Wednesday 10 January 2018

52 Ancestors

I've done it!  Created another blog to dedicate to 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  I'll be lucky if I can stand up straight, I've spent so long at the computer doing that and writing the story of the first of my featured ancestors, my grandfather Jesse Noah Osborne.  

It's over here if anyone wants to have a look https://wardancestors.blogspot.co.nz/

But I warn you.  It's long and it's a very personal view.

Sunday 7 January 2018

Update before the side road

I've lost the blogging mojo.  I can think of a few reasons why, none of them are very interesting.  But I want to keep the blog going as a diary for myself.  I've often found what I've been struggling to remember on my blog.  Thank heavens for Labels.    

So, before I head off on the side road I intend to take, let me first do a little update.

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I took a few friends for a visit to Pouto.  A young relative, Christine and her charming husband, Andrew welcomed us and showed us around in true hospitable Pouto style.  



Pouto never disappoints.


Bernie and I also had a day trip across to Glinks Gully on the west coast.  It was a windy, blustery day, quite chilly on the beach.  I've deleted my photos by mistake but they weren't very clear anyway.   It was too misty. 

Bernie was home for Christmas and we had lovely, family togetherness in the forest.   Lots of fun and activity.  Thanks to Georgia, Justine and Heather for organising the Family Survivor games for us all. 

The six year old testing one of the Survivor challenges

 Every Survivor game must include a puzzle.  The Pippa Pig puzzle took ages with so many fingers

  On a hot day a water slide is almost compulsory

And now it's 2018.  The highlight of the year so far has been a beautiful wedding at the lodge.   A bunch of energetic, creative young people turned the lodge and surrounds into a magical venue surrounded by bush.


They erected platforms and canopies and a "poruwa", a beautifully decorated, traditional wooden platform.  My introduction to Sri Lankan wedding customs and one I thoroughly enjoyed, despite the rain.


The poruwa
   
Quite a number of wedding guests camped in the nearby clearing and survived the storm which swept over the country quite well.

My favourite shot of the handsome couple.


The side road I mentioned above is a 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge.  I don't know how it works but the first hint is:  Week 1 - Start so I will start tomorrow and find out.  I needed something to kick me back into family story mode.   I'm thinking I might do it on a separate blog.  Will ponder on that overnight.