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Protest gathering in Ōtautahi/Christchurch to protest the bullshit Treaty Principles Bill and support Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
A weekend in Sydney
Nov. 3rd, 2024 10:39 pmD had a Significant Birthday this year, and with some money from her inheritance chose to take us both Sydney for a long weekend, and to cram as much into the few days as possible.
This was my first time out of the country, which meant that I had to bite the proverbial bullet and get a passport. This was a bit of an exercise in itself as the photo we paid for from the chemist wasn't adequate and we ended up just having E take photos of me against the kitchen wall with my phone and using the online tool at passports.govt.nz until we got one that was good enough (the main issue was shadows around the eyes).
( Travel log, very long with photos and links to galleries )
Overall despite some hiccups it was a very enjoyable and interesting, if full on with little-to-no time to relax, trip with lots of new experiences and many good memories made.
This was my first time out of the country, which meant that I had to bite the proverbial bullet and get a passport. This was a bit of an exercise in itself as the photo we paid for from the chemist wasn't adequate and we ended up just having E take photos of me against the kitchen wall with my phone and using the online tool at passports.govt.nz until we got one that was good enough (the main issue was shadows around the eyes).
( Travel log, very long with photos and links to galleries )
Overall despite some hiccups it was a very enjoyable and interesting, if full on with little-to-no time to relax, trip with lots of new experiences and many good memories made.
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Little Black Tailless Cat Gytha (ne Winnie), aka Twitchy-butt, Bunny-butt and so on, entered my life somewhen before I adopted her when another friend homed her for a while but ultimately had to return her to cat rescue. I had been doing the "at some point another cat will enter my life" thing since Racky's death and this seemed as good a time as any. She became part of my family in July 2014, a little under 10 years ago.
Gytha was one of the most people-friendly and social cats one could ever hope to meet / be the person of and brought great joy not only to myself and my family, but also to many visitors. When I was hosting (often loud) student parties she would often venture forth to meet people and keep company.
10 years worth of cat photos and video
( declining health and the end )
She was a trusting, loving, affectionate cat right up to the end and we are going to miss her so much. I have buried her up on the bank at the rear of the property, in a spot where the morning sun will brush over her even though she is no longer sitting in a window for it.
Depending on how E feels We may look into getting a new cuddle-cat when we move in a few months, that way it and Ellie can come terms with each other and a new house together without any pre-existing territory issues.
Gytha was one of the most people-friendly and social cats one could ever hope to meet / be the person of and brought great joy not only to myself and my family, but also to many visitors. When I was hosting (often loud) student parties she would often venture forth to meet people and keep company.
10 years worth of cat photos and video
( declining health and the end )
She was a trusting, loving, affectionate cat right up to the end and we are going to miss her so much. I have buried her up on the bank at the rear of the property, in a spot where the morning sun will brush over her even though she is no longer sitting in a window for it.
Depending on how E feels We may look into getting a new cuddle-cat when we move in a few months, that way it and Ellie can come terms with each other and a new house together without any pre-existing territory issues.
Belated write up of a weekend "in" Hanmer
Feb. 17th, 2024 10:01 pmThis has been sitting in draft for a while, being completed by increments as I found the time and energy.
~~~
Although it was our turn to have the kids for Xmas this year L had elected to stay only until after Xmas. As travelling without him is much easier D had spent a large amount of her triennial paycheck on a package deal family holiday at Hanmer Springs for the four of us.
( Belated write up )
~~~
Although it was our turn to have the kids for Xmas this year L had elected to stay only until after Xmas. As travelling without him is much easier D had spent a large amount of her triennial paycheck on a package deal family holiday at Hanmer Springs for the four of us.
( Belated write up )
Battle on the River Avon
This was an annual event for a while, but the last one was held (per my galleries anyway) in 2018.
There was a very low turnout, but maybe m=next year we'll have a few more.
This was an annual event for a while, but the last one was held (per my galleries anyway) in 2018.
There was a very low turnout, but maybe m=next year we'll have a few more.
2023-10-23 Halloween party photos
Dec. 2nd, 2023 05:40 pmI made an appearance at two Halloween parties this year, should have stayed longer at the first :(
Breezehome Halloween
While I /did/ arrive latish to the second, turnout was very low and many of those there had leaned heavily into a scantily clad interpretation of the Perversion theme. So very few photos.
KAOS Halloween Perversion Party
Breezehome Halloween
While I /did/ arrive latish to the second, turnout was very low and many of those there had leaned heavily into a scantily clad interpretation of the Perversion theme. So very few photos.
KAOS Halloween Perversion Party
Some months ago we were given notice of my brother (B) and his fiancé's (R) wedding, to be held beach-side in the the Coromandel. After looking at the costs and logistics of flights, rental cars etc just for a weekend trip versus the cost of the ferry, and discovering that there was a quilt show on that we could feasibly visit en-route, the decision was made that we could afford for me to take a week and a half off work, E would be taken out of school (which she could mostly keep up with remotely) and we would make an overdue family holiday of it, visiting places that D hadn't been in years and completely new territory for the other two of us.
( long post is long )
( long post is long )
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Photos: Hobbiton
Apr. 8th, 2023 01:59 pmAs part of a road trip through the North Island (full travel post to follow) we made the obligatory visit to Hobbiton. The day came with sporadic showers, but the light was excellent for photography. I'm especially pleased with the reflections.
Hobbiton
Hobbiton
Photos: July 2022 quilting exhibition.
Jul. 21st, 2022 09:27 pmMy talented, crafty wife got her first ever exhibiting ribbons this week, nailing the Best Art Quilt and BEST IN SHOW from ~200 quilts at a local guild exhibition (and another Merit). SO PROUD. Here's a quick gallery showcasing the 9 of her quilts which were present (one as part of a touring exhibition).
All her quilts
All her quilts
