130ml of rain today...a sign of things to come this winter...I certainly hope not!








The New Zealand Herald printed this one!!! ( thanks to Weatherwatch)

Questions you never asked in Glasgow

What should I do on Saturday, go surfing or to the chicken show?

Chicken show won!

So off I went to Whanagrei. I arrived about 10 minutes before the show opened and there was a huge queue waiting to get in! Who knew chickens were so popular?

It was held in a huge hall and it was just packed with chickens of all shapes and sizes. Most were just for display and had been judged on their brilliance in the morning, but there were some for sale too. I was a little disappointed as almost all were roosters, but I shouldn't have been surprised as people keep their hens to lay and breed from. I had been hoping to get a couple of pretty chooks but it was not to be.

If someone told me a year ago I would be off to a chicken show I'd have laughed!

Here's a few of my favourites - some of them are really quite alien looking!

I promise not to write about surfing every time we go....

but this was an important day! I got a photo of Lloyd standing.
He's got the knack now and manages pretty much everytime, which is more than can be said for me! I did, however, catch a wave perfectly today...on my tummy!

Cheese Making

Lloyd made some cheese yesterday afternoon. This is something he's always wanted to try his hand at but just never got round to, till now.
We are going to go on a cheese making course but not till October when Ness is back. Anyway, I found this recipe on lifestyle block and let Lloyd see it.
We had to buy a thermometer and some rennet but apart from that we had everything you need.
It was a recipe for a mozzarella type of cheese.
It only took about 40 minutes to make.
And it was fun!

Lloyd is a bit critical of it, it's not as glossy as he wanted it to be and also it wasn't as stretchy as he'd have liked - he thinks he needs to heat it up more. I, however, think it tastes lovely! It'll make a fantastic mozzarella, basil and tomato salad, or go on our home made pizzas.

Recipe
2 litres of milk ad 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 citric acid.
Heat to 32 deg C then add 1/2 tsp rennet.
Stir into the milk using a slotted spoon.
Leave to set for 10 minutes.
Once the curd has set, cut the curd with a knife then heat to 41 deg C. leave to stand for 5 minutes.
Drain off some of the whey retrn the pot to the heat - continue heating slowly - not hotter than 45 deg C. Continue to form the curd into a ball with the slotted spoon, Gradually it becomes soft and very stretchy.
Shape into a ball with care and place into a bowl of cold water to cool.
( with thanks to eelcat)

Minnie laid an egg

That's 2 of the babies laying. I don't think Jemima Puddle Chicken is anywhere near it though so may not lay this year now, but with the 2 of them going strong we'll be right!
Her egg is much smaller than Abigail's and ever so slightly paler.

Good Girl Minnie!

Surftastic!

I got into the water today on my surfboard!
Jeez I am so tired now!

Sorry no pics of Lloyd as I was in the water all afternoon but I hope someone emails me some cos....Lloyd stood up! He totally looked like a surfer dude - it was so cool. He had a huge grin on his face, it was fantastic.

A big thank you to Max who spent ages teaching us and generally egging us on. Max you are a star. xx


oh yes! it takes much effort to look this good! argh!

Richard and Ness's 'Going Away' (for the winter) Party

R&V had a big party on Sunday and it was lovely! It was just a big crowd of folk and a lot of kids. Carol was over and I haven't seen her for ages so it was great to catch up. There was an abundance of gorgeous food ( which we were lucky enough to have for leftovers the next day!)

They left yesterday evening with a come back home date which varies! It may be 10 weeks or it might be 14 weeks, we're hoping for 10.
Nick has just gone to the Uk for a fortnight as well so there's only Lloyd and I and Sara left!

Anyway, here are some photos of the party ~ courtesy of Nick ( thanks Nick!)

Some Surfing.
Lloyd has really been getting into the surfing. He bought a board - turns out that it's actually quite a difficult one and he's going to get one that's more suited, but it doesn't matter really as it was incredibly cheap! I've got my eye on one just now as I really want to get in the water too but we need another board.


This lot of pics were from a few days ago at Matauri Bay, supposedly the surf was excellent for a beginner - but what would I know!
We went with Bill and Anna who are both very good!
Bill was surfing around on his paddle board and it looked amazing.







These 2 photos were taken at Taupo Bay and it was very messsy!