Stuck Again and another year passes by :)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/4500399/Flooding-worst-in-150-years
link for one of the manynews articles regarding the flooding and storm that is the culprit for our being stranded again

At Jesters Cafe - great coffee and fun west of Nelson



Abbey discovered the joys of iced chocolates at Jesters



"Shoot" that water's cold!! Rabbit Island, Nelson




Rabbit Island - looking west  towards Mapua




Alex a little anxious about leaving for his adventure on the Scout Jamboree




The stormy skies and wild sea after the storm

Well here we are post-Christmas and finding ourselves stuck again.  This time we are unable to get to our planned holiday venue of Penzance in Tennyson Inlet in the Marlborough Sounds.  Just after we arrived in Nelson it " bucketed" down, with high winds and the worse flooding that the area has seen for many years.  Unfortunately the worst hit areas were West of us in Golden Bay and East of here at Rai Valley - just where we were heading.  Three days later the road is still blocked and we find ourselves stuck in Nelson and enjoying the hospitality of Richard's cousin Robbie and his wife Lynn.  It is looking unlikely that we are going to be able get there this year - so no kayaking for us this year.  Christmas in the Mabon House was very quiet with just Mum and Dad there for the day.  We ate far too much food, and drunk too much alcohol, but enjoyed the more chilled atmosphere.  There are no pictures to share as everyone was too busy enjoying their presents and each others company.  On the 27th we farwelled Alex as he left for his big adventure attending the Scout Jamboree in Hamilton for three weeks.  The scouts had the misfortune of crossing Cook Straight during the storm - no doubt there were a few sea sick scouts.  Alex returns to Oamaru on Jauary 14th as the troup is having a short holiday sight seeing on the way home.  After we said our goodbyes to Alex we drove to Nelson through gale force winds, fully intending to travel to the Sounds the next day.  This is where it has all turned to custard.

Anyway we are trying to make the best of our holiday and have enjoyed two days of lovely beach weather.  There is a little bit of sunburn happening as we have all forgotten just how quickly that you burn up here.   The beach is just as magic as ever, but the water is cool and not really warm enough to swim in.

Any way the Mabon adventures continue - where nothing quite ever goes to plan  All the very best for 2011, and may you have a great year full of hapiness, laughter and joy.

Strawberries, Dirt food and Hangi



Abbey's School end of year mass

Amelia's 17th birthday

yumm strawberries, hot dogs, and hot chips,and
 the police Caravan

 Hello all.
We have had a busy few weekends since the last post. 
The kids have all finished school, and the stress goes up a level.  I always feel guilty at holiday time due to being a working mother.  It is always a problem organising their care, and i always feel like i should be at home with them. 

This photo is taken at the Strawberry Fair - where we all enjoyed feasting on fresh sweet juicy strawberries.  There is a certain amount of Karma as this photo is taken beside the police caravan - as Richard has the pleasure of a speeding ticket while driving us to the fair.  We were having a family singalong in the car to Snoopy's Christmas, when we passed the policeman - uh oh - $120 later and 20 demerit points.  It was Amelia's 17th birthday and we all enjoyed the family outing. The Strawberry Fair is a family event that has lots to see and do - all which cost nothing.  It has entertainment, singing, live bands and lots of strawberries to eat.  We will go to the fair again next year as it was so much fun. 


The weeks since I last posted have flown by,and we have been kept busy with work and teenage dramas.  Both Richard and I have agreed that this year has been one of the hardest in our parenting journey, as our kids learn some of the harder lessons in life.  I have got more grey hairs, and Richard has got less on top from all the worries and stress of the kids.

This weekend we had the privilege of attending the end of year breakup for Amelia's Venture unit.  They were brave and organised a Hangi - For our USA friends a Hangi is when the food is cooked in the ground using hot rocks and steam.  Personally I am not a fan of Hangi cooked food as it always has a rather earthy taste.   However we enjoyed meeting all the other parents, and the kids who are Venturers.  Venturers is for older Scouts (15+).

The Ventruers taking all the hot rocks out to fill the pit in. 
 Amelia is the one at the front in her work uniform




The Hangi Pit with all the stones at the side



The Hangi had taken all day to prepare, as the rocks have to be pre- heated in a fire, and the pit itself heated with a fire - then the ashes scraped out, pit filled with the hot rocks, the baskets with the food put in and the whole lot covered with wet sacks, and left to steam for five hours or so.  The Venturers had prepared, potatoes, kumara, Pumpkin, onion, carrots, cabbage, chicken, salmon and mutton.  Each family supplied a salad.
I filled my plate with salad as I am not a fan of Hangi food.

Well also this weekend we have been busy preparing for Christmas - I cleaned the oven, reorganised the kitchen cupboards, and spent all yesterday in the garden.  I planted some veges, and some annuals to make some colour in the new garden area.  Actually I am buggered now and more than ready for a quiet evening in front of the TV.  Tonight Miss Potter is on, and we plan to enjoy watching it on the big screen.  We have finished most of the preparations for Christmas - but still have presents to wrap.  The Christmas tree is up and smells lovely - it is a real one that the Mayor - Mr Familton specially got for us,(Thankyou Mr Familton), and the Christmas cake is made.  I just have to make some food for the actual day - and plan to do that when I finish work on Thursday.

For all our friends and family that do read our blog - we wish you a safe and happy Christmas that is filled with fun, good food, and plenty of laughs.  May 2011 be a year filled with happy memories and good times.

All our love and blessings
Richard, Christine, Amelia, Alex and Abbey xxxxxxxooooo