San Antonio

The Alamo in downtown San Antonio.---A very special place to the Texans where independence from the Mexicans was fought out in the 1860's---and failed. David Crockett was killed in the battle of the Alamo along with 177 others who were holed up inside the shrine.

The San Antonio River Walk--very pleasant dining experience by the canal/waterway near the City Centre.
Hi Everone.
As you can see I have returned from a week away visiting San Antonio, Texas. I attended the American Public Works Association Congress in the HUGE convention centre. There were 5000 registrations, with 10 concurrent streams of education sessions as well as a huge exhibition in the main hall. There were 3 ballrooms which could seat 1000 for dinner.

I found the whole experience quite educational and informative and next time would like to spend a bit more time on the ground,....after 24 hours travel getting there.

Barbara has held the household together very well while I was away, and it is hard to believe how much the daffodils, tulips, and camelias have all burst into flower in the last 8 days. The lawn needs another cut---it is also in excellent shape.

It was good to catch up with Tim and Willie when they were down three weeks ago, and will see quite a few of you at Jaynes 21st in 2 weeks time. Barbara cannot attend as she is going to Sydney via Auckland---to catch up on Wedding Plans and to have a break away after a long exhausting Term 3.

When I went through Auckland I caught up with Jeff and Kate, who went to great efforts to get out to the Airport to share a coffee/coke.

We have now booked our flights to Sydney for next March. Everything seems on track at this stage---I have even got myself a new suit already hanging in the wardrobe.

Well done to Mum and Dad on the bowling club Life Membership..... a nice surprise indeed.

Take care everyone, and we will catch up with most of you over the next few weeks.

Kind Regards, Ashley and Barbara.

Life membership and other bits

Hi All
The blog hasn't seen much of us here in Nelson for a while........nothing too much out of the ordinary has been happening !

When the phone rang at 10.40 last evening I lept up to answer it thinking that something has probably happened to someone somewhere, but no, it was just dad!! He and Mum have been busy for months organising the Rapaura Bowls Club 50th birthday and they had just got home from the dinner. At the dinner Mum was awarded a life membership of the club. it took them both completely by surprise, especially as they are both committee members and no one had told them anything! Then dad was recognised for his 25years as Club Captain..another surprise and he was presented with a wallet. They were both chuffed!

Willie and Tim really enjoyed their trip to Timaru a month back to the U15 rugby tournament. They enjoyed catching up with some of you. Since then, rugby has pretty much dominated the television viewing in our house. Another good win by the All Blacks last night keeps our virtual rugby scores correct!

We did enjoy having Jayne and Amy home for a we ek in their holidays, great to see them both and to have dinner cooked each night ...great!

Tracey is in the middle of mid - year exams. Getting an excellence in her speech last week took her completely by surprise. She has been studying and will be glad when the end iof term is here!

Plans for Jayne's 21st seem under control. the cake is made and partially iced. Hopefully we will catch up with some of you then.

Our holiday plans will see us in Christchurch for a weekend and then I have four days in Auckland, then home for a couple of weeks and back to Christchurch for a couple of days.

Trust all is well

Love to all
Janice

My Turn

Good morning,
Thought I would catch up, while Chris is watching South Africa and England in the rugby and cleaning his shoes for band. Provincal contest this weekend. It rained last evening but not this morning, so marching is on! Another lovely sunny day.
We are all well here. Hard to believe that another school term is almost over. It has gone really fast. The days are getting longer. I have to now wear sunglasses to work at 6.45am. The sunrises have been really spectacular lately.
How's the flat hunting going Jeff and Dave?
The gardens around the city are lovely. Nice,bright and cheery.

Not alot happening here. Take care everyone.
Bye for now. Love to all
Kate and Co

Working Boy

Thomas at the local A&P show back in June.
Now he is into Motor cross, Go-cart and paddock racing.

Christina is on crutches again. Again it's the knee and she is due at the othopaedic surgeon on the 21st of September. School seems to agree with her. She is of to a 18th birthday party for some soccer girls on saturday.

Richard is out and about with his mates. He is of to the dentist in Germany tomorrow. 1/3 of the price than in Denmark. Will do our shopping at the same time.

Brian is at a stamp swap tonight. Gives him a rest from gardening. Just about done for this time. Wood chips all in and the 50 cubic meter of dirt too.

if anyone needs a job we have plenty going here in Denmark. Unemplyment is now to under 90.000. At the moment we are importing from Russia, Poland and the Baltic countries. A lot of germans are up here too.

Brian has been asked if he knew anyone who would be able to do his job while on sickleave.

Winter is upon us. Lousy summer. Rain rain and more rain. Temps at the moment down to 2 degrees in the night.

Even had a mild frost in the last days of august.

So time to put the woolies on and get the long johns out.

Take care

Timmers

Hi Everyone---- A warm day here today----a good day to give the weeds a fright and to get the lawns cut.

We went to Chch yesterday to look at wedding outfits---some interesting items around. Saw Chris and Steve and got home just in time tio see Canterbury take the Ranfurly Shield off Waikato.

I am off to San Antonio on Friday night to the American Public Works Congress for 5 days. Return on Sat 15th.

We have booked air tickets for Xmas to go to Auckland---up on the 22nd and back on the 27th. All for $440 return for two ex Chch.

A big week coming up.

Cheers, Ash and Barbara.

Daffodils

Hello from The Garden City. Another beautiful warm spring day. The garden is dry. The daffodils in the Botanic Gardens and around Christchurch hospital are in full bloom and look great. The Garden City name is appropriate at the moment.
We are all well here. I have settled into working again. It's strange after not working for awhile.
Chris, George and Brigette are great. The provincial band contest is in a couple of weeks so Chris has just left for marching practice. He does wish for rain!
Happy fathers day to all Dads. Take care and enjoy the sunshine.
Kate and co