Update

Update - Joe was thrilled that the All Blacks won 27 -6.
Here is a picture of us Simmersons at Aoraki

Tekapo and Aoraki

Last week was Matt's last in his current job due to redundancy, and we took advantage of his few days off to take a little trip. We packed all our warmest clothes and thermals to spend a couple of days in Tekapo and Mount Cook. We had last been here in the glorious summer so it was wonderful to see everything covered in snow! Nana came with us so it was quite a squeeze in the truck, especially with the 'just in case' sledges!
We spent a day at Mount Cook and it was beautiful, the early morning mist cleared to blue skies and perfect views of Aoraki. We walked to Kea Point after lunch and saw the peaks and the glaciers. Joe loved hearing the rumbles of avalanches although we didn't see any. We also climbed a very steep, boulder covered route up the terminal moraine to see the Tasman Glacier and the glacial lake complete with icebergs. This time the lake was frozen, but at least we were spared the howling wind of our last visit. We did see a beautiful rainbow cloud and the picture just about shows it here.
Our home for the trip was a house with views of Lake Tekapo and we made the most of the wood burning stove. It didn't get above freezing while we were there, but the frost in the morning was beautiful.
The next day we went to the hot pools on the hillside above Tekapo and wallowed in the warm waters for about an hour and a half. I think my feet felt warm for the first time in 3 days! Ben and Joe had lovely time standing under the spouts of warm water and splashing around the pools. Joe kept getting out and counting to see how long he could bear to be out in the open air (quite a long time!), must be mad! We were able to sit in the pools and look out over the lake toward the snow capped mountains - aaahhhhhhh - heaven! Needless to say, once we were all examining the wrinkles on our wrinkles and feeling very relaxed we had to make the mad dash in the cold to the changing rooms - brrrrrrrr. We then watched the school children on the open air ice rink behind the pools - the boys fancy a go on another trip!

Matt did his handover at work on Friday and spent a LONG lunch break at the pub with his friends. The new job at the Council starts on Monday!
Joe and his team won their rugby match today against Belfast 10-7.
The rugby theme continues this evening as Joe, Nana and Matt have gone to watch the All Blacks play Italy at the AMI stadium. Joe and Nana are particularly looking forward to the Haka!

Simon and Garfunkel - Auckland

This weekend Nana and I packed our bags and headed off to Auckland to see Simon and Garfunkel at the Vector arena - first night of their world tour!
The boys headed to Burnside for Joe's rugby (he scored 3 tries again and the team drew 9 all) and we left for the airport. On arriving in Auckland we caught the bus into town and found our hotel. Very poky but it would only be for a night! Then we headed out to the waterfront and had a nice meal before strolling to the arena. As you would expect the crowd was a mixed lot but definitely weighted toward the more mature!
Simon and Garfunkel were brilliant! They played for over 2 hours with no interval and did all the old favourites as well as some of their solo work. They came on for 2 encores and the crowd helped out at one point when the mikes went quiet!

Excellent!
On Sunday we headed up the Sky Tower and watched the idiots jumping off! Very odd watching someone hurtle past the window the first time.
It was pretty cloudy so the views weren't great and off course the sun came out the moment we exited at the bottom of the tower!
Then we took the ferry over to Devonport and had lunch with Sarah Caswell. We had a nice catch up and Nana took the obligatory photo of bump for Bob and Margaret.
We were about to board the plane home that evening when an announcement was made that due to problems at Christchurch our plane would be leaving as scheduled, but may return to Auckland if we couldn't land! Luckily the fog/low cloud cleared enough and we made it back safely!

Joe's first class assembly

Joe' s class led the junior assembly on Friday.

They started with the National Anthem as usual, then his class led a rousing rendition of the 'fish and chip song'. They also performed a couple of songs using rhythm sticks and ran a slideshow of their fitness classes.



Joe had 2 things to announce and he was beautifully clear each time - no nerves at all. Well done Joe. xxxxx

Holiday in Hanmer

Last weekend we headed off to Hanmer for the weekend with the whole clan. Nana had rented a 'big ouse' (Olive's words) and we all descended on it on Friday afternoon. Joe and Ben were excited about sharing a room, but a little disappointed that they weren't in with their cousins. Still, they made up for it with a bright and early start on Saturday!

We walked up Conical hill for a picnic at the top. Ben walked all the way up!!!!!!!! and ran all the way down!
In the afternoon we went exploring off the main roads. Joe loved driving through a river and along the snowy tracks!
We had dinner in town that evening and retreated to the house (with blazing fire) as the weather closed in. Guitar Hero was a hit with the kids (as was Maisy Mouse and Hairy Maclary!!!!!). After the kids had gone to bed the grown ups messed around with Singstar - who knew about the bananas in Copa Cabana????? ;-DDDDD. Very, very funny!
Unfortunately the promised snowfall didn't happen. We'll just have to head out to the snow again later in the season!

Cool Running - Kiwi style

Ben - letting it all soak in - waiting for another mug to haul him up the slope!
What a difference a year makes!
Gung-ho as ever!
Matt (and Ben) wipe-out!"I'm alright Daddy - I want to do it again?"

Winter is here!

Today we went snow searching! First we headed inland to Castle Hill and had a picnic lunch. Nana hadn't been here before so we spent some time exploring the rocks.Joe and Matt did some tricky rock climbing and all the boys had their fill of snowball fights! Both boys are pretty good shots and we all got struck - to hoots of laughter from the perpetrators!
Not a lot of snow left there, but pockets were still lying and it was pretty icy underfoot.
Then we all headed off for the much anticipated sledging! We spent a brilliant hour or so clambering up a very icy and slippery slope and then hurtling down it at great speed (trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to avoid those people watching at the bottom of the slope). Joe has become a real master and had an amazing time. Ben had great fun too - we had been a little wary as he had not enjoyed it too much last year. What a difference that 12 months has made! He had a great time!!!! He preferred sitting on the sledge and being pulled up of course, then he had is eyes half closed on the way down, but always finished with a big smile. Then he would remain recumbent on the sledge and wait for the next mug to pull him up for another go! Towards the end of the session he even went up to the top and rode down tandem with Matt, beaming all the way! Atta boy!
Nana was the official photographer for all that silliness, so I will post pictures soon!

Updates - Joe scored 2 tries at this weekend's match! His team won 5-4 and remain unbeaten this season!

Matt's redundancy was confirmed on Thursday, but he had a second interview with the council on Friday - fingers and toes crossed!