My weekend!

Last weekend was a classic Nelson summers weekend. Friday night was a BBQ up at the apartment overlooking the bay-a perfect evening. Played 4 on the couch and got beaten by the girls. Saturday was our first soccer trip away. I picked up Jimmy and Stew and we were at the airport by 9:15am. Flew on Origin Pacific to Christchurch on a charter flight arriving around 11am. We hung out in the airport for 45 mins and then got shuttle buses to English Park. Its a sweet soccer ground--perfect pitch and even had a grandstand!! I'll put some pics of it all on here. Had a pretty good game which we led until about 20 mins to go and then they scored so the final score was 1-1. Flew back up the country--it was a perfect sunny day all the way and back into Nelson about 7pm. Up to Redwood Downs for another BBQ (I was on the barbie again!) and then a game of Catch Phrase-good effort Stew!! Back home to finish building the grandstand for the rugby. 1:20 am and I get to bed for 100 minutes of sleep before the test. About 15 of us watched the game on the huge screen in the couch grandstand. Sunday was 1 Big Whanau day at church. Some of our youth greeted people at the door and handed out communion etc. We played a movie of pics etc of our year at youth group and I spoke about what we do and Donald prayed for us all. A bunch of us went to Beam and Averils for lunch then off to the A & P Show to watch some wood chopping, have a quick look around and then a ride on the Kamikaze!! Off to Tahuna Beach for a walk and throw the ball around. The tide was the lowest I have seen it so we walked way out. Then back to Karens new house for dinner-not quite a BBQ but almost!! And finally finished the weekend off with a spa up at Tim Rutledges house. Beeeaaautiful!!

Angels

Check out pics below of our awesome day in the Abel Tasman park on Monday. Thanks guys--its was so much fun!! In other news, the team for our soccer game on Saturday will be named tomorrow. We fly to Christchurch for the day to play the NZ under 18 side. I'm fairly confident I will make the side. Have been watching the grand slam All Black tour on a huge screen in my apartment each weekend with people sleeping over. This weekend I think I will make a mini grandstand as we take on England. I'm up late right now cheering on Australia (believe it or not) as they are in extra time against Uruguay to get to the World Cup. Looks like a penalty shoot-out will be on. Still working at Teapot Valley and keeping real busy with work and youth group and sports etc. Summer is fully here and should be a good long hot one!!

me with angels

 

We swam at Cleopatra's pool!

 

Dominik, Anna and Jessica

 

Hot Chocolate (Anna) makes footprints

 

what a weekend!

Friday I pulled out of camp about 3pm and headed for Richmond to pick up Cath and Kate. We went to the supermarket and got a bunch of food for 6 people for a weekend and after loading up the WRX headed east for the Marlborough Sounds. Stopped in Havelock for fish and chips and got to Ohingaroa Bay about 7pm. Plugged the Sky decoder in and watched the kiwis lose the league but only just. Lisa, Tim and Anita arrived and we started playing Trivial Pursuit. Saturday morning I cooked up bacon and eggs for everyone. I got the ride on mower out and mowed the grass. Lisa and Tim took the boat out for a fish but got nothing. Emma arrived, BBQ for dinner and then we watched the NPC rugby final and played more trivial pursuit. Got the music pumping and had a mini dance!! Sunday morning I cooked pancakes and then Alice arrived and then Jude and Terry. Played touch, watched World Series and then I built a fence for Jude. Tim and Lisa helped and then took out the boat but still got nothing! Big roast chicken dinner and more great conversation and hanging out. Monday morning I made scrambled eggs and then scones. We played volleyball and went for a hike up the creek. Watched Chicago win the second World Series game and then packed and headed back to the city. Stopped at Havelock for a icecream by the Marina and then we all went to Choofs house for a BBQ. It was a brilliant long weekend--every time we go down the sounds its guaranteed fun and good times. Thanks to the Delaneys for the bach!! looking forward to a huge weekend this weekend too as we go on a road trip to Harley and Davinia's wedding in Ashburton.

my cousin Choof (Anita)

 

friends at play

 

School group up the Hackett today

 

Model Shoot

Me and Karen modelling shirts from Mountain Design. Would make a great staff shirt! New version of Picasa is very cool and can do heaps with pics and put them straight on here. think i will have to put some more on!

 

Soccer pro!

Yep I'm on the way to becoming a semi pro footballer! My club has secured major sponsorship and next year the 1st div side will be paid to train and play!! We had a mini tournament yesterday before our prizegiving and I was in the starting 11 playing on the right wing. I played some of my best soccer giving some great crosses and corners and scoring one of my best ever goals! In November we are going to Christchurch and then Dunedin for games--they are flying us down! Jim Thompson got player of the year for our team. Next year we will be entering the Chatham Cup and attending a special tournament in Gisborne. I can't wait!!

To backtrack a bit since my last blog, I had a friend from Canada stay for a couple of nights and then 2 girls from England (Fenella and Flora) for 3 nights. They stayed at Redwood Downs with me and I spent a day in the Abel Tasman with them. We had a great time hanging out together. Then I had a weekend in Auckland for Mum's 60th bday party. We had a great night and was cool to see some family again. 2 weeks ago I moved out to Teapot Valley Camp which is where I am now living. The season has started with 2 school groups through so far. They have both been a lot of work but a lot of fun too. I'm looking for other jobs but want to be where God wants me.

One Big Whanau (my youthgroup) is a lot of fun and the 18 teenagers are really bonding together. We had a trip to Rainbow Ski Field in August--check out pics and info on the 1BW website--link on the right hand side.

Its been like summer here this month with warm temperatures and sunny days. Have been playing touch on the beach a few times. Best movie I have seen lately is Hotel Rwanda--everyone should see it and act on it. Hillsong Australia are planning a worldwide missions trip there next year. http://www.hoperwanda.org/

cath, jamin, karen, andy, carla, lisa, jude, and katelyn came for a semi-formal dinner on friday night--was great fun!! 

the kitchen crew at camping conference 

Jaimee making mashed spud 

Jaimee, me and Jesse working the flying fox 

Jaimee and Jessica at camp 

Me with Jaimee and Jessica at Mapua wharf 

Me with my new sign and letterbox 

Ohingaroa Bay and Goldenhorse

Friday after work packed up, picked up the french girls, met Lisa and Tim for a quick bite, a visit to the supermarket and the gas station and by 7:15 we were heading east for the Marlborough Sounds. What an awesome destination for a weekend. Pics are in my blog from New Years. Same place. 75 mins later arrived at Lisa's bach where Tim and Lisa had just got the fire lit. I soon taught them Settlers of Catan and 2 games later at 1am they were hooked and we went to bed. I had to tell bedtime stories to Tim and Lisa--most amusing!! Feldspar was mentioned for kates benefit! Saturday morning I cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, then we got the 4 wheeler out and the new lawn mower. Played around and then went for an adventure up the creek. We walked/climbed up the creek bed and the water was freezing. Laure and Charlotte both slipped and got bruises. We finally got to a waterfall and Tim and I climbed some rocks way up the side of the gully. Then we had to climb thru gorse in our barefeet to get back down into the creek and then we climbed down around waterfalls sliding and swinging from trees. It was a great fun adventure and a place to go back to for sure. Back for lunch and Scott and Bec joined us. We played more Settlers, got the boat out and got wet for 5 minutes before deciding it was to rough and gave up and put the boat away again!! Then I drove back to Nelson to drop the Frenchies home. I then met Andrea and drove all the way back down to the bach again!! And with the price of petrol over here now its like $75 to fill up my car!! Got back at 7pm and they had roast chicken dinner just ready to eat!! The pumpkin was so good!! Played Settlers again and watched the All Blacks thrash the Wallabies. Oh yeah! Off to bed but I couldn't come up with any bedtime stories tonite! Sunday morning we had pancakes for breakfast, then played Settlers again!! Attempted to get the big boat out but the tractor wouldn't start! Lazed in the sun--it was so nice and warm--has been perfect sunny days for the last week or more. 3pm and packed up and back to civilization. None of us wanted to go back. We just could have lived there forever. I went straight to the aiport to see Laure off. She has only been here 6 weeks but seems like I've known here longer--she's a real cool girl. Then out to Scott and Becs to make scones and play yep Settlers again!! Finally got home for a shower about 10pm. What a fun weekend! And tonight I have just been with Karen to Goldenhorse in concert--they were awesome!! Breaks Co-op opened and were real good and then Goldenhorse played for 90 mins and were brilliant. I could have listened all night!! Its now bedtime so till next time!!