Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Water Bourne
After Rakaia we went to Auckland to visit Jack's family including Rob and Krista. They live on Auckland's North Shore and have two Kayaks. We took Guy out for a paddle on Lake Pupuke. Here he is getting his safety gear on, testing his life jacket whistle and then getting out on the water with Jack and Rob. Guy discovered he could lean forward and trail both arms in the water while Jack pPaddled. Then we put Guy ashore and Jack taught Rob how to do eskimo rolls. While we were doing that Katrina and Guy got chased by hungry swans and had to ask a man from the kayak club to rescue them.
Then it was back to Rob nd Krista's House for a Chocolate Ice-cream.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Willowbank
While in 
Christchurch we went to visit Willowbank wildlife park. Katrina used to work there when she was at University. She says she worked in the resteraunt, but really she used to perform a daring swim with the eels act for tourists! The huge tame eels are still there along with lots of common and not so common farm animals (rare breeds). However after feeding the bantam chickens, Guy discovered an old tractor, and then we couldn't get him off it! In the end the only things better than a ride on an old tractor was an after lunch Lollipop with Grandad. Friday, March 14, 2008
Rakaia
In mid February we travelled down to see Katrina's Family in Christchurch, or more particularly Rakaia Huts where Katrina's Dad and Verna have built a wonderful new house. The timing of the visit was so that that we could attend the wedding of Katrina's Cousin which was a great day despite the sudden arrival of cold weather from the south bringing the first snow to the Southern Alps and much rain to Christchurch.
The new house was only finished at Christmas time. The landscaping is yet to be tackled but Guy and his 2nd Cousin Thomas made a start anyway by shifting the pile of topsoil with their diggers and tractors.
Then Granddad Pat took Guy for his first ride in a small boat. Guy absolutely loved it and delighted us by standing in the bow of the boat, holding onto the coaming and jumping with glee as we sped over the small ripples in the lagoon at the river mouth. I could see him trying to tell me something over the wind and when I bent down I realised he was yelling 'faster faster'! He just delights in motion of all kinds. Then he had a sit on the back seat with Granddad and put his hand on the control for the outboard motor. I've never seen such a wide grin on such a small face! Unfortunately there are no photos of the boat trip (hands were full, with small boy and boat) but here is one of him setting off for the boat ramp.
The new house was only finished at Christmas time. The landscaping is yet to be tackled but Guy and his 2nd Cousin Thomas made a start anyway by shifting the pile of topsoil with their diggers and tractors.
Then Granddad Pat took Guy for his first ride in a small boat. Guy absolutely loved it and delighted us by standing in the bow of the boat, holding onto the coaming and jumping with glee as we sped over the small ripples in the lagoon at the river mouth. I could see him trying to tell me something over the wind and when I bent down I realised he was yelling 'faster faster'! He just delights in motion of all kinds. Then he had a sit on the back seat with Granddad and put his hand on the control for the outboard motor. I've never seen such a wide grin on such a small face! Unfortunately there are no photos of the boat trip (hands were full, with small boy and boat) but here is one of him setting off for the boat ramp.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Guy's Helicopter
Here is a quick blog, I captured these photo's one handed while pushing Guy on the swing on Saturday morning. He was urging me to push him as there was small boy on the adjacent swing and it was 'a race daddy'. Later it became "my l'copter, I's flying over the cars" Taking Guy to the playground is a joy.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Back Again
A long time between Blogs, we have been away for two weeks for two family weddings, one in Christchirch and one in Auckland. We had a great time and Guy had lots of new experiences of which we have captured some lovely photos. They will take time to sort through but here are a couple form the week before we went away (early Feb) Guy is very fond of the concrete dog that used to live at his Great Grannie's house. He was also developing a taste for lemonade iceblocks during the hot afternoons of early February.
