I got up early and left some notes on the table for the two wwoofers, telling them what to do once they had breakfast.

Then I went back to bed for a while.

The day began okay but the weather slowly packed it in and around mid-morning it was drizzling.

The boys packed up their gear and got ready for the mailboat.

They were a bit too eager though as it didn't arrive until 2pm.

They spent several hours twiddling their thumbs and much to Cat's annoyance, didn't clean their hut properly and never finished the job list she had left for them.

My bro skyped me from WA so I spent a couple of hours talking with him which was great as we hadn't had a decent talk in ages.

 

When the mailboat came it was drizzling quite heavily.

I donned my red jacket and walked down with the boys.

The wharf is covered in bags of mussel ropes so it was a bit of an act to get to the end of the wharf.

I sorta swung around them along the edge.

Said goodbye to them, chatted with Jim and then clambered back over the tops as I had quite a heavy mailbag and didn't want to risk dropping it in the tide!

I sorted through the mail and then made myself some lunch.

Took it to bed and lay back to listen to the rest of the talking book I had begun whilst driving home.

It is one I got for the kids from the library but it is a really good story.

It is called 'Spilled Water' by Sally Grindley.

I thoroughly recommend it to all ages, but it especially teaches children about a sad part of Chinese culture - selling children.

I dozed off a few times and had to restart the final disk cuz I kept on sleeping through the end!

I must have been really tired cuz I went totally to sleep and was woken by voices calling out.

I woke with a start!

It was our Cottage guests - Halina and Geoff.

I quickly roused myself and welcomed them.

We sat and chatted over a cuppa for a while and then they went off to unpack and settle in.

 

I cooked myself up a delicious dinner.

I had known I was going to be alone so had splashed out and bought myself some rump steak while in town.

It was really good.

I went off to bed early and was asleep in no time.

However the phone went at 11pm and I dozily answered it only to be shocked out of my dreams by an abusive voice berating me over and over for several minutes.

I was rather flabbergasted and just lay there listening and not really responding, and glad when the phone call ended.

But I was awake now so ended up watching an episode of Grey's Anatomy before I could drift off to sleep again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I woke at 5am and Tim was already gone.

I never heard him leave so must have been dead to the world.

I zipped through the shower and was out the door and up the road well before 6am.

Amazing how fast you can move when you are on your own and not having to muster up kids etc!

 

No sign of the guys at the top of the hill, figured they must be mustering and sorting the sheep, but I caught sight of the first truckload of lambs heading out the road in front of me.

I was really pleased to see the truck was heading in the right direction and I wasn't going to meet it suddenly on a sharp corner

I caught up with it and he eventually let me past.

I was getting bad cramp in my legs so I had a wee break at Okiwi Bay.

Relaxed and painted my nails and chatted with Gaynor and Art as they walked past on their way up the hill for the daily constitutional.

Got to Nelson, met up with Andrea for a few minutes and then zipped around doing the jobs I could do before 9am.

Then I dropped my laptop off at SouthTec and met up with Rick at Vodafone store to suss out Anson's phone plan etc.

I quickly grabbed a frappaccino and headed over to Tahunanui.

Zoomed into the recycling Centre to look for stainless sinks.

Nothing there.

Whizzed through Trents - must be the quickest and most economical trip there in a long time!

Popped in to Sally & John's to use their internet to upgrade the kids computer.

Had some problems with it and was very grateful Karl was there and able to help.

Clare and Jonty arrived off the plane - was lovely to see them briefly before the went over to Doris & Gilby's.

I was packing up the computer and Lucy came to ask - 'if I had seen a teenager around, you know, someone about your age called Clare.'

I love you Lucy

 

When I left Lucy & Tristan were asking Karl if they could see Aunty Clare & Jonty so I offered to drive them over.

They were so cute.

Lucy was asking me - 'so, I don't really know you. Where do you fit into my world?

I explained that I was a cousin of her grandfather.

So she then proceeded to verbally work through all the options of what sort of cousin and how many generations and how we all fitted in!

I took great pleasure in informing Clare that we two were considered teenagers still

 

Had to get back into the city for my 12:30pm appointment with the dentist.

James was running to time which was fantastic.

He fixed my broken tooth very quickly and I was outa there by soon after 1pm.

I ducked back to Tahunanui to suss out stainless sinks at the House Renovator place.

Only 1 that might be a goer but not okay enough for me to buy.

Back into the city.

Picked up my laptop - yes!! They have definitely found a hardware fault in the logic board.

I didn't think it was my imagination.

So now to plan a trip for it to go back and be fixed after New Year.

Until then I just have to make do with no printer

I was hoping to stop and meet a friend for a coffee but completely ran out of time.

Just had a couple of moments to zip into the library and get Azzan's books before heading to Nelson Beauty for my 3:30pm appointment.

I really needed that massage - actually could do with one every day - should look into hiring a live in masseuse I reckon!

 

Headed around to Hanger 58 before 5pm and had a snack whilst talking with Nathan - he was just starting work.

The day was cooling down nicely by then so when I had finished I drove out to Mitre 10 Mega to suss out sinks, nothing jumped out at me and service was non existant so I carried on to Bunnings.

Man! The more I go there the more I like that place.

They have a lady who greets you at the door and makes sure you know where to go to get what you want.

Then you get to the department you want and there is someone there to help you.

Maria was the service lady in the kitchen department and she really knows her stuff.

We looked at several different kitchen sinks and I finally decided to take the plunge and get a couple and also chose a tap which matched them nicely.

I am hoping Cat approves but if not I can return them.

Then I bought a few more flower seedlings for here and Waterfall Bay.

Back to the city and grabbed some groceries at New World before calling in to Hanger 58 briefly to pick up stuff from Nathan I had forgotten.

I got him to make me a frozen fruit smoothie and put it in my Starbucks take away mug so I enjoyed that as I drove out of Nelson around 9pm.

I had been speaking to home throughout the morning and I knew they were all packing up to head out to D'Urville for a hunting/camping/fishing trip as soon as Tim & Anson had the lambs trucked out and Seb had finished helping Noel with putting out spat.

So I knew that there was no one at home to call and say, I am on my way.

The 2 Australian lads were here but they were not answering our phone.

It was a weird feeling actually.

We have this safely net that we let home know when to expect us just in case something happens.

Thankfully I made it home in one piece.

No thanks to the terribly rutted road we have for the last hour of our trip

Had to stop and have a couple of driver reviver snoozes along the way as I was so tired.

Got here around midnight, unpacked everything as I had brought in a lot of ice.

Fell into bed around 1am.

Long long day - but at least my tooth is fixed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful sky this morning.

Patches of sun trying to squeeze through the stormy clouds.

The guys all went out for a 6:30am muster so I took advantage of the peace and took the dvd player out to the spa and watched a movie while I wallowed.

Then I started clearing my bedroom.

Carried a multitude of boxes out to the lounge intending to sort through them this morning.

They are still sitting on the couches

I got busy packing bills online and sorting out other stuff.

Spent most of the day busy doing other things and not the boxes.

Had a lovely long chat with Sandra on the phone.

No, we never had enough time or space to have a decent D&M last night

 

I had made a mutton stew yesterday in the slow cooker so heated that for dinner tonight.

Mahalia peeled potatoes and Shoshannah made a vegetable stirfry.

Dinner was sussed.

 

Jynx has been very unwell for the past few days.

In fact a couple of days ago we thought he was near dead.

But he has perked up again thankfully.

Don't know what Tim would do without his purdycat!

Both cats were making the most of the shade from the pot plants on the deck today.

 

I hadn't had time to stop for lunch today so when I got a tad hungry this arvo I was munching on my container of almonds, cashews and cranberries.

After a while I realised that one of my teeth was feeling a tad too sharp.

I investigated and discovered it was either broken or I have lost a filling.

Pain!

I immediately called the dentist and have an appointment tomorrow at midday so an unplanned trip to town.

Just great when I am so incredibly tired tonight.

 

 

Because I wasn't going to be able to get to town before Christmas my counselor had organised a Skype session with me tonight.

That was actually really good except my internet played up and I had to do a restart in the middle of it all.

 

Azzan is not happy with me cuz the crew are all heading out to D'Urville tomorrow and he doesn't want to go and I am not taking him to town.

So he has to go camping.

I am sure he will be fine once he gets out there.

 

So this arvo I make one appointment.

Now I have the day completely full and booked out!!

Better get myself off to bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18th December

Catriona's 30th birthday

 

 

How did I manage to get to be having 3 daughters all over the age of 30 already??

It really doesn't seem that long ago they were my three cute, wee lassies.

And then their bro made four!

Cat was always a cheeky wee thing with the cutest of dimples.

 

I was up early and in the kitchen before Tim got up.

That doesn't happen too often

I made up jellies, and Tiramisu then made Lolly Cake.

Cat LOVES Lolly Cake so I knew it would be a hit if I made it for her birthday cake.

Tim put a roast in the oven and I got veges prepared.

It was all done before lunch.

I was totally exhausted by lunch time so I took my plate into my bedroom and stretched out to watch a dvd and had a wee doze too.

Got up an hour or two later to find Christine had walked around to visit and charge her phone.

She wanted to help so swept the floor and folded the washing while I had a shower.

I felt heaps better after that.

As Christine was leaving Sandra & Phil arrived.

We went for a wee garden tour.

My Blackberry Nip rose smells divine and looks so beautiful and even more so covered in raindrops.

 

We eventually manged to gather everyone inside to say grace and enjoy our dinner together.

I kept the Lolly Cake wrapped in tinfoil so the coconut wouldn't spread everywhere.

Mahalia found some appropriate candles for the big 3 0!

Happy Birthday Catriona

Cat was delighted - reckons it was the best birthday cake ever.

Needless to say we didn't get to sample very much before it was re-wrapped and taken up to her hut to be devoured at a later time when there are less gannets around!

Skip found his way up on the chair while I wasn't looking and was wondering why he couldn't have cake.

You can take Shoshannah anywhere!!

Azzan got loose with Party Poppers after dessert

Cat was ducking for cover.

But didn't escape

Shoshannah & Aunty Sandra

The only difference between this photo of Cat & her godmother

    

and this one...

is 30 years

 

It was a lovely night.

I so enjoyed having Sandra & Phil over - we don't do this enough - must activate the vehicles in each others directions more often!!

 

After everyone had gone Tim & I sat in the office and talked through a lot of burning issues until midnight.

It was really good to have time together with no interruptions.

I am so privileged to have such an understanding, patient husband.

He was so supportive and happy to sit and listen and talk with me despite the late hour and his approaching early morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday was spent in recovery

I got up quite early and had most of the Terrano unpacked before Tim got up.

I just left the heavy items for the boys to carry.

Jamie & Paddy from Australia had arrived the day before on the mailboat.

 

The pottles of flowers and vege seedlings were planted out by Cat & Shoshannah over the next couple of days.

 

 

Graham took Mahalia down to the shed to do the first stage of building her harp.

She learned how to use the circular saw.

This is just the beginning, there is a lot of sanding and building to be done over the next few months.

Anson took Graham & Victoria out fishing several times over the weekend.

There are a lot of sharks around.

They have brought home several varieties, some edible, the rest for the pigs.

Victoria is enjoying her sojourn up here.

It has been really good having time to get to know her better.

 

 

 

 

Sunday

 

Jamie & Paddy didn't want to take the day off so Tim set them alight on the wood splitter.

They are getting a lot done which is great.

Seb & Cat dived on a mooring for Alan after lunch.

That took up several hours.

 

Cat got Mahalia & Azzan to clean the Cottage.

She sorted out all the kitchen wear and beds and got rid of everything that was superfluous.

Azzan was not too pleased at having to work so he got his butt kicked several times by Cat and then me.

He finally got the jobs finished.

One day he will learn if he changes his attitude the work goes more smoothly and quickly!

 

.

 

Tim & I sat and talked with Anson & Marah.

We have a lot to sort out re the future of the farm and their plans.

We ended up going around to The Croft to assess what changes can be made to make it easier and roomier to live in.

Tim had to head home so I walked back later.

I had dinner ready before I left so wasn't too worried about coming home late.

Leann had made some fish cakes out of the left over shark.

They were delicious - especially with the home made tartare sauce.

 

I am sure other things happened over the weekend but unless someone reminds me the rest of this space shall remain blank!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday

 

Monday must have disappeared into a blur of domesticity again.

I simply cannot remember too much more than cooking and washing etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was up at 4am to get ready for town.

Cat & Leann piled into the back seat and Sabrina into the front seat and we were off.

Tim followed us up the hill and picked up Seb & Phoebe at the top.

I had scintillating company

We all got to Nelson by 8:30am, we met up, consulted 'the list' and then split up and ran around doing as many of the jobs on my list as we could fit in.

We had to be seated at The Trafalgar Centre by 10am so Tim & I had to leave one of the jobs half done and race around there, find a park and met the others outside as I had all the tickets.

We sat and chatted with Colin & Jillian who were there to see their daughter-in-law Sally being presented with a Wintec Bachelor of Applied Social Science.

There were photos being displayed on the large screens up front and Nathan's smiling face kept rotating every few minutes

The ceremony began at 10:30am.

The students all paraded in and were welcomed  by a Karanga and Haka-Pōwhiri.

It was very moving.

Then there were speeches.

Then the awards.

Nathan's group was amongst the first groups to be presented.

We were sitting a ways back from the front so this is the best photos I could get with my camera.

Nathan being presented.

His class celebrating before leaving the stage!

The presentations went on for twice the time we thought they would.

There were apparently 1000 students graduating this year.

It was fun to see some others that we knew.

Two of our neighbours children - Breeze received a Certificate in Vocational Skills and Nadine her Bachelor of Nursing.

The ceremony finally came to a close after 1:30pm.

We had time for a quick congatulatory hug and photo with Nathan

It was rather disappointing that it went on for so much longer, because we were not able to join in the march through town with him nor the afternoon tea at NMIT afterwards.

We had to run because Cat had a Dr's appointment at 2pm and the girls had haircuts booked for 2:30pm.

David had offered to help so I asked him to take Leann over to Monaco for her haircut while I took Cat to the Dr.

While she was there I zipped in for a blood test, got library books for Azzan, found Sabrina and then went back to get Cat.

Took her over to Monaco.

We all ended up meeting up there.

David took Sabrina home with him.

She is going to stay with him and Sasha while she looks for work.

I gave one of my jobs to Tim, Seb & Phoebe to do and I whizzed off to Trents to do some bulk shopping.

I raced around trying to get everything quickly so I could get back to pick up the girls, only to get a call just as I was leaving to say they had been picked up by the others!

So I carried on to Bunnings, returned the glue and bought more plants.

I had time to get back into the city and meet up with Leeanne.

Tried on my dresses, left her to carry on finishing them and then went to meet Nathan at Hanger 58.

He had an hour before starting work.

So we sat out in the sun and ordered snacks and drinks.

The others arrived and joined us for a while.

Phoebe's daiquiri mocktail was very pretty.

Leann & Cat sporting their trendy haircuts whilst munching on Cheesy Stix - one of our favourite entreees there.

They are packed with mozzeralla cheese, shredded parmesan and cream cheese, blended and hand crumbed with sweet chilli, Hangar58’s spiked plum sauce and spiced apricot sauce = Delicious!!

Seb's favourite view of the camera lens

As Tim says, you gotta see both sides to get the whole picture.

Thanks for turning around Seb

 

Then all of a sudden the rest of the crew decided it was time to leave so they did.

I was sorta left standing - they just piled into the truck and waved goodbye.

I was pretty upset at being left behind but after I had gathered myself together I decided I may as well stay longer and have some dinner with Nathan.

So I ordered a Chicken Salad and another frozen fruit smoothie and sat back and relaxed.

At around 7pm I left to go get groceries and then an hour later I cruised back to Leeanne's workroom and picked up my dresses which she had just finished.

They are lovely - she really does a great job.

It was heading towards 9pm by the time I left Seb & Phoebe's house - I will have to start calling it Nathan's flat now as he has moved in and is getting some flatmates now they have moved down to Waterfall Bay.

I had a good run home although the Terrano was very weighed down with some heavy large bags of bulk dry goods.

I had to take it quietly so the backend wouldn't drag on the ground or hit bumps!

Arrived home at 11:30 and unpacked only the essentials and frozen items and then crashed into bed.

Long day...............

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another beautiful day.

Considering that we were supposed to get a day or two of grotty weather this week the camera crew were very blessed.

And they knew it!

They spent all morning out on the water on the 'Tardis' with Tim, Seb & Noel.

Cat took '88 South' out so they could film from a different angle.

They did some other quick interviews with Tim & me as well afterwards.

 

Cat drained the spa pool for me so I got Mahalia to finish cleaning it out.

I came out my bedroom door just in time to see this.

I loved the patterns the water was making.

And here is the water artist

 

 

In the late afternoon the guys came to say goodbye to us.

Tim was side tracked and fascinated by this spider.

Quite a different one to what we usually see around here.

We said goodbye to Barrington, Don & Jerome.

We have so enjoyed their company this week - great guys.

 

We had to get ready for an early trip to town next morning.

Anson cleaned out his truck for us and loaded his washing machine on.

Then Cat piled on some old armchairs to take out to my upholsterer who was rescuing them from the kids bonfire

 

 

 

 

 

 

Azzan is so happy with his new cactii.

He has made a wee garden for them and was so excited when the flowers began appearing.

4 hours after I took these photos he had more flowers.

 

The camera crew arrived at 7am to do some early morning filming.

But the subjects slept in!

Finally I text them both and Cat eventually staggered down the path and headed out to get the net in.

Then Anson arrived to begin crutching some sheep.

He'd had a full days shearing for some neighbours so was rather weary.

That kept them all busy for the morning.

I was feeling rather drained and was quite busy in the kitchen for most of the morning.

 

After lunch the crew came and collared me and the 3 children to come do a drive up the hill and interview.

I spend a lot of my time on the road taking kids to lessons etc.

Plus they didn't want to get up at 5am to film us leaving on Friday!!

So I took them right up to the top and along to the tailing yards to show them the best views.

When we got back they went out with Seb & Tim on the '88 South'.

 

 

We had a BBQ for dinner and invited everyone around.

Graham's daughter Victoria had just driven in from Christchurch so they joined us, plus the camera crew.

Phoebe arrived just in time to help me get some salads made.

Seb & Graham cooked up a storm on the BBQ.

It was all very delicious.

It was also a delightful evening to sit outdoors and eat.

 

After dinner we all hooned off around the road and down to the beach by Tim's boat trailer.

The tide was right in so it was about the only piece of beach out of water.

By the time the crew and I arrived the others had the bonfire blazing merrily.

The crew had to carry all their camera and sound gear down the hill!!

Azzan found some decent sized driftwood to add to the fire.

Grandstand view.

I kept telling Don that his mic cover looked like it should be sweeping my cobwebs but he never took the hints!

Anson found a branch with enough ends on it to toast half a dozen marshmellows at one.

Great multi-tasking Ans!

Cat, Leann & Sabrina arrived in style.

 

Azzan crawling in under the heat to toast his marshmellows.

Azzan found a very interesting hidey place.

Shoshannah, Victoria & Azzan

Before we left Cat killed the fire and scraped the embers into the water.

I got some cool photos

 

It had been a long day so we all toddled off up the road to our beds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were all up bright and early.

Even the children!

The film crew were due back at 8am and we were all go by then.

They went off with Tim, Shoshannah & Patrick while they mustered a local paddock.

I made a Moroccan Lamb casserole in the slow cooker.

Also made a fish chowder for lunch which went down well with the troops.

 

Marah popped around and I discovered that she and Anson had run out of water last night and had come around at 9:30pm to shower and use the washing machines.

They found the place in darkness!

I never heard them at all.

I hung out their washing and put through another load for them and some for us.

It was a lovely day for drying.

Sabrina was working with Cat planting out the rest of the flower seedlings.

When Patrick arrived back they all cleaned up the steps from the house to the huts and spread gravel.

The garden is looking really tidy now.

 

The children and I had a school session for the camera crew.

It was uncannily and abnormally quiet.

I think I will hire the crew to come back each day if the children are going to be that good!!

 

The film crew did a session with me before lunch and then another one after lunch.

Azzan and I made pizza for our lunch but it was too hot so I left it until after the filming and then forgot it.

It will be great for dinner

The crew also did some more filming with Shoshannah & Tim.

And then some with Cat, Patrick and me.

It is so funny - having to repeat actions several times till they are happy with the results.

 

I am feeling so weary this afternoon.

Had a wee lie down with my book after lunch.

Didn't last long enough though.

Everyone went out mustering in the Bluff Block.

I had told the camera crew that it was a spectacular part of the farm.

On their return they agreed but the kids said they were freaking out when they were on the truck!!

It is rather an 'interesting' part of our farm tracks

 

Cat went out to set a net with Patrick.

They brought back a coupe of barracuda.

 

The musterers were late back so we only just finished dinner at 8:30pm.

The Moroccan Lamb casserole was a hit.

Mahalia made Banana Delicious for desert.

I am not feeling great, sore throat and achy.

Am hoping it is just tiredness.

So off to bed now for an early night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tim had to be up at Elaine Bay by 8am to have the radio checked for survey so he left just after 6am to give himself time to fuel up the boat as well.

Azzan was up quite early and I upset him by suggesting he got dressed, have breakfast and tidy his room before he considered himself awake!

Okay Mum! Slow down!

I suggested he went back to bed then.

But he didn't.

Once the day really got started for us all he did some piano practise and then maths.

It was a major stress battle for the first hour.

He was really pushing buttons that didn't need :-/

The girls did some maths too.

Mahalia & Azzan were asking to do some Grammer so we did that and then read our mathematics story book - about Gallileo Gallilei.

The children really enjoyed that.

Then Azzan happily did some more maths.

There is absolutely no rhyme nor reason to his reactions sometimes!

Give me nice even straight down the line average children anyday!!

 

We have a film crew here this week.

They arrived early afternoon so we sat and chatted about what they were wanting to do.

Then they went off with Tim and did some recording.

 

Cat took Azzan out for a scuba dive.

He was feeling somewhat constrained in all the gear and the weight belt wouldn't stay up very well.

 

Shoshannah, Patrick & Sabrina had been out swimming.

Patrick decided it was too cold so headed up for a shower.

The girls stayed in for ages after playing with a surfboard.

Meanwhile back at the beach...

the weightbelt was slipping further and further and finally ended up around his ankles.

Azzan said he felt like a penguin

Cat got herself all suited up and then had another go at getting the belt to stay on.

Now he looks like a seal!

Then it was on with the tanks and they were away.

'C'mon Cat, let's go!'

Some instructions being given about the use of the regulator etc

Fixing that darn weight belt again.

Cat was bemoaning the fact that he had no waist!

And then they were away,

going,

going,

gone!

On the surface Shoshannah was trying to stand up on the board again.

Little did she know....

that.....

her little sister was on the shore swinging on the rope!!

Mahalia got the surfboard and hooned off around the wharf with Sabrina swimming behind trying to catch her!

The divers' heads popped up near the boat.

Cat was having a bit of a time of it keeping the lad close by.

He is so easily distracted that he would see something fascinating and zip away or down to get it and then she would look around and he was gone - he was told firmly about that in the debriefing at the dinner table!

She was reminstrating with him as why he felt the need to crush up the sea cucumber - she thought it was needless killing.

But he replied, 'I had never seen the insides of one before and just wanted to see.'

 

I left them too it and headed up to the house to see if the film crew had finished.

They were all packed up ready to head over to the Lodge.

Tim was just finding Jerome a fishing rod for some after hours R&R.

 

I quickly made a stirfry and chucked in lot of tomatoes and pasta sauce.

With rice,nachos, grated cheese & cold meat it made a delicious dinner.

Shoshannah's wee babies were being rather noisy so she tucked them up on her knee.

 

I managed to locate the portable dvd player and hopped into bed around 9pm and watched 'Notting Hill'.

Realised after a while that I had watched it before, but it was easy to view it a second time.