June, brrrrrrrr

It seems so unnatural to be shivering and complaining about the cold in June.  We have almost gone through 2 cubic meters of wood and we still have the rest of winter to go.  A few days ago the temperature got down to 2 degrees C, of course that also coincided with several of the windows being left open overnight.  As you can imagine we could see our breath when we got up in the morning.  The other thing that actually does seem June-like is the rain, even the locals are starting to complain.  There have been heaps of roads closed due to flooding and mudslides.  In fact on our walk last Sunday we came across a fresh mudslide on the Waihi Beach coastal trail.
There was a huge fresh scar just up the slope from the  path, and the majority of the material carried on down to the ocean, needless to say for the rest of the walk I was a little paranoid. We had started out our walk going along a trail that seemed to be well worn, at least it started out with a well maintained staircase.  Some how we got on the wrong path and ended up scrambling up a very wet, root and leaf strewn "goat path" alongside a very steep cliff.  After discovering that the trail didn't get any easier, or flatten out, we turn and headed back to the beach sign to confirm our location. It was at this point that we discovered the actual footpath further down the beach. The path we started on would be passable in the summer, but as wet as it was, it was treacherous at best.

We traveled up to Wahi Beach in the rain, which stopped just long enough for us to go on our walk.  We decided to turn around before reaching the end of the trail, and it was a good thing because as we were walking up to the car the clouds opened up and another torrential downpour ensued.  The trail would have become a slippery quagmire.

We were able to get some great pictures before the rain however. It was a pretty quiet weekend again, plans are close to home most of the time due to the rain, however there is plenty within an hour's drive for us to do, so we can nip out between the clouds and see some amazing things.

 The kids are 2 weeks away from term break.  They get 2 weeks off starting first week of July. We have signed them each up for a day camp which I think they will enjoy.  Then shortly after Term 3 starts we are taking a week to go to Samoa,  I think we are all looking forward to that. 

I am not sure what we are going to do for Canada day, hopefully we can watch some of the festivities on the web!  If you can believe it we are unable to purchase fireworks anywhere!  They only sell them once a year on Guy Fawkes day.  Fortunately our neighbours will be coming to the rescue once again, as they have some fireworks left over.  So we will have our own little celebration a day early! (International date line don't ya know)

I seem to be on a bit of a ramble this week, all over them map.

This past Thursday Connor's class went to Waimarino adventure park for the afternoon, as per usual they needed transport.  I volunteered to drive and, stayed to help with the days activities.  They did three activities, a rope obstacle course, rock wall, and volleyball. I spent most of the time helping with the rock wall, the kids learned to 'belay" as well as climb.  This adventure park also has an after school program, the kids are picked up from their respective schools and shuttled to the park to wile away the afternoon on the various facilities while awaiting pickup by their parents.  The schools here sure take advantage of the weather and opportunities to get the kids out of school, a very well rounded approach to their development.  The kids are very supportive, all shouting encouragement when some one is undertaking a challenge such as the rock wall.

Well I guess that is all for this week, I am about to bundle up and head out on my bike for some exercise before the lingering clouds release another onslaught.


Don