This is Aaron and Jakob helping Stephen to clear his and the adjoining neighbours driveway of all the liquifaction gunge. It took them two days and what a job they did!! Jakob did an amazing job and just kept going like an ever ready battery.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Yes we were shaken and stirred
Well it has been a while since I put anything on my blog. Pathetic I know. 10 days ago we were shaken by a 7.1 earthquake that has demolished our town.
We spent days after clearing out the liquifaction muck, getting people out of houses, getting water to people. We got water and power on at about 4pm that evening. Our local people have done an amazing job. After that we were priviledged to have my brother-in-law, his wife and their teeny tiny baby stay with us due to concern about the continuous aftershocks and the effect it was having on their house. Unfortuneately for use they have gone back home. But that is also good as there house is ok to live in. We loved having them here.
The boys are now back at school and that is a relief for all, as it means there is some normalacy again. My parents-in-law house has not fared well. They are still without sewage and have a port-a-loo in their street for all to use. They do have power - they got that on Saturday - they got water late in the week. But with each aftershock more cracks appear.
We spent days after clearing out the liquifaction muck, getting people out of houses, getting water to people. We got water and power on at about 4pm that evening. Our local people have done an amazing job. After that we were priviledged to have my brother-in-law, his wife and their teeny tiny baby stay with us due to concern about the continuous aftershocks and the effect it was having on their house. Unfortuneately for use they have gone back home. But that is also good as there house is ok to live in. We loved having them here.
The boys are now back at school and that is a relief for all, as it means there is some normalacy again. My parents-in-law house has not fared well. They are still without sewage and have a port-a-loo in their street for all to use. They do have power - they got that on Saturday - they got water late in the week. But with each aftershock more cracks appear.
I think there are enough images world wide for all to see the destruction. But here are some of the back yard of my parents in law.
But in the midst of it all was the perfect sign of spring, the most amazing bunch or beautiful daffodils.
It seems very strange to be going back to normal knowing that so many people will not be near normal for 12-18 months.
Friday, August 20, 2010
No photos
Oh my goodness. for the last three weeks I have been so busy that I have just been keeping my photos on my camera and keep meaning to get around to blogging them all. Well finally went to download them all and the memory card is corrupt and I have lost the photos.
So you will have to imagine photos of the boys at QE11 swimming, the boys with the all-blacks at a special kids training day here, and us all at the All Blacks game here in CHCH.
Boo hoo.
So you will have to imagine photos of the boys at QE11 swimming, the boys with the all-blacks at a special kids training day here, and us all at the All Blacks game here in CHCH.
Boo hoo.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My Orange Peel
Every year I wait for the NZ Orange season. They are amazing, delicious, sharp and tangy. I never buy imported ones. I have made peel a couple of times using a recipe from my sister Ruth. It has often been a bit sticky and need to be stored in the freezer. This year I put a bit more sugar in and have incredible results.
As you eat oranges save the peel (I think I had about 10 oranges) remove all pith and then thinly slice. Into a pot put the peel and enough water to cover. Use equal quantities of sugar to water. Heat on low temp until sugar all dissolved. Then bring to the simmer and simmer for 15 minutes, stir occaisionally. Turn it off and leave in the pot. Next day bring to simmer for 15 mins, turn it off and leave it in the pot. Next day the same, stiring occaisionally. Next day the same but stir frequently and when the sugar starts to cristalise (Sp?) keep stiring. Once looking like being set tip it onto baking paper on the bench. As it cools start separating the strands by banging it with a wooden spoon. You end up with beautiful transuculent peel and sugar that tastes amazing. Store in a jar. It will not be soft or soggy.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Army Party
The school holidays
As usual the boys get up to interesting things. This school holidays it was all about pirates. They spent $2 and for that they got a gun, an eye patch and a pirate earring. Eli then discovered a wet suit in the cupboard and kept insisting that we go swimming in the sea. He gave great demo's of how he would dive into the water
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