Happy New Year

 Happy New Year Everyone from Down Under!

Here is another attempt to reboot my blogging. What better time with a new year and new chapter in my life.

It has been ages but hoping I can rekindle my old love for blogging.

I am still on my lifestyle but need to sell my boys.

I'm going down to the deep south, Dunedin for a short term teaching job with my old boss. Incidentally he is a year younger than me. I had a wonderful 3 years working for him in Wellington.

I'm still running and cycling. I am including a few photos of my forest run today.

Would love to hear from you, old and new followers!

Heart-break for Kiwis in the World Cup Cricket

A day after defeat and I know it will take me a while, as many other kiwis to get over it!

Lea tells me it is only a game but for some unknown reason I'm struggling to buy that one. To Lea's credit she has been a steady rock over the last 24 hours as I dissect the injustices of basically losing a tied match.

To England's credit they are worthy champions and played a super final!

Now that the cricket is over I might get a bit more sleep, he says at 4 a.m while doing this post. It has been a thoroughly exciting World Cup and I have enjoyed every minute, well maybe not the last minute.

Here is the after match interview with our captain, Kane Williamson. He reflects on the 'uncontrollables' of cricket and how the World Cup slipped away from us, while fellow kiwis are left to ponder the 'what ifs'.

I feel so proud of the team and though hurting at the moment, I know the boys put everything into their campaign and pulled up just short of winning the World Cup. 

Roll on another 4 years!

Lifestyler

Hi everyone.

No promises this time as I seem to have lost my mojo somewhat. My partner's daughter, Caitlyn carnivalwheeloffun.blogspot.com has inspired me to get started again.

Last May we moved 50km north to Levin. We have a 2.6 hectare fenced property and are enjoying the peace and quiet. Both Lea and I are travelling over an hour a day to work, I start a local teaching job in Term 4 and can't wait to not have to travel to work

Here are a few photos of the property. Not great photos but gives you an idea.

We have 3 steers. Here is one of our boys.

Hope to catch up soon!

picked up a cold...exercise on hold

Have had a mostly relaxing day indoors watching 13 episodes of The Office on Netflix.

Have been out and mowed our dry lawns and did some other household chores during my Office Marathon.

Needed to get outdoors due to cabin fever around 4 p.m and took a few photos on my quiet local stroll.

Last weekend Lea and the girls decorated our Christmas Tree. I think they did a stunning job, though Lea did most of it!

Be in touch soon! Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Summer Heat Wave

Decided I'm overdue for a catch-up. Let you know I'm alive and well. 

Just starting the summer school holidays and I'm looking forward to chilling out. More time for cycling and running! With the warmer weather I have enjoyed pottering in the garden. 

Here are some pics of how my front gardens are looking...quite a contrast to my winter garden post. Apologies in advance for the volume of photos. Hope you like them!

Have planted some dwarf fruit trees at the back of our house that are starting to flourish. 

We finally have our back-yard view back with the obstructing trees removed.

As you can see the grass is really dry at the moment. We have had little rain for about two months.

Bye for now! Hope all is well in blogger land!

Winter Garden

Our front gardens are bracing themselves against the cold blasts of winter. The pretty summer flowers are gone and the succulents are starting to flower. I'm not much of a gardener and could not name the flowers I'm growing. No doubt many of you would! 

Lea and I transformed a dying and tired looking front garden to what it is now. 

Here are a few shots. My digital camera is basic and therefore doesn't do the gardens justice.

Hope all is well. I am on school holidays and enjoying some time to do activities that a busy term doesn't allow me. Getting a bit more running in.

Farewell My Dad...You Are Missed!

Living life without my dad is hard work at times!

I miss all the times I played pool, squash and golf with my dad in the growing up years and beyond. The rivalry between us was fierce and dad hated to lose. Suppose I wasn't so gracious myself. Dad had it over me in most sports though honours were probably shared in pool and table-tennis.

Dad was the glue that kept the family together and with his passing as of January this year nothing has been the same.

Dad was an extremely giving guy, with strong Catholic beliefs. He was still running around looking after those in need, usually younger than him, into his late 70's. 

This photo was taken of Dad when I visited him in Dunedin in December 2015. He was already quite sick at this point and died on January 14, the day after my birthday. Thankfully all of us were there at his bedside to say our good-byes.

Lea set up a table for me to remember him and write anything of how I was feeling. You will see some golf balls in the photo. We both spent a lot of time chasing after them without much luck.

Hope to return another day soon with some happy times spent with my dad.

Take care everyone!