Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
the Great Destroyer
It is amazing that the Great Destroyer has finally been made to compromise.... a pity he could not have reached that position 40 years ago.... so much would not have been lost.
football result
Northern Ireland did well on Saturday.... better than Ulster Rugby!!!! ..... and lots better than England football team!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Lahar - 18th March
The crater lake on Mount Ruapehu overflowed yesterday and over one million litres of water and mud came crashing down. The surge took a lot of trees in its path but no bridges.
New Zealanders have been waiting all summer for this to happen - it happens every 10 years or so as the water builds up in the lake. The overflow is called a LAHAR - javanese for 'lava'. In 1953 it overflowed at night and took out a railway bridge. A train crashed and 151 people were killed in the accident.
Fortunately yesterday, no one was injured but several roads and the railway line were closed for a while. The TV news companies had been waiting for all summer for the Lahar and they managed to get some good picures but it was windy and wet and they could not get up to the top of Ruapehu to see if the lake has emptied.
New Zealanders have been waiting all summer for this to happen - it happens every 10 years or so as the water builds up in the lake. The overflow is called a LAHAR - javanese for 'lava'. In 1953 it overflowed at night and took out a railway bridge. A train crashed and 151 people were killed in the accident.
Fortunately yesterday, no one was injured but several roads and the railway line were closed for a while. The TV news companies had been waiting for all summer for the Lahar and they managed to get some good picures but it was windy and wet and they could not get up to the top of Ruapehu to see if the lake has emptied.
Time change
New Zealand have now put theiur clocks back one hour for winter-time.... more than a bit early we think!!!! We could do with more summertime!
That means we are now 12 hours time difference from the UK.
Well done Ireland cricket team for beating Pakistan. A pity Ireland rugby team let in that last try..... better luck in the World Cup!!!!
That means we are now 12 hours time difference from the UK.
Well done Ireland cricket team for beating Pakistan. A pity Ireland rugby team let in that last try..... better luck in the World Cup!!!!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Horse of the Year Show - 16th March
The Horse of the Year Show in the Hawkes Bay Agricultural Showgrounds at Hastings is the largest equestrian event in the southern hemisphere.. running from 15th to 18th March.
We went on Friday evening to see the family show. Again thousands of people attending and very family oriented.
Highlight of the evening was a New Zealand rider and horse clearing a fence 6feet 10inches high.... not something you see every day.
There was a pony racing event with 4 teams representing, North Island, South Island, Australia and Northern Ireland!!!!!! The Northern Irelander team did well in some races, winning one, but overall came third. Not bad considering they were riding borrowed ponies!!!! Australia was last! - also on borrowed ponies.
This was another evening to see thousands of New Zealanders out after 9pm!
Well done the the Irish cricket team in the World Cup.... the tie was an exciting finish! I hope the rugby team go one better and win the 6 Nations today!
We went on Friday evening to see the family show. Again thousands of people attending and very family oriented.
Highlight of the evening was a New Zealand rider and horse clearing a fence 6feet 10inches high.... not something you see every day.
There was a pony racing event with 4 teams representing, North Island, South Island, Australia and Northern Ireland!!!!!! The Northern Irelander team did well in some races, winning one, but overall came third. Not bad considering they were riding borrowed ponies!!!! Australia was last! - also on borrowed ponies.
This was another evening to see thousands of New Zealanders out after 9pm!
Well done the the Irish cricket team in the World Cup.... the tie was an exciting finish! I hope the rugby team go one better and win the 6 Nations today!
Hawkes Bay Speedway - 10th March
Went to see the Speedway at Meeanee on Saturday evening... oval circuit racing for stock cars and motorbikes.
It was much better organised than Aghadowey or Nutts Corner... and lots more family oriented too.
It was strange to see thousands of New Zealanders out after 9pm in the evening too!
It was much better organised than Aghadowey or Nutts Corner... and lots more family oriented too.
It was strange to see thousands of New Zealanders out after 9pm in the evening too!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
no Boys Brigade in Hawkes Bay
J was very disappointed to discover there is no Boys Brigade company in the district. In fact it seems like the Boys Brigade has collapsed in New Zealand with very few companies left.
We are searching to see what other organisations he can join....
We are searching to see what other organisations he can join....
Travelling for 4 months
We have now been on the road and in temporary accommodation for 4 months since leaving Ballyhome. We have been in a rented apartment in Napier since the start of February but it is strange surviving with what we carried in to Aldergrove in November!
We have almost got to the stage of forgetting what we had... all our furniture, books, etc are in storage in Auckland awaiting us finding permanent accommodation here. I expect when it all arrives it will be like Christmas. I think J has done really well to live without a Playstation for over 4 months! He probably never expected to not have it for so long!!!!
It has been interesting in a way to see how we can survive on so little... with only a limited amount of clothes... Possibly when winter comes we will be looking for warmer clothes!
We seem to be living in the warmest part of New Zealand though. Winter seems to be very short here... The locals are talking about it getting cold but it is still sunny and over 25 degrees every day! Not bad for the equivalent of mid-September in the northern hemisphere!
We have almost got to the stage of forgetting what we had... all our furniture, books, etc are in storage in Auckland awaiting us finding permanent accommodation here. I expect when it all arrives it will be like Christmas. I think J has done really well to live without a Playstation for over 4 months! He probably never expected to not have it for so long!!!!
It has been interesting in a way to see how we can survive on so little... with only a limited amount of clothes... Possibly when winter comes we will be looking for warmer clothes!
We seem to be living in the warmest part of New Zealand though. Winter seems to be very short here... The locals are talking about it getting cold but it is still sunny and over 25 degrees every day! Not bad for the equivalent of mid-September in the northern hemisphere!
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Northern Ireland elections
WOW - what happened in South Antrim??????
Will Mitchel be a new supporter of the Parkgate Quarries campaign???
The whole situation seems to be more polarised.
It is interesting to hear the news reports here where the reporting is generally very balanced. The reporters are very reasonable and give both sides the opportunities to have their say.
The DUPers in the form of Dr Ian P come across as the strange ones whereas SFers and Martin McG come across as very balanced and sensible. The DUPers will definitely deserve the blame if nothing comes of this election.
Will Mitchel be a new supporter of the Parkgate Quarries campaign???
The whole situation seems to be more polarised.
It is interesting to hear the news reports here where the reporting is generally very balanced. The reporters are very reasonable and give both sides the opportunities to have their say.
The DUPers in the form of Dr Ian P come across as the strange ones whereas SFers and Martin McG come across as very balanced and sensible. The DUPers will definitely deserve the blame if nothing comes of this election.
Friday, March 02, 2007
A rugby tour in 2010
J has heard from a friend in BHS that his friends are being given the opportunity to take part in a school rugby tour of New Zealand in July 2010 when they reach year 12!!!!
Great Excitement!
Great Excitement!
A second property auction - 1st March
We went to a second property auction last night in Napier. This second auction was run by another estate agency. There were 6 properties up for auction but there was not ONE bid!!!!
So we are totally confused as to what is happening with property here. It looks like there is a lack of buyers and prices ought to drop from what seems to be high levels here!
We have looked at sections this week and are considering building. A new house can be constructed in 3 to 4 months and we would have the house the way we want it.
So we are totally confused as to what is happening with property here. It looks like there is a lack of buyers and prices ought to drop from what seems to be high levels here!
We have looked at sections this week and are considering building. A new house can be constructed in 3 to 4 months and we would have the house the way we want it.
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