Tony and Mary’s Blog

I hope you have read the correspondence about Rotary. It is pretty impressive and it was interesting meeting the Rotary Members here. They are very active.

My aunt Mary (Kerrigan) died on Wednesday. She was the last of my father’s family (of 9). She was in her ninties and unfortunately for her family, she had Alzimers. Her daughter Una gave up work 6 years ago to look after her full time. She (A. Mary) too had 9 children - six girls and three boys - some of you have met over the years - Anne Heery, Johnny, Una and Kate. The three older girls and a son are in Boston.

I did not tell you much about the south island. The photographs give a little glimpse of the “Awesome” (NZ expression!) scenery. There was a photo opportunity at every turn. We had beautiful sunshine whilst we were there. Seemingly on the west coast if they get 10 successive days without rain they think they have drought! We learnt about glaciers and erosions and rain forests and tree slides (as opposed to mud slides) and noxious plants and animals and farming and irrigation and electricity!

The southern region Ortega is a national park and a UNESCO protected area. There are very few people living there and the beech forests are beautiful. Catherine and Dainel visited Doubtful sound south of Milford Sound. The road ended at a lake. They were ferried across the lake and a pick-up truck brought them to the Sound. [There are great walks - with a guidance - everywhere]. We were told about the roads built laboursly over decades and the tunnels . The last tunnel before Milford Sound was 9 and a quarter miles long. The road from there to the sea is an 18 mile corkscrew going over 64 bridges. I dont know how you drove it Eoghan! Our coach drivers and guides were very informative and told stories as we went along.

NZ is big into conservation. There are 13 National Parks. Deer, possums are big predators introduced in the last century destroying the native habitat. There was a big programme in the 50s and 60s to capture the deer. Eventually one enterprising family started to farm them and NZ had a big trade in venison. Now there are lots of deer farms. The possum problem still remains. They were brought from australia originally for their fur. But some of them escaped and now cause havoc to the trees.

Kiwis ar enow an endangered species, because they are flightless they are easy prey for the possums. I was surprised to discover that there are a coupel of man made lakes in the Southern Alps. They were made to generate electricity. Generating electricity is a big issue. We saw a mountainside of windmills on the North Island, and the big coal generator in Huntly, beside where Catherine used to live, had protestors making headlines last week.

Jade is the big precious stone that was valued by the Maoris. It was found on the west coast of the south island. There was gold there too but the Maori had no use for the nugges and threw them away. There were lots of gold villages set up in the last century for gold perspectors. Panning for gold is one of the many activities a tourist can do, from Queenstown (and you can keep any nugget!)

This is secret footage, Papparatzi style, captured on Mary and Tony’s last day in Pukekohe. They packed their bags, and loaded them onto their Vehicles……….and made for the airport. Here is this exclusive footage.

Monday was busy as some priests changed their Golf monthly date to give me another Game. Then bridge with them and Mom for 2 hours, then home, then Bridge at night in Club.   Wed a trip to beach in title above.  At low  tide you get your shovel and dig a hole.  Its a very warm bath.  Ilona and us all loved it.  I went in at one end, water was seriously hot, a lady pulled me out immediately by the hand without being asked..as I nearly scalded, 

We drove thru  gorge country, Corymandel.   You should realise that here there are 3 cars, DNL’S  Co. one, the 4X4 AND MY 300 SERIES mERC aUTOMATIC.  iF YOU CAN FIGURE THAT OUT.

I went to the Mart again today, to meet Glas and the inventor of Connect and organiser of NZ Rose of Tralee contestants.   He is from Craughwell, says the 2 male teachers in N>S there spent their time fighting. He couldnt read or write, got a $10 assisted passage here in 1953,the year I started in the Fish Mkt, cleaned up slaughter houses for a start; graduated to droving, and finished up on the Gay Byrne Toy Show( there was a Connect for everyone in the Audience).

Ilona has graduated.  She can say 10 words, but the diction is not perfect.

It was great listening to Colm, so assured, calm and interesting. I think his vocabulary benefitted from crosswords, some technicals on roofs and slopes were beyond me.

Your sister here has the humour of Chaplin, the energy of Samson, the fun and games with Ilona  at rare times, e.g. 8.15 a.m. and one does sometimes wonder which is the child and which the Mum,  does one. She is also game to drive 80 miles at the drop of a nappy.

The last scrabble game, finished with a7, “demotes”  or so we thought. but there were 4 tiles value 20 left in the bag,  The opponent, with letters  CCUOIE plus a blank   found  a link with “demotes” and polished off the game with “oCCupied” to snatch a 12 pt. victory.  Were thinking of taking on the All-Blacks…..

 I did a 7 verse poem for Mgt’s Jubilee, will have a copy home with me.

This is a signoff from glorious  New Zealand 2007.

Tony.

Tadhg Anthony Findon got baptised Tadhg Anthony Findon last Sunday. We had a nice day. The sun shone, the water poured, and the food tasted grand. It was a nice little cermony. Jasinta Clark from Letterkenny came along, and sang two beautiful songs - one in irish, and the other in english. Ilona wore the dress that Eoghan and Niamh got her for christmas, and was dead proud in it. She did a few twirls before going to the church.

Here are some photos:

Ilona in her finery

 

 At the Altar

 

 The Annointing of the Head

Mary at the Altar

Puff the Magic Ilona

 

The Findon/Murray Family

Outside the Church

Ilona and Tadhg have joined a playcentre, which is a parenting cooperative. They have amazing facilities - in about 18 different areas of play (painting, creativity from junk, library, playdough, clay, dressup, homeplay, water, sand, carpentry, jungle-gym, swings and slide, musical play, science etc). Ilona loves it so far - it gives her great freedom to explore and enjoy. There are few rules, but three main ones are each kid has a right not to be interrupted in their play, no child may hurt another child, no child may break equipment. It is a non-violent play area, and for parents and caregivers, the aim is to talk, question, remove, distract, explain or introduce something new if a problem arises. So far so good. Here are some photos from a few days at Playcentre.

Whatever Catherine said is half true.  The christening was very pleasant. 4 visitor Findons Jacinta Clarke from LK and ourselves.  Jacinta sang beautifully, in Irish  and English.  We had a gloriously tidied house, and better buffet,which included the P>P who stayed “hours” here.   Eoghan and Niamh were god-parents, With David and Mom acting in loco dei parentis, a not often used term.   Ilona was in her Sunday best.

Ihave met loads thru Hugh Glas, one Mickey Blake, Donegal Oil and Ard O’Donnell,also  an Nfa recent National chairman, and other guys employed from Ireland by An Fear Glas.

                We head away next Monday with heavy hearts, made lighter by Hawaii and Los Angeles, and Dublin On 22/23 March.

Sister Margaret is celebrating 50 years in religion 17th March.  Anyone wishing to send her a card, its to :

8710 Emerson Ave,  Los Angeles  90045,  USA.

The sad news is that my London friend Kay Gimpel, 93, is not only on round-the -clock care, but trusty  Brigid Ferry, her companion. has breast cancer.

There was one game of scrabble,where the lead before the last word was 118.”Gaudiest ” was the last word, worth 125, including the opposition’s penalties,making it  worth a mention in the Guiness Book of Records.

Cyezall soon.     Tony.

Hey All

The time wasnt slow coming in……….we are entering the last week of the great world trip, New Zealand stage. Anyhow, not getting sentimental or sad at the impending departure, I am enjoying a final week of Mom’s cooking, baking, scrabble and babble. Leonardo Dad Vinshenty and Paul has been painting the walls and doing good to people, even though he has just gained their acquaintance of late. My outlet and colour therapy during my pregnancy and hard times with Riley resulted in a half completed masterpiece of paint splattered on a downstairs bedroom wall. Dad has lifted the can, or taken up the proverbial brush, and made patterns of his own. He made one square with a silver fern, another square or rectangle is sporting a green shamrock, while a harp adorns another space. Ilona is jealous……..and fighting for the paints and materials! On his more consciencious side, he perhaps has got Daniel’s brother Chris a job with a Letterkenny connection, here locally.

Mom is knitting me a gorgeous cardigan. We got wool down in Hastings when we were down last week. We havent been for any trips of late, as Dad has been busy hob-knobbing with BIG farmers……in fact we are changing his name from Martin Anthony to either Mart-Anthony, or Peter, as he opened (and closed) 40 gates for Hugh Glas,  on one of his 1500hectare farms! It took three hours. Ask him to tell ye all the joke about the american and irish winners of the national young farmer of the year competitions!

Anyhow, I will hand over to Dad now who is behind my shoulder.

Will add photos from christening later…….dad can fill ye in on that.

Skate

rotary.pdf

Weve been absent for two weeks hence no blogs. Im delighted you are all following our little adventures and enjoying them. The south island is truly stunning but really shoud not be compared with the north island. It was wonderful hearing from all of you and getting your different news and hearing that you are all well. It was particularly good hearing from the grandchildren. You are all very precious to us.      TRAINS                                                 We did three long journeys on trains .The first was from Pukekohe to Wellington .It was supposed to take eight hours . In fact it took ten and a half hours—– mind you through beautiful  scenery .Another train got stuck ahead of us .We were allowed out of the train but were warned not to wander as the train would take off again after one hoooot .Trying to keep cool (as in cold)was a big problem as the temp was in the high thirties .Eventually we moved on only to come to a halt an hour later .This time a fire ahead of us was  causing a  power cut. At this stage “Are you right there Michael “was no joke .There was food on board and Catherine had supplied us with fruit and sandwiches .We saw very little of Wellington  .We did notice that it was built on to a hill climbing up from the sea ,—-and we had no time to find out whether anyone remembered Eoghan or Niamh either which was a shame . Next morning we were up early to catch the ferry —– so early that the dads hat was left in the taxi  imithe go deo [he got a new one in Queenstown]  Wearing a hat for protection is very important here .Anyway we arrived in Picton after a lovely trip ,we had a meal ,went for a walk and got ourselves to the station only to be told that the train was waiting for the next ferry which was late arriving .Half an hour later we were off only to find that now we were choo chooing behind a very slow train .Our plans for Christchurch were put on hold as it was too late to do anything. Sin traen a do agus traen a  tri  was the famed trans alpine one .It was late starting by an hour and that left us scrambling for our flight back to Auckland .