Will you still need me? Will you still feed me?

I now share my birthday with the anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake. People have remembered that event in different ways. You could do worse than look at Jeneane’s personal view or this from a media organisation.

So it feels a little insensitive to be celebrating on such a day but I have got the message from Cantabrians that they like to see that normality in other parts of the country is possible. They know that they are always in our thoughts and we are more than willing to help out in any way we can.

With that out of the way I can show you pictures of my presents.

There was a lot of beer, wine, chocolate and cheese. Jenny gave me a DVD of British steam trains. So I was well pleased. We had a family meal including a chocolate cake with real candles.

 The boys enjoyed some Emerson's Bookbinder

 and we finished up with some of Jeneane's cheese and crackers. The cheese was very ripe and flavourful.

Bedlam’s Birthday

For most of our time in New Zealand we have been associated with Morris dancing. I was a founder member of the Pride of Holland Street in 1977 (a mixed side) and in 1982 was instrumental in setting up the country’s first all male side since the 40s. Britannic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen to give them their full and totally unpretentious name took my birthday as their foundation day and hold an annual Day of Drink (most sides have a Day of Dance) on the nearest Saturday. Since my Achillies tendon troubles I haven’t danced but occasionally get along to the social events. This year being the 30^th birthday was one I couldn’t miss. The day started with breakfast in a central city café then the Gentlemen peregrinated the streets, stopping to dance along the way.

 We passed the Bucket Fountain in Cuba Mall

 en route to the first watering hole (Morris dancing is hot, hard and thirsty work I tell you).

 For the record I was drinking Sassy Red and it was jolly good.

 Here are seven Morris Men all over 60, we worked out the combined age was 455 years!

A group photo was taken before they moved on to fresh pastures. I went home to have a lie down and tend to my plants but we caught up in the evening at our local pub.

On Sunday morning we had a slap up breakfast with Jeneane, Janie and Gary from Canterbury and the Firths

before going for a gentle stroll through the gardens where we spied Noreen and her mum amongst the roses.

This is us under the spreading boughs of the Morris Oak (or Moak) tree. As the link explains this is a replacement for one planted in 1982 as a gift from Christchurch Morris to their Wellington confederates.

Kathy's first football game

One of the joys of travelling is doing things you have never done before. Amazing as it may seem, Kathy has never before gone to a real football match. Luckily we were able to provide the new experience as the Phoenix were playing Brisbane at the Cake Tin. The Royal Box wasn’t available so we had to sit with the hoi polloi but Kathy gracefully gave them the regal wave.

 It was a fast moving and exciting game.

 Kathy didn’t seem too upset when Brisbane scored their first goal

and unfortunately they got another late in the second half so the Phoenix came second and Brisbane leapfrogged us to take second place in the league.

Birthdays

There are lots of birthdays in February. First off is Noreen’s. She started the day with breakfast and presents in bed with her mum, and Andy being waiter.

We took her to Grand Tea at the Roxy. This is an old cinema that has been refurbished by associates of Peter Jackson. It’s a wonderful example of art deco architecture and the restaurant is decked with posters from period films. This picture is for Eileen.

Grand Tea is a bit like High Tea but even posher. 

It was well up to Noreen’s standards and she approved.

On Monday we celebrated Sam’s birthday. Kathy cooked a magnificent repast and Bex provided the cake.