As we approach the end of our first full year in New Zealand, we heave a
sigh of relief that the
renovations
which began in May with the pile driving of the foundations, are finally
ending in December with a few small 'finishing' jobs. If you count the
majority of the work on the 66m2 extension as being finished
in November, that means the builders averaged 11m2 per month.
The grass grows faster here. We are pleased however, that we now have 2
guest rooms to accommodate visitors, a steady stream of whom will be
arriving here between Christmas and April 2008. We are looking forward
to them all.
Before and during the chaos of building, this past year we enjoyed the
visits of Marion & Kent, Denis, Amelia, the Flying Cowboy, Fabien, Tony
Carnovale, Jane and Sebastian. We appreciate their willingness to sleep
on the couch and promise to offer better in future... On the farm front
we gained 8 lambs, 7 ducks, 5 chicks, 4 new sheep, 2 hens, 1 goat kid
and a baby bunny - probably a partridge in a pear tree as well. We lost
4 chicks, 4 sheep (3 to the freezer), 3 lambs, 1 pony, and the baby
bunny who ran off first chance he got.
Jonathan has continued to work his backside off renovating the EE
degree, and seeking funding, at University of Waikato. He has
had fun with the design of an anti-tampering device, and a small anenometer to
assess home wind-power potential. His photo, with
accompanying article,
has appeared in the local paper 4 times this year, eliciting much
comment from the neighbours. He still managed to fit in trips to
Santa Rosa and Honolulu
in May with Kay,
Penang and Singapore with Merinda
in October,
Wellington with the
whole family in November, and
Sydney and Canberra in December.
He acquired a new toy in
September, a 150cc 2 seater go-cart
which has been dubbed the Blue Typhoon. He
has enjoyed teaching the kids to drive it around the property like
maniacs. Amelia is the record holder for the
gate-to-paddock circuit (about 1km), in just over 2 minutes.
High point of the year:
Realising he really does enjoy hanging out with
all three of his children and the environs of this house.
Low point:
Not getting the Marsden grant.
Favourite film:
A Good Year.
Favourite book:
Who has time to read?!
Kay has spent most of this year being a housewife, managing a small
farm, and being annoyed by workmen who don't communicate. She is still
interested in earning her own money, and has applied for several jobs,
had one interview, turned down another which was too far away, but so
far without success. She has hand-raised 3 lambs and 5 ducks, collected
hundreds of eggs, read books, fed chickens, pruned fruit trees,
medicated sheep, read books, mowed lawn, organised fencing, altered the
chicken coop, read books, moved the goat daily, planted a vege garden,
renovated bathrooms, organised contractors, read books, made lunches,
cooked dinners, washed laundry, cleaned house, etc... oh, and read
books. For some reason she still thinks her life is boring.
High point of the year:
Catching up with friends in the USA in May.
Low point:
Burying dead lambs.
Favourite book:
Water For Elephants.
Merinda has completed her first year in the Senior Room, the youngest
4th grader in the class. She turns 9 this Christmas, and is a skilled
cartoonist
and writer,
and according to her teacher Mrs Smith, has
recently "got it" in maths and should excel in that subject next year.
She raised an alpine goat kid called Lancelot for Ag Day this year, and
is crazy about Littlest Pet Shop animals. She is no longer so crazy
about live horses thanks to
Willow, but still likes to play with the
model ones.
High point of the year:
Going to
Penang with her Dad.
Low point:
Wanting to get home from Penang.
Favourite computer game:
Zoo Tycoon.
Favourite Food:
Tom Ka Gai.
Edwin has finished 2nd grade in the Junior Room, and next year will
progress to the Middle Room. His teacher Mrs Walker says he has
excellent 
