A big congratulations to Alan & Dale on coming 2nd overall and 1st in class in the Southern Endurance series.

 

Their first attempt and beat Den & Deb who had two DNF's in the first two rounds. They raced a Fiat in the last round and finished somewhere (they can't tell me).

 

Aside Congratulations to Alan on completing his BSc!

 

30 years of wedded bliss coming for Den & Deb next month too. Congratulations on that too. Let's hope for plenty more. Have fun at the Ring!

 

Well, as the name would suggest. Elise has gone one better than falling out the back door.

 

Nan left the internal garage door open whilst she went down to put a load of washing on. Deb was in the Nursery changing a nappy.

 

The result, a baby at the bottom of the 11 stairs on the concrete, in the garage. Crying, but not looking too bad.

 

More tears from Deb than Elise. Off to Starship to have her checked out.

 

A few hours of observation and discharged with no ill effects. A day off swimming tomorrow in case of concussion.

 

She should have a bit of a bruise on her forehead, but other than that she appears to be absolutely fine.

 

And for my next trick.....

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

From 'The Fallen' by Laurence Binyon 1914.

On a lighter note. I write about the rest of the day soon.

So ANZAC day started with me getting up and heading to the stairs. I managed 8 ascents and descent in 13.5 minutes. As my thighs and calves were killing me after the first day. I wasn't looking forward to how I would feel after that. But I have no twinges today. A good sign, I'm sure. So about half the Skytower in stairs. I'm also hoping that the stairs I am climbing are steeper than the actual ones in the Skytower.

From here, I shot home, grabbed Elise and took her for a drive to get her to sleep.

Matt, Di, Jacinta & Rome were coming over about lunchtime. We got the VW out and Jacinta showed us it's moves in the lounge. From here we walked down to the cafe and had lunch. After lunch, over to the park for a run around for the kids. Elise ran up to Rome to give him a snuggle (he is just learning to stand) and it really looked more like a Tana Umaga tackle, as she bowled him over and then gave him a bodyslam snuggle. Then Jacinta nailed him too. He seemed happy enough! From here, through the park and Tahuna Torea. Up the hill and back home. Phew, that's a bit much exercise for me in a day.

I think that was it. A great day off work.

 

Elise has her final bottom front tooth coming through. She has a molar already too. I think these are hurting a bit more than normal. Getting teeth in the Clampett order it would appear.

 

Well, it would appear that Elise is going for the youngest Red Bull sponsorship.

 

She has no fear at all. There is now a rule, that I need to shut the security door. As Elise walked out it the other day and fell onto the concrete step. No injuries to her (and no subsequent ones to me). From here we move on to swimming. A new season has started and they have a big floaty pad that the kids have been sitting on and falling into the water from. It stepped up a level and those that can stand (and walk) got to walk off it last Sunday. Elise never hesitated and grinned happily when the head cleared water. She loved it and was back for more.

 

Elise is still not overly keen on Deb's homemade cooking, but we have found the solution. Just add Marmite to the mix and she's as happy as. Deb is not impressed and has tasted the food to check and says it was yummy.

 

On the book front. There are a couple of clear favourites in the reading department. I can ask Elise to get a book for me to read and she goes and collects one and trots back to sit in my lap for a story. However, Deb is getting very sick of hearing Margaret Mahy's "A Summery Saturday Morning", "Moa's Ark" by Peter Millet and finally "Inside Outside Upside Down" by Stan & Jan Berenstain. Deb is heartily ick of hearing them. But, they are still entertaining stories and I'm enjoying them too. The books are well worn and won't be around until her 2nd birthday at this rate.

 

Today was a quick family trip to Te Awamutu to drop off breathing apparatus (BA) to the Volunteer Fire Brigade, so they can practice for the stair climb. A lunch with Matt, Paula & Alissa and discuss the plans for the event. Then a brief visit to Hatched, a very good baby store down there. Whitcoulls, and another baby place on the way out. A very nice day, the only downer was the fog from Bombay to Huntly on the way down, but it had all cleared for the trip home. Great to see Matt, Alissa and Paula (nearly times 2 again). See you in a couple of weeks at the stairclimb!

 

Anyway, must go. I've just been bought "A Summery Saturday Morning" to read

Well, after 2 days at the gym on the cross trainer at the Mount, my knee was killing me. So some pain killers and rest. Maybe I should not use stairs to practice. Anyway, I've been told of a set of stairs at the waterfront end of Kohi Rd. Just by the Nail room, there are 85 stairs on a very steep incline. Thanks to Liz for finding it for me!! So Molly and I parked at the top of the stairs on Friday and walked down them, to Madills farm and back again. After an ascent, my legs were feeling it.

 

So, I have just been back again this morning with the intent of doing 4 ascents and if I can add an ascent each day between now and the 12th. I will be able to climb the Skytower (well, that's the plan). So I parked at top and did 5 descents and ascents of the stairs. 7 minutes 59 seconds. So a total of 425 stairs (a third of the Skytower). So if I keep that up for the entire length, I'll make it in the 29 minutes allotted time. It definitely sounded easier when Paula invited me. Jacob's Ladder by Vic Park is also a potential training site. About 200 steps for a change.

 

On the family front, Nanna J (Jenni) came over on Sunday and we went to the cafe. Elise decided to show off her walking skills. And walked the entire length of the shops, 8 in total. And back down, and back up, and back down, and back up. Man, can she get moving, she is a dynamo at the moment. Her latest trick is that she has learnt to climb up onto the couches unassisted. Stitches here we come. With her complete lack of fear, maybe Red Bull will be interested in sponsoring her soon.

 

Yesterday was a visit to Taylor's to celebrate her birthday. A really lovely day and a couple of great baby sitters in the older children that were there to give the Mothers (I won't say Fathers, as we're slack) a break. Toys galore, plenty of room to run around. Elise likes Prue and Taylor's X3 and kept running into the garage to point it out. At least she has taste in cars. She made a complete mess eating the roast chicken and dropped it all over the deck. The cats loved it though.

 

This morning she decided to assist me in eating my breakfast. Uncle Tobys Apricot porridge has the thumbs up too. Followed by a bowl of weetbix and banana (just her, not me). She really has developed a Chapman appetite.

 

Anyway, better get ready for swimming. Keep well. If you have any other suggestions for stairs I can climb, feel free to let me know.

Well, here is Elise showing off a range of her mobility skills.

 

Nothing is safe now.

Well, I was silly enough to agree to Climb the Skytower with the Firemen next month.

 

Somewhere between 1000 and 1100 stairs plus a 200m jog to the base of the tower. 47 stories so I'm led to believe.

 

I'm positive that running with the bulls was less hazardous to my health. So, I have actually showed up to a gym twice over the last two days (and I haven't died). First time in 5.5 years I think.

 

Anyway, I have until May 12th to get fit enough to get up the tower in 29 minutes (I think that's the maximum time I have). It sounds easy, but still 2 floors per minute. I did endeavour to give up alcohol between now and then, but have dropped beer and spirits instead and sipping my wine slowly.

 

I may be getting around the Mines Rescue fitness course in Huntly next week to prove exactly how unfit I am. And then try it again in a few weeks and see if I've improved.

 

Anyway, the Firefighters Skytower Vertical Challenge is raising money for the Leukaemia Blood Foundation. Scottie who is organising it has just survived and recovered from necrotizing fasciitis and has already done the Seattle tower last month.

 

I'm too lazy to attempt to come and collect some money from you all, so if you would like to donate some money to this great cause. Go to Scotties page and do it there please.

 

 

At least there will be good medical assistance on-site for me.

 

In theory, we are going out for lunch after that with the Ante-natal class for a collective birthday gathering.

Ok, what have we been up to?

 

Deb & Elise departed for the Mount to celebrate Bob’s birthday the week-end before Easter. I came down on Thursday and spent the afternoon visiting customers and getting ready for this week.

 

Friday was a very relaxing day doing bugger all. As everyone else was getting over feeling crook. I had caught something too and was exhausted, so spent the afternoon in bed snoozing while the others walked around the Mount. Mmm, hot cross buns.

 

Saturday we headed over to Rotorua for a massage that Mum had shouted Deb & I for our birthdays. It was an AIX massage, basically a complete massage whilst laying under 8 shower heads and having the thermal water from the Rachel Spring pour over you. It was a very relaxing hour and very enjoyable. Try it if you get down there. www.qehealth.co.nz

 

The Jaguar car club from the Bay of Plenty had set up on the lakeside a very impressive array of cars, from an XK140, 2 XK150’s, many XJ’s and a brand new XK Coupe. We walked around these and through the market to have lunch. A bit of shopping and back to the Mount.

 

Sunday, we went to the Mount and caught up with Pete, Janet, Jessica and friends for a coffee on the beach before they returned to Auckland. In the afternoon Clam came up from his folks place in Kawerau for a drink and a chat. We went to a pub beneath the Mount and had a couple of quiet ones, went home and had a very yummy roast chicken dinner waiting for us. He left and is now winging his way back to London. Great to see him again, doesn’t seem like 16 months since the last time. Doesn’t time fly.

 

Monday was a stroll around the Mount (my first attempt) and another beautiful day. Ice-creams and home.

 

Of note, Elise is now really getting around, crawling backwards, walking in any direction and circles. Crabbing around on all fours too. Video has been taken. She can run around while holding a ball above her head too. She is so funny to watch. As soon as I get back to a broadband connection, I’ll youtube it.

 

Solids are going down a treat and she has turned into a real gannet. Not much she won’t gulp down, chicken, lamb, beef, the water from the steamed vegetables. Heading home on Saturday (I think) after going away drinks for a customer.

 

That’s all I think.

Happy Birthday Bob

 

I hope you get looked after today.

 

It is very quiet up here without Deb & Elise. The house seems very empty with just Molly, Ed and myself.

 

And I hope you all didn't fall for the Aprils fools pranks.

 

Ciao

Well, yesterday was a complete success. Mum, Molly, Elise & I went for a walk to get Elise to sleep. It wasn't looking good when we'd reached the cafe and she was still wide awake. So we strolled up the hill toward St Heliers to take the long route home. She did finally fall asleep and got about 15 minutes before we got home.

 

Matt, Diane, Jacinta and Rome had arrived and Elise was very happy to see them and have some people that spoke her language (well not Jacinta). But she loved having them her. Jacinta was followed around and observed closely.

 

Not long after they left Andy, Mandy & Jackson arrived. Mandy described him as being really difficult today, however, she spoke too soon. He was a complete little angel while here. Deb's cooking arrived and the cake was wonderful. Elise likes Banana cake. She cried a bit when Deb blew out the candle. Andy & I assembled her new car, and it would appear that we don't have a job coming to us as pit crew in Formula 1. The car needed charging, so we couldn't play with it. It's a remote control VW convertible, so she can sit in it and we can drive it around. But Elise got in and looked very pleased with herself.

 

So a slow relaxing day in all. I think Elise is now trying to figure out what she did to get all the attention and gifts.

 

Anyway, off to swimming soon and then Deb, Elise, Bob & Angela are heading down to the Mount. I'll head down on Thursday and we'll be back on the 14th.

 

So we hope to get Elise out on the flat in her car today. Video to come.