Rant 1 (New Zealand): Ken is trying to get New Zealand citizenship and passports for the boys, and for this we have to provide not only a startling amount of money but also passport photographs. The UK passport office slightly relaxes the requirements in the case of very young children. The New Zealand one doesn’t, [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘New Zealand’
26 February, 2009
Inappropriate
Ken writes:
We picked up this great rubber toy for Hugh at the Te Papa museum in Wellington. It can be pulled and stretched and contorted into all sorts of shapes and still bounces back. Its bulging eyes can be squeezed and stay tackily stuck in the squeezed shape for a moment before springing back. It’s [...]
13 January, 2009
Wish we were there…
Dot writes: in many ways it’s good to be home, but, on the other hand, only two weeks ago we were enjoying sights like these…
View from Aunt Sue’s house
5 January, 2009
Hugh does New Zealand
Dot writes: the score from our trip:
- hats: four. One chucked in Tauranga harbour. One magically disappeared on a walk in Raglan (we retraced our entire route and couldn’t find it). We were given a black baseball cap but he wouldn’t wear it. A green floppy hat purchased in Farmer’s was tolerated for brief periods.
- [...]
2 January, 2009
Home again
Dot writes: so here I am, back in Dublin, posting at 6am. I think that’s quite creditable really for our first day of adaptation to a thirteen hour time difference. By gum, it’s a long way from Auckland to Dublin (via Melbourne, Hong Kong and Heathrow). Ken and I are enjoying the Irish chill, [...]
17 December, 2008
Recent highlights
Dot writes: we haven’t been cramming in the activities in quite the way we might have done pre-Hugh, but we’ve still managed to do a fair amount since last posting. A particular highlight for me was visiting Waikataruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park, near Morrinsville in the Waikato. We went there because it is owned and [...]
11 December, 2008
Photos from trip
Ken writes: Here is a selection of the photos we’ve taken on the trip so far. There’s a shot from the plane; a shot of a tired mother and boy; a couple of shots of the view from our Auckland base; my dad and brother; my brother’s fiancee with Hugh; Hugh entertaining other diners at [...]
5 December, 2008
Morituri vos salutamus
Dot writes: later today we are getting on a plane with two hold bags, three carry-on bags containing bottles, books, spare clothes, toothbrushes, nappies and toys, a pushchair, and a strong-minded one-year-old who doesn’t like sitting still. And then we are flying to New Zealand. Pray for us.
17 April, 2008
New Zealanderthals?
Ken writes: The New Zealand herald carries a story speculating that neanderthals may have sounded like New Zealanders. I bet this will go down well in Australia.
22 October, 2007
film review: Black Sheep
Ken writes: Previously, I advertised this film on this blog, so it seemed right to go and watch it. I can now report that it is everything the website promotions lead you to suspect: a single joke premise stretched way past breaking point. That said, we did come out with smiles on our faces.
