.  We are also taking the opportunity to remove the chimney (Earthquake hazard) and re-roof the house and replace the guttering and make a start on replacing the large glass windows and back door with double glazing (including back door, laundry, office, bathroom windows and the new windows/French doors).  Once complete the house will have a new coat of paint come next summer too.  

I have been looking at wall paper too, doing a feature wall and wallpaper the rest with a more solid colour.  Nice green curtains, wall mounted TV and lush carpets!  

India has already claimed what was our bedroom - well room is required for her Sylvanian families!!!

Now to start think heatpump, and bathroom sinks.......something like this would be nice!!!!

Clamor Test Knit

I am very privileged to be able to do a test knit for Hunter Hammersen (www.violentlydomestic.com ), one of my favourite designers.  Her new hat is called Clamor and I knitted it up in two days using a local merino DK weight sage green colour (Lovells).  Its a very effective hat and I love the curve and banding, with the octo-spiral finish for the top just looks stunning.

Easter 2012

This Easter we took a road trip to Ohakune and up the Mountain (aka Volcano).  We used the chance to get away and see another part of NZ, from the DC3 at Mangaweka, Carrot of Ohakune, Dinosaur of Raurimu (more viable than the fables spiral railway!), a trip up the most recently active Volcano in NZ ( Ruapehu  - before it gets over run with skiers in July) and a view of two more; Ngauruhoe (largest and youngest) and the Tongariro group of cones.  


We also got to the Army Museum, played on the tanks and saw a Sherman Tank and photos of North Africa, and Monte Carlo where my Grandad Poyzer was driving tanks during the Second World War.  We also visited the Tangiwi memorial.


Getting pictures of India is becoming harder, hands tend to be up a lot!  But she has finally cut one of two front teeth.


We stayed in an amazing log cabin - very Alps style.  It was amazingly warm even without having the fire lit once, with a great view of Ruapehu.

WOMAD

Well that was a fun packed and very hot weekend!  Lots to do and see.  The camping was great, we headed into the family section and got a pitch close to the toilets and showers which were the typical kiwi converted containers and great standard, no portaloos to be seen!

The walk to the festival was through the park, and on the way back it was lit with the TSB festival of lights.  It reminded me of my childhood trips to Matlock bath!

We met friends from Auckland and Silverstream at the campsite and spotted more in the festival, although many were spotted the other side of a very packed audience.  The range of music was great, although we hadn't heard of most they were all awesome to listen to.  Everything from some rocking Alabama 3, to East End of London Paul Ubana Jones and his amazing version of the Beatles Norwegian Wood and Eleanor Rigby.  We participated in a workshop with Diego Guerrero, who taught some flamenco rhythms and lyrics.  Josh and Zoe stayed up to watch the Pajama Club, Josh's fav all weekend.  Good old Kiwi Neil Finn and his wife and sons!  We mustn't forget to mention the amazing Master Drummers of Burundi or the Pan pipe players from Solomon Islands!  We would have loved to stay and see the Childrens parade, the Black seeds and Sharon Shannon, but by 2pm Sunday the kids were ready for home, next time we will plan to stay Sunday night and take Monday off work/school too.

Island Bay

It was a lovely cold start, blue skies and went from 6.3 degrees to 26.6 degrees - a real stunner and typical Kiwi autumn, wake up cold and change at lunch time coz its getting very hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We went to visit the Victoria University Marine Ecology centre in Island Bay, battled bay road closures and other traffic.  There was gorgeous snow capped views of the South Island before some man handling or star fish occurred....  Then off to collect Andy from the airport.

We are off to WOMAD on Friday, so anticipate lots of great photos, the weather is looking awesome!!!!!!!

Swim sports

Today was the Middle school swim sports, but I missed Saffron who was first off the block, but got some of India, who won every race in her group easy!  and that's with giving them a head start!  I think they put her in a too easy group!

Autumn Fashion

Cold mornings have arrived, heralding the arrival of Autumn.  But hark I hear you cry, what happened to summer ???  A complete wash out, no tan this year!  non the less the girls need new gummies and some long sleeve tops..............

Continuing in the almost twin theme, still the same clothes (age 10) and shoes (UK 1).....  matching red and grey stripy tops, matching gummies, matching blue (modelled by India) and Red tunics too, also some socks and black and grey trousers.

So all set for the colder days...... and wet summer!