Gingers on the run

Kevin's Visit

2011-11-22T19:57:00.006Z

Recently (not that recently we're a bit behind on these posts) Uncle Kevin came to stay all the way from the USA. Kevin climbs up wind turbines for a living. He's into fishing, eating fish and discussing ways to cook fish.

When he wasn't fishing or eating fish, he and Jamie played a lot with expensive cameras....here's a few of his masterpieces...

And Jamie takes one of the master himself - see you and your puddle suit soon!

Belladrum festival

2011-11-13T09:39:00.003Z

This summer Georgia went to her 1st music festival, at the age of 1.5 years.

Mum wasn't well, so dad went with G. But he had lots of help, because Sorley, Wendy, Ben, Gudrun, Sage and especially G's favourite, Maya, were all there too.

G got right into the festival spirit. Especially the crashed out next morning pose...

1st ice-cream! And she's a Johnston! So much ice-cream delight to come...

Speaking of festival spirit, auntie Goodrin found it too...

It was very very loud, so we got noise-cancelling earphones for G. Sage shows how they should be worn.

Belladrum is a perfect family festival. Here's G bash-bashing the percussion instruments.

Weetabix time!

Glastonbury next year?

The Kiwi Gathering

2011-08-10T21:07:00.007+01:00

We woke up one morning and the SUN WAS SHINING! We quickly called Beth to tell her to hurry down from Aberdeen Harbour, as they might miss it. Hurry they did, kind of, give or take a wrong turn.

It was great to see them, and we savoured every minute of the girl's energetic capers. We went for a quick dip in the loch.

Nick wasn't quite as brave as the girls....

I think he pretended he was on lifeguard duty, but really it was just a bit too cold - and I thought New Zealanders were tough....

Catriona and Fiona came with us to enjoy the sunshine after getting permission from their Mums, and giving promises that they wouldn't get too wet......oops.

Maddy, pretty in pink!

Molly taking care of her wee cousin.

Maddy still had energy to burn after a few laps of Loch Ard.

Aunty Beth revisits the baby stage, Georgia can climb up to the big slide all by herself!

The cousins bond over dinner, brought together through the love of pasta and Uncle Jamie's famous spag bol.

It was too short, but we loved every minute. Come back - it's that sunny all the time honest!

Dumfries

2011-08-10T20:58:00.003+01:00

Just a wee post, recently visited friends Emily and Calum in Dumfries, and their wee girl Rosie. Who's not wee anymore!

Emily runs a nursery next door to their house - the ideal holiday destination for a 20 month old! Georgia was quite tickled by all the attention she got, Rosie is clearly got some of her Mum's talents with the wee ones.

Thanks for the Dumfries hospitality - especially those steaks - YUM. See you all again soon x

Kinlochard Puddle Inspection Team

2011-08-10T20:06:00.010+01:00

Leader of the Kinlochard Puddle Inspection Team spots some puddles!

Puddles are inspected for: splashy-ness

The team stumbles upon a rogue Stick Inspector.

Team continues to inspect puddles - this time for size. Mmm, this one's a bit rubbish!

'Size' - tick! 'Can't see feet' - tick!

Another key responsibility is to make sure Mouse Inspectors know the whereabouts of Stick Inspectors.

Back to base. Phew, it's tough out there.

2011-07-21T13:05:00.002+01:00

The organisation we volunteered for in Thailand, North Andaman Tsunami Relief, has a community-based tourism offshoot, Andaman Discoveries.

This is their promotional video as part of a BBC award scheme:

2nd Day of the Gathering

2011-07-18T20:47:00.005+01:00

Auntie Beth and the cousins snuggle up for some stories, a good opportunity for Beth to get to know her niece.

Then Georgia shows some of her true colours, just as well it wasn't the vegetarian Auntie.

Then it was to really let her hair down, some naked running around, possibly brought on by consuming Auntie Gudrun's yummy chocolate cake.

Then the adults let their hair down - don't worry we kept our clothes on - and what better game to play for people who haven't seen each other for 6 years.....? That's right, one where we pretend to be werewolves, ruthlessly killing each other in a fictitious village. Nick trys to fill Sage's storytelling shoes....setting the ghostly scene....

Some of those villagers just can't take their eyes off him....

Then we all start to get a bit worried......who's going to get the chop....?

Darn it!!

Can't wait for the next opportunity to get my own back, hopefully we won't have to wait so long next time to play together.

1st day of the gathering

2011-07-11T08:08:00.006+01:00

It turns out Georgia has an IQ of 862!

Which is nice...

Hanging seats are in vogue in Aberfeldy.

We have a Ukelele, guitar and piano.

Molly practising her rock n roll look.

Finally all the kids are together. It didn't take long for them to warm up to one another.

Same goes for the sisters!
Maddy knows how to pose.

Nick doesn't.

At night, he changes...

Weather has been typically Scottish, but we enjoyed some evening calm, until the bubbles came out.

Louisa & Andy's

2011-06-12T12:53:00.011+01:00

We spent a night at Louisa and Andy's, but you wouldn't know it from the photos - where are they?

Here's Ruairidh, who Georgia followed everywhere with a look of adoration. She was particularly impressed by his bucket-over-the-head trick and climbing abilities.

The piano was a big attraction, and Georgia was delicate as ever.

"La la la la la....."
But the ultimate combo was the piano AND Ruairidh.

Outside we fed the pigs - bunny got a little too close to those teeth...

Back home she got her 1st watering can - wowee, gee thanks mom!

And her 1st record player...

Nigella in the kitchen...

Her tantrums have begun - this is her practising rolling around the kitchen floor.

She also has chickenpox! So far she's been pretty good, but the spots are beginning to come out.

Night night...

A friend at work has lent me his super-duper camera to try out, with which I took these photos. I'm pretty keen to keep it. (HH so watch out folks, these blog posts might get even longer!)

Summer is on!

2011-06-06T21:39:00.004+01:00

Georgia isn't into mucky play. Doesn't like things on her fingers. We're considering getting her her own dust buster...

But here she is enjoying some precision pressing on playdough with buttons.

Down south she met her first yorkshireman, Aaron.

Georgia knows her 1st music festival is coming in August at Belladrum. So I was happy to find her reading up on what she'll need to take.

"The owls are not what they seem..."

Mum and bubba in the garden...

East end of Loch Ard looking back towards our house.

In the hood

2011-04-14T13:39:00.004+01:00

As usual it's been a while......we had a couple of days with nothing in the calendar and lots of sunshine so out came the camera.

Here we have Georgia showing off a number of skills and obsessions: hair clips, books, noses and managing to find her Daddy despite his attempts at camouflage....

We decided to remind ourselves why we put up with the potholed roads and lack of amenities, so took a wee dander up to Stronachlacher and Loch Katrine, only about 20 minutes up the road but to some beautiful scenery and peace and quiet (Kinlochard can get quite noisy sometimes).

We found a picnic spot and had the whole loch to ourselves, give or take a couple of kayakers. Georgia tucks in to her first Loch Katrine picnic.

Then back to the ranch...

She's getting the hang of 'heads, shoulders knees and toes...' altogether now -

Poor wee Yuba heard the 'picnic' but got the location wrong. Spot the Georgia look alike and no it's not the squirrel!

The next post will probably be about Georgia and Jamie's adventures in Shetland. Meanwhile I've got the playdough all to myself!

Georgia in a cast for the first time!

2011-02-06T20:12:00.004Z

DAY TWO of walking and Georgia is fast learning the perils of mobility - a wee accident on a North Berwick slide and we were off to the Sick Kids Hospital, poor wee mite.

Needless to say we're all suffering - poor Vaila waits in vain for a push:

Hopefully the cast will be off within a couple of weeks, and we can pick up where we left off!

Georgia walking for the first time!

2011-02-04T21:56:00.000Z

Snowy Kinlochard

2010-12-05T20:41:00.003Z

As usual it's been a wee while since our last post - too busy running around after her majesty....or dustbusting...... or dustbusting her majesty...anyway, what have we been up to...er...we've been visited by laidback Californians Rose and Max but unfortunately they slept too much so we didn't get a picture of them!!!

So Jamie took one on his way to work instead:

We've been celebrating her majesty's birthday in woolly style courtesy of Auntie Gudrun, just in case you were in any doubt that Georgia looked like her Daddy they now have matching knitwear to prove they're related....

Also please note Bunny in the picture above, this doesn't leave Georgia's side for more than about 2 seconds, and it's helped her settle in to nursery so we'll put up with the smell of mouldy yoghurt.

AND THEN.....it snowed. A lot. And we were stuck in Bridge of Allan, in walking distance to a co-op with a synthesiser for entertainment -I even remembered how to play the ski sunday tune (I don't mean in the co-op had a synthesiser, it was in the flat. Although it would be fun to play ski sunday in the co-op!) it was like Christmas had come early.

But we did have to go home eventually and this was what it looked like when we did:

Georgia was quickly hoisted on to a sledge, surrounded by all the other Kinlochard kids who I think sledged for about 36hrs solid before finally being bundled into a school bus, poor things.

And snowmen had got so comfortable on Dad's chairs they fell asleep in the sun.

It's been nice being all snuggled up at home together - more snow please!

Georgia video

2010-10-27T13:45:00.022+01:00

Realise many of you have already seen this but it's an easy way for us to update the blog!

Shetland Hamefarin 2010

2010-06-16T10:08:00.008+01:00

Opening for the Hamefarin 2010...

Dad was joined by members of the archives and museum in presenting Shetland as it was for many emigrants in the late 19th century.

Then dad took to the stage to talk about his book, A Kist of Emigrants.

He signed books for many people who had contributed stories.

Then Tim, Elizabeth, dad and I took to the seas in Jonathan Wills' boat around Bressay and Noss. Weather was perfect.

Georgia gets to Shetland and meets grandma!

2010-05-23T16:00:00.003+01:00

We finally made it to Shetland on our 3rd attempt after snow and volcanic ash had scuppered previous sojourns.

This time fog was out to derail our expedition. Georgia's first flight tried to land at Sumburgh but we pulled up and away at the last second, diverted to Kirkwall on Orkney. After our Spain trip was also scuppered due to the volcano we were thinking we were jinxed.

A few hours in Kirkwall and we were ready to try the boat instead, but suddenly they called us back to the plane and soon we were down safely on Shetland.

Dad had done 3 sudokos, a crossword, The Scotsman cover to cover and most of a novel.

This morning we went to Wastview and Georgia met her grandma for the first time!

Mum carefully inspected her to see if we'd been looking after her properly.

They got on famously and there were lots of laughs and gurgling.

Fog is still around so there's every chance we'll be stuck here.

Here's hoping!

Georgia in 2010

2010-02-11T20:16:00.006Z

Been a very long time since we put anything up on this blog. Since October 2009 in fact. Hmmm.... I wonder what could have happened?

Oh yeah, Georgia was born!!

We call her 'Spiky McDoo' a lot.

What's that Snowy? Trouble at the mill?

Whispers: It goes like this, 'Aberdeen! Aberdeen!'

This was Jamie's favourite 'suit' of hers, she is already too big for it, aww...

Ok, she really really looks like Jamie in these pictures.

"Bring me a bottle, and be quick about it!"

Her favourite place: the baby gym, hanging out with Logan the Lion, Eddie the Elephant and Freddie the Firefly.... giving a good kick and chattin' awa...'a goo'!

"Right you two...which one of you has my bottle?!"

Jamie's wee poem sums up our first few weeks of parenthood....thanks everyone for your support, gifts and love for our little one.

Your wee hands visible above the cot, but nothing else!
Your grunts, groans and grins.
Root and writhe with excitement.
Crying, screaming, sweaty neck,
Pacing, pacifying and distraction!
Distraction! Distraction!
Sleep so slight.
Sleep so deep.
We don't know what we're doing.
I don't know what to say to you.
Can you hear me? Can you see me?
I love you forever.

Berlin

2009-10-01T12:15:00.011+01:00

Ya! Wilkommen aus Berlin!

G and I had a few days with Roland who was renting an apartment downtown before his annual sojourn out to to run his expeditions with River India.

One of the interesting leftovers of the WWII blitz.

This was the church built to replace it over the road.

We enjoyed Helmut Newton's photography exhibition, very Berlin i.e. not one to take the kids to. Although there was a school-trip inside being given a talk on it. Wouldn't happen in the UK. There'd be an outcry on the Jeremy Vine show.

Again another example of the liberal Berlin scene.

Roland fits in perfectly.

I even got mistaken for a German, being asked for directions. Ich weib nicht!

The Holocaust memorial in the centre of town.

Second Wurst, same as the first!

Roland lives on these things...

We had a night at the opera, Rossini's Barber of Seville.

There was an amazing amount of options, with a different opera almost every night.

Brandenburg Gate where the wall first fell.

The weekend we were there was the Berlin marathon.

This is perhaps the weakest marathon photo ever captured on film. Look, one of them isn't even running!

They love putting lycra on in Berlin.

Roland and G are off to India in a few days.

I went home to Scotland...

Kinlochard to Ullapool

2009-10-01T11:36:00.005+01:00

Right, still no pictures of the house for you, it's a work in progress, but take our word for it, it's magic.

This is looking down towards it.
The ginger ratio is much higher out here. A picture postcard for you.

Brian and Florencia were over from Argentina for a couple of weeks so everyone descended on Kinlochard for a get together. We had 9 people staying in the house (I bought earplugs for Helen). Here's Gaz looking mighty pleased with himself as he usually does, Loch Ard in the background.

It's mostly commercial forest around us, so the landscape changes quite dramatically every decade or so.
Here's Brian doing his best 'Next calalogue' pose.

And the beautiful Florencia getting to see Scotland at its finest (thank god it didn't rain on our road trip!).
We stopped at Rannoch Moor on our way to Glencoe.

Coming into Glencoe was as dramatic as ever.

Top of the Devil's Staircase in Glencoe.
Dylan's Scotland t-shirt didn't help the national team the night before (we lost to Holland and are out of the World Cup qualifiers).
A few of us headed up further to Ullapool and beyond.

This is our Corrs-style band photo.

Shetland August 2009

2009-08-06T18:54:00.005+01:00

Another jaunt to Bousta, Shetland.

Helen finally getting time with dad, having had about 5mins since we returned from New Zealand.

Here's Polly getting curious of the sheep.

Helen and I took a walk out past Norby, Sandness, where some old mill buildings are being restored.

Not sure where the beast is that was tied up here...

Looking down to St.Ninian's Isle.

We went out to the lighthouse at Sumburgh head...

Glorious weather that week in Shetland (as always it seems).

Puffins!

The ultimate loneliest cabin...

I was allowed to break my duck at drystane work. Dad let me loose on the wall that hides the septic tank! You gotta start somewhere.

Each bout of labour was completed with a beer in the garden. And sometimes a cigar...

The brilliant weather led to some great sunsets.

The cosy Bousta extension.

I don't need another hero...

2009-07-26T18:15:00.010+01:00

View Larger Map

I had A-Team like music rattling around in my brain as we wobbled our way around.

But now that I look at the pictures, I think it's more Ski Sunday.

We love maps.

J-Johnston-sElfporTrait-img2009

Home can be anywhere.

There's me and my imaginary friend again...

View Larger Map

Ah, now there's a funny story about that...we bivvywhacked down for the night...

Ah, a map! Why didn't you say so?

Maybe we'll find another map over there somewhere!

"Patta cake patta cake, baker's man..."

Ski centre at Glenshee. Lovely folks, worst toilets in Scotland. And I include Trainspotting...

Stewart was like an aggressive ram from hills around Newcastle...
He shouldered wee Jim and I down this scree slope as a "short-cut" to getting back to the road.

There he goes...legs like tree trunks.

Jim and I were a little more skitterish.

Then it was back to Hobbiton for thick sliced bread with butter and honey.

The Miller's new "family" tent, where wee Ruairi is Lord Ruler of his Domain.

With The Millers

2009-07-26T13:35:00.008+01:00

Alright so it's been ages since we posted. I know. Get ready for a whole shebang.

This is going waaaaay back to March 2009!

Celebrating our time spent with the Millers - Helen, Stew and Ruairi.

First up, culinary Indian delights of which we have become slaves of...

Ok so it looks like a scotch egg, but it's spicier!

Being Bridge of Allan you can't just wear any old wellies...

Sometimes if you think about gravity you feel like you might fall off...

The Helens... notice neither look pregnant. Oh how that has changed!

Stew constantly fills Ruairi's head with stories of bears and trolls... I don't know how the wee man sleeps at night. This is them approaching the bear's cave.

The mighty Mel Gibson monument. I mean Wallace!

In June we went to the Kelburn Garden Party. The son of the laird puts on the festival, as well as letting some dudes with spray cans decorate the family mansion.

Jim came with us to the festival.

This was perhaps the most laid back music festival ever witnessed. Even the security looked bored.
The Miller's family tent in action for the first time.

The two sides of Ruairi.

Jekyll...
Hyde...

Gettin' awa tae A'berdeenshire

2009-07-20T19:48:00.006+01:00

Hallo!

This is Pitfichie Castle.
From the other side of Pitfichie forest on the hill... or something more vague than those descriptions.

Me and my dawg...

This is like that story about the boy with imaginary friends..

The guy in this picture isn't my friend, although we did nod knowlingly at one another from the top of the hill. 2 things to remember though: He took off as soon as I reached the top, and he was wearing a lot more padding than me (don't tell Helen).

This is whatdoyoumacallit...summit 5457m.

This is me at the top. Took 25 minutes on that amazing orange machine.

See, no padding!

Then I cycled to the south of France. Had trouble getting my bike on the Eurostar. Took it apart into 100 tiny pieces and carried them on in a plastic bag.

I'm just joking with you.

This is of course Hobbiton...

Had a stretch of one of those perfect few days.

Helen was watching my progress with her hawk-like vision.

In Scotland we love living in very old old places.

Kildrummy Castle, circa 1250.

All these pictures are high-res by the way, so click on them to get a nice big shot.

Remember what I said about Scots loving to live in old old places.

He kept a close eye on us as we walked the perimeter.

They flock to Helen wherever we walk...

They all do...
This was a pretty perfect red roofed cabin near Loch Kinord.

We slipped around Burn o' vat in the rain.

Water seems to fall through the rocks all around you.

Pink Kaloo goes on holiday by mistake!

2009-05-17T17:20:00.003+01:00

Dear Isla,

You didn't notice but when you left the cottage I jumped out of your bag because I wanted to go on an adventure! Don't worry I'm coming back soon!!

Caroline found me and gave me to Helen. Helen and Jamie put me in their car (which was a bit smelly because I was next to Jamie's bike) and we went to Bridge of Allan.

It is very sunny here and lots of people are eating ice-cream. I've really enjoyed myself so far. I sat on the deck enjoying the views with a glass of wine.

Helen's teddies - Truffles and Big Ted - have also been looking after me, we sat and watched TV together. Big Ted in particular has been very attentive.

I was quite tired after a very exciting day, and I snuggled in next to Helen for some sleep. She's not as cuddly as you.

Helen told me she will get me back to North Berwick safe and sound, but until I do please don't worry about me. I'm enjoying my adventure!

Lots of love

Pink Kaloo

Shetland April 2009

2009-05-14T16:52:00.007+01:00

I think I will let the pictures speak for themselves on this post.

This was from my trip to Shetland with Sorley a couple of weeks ago.

Included all the usuals: cheeky laughs, marmite, seals, football, sunshine, crofts, walks and cats.

Homegame Festival, Anstruther and Crail, Fife

2009-05-01T21:01:00.003+01:00

We spent a weekend in the wee fishing villages of Anstruther and Crail, in Fife. We were there for the Homegame music festival - a lo-fi series of intimate gigs in Churches, halls, Schools and the fishing museum.

This is Helen with her festival band on her wrist. Unlike the usual festivals spent in tents and portable toilets, we were in a hotel in Crail.

Weather was amazing. This is a 16th century doocot near the sea.

Isle of May.
Looking over to North Berwick, The Law.

We dandered around Anstruther (Anster to the locals) between gigs, peeking into antique shops and lunching in pubs.

Of course there was lots of music. This is Adem doing his folky thang.

A big cheese for this festival was KT Tunstall. Compared to some of the bands that shuffled on and plucked at instruments cautiously she blew everyone away with high energy levels and chat.

James Yorkston.
On the last day we went up to St Andrews for lunch.

Back in Anstruther for the low key finale.

We had gone to the festival principally to check out FOUND, my old school chum Gavin Sutherland's band. Gav and I were once in Amorphous Head at school, playing Pixies covers and his originals.

Unfortunately we didn't have the camera for their performance on the Friday night, but they were brilliant.

This was FOUND frontman Ziggy Campbell's solo spot on the last day in the fisheries museum. He has a great Hawick drawl and sly lyrics.

Two of FOUND joined him, but Gav was back in Edinburgh at work.

It was great to catch up with Gav's parents who had come through for the weekend. I hadn't seen them since I was about 17. That's his mum at the front enjoying Ziggy's performance.

Donegal, Ireland

2009-04-07T18:47:00.006+01:00

A weekend in sunny Donegal, Ireland, with Chris, Maggie and Alfie.

Giant's Causeway was first stop after Chris picked us up in Derry.

Chris is a photographer and Maggie a designer. After years in Glasgow, they've been in Ireland for the past 4. Chris is a Glasgow (hard)man but Maggie Marley (best name ever) is from Donegal, returning to her roots.

Finally! A shot of me and Helen together not looking like numpties.

Donegal is just full of amazing white sandy beaches and miles of stunning coastline. Alfie walked us as often as he could.

As usual Alfie barely stopped for the pictures.

This is on the west coast near Ardara which has a festival just about every weekend.

Yes, that island cottage looks perfect thanks. We'll take it.

These are Maggie's friend's goats, the smaller of which is a pygmy goat. Helen has added it to her must-have domestic animal list.

I was broken on the Friday night, so lay around feeling sorry for myself on Saturday. Chris being the alpha Glasgow male ripped me a new one for such 'soft' behaviour.

Thankfully he got food poisoning and was rooted to the porcelain god on Sunday while I roamed roaring!

When we weren't on the beach we were next to the fire.

We are very very jealous of their abode and surroundings.

We plan to return soon for one of Ardara's many festivals.

Dumfries

2009-03-23T19:55:00.006Z

Great weekend down in Dumfries which is Callum and Emily's stomping ground.

Their beautiful kids Rosie and Cameron entertained us for the weekend, Rosie seen here protecting her wee bro's dignity.

But unfortunately wan't totally successful...and here we have the 5th Edgar, Holly, who may look like a unassuming wee dog but I can tell you at the end of a lead on a walk she's a powerhouse going at 100 miles an hour.

Rosie forgetting that she's camera shy..
Don't look down! Uncle Rich letting Rosie feel like what it's like to be real tall.
Oh dear, Al got his large bottom stuck at the end of the slide and everyone just kept going...who IS that guy with the sunglasses?!
Rosie a bit miffed that Al stole her balloon.
Cameron pleased as punch with his golf stick and ball - the wee pet is obsessed with golf, Gill went to wake him from his nap to find his arms clenching his plastic golf club in his sleep! AW!
Rosie again forgetting she's camera shy - probably shouting 'silly man' to Jamie which she did all weekend, you'll find out why further down

It's making me hungry just looking at him, Callum's breakfasts are legendary and he didn't let us down. Al ate the last sausage.

Rosie after her brekkie, full of bounce!
While the boys were out biking the girls mucked around with the fashion accessories..
Speaking of fashion...now you see why Rosie shouted 'Silly Man' at Jamie for most of the day! Callum showing off his helmet at a jaunty angle..
And that pretty much sums up our trip, beautiful family, beautiful food...we love Dumfries!!

At Howemill

2009-03-23T19:37:00.003Z

Up for a weekend to Howemill to see Sorley, Wendy and Ben. Glorious Friday sunshine on the way up and it was pretty good over the entire weekend.

Watched Ben in action on his trusty steed, although it certainly dragged its feet, kicking up plenty of dust.

Sorley and I headed over toward Tarland and hiked Morvern from that side (east). It was lovely going up.
But soon clouded over as we got near the top.

Pretty damn windy up there, but we sheltered behind some rocks to have some lunch.

This is a ruin at the bottom of Morvern. Any takers?

Southerlies and Northerlies

2009-02-18T23:15:00.002Z

I wrote this little ditty while delayed in Sydney on my way back from New Zealand, it's for Jamie, but thought you all might enjoy it too. hx

Expensive cheese, some ID please!
Wetsuit knees and cabbage trees

Buses with apologies
Southerlies and northerlies

Oyster catchers, easter campers
Coffee drinkers, we’re going pinker!

Te reo learners, wide berth turners
All Black watchers, kite surfers

Tunnel toots, your shootin’ boots
Pesky Pahutakawa roots

Shops shut?! two thumbs up

FORD!!!

Zec, Bunter, Ben’s possum hunter
G’s eaten all the butter!

Lyall Bay, what’s the take home pay?
Sun’s rays, Molly’s happy days

Merlin’s troos, which towel did you use?
Wellington Pheonix dinnae loose!

Fantails, harbour sails
Trixie never ever fails

Woodburning stoves, draughty holes
Opera, dub and film shows

Maddy’s drunken stumbles, airport rumbles
When will the earthquake cause a crumble?

I’ll miss our own Mr Tui
Kia Ora bro, arohanui

Christmas in Shetland 2008

2009-01-07T15:31:00.005Z

Christmas was spent at Muckle Bousta with the Durham clan. It's been 3 years since we were all together. After a couple of days sleeping, things started picking up, and we ventured outside!

A rare sighting of Gudrun, but a not so rare camera in hand.

Those damn wellies! They've done more travelling than me. (HH: They're blue with dogs on!)

Weather was incredibly mild and on a couple of days there wasn't a breath of wind. (HH demonstrated by upright persons above.)

His favourite rock. (HH: Attempting a 'Banasana'!)

Awright?

David has a canny knack of blending into his surroundings.

Sage all blinged up.

Amazing light as we made our way home.

Boxing day at St Ninian's Isle. It was fekking freezing! (HH: but still beautiful, we warmed up with some nice strong tea, and jaffas, making it all worth it.)

New Year and into 2009 with Jo

2009-01-07T15:18:00.007Z

As ever, Stew and Helen opened their door to the masses and we gathered at the Miller's home for New Year. It was a baby fest until about 8pm, and then as the 'adults' regressed through plentiful wine, spirits and beer, it was baby fest once again as we neared midnight.

Here's Niall and Jim getting intimate with a shocked Amy in the background.

Everyone wanted to try the new diet craze, which involves eating pretzels with a straw. A sure way to lose weight. (HH: Jamie that is a REALLy bad joke!)

Our friend Jo from Canada was up for a week having spent Christmas with family in Surrey. We last saw her when working in Thailand. There she is behind strategically placed balloons.

Jo had already tasted the delights of ceilidh dancing at a street party in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. Here she moved up a level to dancing in the Miller's hoose. (HH: Sorry Jo for constantly making you ceilidh dance, you didn't make us line dance once!)

We took her up to Loch Lomond on New Year's Day. (HH: as usual, Helen trying to lean in close while Jamie keeps a firm hand on her shoulder to ensure a safe distance is maintained. Loch Lomond scrubbed up quite well today, I'd like to say we had it all to ourselves but most of Bearsden followed us up there. Poor Jo's probably thinking at this point: 'are they going to make me ceilidh dance again?!')

And we took a look around Luss.

And then into the Hermitage near Dunkeld the day after.

Ossian's cave. (HH Jo here attempting - and below failing -to keep a safe distance from the lunatic in strange wellies!!)

That's ice next to the waterfall! (HH: Well done Jamie! And what else can you see...?)

Jo had a fairly traditional Scottish experience. She saw the inside of many, many pubs(HH sorry about that!), ceilidh danced and dandered around Lochs and rivers. We promise to see you in Canada soon! (HH: stonking summary from Jamie, can't beat it. Jo we miss you already xxx)

Lerwick

2008-11-12T17:16:00.003Z

Sandness was without power today (no huge storm I'm afraid, just some routine maintenance of the lines) and the school was closed. No power! Man we were freaked out. That means the laptops can only be used until the batteries go dead! No matter, with no router we had no internet anyway (what did we used to do out here in the 70s? Rock pools and word games?).

So we all climbed in the Multispace van (err...it has more than one space?) and headed to Lerwick.

Gudrun tried to go to Jamieson's shop but they had the usual "Back in 5 mins" sign up. They never came back.

I have completely stolen Gudrun's thunder with this colour select tool. Brilliant.

Last stop after lunch with Richard Gibson at the Museum was the library. Dad and I caught up on the sports pages while the kids armed themselves with new material.

By the way, this isn't the library.

This is the library!

Sage tries to hide. Why? There's no kissing going on. (I used to do the same thing when kissing came on the TV.)

Back to Bousta! And the power's on!

Gudrun off to her knitting class, so that means dad is making a stew for me and him.

Walls and Shetland again!

2008-11-08T10:48:00.002Z

Helen and I flew up to Sumburgh yesterday at the ungodly hour of 6.30am. That meant leaving Helen's dad's at 5.15am! First flight with the new Flybe (ripoff merchants) operator, a little gusty coming in but ok.

Went to pick up mum with dad and took these pictures of her room for Beth and Nick.

Mum and dad locked horns over getting her shoes on, I stood by and took pictures like a good son, not getting involved.

Great to be back in Muckle Bousta. We had an early dinner before Gudrun, Helen and I went to Burra Isle for the Thomas Fraser memorial concert. Thomas' granddaughter was the standout, an amazing voice. She sang in her parents' band first and then in her own all-female vocalist group (some lovely folk and blues songs, like the Be Good Tanyas perhaps). Also singing was Freda from Shoormal, she did the Migrant song (which Molly knows well) and also some great cover versions of classic blues numbers. No pictures I'm afraid. But I did get a Thomas Fraser t-shirt and his new CD.

Shetland with the Durhams

2008-10-31T17:18:00.005Z

J: Had a great time up in Shetland with Gudrun, Maya and Sage. Here's Gudrun as we made our way over to Little Bousta to take a look around before the new owner's move in.

Looking back over to Muckle Bousta.

J: The main reason we went over there was to check on a few things from our time living there in the 70s. This was a cupboard door that our auntie Maggie painted. There were three in all but we only saw two.
J: And this is the water tank cupboard which had a Shetland Trader poster on it from when mum ran the business in the 70s.

J: Dad did a lot of the work on doing Little Bousta up. This is the main living/kitchen area.

J: Under the stairs Beth and Sorley had signed their names in 1978.

Blair Drummond Safari Park

2008-10-31T17:09:00.005Z

J: Very happy that the Durhams (well, all but one unfortunately, but we'll see David at Christmas) came over from California. Here's Helen with Maya and Sage at the brilliant Blair Drummond Safari Park which is only 15 minutes from our house - now closed for the winter.

Blair Drummond house in the background.

J: It's great as the animals roam in large enclosures that you can either drive or walk through (depending on the animal of course).

J: Maya is a born climber.

Shetland August 2008

2008-10-31T16:52:00.005Z

J: I have been up and down to Shetland since I returned to Scotland in August. This was my second visit with Sorley and Ben. (In actual fact though, this picture was taken by Gudrun a month or so later.)

We walked around so we could get a view back towards Bousta.

Here's grandpa with the cat that followed us for a few miles.

J: Muckle Bousta in the foreground on the left and Little Bousta on the right.

Little Bousta.

Muckle Bousta with its extension.

J: Sorley doing a Rimmer ...

Perhaps one of the coolest cats ever.

J: Great sequence of Ben leaving with the cat following ... I feel there's a story in there.

New Zealand farewells!

2008-10-31T16:43:00.004Z

J: Long overdue, but farewell to everyone in New Zealand! This is a picture from my office in Wellington with the ACC crew.

J: Obviously the saddest farewells were with the Armstrongs. The following two pictures are from a wee while ago when Molly celebrated her birthday at the Blueberry Farm.

J: Here's Maddy doing what she does best - being the centre of attention! Standing on the newly uncovered Johnston-family kitchen table which came all the way from Scotland.

J: Helen and Molly share a contemplative moment...

J: Molly shows her Scottish roots... uisge beath!

J: We will miss our get-togethers at the Armstrong house.

J: Now if this isn't one of the most satisfied faces ever ... "Ah, smug mode."

Allanwater Apartments, Bridge of Allan

2008-10-31T16:09:00.006Z

J: No, Gingers on the run have not disappeared! We just returned home. And interestingly that meant the camera did a vanishing act to some dark recess of the wardrobe.

J: Here is me in my (unemployed state) dressing-gown rescuing it from obscurity - the camera that is, the dressing-gown was rescued when it arrived safe and sound with all of our belongings from New Zealand last week.

J: With the arrival of our possessions came yet another session of unpacking/packing. It will NOT be the last. Currently we are living in Helen's dad's and step-mum's home in pretty Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. It is a close step to Dunkeld and Perthshire, very similar in lots of ways.

J: Bridge of Allan was a Victorian spa town. We are living in a flat in this building which used to be a hotel, and was part of the spa. Unfortunately the tower is not ours. But one day I will have a tower, oh yes, I will.

J: Right out the back door are these woods.

J: The flat has a small outer deck area with views of Stirling Castle.

J: Out to the trossachs and north.

J: The Wallace Monument - 256 steps!

J: Beth wanted to see the interior so here you go!

J: We need more pictures for the fridge Molly!

J: This is the old spa building, now an Italian restaurant, Bologna, which we are dining in tonight (within staggering distance of the flat), to celebrate our three year anniversary! It has been an amazing three years since we got married on the Isle of Rum and then took off to Thailand, India and eventually New Zealand.

J: Now we are home again!

J: Sorry for the long delay in posting. There will be more! Gudrun has inspired us with her amazing photography on the Shetland Trader of Scotland.

Johnstons & Armstrongs 2008

2008-09-28T16:36:00.001+01:00

Two videos from the Johnston and Armstrong clans in 2008.

Through The Keyhole

2008-03-29T22:10:00.001Z

Lindsey & Mark Come to Play

2008-02-11T00:41:00.001Z

And finally the evening dawned..... and we searched the skies from our window for Lindsey and Mark's plane, doing our exercises in the lounge, trying to make sure we'd be fit and lean enough to tackle any energy sapping challenge they threw into our path.

And.....streeeetch. It's so beautiful...... woops missed the plane. They're here! - HUT HUT HUT move it people! After much dilly dallying at the airport (what do you mean the drop off entrance is shut?! That means we have to pay for parking!!) we took up station at the gate, and in they bounded, brown, blonde and beautiful, we felt positively dowdy & ginger in comparison. Welcome to New Zealand guys.....now er, we didn't bring a wallet and we have to pay for parking.. I don't suppose....brilliant. Thanks. Pay you back.
I'm seriously considering a career in wildlife photography after capturing this rare moment of intellectual conversation between Jamie and Lindsey. Drink it in.
Proof that god exists - seen here attempting to pick up Mark by the head using a long orange pin. It's like an orange on a toothpick!! This was taken as we dawdled into Wellington along the coast, after enjoying brunch on the deck at the surfclub, watching the ocean and the planes land - turns out Mark's a plane man, so he was happy.
As Mark pointed out (illustrated above - guffaw!) technically we were in the middle of the city, but surrounded by windurfers and sea birds having their own brunch of mussels.

Nearly there.... Oriental Beach in the background, the 'city beach' which has a big fountain in the water.
... a quickish stop for a beer in the sun, before the bus home. A nasty moment when Jamie realised he'd left our camera in the pub, but as you can see from the happy relieved faces below, he got it back.

Lindsey here practising her royal wave from the balcony, you can't see it from this pick but she was actually waving extra fast to burn off some more energy.

The silver fern ball, hovering outside the city gallery - which we didn't go into because it would mean standing still for at least a few seconds at a time......

Aw. Another rare moment captured - Lindsey and Mark sitting down.... we managed to tire them out....I thank yaw...
Next physical adventure: ten pin bowling, which none of us had done since we were about 10. An ideal outing for Lindsey - food followed by competetitive fun in small shorts.
A couple of greasy spoon burgers and a ginger beer, and the girls were raring to go.
Just psyching myself up to pick up a ball..... I did manage to throw one behind me into the crowd at one point, but Jamie soon set me straight. And no I didn't use the kiddies yellow guide thing, that was for Jamie!
Lindsey after she managed to pick up a ball. She's so easy to entertain!!
Oops dropped it. Quick someone give her a lolly!
Mark doing his usual RANT...sorry, chatter, to distract everyone from his score... heheheh.

And finally G, who made up for his score line with pure style.

Here we are folks- you're watching the expert, with my favourite flame orange ball.

Needless to say, the girls came out on top - Lindsey first (well she is taller - although she's also got a really bad back, so she really did show the rest of us up). Devasted, the boys refused to even speak to us the whole way home. Then we skipped round the supermarket, collecting ingredients for Lindsey's feast for the masses (and just in case anyone wants to recipe - that's one can of chickpeas each, one large cabbage and a fat free dressing).

It was fantastic to have our part Ozzie pals here, it's nice sharing experiences of being away from home, discussing (unless your a boy then it's RANTING) about the quaint differences between countries and cultures. We're looking forward to visiting Oz in June, particularly after we've confirmed they understand the concept of 'rounds' when in a pub - after a few expensive nights apparently gifting drinks to our kiwi mates we've had to re-think our drinking strategies. Flying to Oz would definitely be cheaper.

We do worry they work too hard, and hope that one day they'll cross the ditch to share the joys of Welly with us, sun, surf, shorter work hours, cheaper houses and most importantly, hills. To run up and down, and up and down, all day.

Sportmad

2008-02-10T23:28:00.001Z

Touch rugby. On paper it sounds something like a playground game of Kiss, Cuddle or Torture - chase me, chase me! Touch! Got you! No you didn't! Yes I did! Touch! Not fair!

My initial forays into the game were confused. I couldn't get a handle on it. And of course I'd much rather have been playing socc...FOOTBALL!

But it was still a chance to wear shorts, get a red head and sweaty curls. Organised through work, ACC, our team are pretty good. We've lost once and drawn once, and won something like 10. In the picture above you can see the physical prowess of some of the players.

Anyway, I've been steadily improving (I think). I certainly have yet to repeat my debut highlight down in Peel Forest last year. Playing for the rafting company against the farmers, we went through a series of passes, culminating in me receiving the ball and bursting through for a sure try. I jumped and slid gleefully across the ground. Upon throwing the ball up in the air joyfully, I realised I was at least 4 feet shy of the try-line, and now had a giant cowpat skidmark across my shirt.

After a failed attempt to create a club in Auckland, Wellington got its first socce...FOOTBALL!! team this year. Despite a poorish season they still averaged around 10,000 fans for most home games. I've never seen Helen have more fun at a sporting event than when we saw the Wellington Phoenix play. (H: apart from winning bronze in the Three Legged in P3 with Louisa Heart....I kept that badge for far too long....sigh.) And without the age-old loyalties ripping my heart apart, I was free to enjoy the spectacle too. The Cake Tin was alive to the sound of "The referee's a...." and "Same old Aussie's, always cheating."

People were genuinely surprised at the atmosphere - none more so than the rugby lovers. They'd never heard continuous noise like that. Even when losing!

Nick had given me a copy of The World Cup Baby. A memoir by a friend's brother. The book is about following football from far flung locales. It's about passion.

I met Euan McCabe, the author, before one of the Phoenix games, to interview him for a magazine. It was great to just get down to brass tacks and discuss Ipswich's form of late. He has been to see them twice. He also went to the world cup in Italy (1990) and hasn't missed a world cup match on TV since the latter stages of that competition. That puts him at 250 games in a row!

When my dad told me he had been outside his Shetland croft, deep in winter, in gale force winds, to shovel snow off the satellite dish so he could see Match of the Day, I thought that was dedication. Euan McCabe has many tales like that.

I seriously recommend his book for anyone who likes football, or is curious as to why people are so delirious about it. You can buy it here.

Here's Euan at the Phoenix's final home game.

Cue screams!

Yes, Beckham mania came to little old Wellington for one weekend. It only cost $2millionNZD. Worth every penny I reckon. It was a full house at the Cake Tin, and the largest football crowd ever in New Zealand. (H: He's TINY! They don't tell you that in the Gillette adverts, this man is small.)

Although only a friendly, there was no love lost between LA Galaxy and Wellington Phoenix.(H: check out Jamie's staple footie commentary phrases! What he means is they shouted at each other a lot, and David - we're on first name terms now - frowned constantly. I think it might be written in his contract to look as sultry as possible at all times).

Ruud Gullit had just become manager, and he chewed his way through a packet of gum like the best managers around.

Beckham scored a penalty, but never got to show off one of his trademark free-kicks, despite the persistent hacking at his shins. (H: And small boys in front of us screaming their heads off for the entire match.....I tell ya I nearly.....grrrrr!!)

At least we got to see his tatoos. (H: hey David you missed a bit!)

SUPER COOL!

2008-02-10T23:18:00.001Z

It seems so long ago now, but when we first ventured south to Christchurch in October 2006, French Florian looked after us. Through him we also met Scottish Euan (although there are mutual friend connections a go-go). (H: er.....I can't think of a caption for this photo, it's just too scary).

The pair are both at the University of Canterbury and they also share a passion for the outdoors. Florian was recently telling me about his 2km swim and how he'd almost killed his dad while on a 'leisurely' bike ride. They don't know their own fitness.

The pair of them came up in November and stayed with us to celebrate my birthday. It might be the last time we see Flo. He is leaving for Europe, and a possible teacher-training course.

We took a short walk up the hills above Paraparaumu and then on the beach. (Although you can't see any cars on the beach, there were loads around!)

H: I am NOT loving this picture!! Holding a Paua shell, of which there are loads here and they make pwetty jewellry from them, and eat the insides - Paua mince. I guess that's the NZ version of haggis...?

Graham 'G-Dog' Simpson

2008-02-10T22:49:00.000Z

Where do you start with G-Dog? (H: Here!) He arrived full of Californian cheer and Scottish chat. Oh how we had been missing both. His timing was impeccable. We had just found the perfect house to buy - small, wooden, draughty and on an impossibly steep bit of land. Stressing our way through the mortgage process et al, G-Dog cooked us wonderful meals every night, baked cakes, popped wine bottles and generally looked after us. He's pictured here helping Nick paint and build his fence. (The man can only do good!)

When he left to work in Queenstown we were gutted. We were, I selfishly confess, secretly pleased to learn that his job then fell through. We told him to come and stay with us. Having just moved into our new home there was a multitude of tasks needing looked at. For instance, our diet had retreated back to pasta dishes, beans and porridge.

Within a week of his arrival we'd had homemade burgers, perfect pancakes and guacamole dips.

G has transformed our life here in our new home. Actually making it feel like a home. We are already mourning the beginning of next month when he will depart for California once again. The Littlest Hobo. Groundskeeper Willie. We salute you!
(H: This is not G windsurfing! But is a good metaphor for how happy we were to see him back!)

On Waitangi Day G and I took ourselves up towards the Wairarapa, turning off the main road just before Masterton (Norfolk Road) and heading to the mountains.

We made our way up to Mount Holdsworth, following Gentle Annie Track (which was gentle) through a section of close-knit beech trees.

And then into an altogether more Entish forest.

The going was steep for less than an hour after that.

And in 3 hours we were at the top. 1470m

One thing G has made perfectly clear to Helen - I am not the noisiest person in the world! (H: true, but being the second noisiest person in the world isn't that great a title either).

Although G has had it with New Zealand (Helen: but not with us!), I do hope we see him again in the not too distant future.

Pioneers

2008-02-10T22:22:00.000Z

There really is a late pioneering spirit about New Zealand. Can see your breath inside the house? Dry your eyes! Man up! At least you've got four walls.

Kiwis just get on with the job. If they don't have something, they make it. They burn stuff. Hunting is a favourite past-time. The open country is there to be tamed and explored.

What that means in the 21st century is that people drive wherever they like.

It's a bright sunny day, you get your stuff and head down to the beach, the kids are running around in the slow lapping waves, the dog is tormenting some poor baby seal, fantastic, now's the opportunity to catch 20 winks. Then suddenly an SUV trundles past at a fairly sedate 20km/h - but the music is blaring loud. Frowning as it disappears up the beach you settle back down. Just as you are drifting away 3 motorbikes roar past with ear-splitting throttle. This is New Zealand beach life. For the most part.
H: luckily for us the beach nearest to our house is barricaded by a big wall, so you can't drive on. Perfect. So long as you can squeeze your way past the odd game of touch without getting lamped, it's a perfectly peaceful getaway.

This sign kept the majority of traffic off Titahi Bay beach. While house-sitting we stayed here for 3 weeks. I came here daily with Holly (pictured) who was a stressed-out wee soul. Having grown up in the freedom of a vineyard up north, she'd never really adjusted to city life. Just the sight of other dogs sent her into a tizz. Titahi Bay is what New Zealand life is all about. Close to the city, but far away enough. Good surf. And of course you can take your car onto the sand.

One resident in the area, Iain Hosie, is an artist and friend of Nick's. We'd seen some of his pop-art in Nick's house and asked if he would do a piece for us. We wanted something to commemorate our house-sitting adventures, and he came up trumps with this!

(H: don't worry Mum - we didn't pose for this one)

After Titahi Bay we were in Scotland for 3 weeks. Upon our return we house-sat in Korokoro, Petone. This was the closest we had been to the city. Now only a 5min train ride! Roxy was our companion here. The daintiest cat we've roomed with, barely larger than my slipper.

H: Back to the pioneer thing - I think the ironic thing is that although we're the visitors, we're not the ones with the pioneer mentality, it doesn't matter how much flying I do, or where I end up, I will never be able to fix a lawnmower with a 9 guage wire (or is that 8..?).
I'm also guessing the pioneers didn't housesit when they first arrived - but hey, house sitting's resourceful in its own way. And as you can see from her sheer size, looking after Roxy could be very demanding.
We're still attracting animals - Merlin the cat is still a regular fixture, and via Merlin, about 6 mice. Not all dead, at least not until you hear the 'crunch'. ew.

One man and his dog

2008-02-10T22:19:00.001Z

Shot in shimmering dappled sunlight, here is Ben Dalgetty, surveying "moi land". It really is like something out of Sheepdog Trails. Just like you see on TV. I whizzed up to Ben's family's farm waaaay back in August last year (oh yes folks, we're catching up) as I waited to hear about my job application to ACC.

Ben was working for River Valley on the Rangitikei River, and he took me down the tight, pool-drop gorge. Of course I fell out to test just how cold the water really was. Damn cold.

The river community is a small one. No matter where you are in the world, you always find a connection to someone. And when it comes to the river homes, they are also very recognisable. In River Valley there was the token abandoned bus turned into a bedroom.

But perhaps more surprising was the ramshackle box cum bedroom. In California we called these 'jousting boxes' and 'lemonade stands'. Whatever you call them, I have spent a good portion of my life inside of one. Due to the more variable weather in New Zealand, this one was a good deal damper.

Have we mentioned the lack of insulation, central heating or double glazing in most Kiwi homes (H: including ours! Enter Graham...)? They look cool though.

H: this one is a cutey, it's opposite the bus stop to work. We should probably do a post on Wellington houses, there are lots which are stunning, all colonial porches, latticed overhangs and crazy access -there are a sizeable number with venicular railways to get them to the front door. One couple put one in for their elderly dog - I spent a lot on my Ruby but not quite that much!

Buckingham St - Melrose - Wellington

2008-01-01T04:19:00.000Z

Spot the smallest house! Yes, that's us folks, with the wee red roof. We can see it from the bus coming home from work each day, being cute. You can just see the roof of the sleep out behind the house, and the section stretches further back. It's a lung busting 45 steps up to the door.....but all worth it, particularly when it's Christmas....

This Christmas we were joined by Mum, who arrived, slightly late but very chirpy on the 20th. She was our first proper visitor, and we'd managed to get what we had in place for her arrival - largely thanks to Trixie who sped around town the night before collecting beds, including a brass bed, tied to her roof. Jamie got a bit carried away with tying things down, I had to remind him were weren't about to plunge down class V rapids.

Our first Christmas under our own roof, this called for.........

A Christmas tree!!

With presents!! Mum came laden with pressies, and then Jamie and I added some more, so we put Mr Kiwi on guard - sporting his John McEnroe headband, for extra fear factor. Truffles, at the top of the tree, had a very uncomfortable Christmas, those reindeer ears have been trailing around with us since Christchurch - I KNEW they'd come in useful again.

To welcome Mum to a Johnston household Jamie got stuck into the kedgeree - yum. There are plenty of places to hang things up in the kitchen, we haven't quite worked out what goes where yet. but the ice-cream scoop hasn't moved staying well within (Jamie's) reach. Buying bowls with an ice cream fan is an interesting experience, only a certain depth will do. We went to an antique fair and got plates and coffee cups, but the bowls took another week.

The oven is a relic, but a very clean and well working one. We're really enjoying cooking on gas again - Lorraine that's your plant top right hand corner! Thanks!!

Mum and I enjoying the view....and the wine. Which hasn't stopped flowing since she arrived. MOst of our days have started lazily, often sitting in the sun. We've shown her all the major sites in Wellington - the hardware shop, a good place to buy cushions, a chinese furniture shop, a hard ware shop again, the shipping company, the library, the supermarket (she loved the vegetables!) - my office......and we've thrown in the odd gallery to keep things varied. She's been very amenable to being dragged off to complete household related shopping, the perfect guest.

The pickie above the tree in this one was painted by Nick's friend Ian, to commemorate our housesitting days. Truffles is holding up well...

Trixie in prime parking spot, the path going up behind her from the mailbox - see the last blog post for a closer look.

Buckingham Street.
This is the view of Lyall Bay that greets us every morning walking to work, taken from Buckingham street a few yards from the house, but unfortunately we can't see it from our place. The inter-islander ferry slips in between those two hills. It's a spectacular view, I hope we don't get used to it. There is a long sandy beach just in front of those houses.

One thing that is foxing us is the garden, so many plants that we've yet to identify......answers on a postcard please....

This is our Lemon tree - and below, plums, which the birds are enjoying, and our colourful Pahutakawa tree which flowers at Christmas, Welliington is covered in them.

A new aspect to life in Lyall Bay....waiting for buses. We're on our way out with Mum for a meal in town, Jamie bored already, which is surprising, because normally the thought of food perks him up.

Still on the subject of food....this is Bridget's house, who Mum went to school with. Last time we visited here Jamie polished off an entire loaf of bread, this time Bridget was better prepared with an entire rack of lamb, cheesecake and ice-cream. Her son Seifa, wife Rachael, son Ben and chocolate lab Wally were also there and we had a great day 'chattin awa', Mum managed to get some quilt chat out of her system.

We went for a walk on the beach after lunch, which, due to the Kiwi car on beach culture was not unlike walking in a watery supermarket car park, complete with toddlers legging it to the beach across the paths of SUV's and getting tied up in fishing lines....ah, those laidback New Zealanders.

Mum arrived with these T-shirts, which we're really enjoying - which is surprising now I think about it because normally Jamie Johnston says that 'matching garb' is NOT allowed. Walking back from the beach one day a woman pounced on Jamie wearing the t-shirt and said her brother was making a documentary about gingers and did we want to be interviewed? What with that and Jamie applying to be a Hobbit extra (or is that an extra on Hobbit....surely not, those big feet shouldn't go to waste..) he's fairly hitting the Wellington film scene.

No visit to us is complete without a visit to the Armstrong household, Molly here, creaming a ball into the top corner.
We had a great evening being entertained by a blushing singing Molly, scoffed some green lipped Mussels ($2.50 a kilo folks - divide by 3 for pounds!!), Nick's home-made bread and lots of chicken.

Speaking of Nick brings me to our next subject- DIY. Yes folks, the BEST DIY MAN competetion is on. Nick has already taken the lead with 'garden fence' and 'terraced vegetable patch', Jamie stumbled upon two large planks in the basement, and jumped at the opportunity to get some points on the scoreboard.

Stage One: splatter plank with paint to make the job look harder....sorry, find paint splatted plank.

Stage Two: entice assistant with edible goodies in a face mask, which need a long tongue to reach. Ask assistant to hold plank.

Stage three: the 'sand-sweat-breathe-sand-'should I have got a belt sander?' - sweat - but the guy in the shop said they were a waste of time - breathe - but then again he's not doing the sanding is he? - sand - sweat - out damn spot!! - breathe - sand - sweat - breathe - sand' cycle begins, throw on some white spirit and hey presto, one clean plank emerges. (left).

Stage four: top up goodies in assistant's face mask, provide them with wood oil and cloth. Point to plank. Hey presto, oiled plank emerges (right).

Stage five: repeat stages 1-4, with new paint splattered planks.

Stage six: build shelves.

Stage seven: Pour wine. Admire shelves. Move things around, move them back, admire again, satisfied that you have some points on the board in the DIY man competition. Remove face mask from assistant.

Stage eight: play with cat....oops no, Merlin has nothing to do with plank doing up, he probably slept through the whole thing. He's the next door neighbours cat, but he's decided we're a better bet. We've not fed him, but he sleeps on our bed every night, and hangs out a fair bit during the day. He's white. He's cute. He watches football...that really reminds me of someone but I just can't think.... He's the perfect cat, no money spent, no responsibility but all the rewards. Last seen upside down, chasing a dressing gown cord under the bed. He's vewy soft.

Although Mum really wanted to visit the DIY shop again we insisted that we visit the zoo, which is behind our house. We were followed by a photographer, who took some very pleasing shots...

And after that wee visit we returned to the house, poured some more wine, and wrote this blog. The giraffe's were my favourite, and Mum's too. We'll tuck into the left-over kedgeree soon, and tomorrow a nice French restaurant to complete her New Zealand experience, until the next time.

We're enjoying the sunshine, a house and Mum. And we can't wait until more and more of you make it out here to enjoy it with us. We offer free accommodation and full babysitting services, with fun filled activities such as 'name that plant' and 'plane spotting'.

Here is another example of the fine outdoor living New Zealand offers - Jamie's trip to the top of a mountain to see a panoramic view of the Wellington region is captured below.

And finally, just in case the babysitting services don't actually justify ludicrous planefares, here a small window into our world so you don't have to travel, and our new year's resolution is to talk to you all a lot more often!!

Mr Kiwi and the Christmas Party

2007-12-28T04:35:00.000Z

Kiwi was sad that Christmas was over. He was still feeling Christmassy. He'd woken up early and gone shopping - he'd decided to have another Christmas party. He wanted to invite his friends, Rabbit and Truffles and decided to go and look for them.

He couldn't see them in the living room. He wanted to ask Merlin, but was afraid to disturb his nap. "Em......excuse me."

Merlin barely opened his eyes. "Mm?" he purred, sleepily.

"I was wondering if you'd seen Rabbit and Truffles," asked Mr Kiwi.
"They're around," and with that, Merlin went back to sleep.

"Mmm. I wonder where they can be?"

"They're not in the library."

"Perhaps they're still asleep....nope. They must be up and about."

"They're not brushing their teeth or having a bath.....where can they be?"

The cartoon cups didn't hold any answers.

"Righto. They must be outside, I'm off to find out."

"La la la la."

"Phew, so many steps! I hope they're up here somewhere..."

"I wish I had longer legs."

"There aren't any lights on in the sleepout, they can't be in there."

"Where can they be?"

"I'll never be able to have a Christmas party!"

"So many houses to look in..... surely they must be around here somewhere?"

"Well, since I'm out I'll check the mail - perhaps I'll have some late Christmas cards!"

"La la la la!"

"SURPRISE!!!!" Shouted Truffles and Rabbit, as they burst out of the mail box.

Kiwi was bowled over! Finally, he'd found his friends.

They were so excited they piled through the door at once.

But Merlin shooed them back.
"What's all the fuss about?" Asked Merlin.

"Let us in! Let us in! We're going to have a Christmas party!"
"Well why didn't you say so? Can I come?"
"OF COURSE!" They cried.

Merlin was straight into the left over presents, and the others swung on the Christmas tree branches. What fun!

Mr Kiwi was glad his friends were all together, as it should be at Christmas.

Helen's Daemon

2007-12-16T00:48:00.000Z

Jamie's Daemon

2007-12-16T00:36:00.001Z

Cinema Paradiso

2007-11-03T19:43:00.000Z

It seems so long ago (no, not the last post on this blog), but between May and early September I lived a very different life to the 9-5 I am now experiencing. Writing each morning I worked on yet another California story (I WILL get it right), published an article on dams in Tibet, wrote a feature on my January rafting expedition into Arunachal Pradesh, India, applied for many jobs, but spent the majority of my time walking the various dogs we looked after along the beach looking out wistfully to Kapiti and Mana Islands – Mana is the spitting image of Eigg off the west coast of Scotland with a flat topped ridge dropping away steeply to the sea.

Between those months, as house sitters, we looked after 4 cats (Bunter, Pippa, Tiger, Derek!), a lively Doberman (Zec), a highly responsive Labrador/Rodesian Ridgeback (Red), and a light footed elderly Border Collie (Holly). We were lucky to live in the laid-back community of Te Horo Beach, looked after a three storey house above Plimmerton (a bit like Dunkeld in Perthshire), and spent many an enjoyable hour wandering around Titahi Bay (Queensferry maybe? but not as old).

The weather was largely great, May and early July in particular. I took windy bike rides along the Kapiti Coast on Helen’s 4-speed retro cruiser (tough on those hills), enjoyed a daily dose of Guardian Weekly reading, and took on part-time work to keep me sane at the Lighthouse Cinema in Pauatahanui.

It was something of a boyhood dream to step into the projectionist’s booth and operate the machines. Many people seem surprised that the system is still so old school, requiring film to be thread and lens’ to be focused. Helen and I are fans of the Italian coming of age film, Cinema Paradiso, especially the sweeping Ennio Morricone soundtrack. So much so that we asked Dorothy to play the theme at our wedding on the piano. The film follows a boy who befriends a projectionist in a sleepy Italian rural town that comes alive during screenings.

Due to the cold snap that hit in late July-August I soon resembled Alfredo from the film as I bought a dressing-gown and fingerless gloves to enable me to write at home. The following video was shot by my colleague, Phil, at the Lighthouse Cinema. It shows me readying the machine for a screening.

During this time I finally found a permanent position (not horizontal on the couch watching Sky Sports as I may have liked) at ACC in Wellington. They're the equivalent of the NHS in the UK, taking care of your recovery from accidents if you can't work/earn etc. Doesn't cover you for illness unless work-related. Anyway, Helen worked for them in Christchurch, Nick currently works for them in Wellington, and now I have joined the extended family. I'm part of the team who takes care of their website related shenanigans.

The timing was great, I got the job and two days later we flew back to Scotland for three weeks of travelling and socialising. I'm working on a video of Ross and Mary's wedding at the moment, so that will come soon. Needless to say we had a ball. Probably went a little too hard the first few days. After an evening with Ross and Mary in Glasgow I took off to Edinburgh and zoomed around the city meeting the new babies and then went to play an 11-a-side testimonial match (in my honour). The jetlag really kicked in by half-time (that's my excuse for my pitiful performance - sorry Stew for never passing the ball to you) and after a bright first 45 minutes where we led 2-0 by the end we were chasing shadows and got thumped 5-2!

Onwards and downwards we hired the use of a basement room in a bar (thanks Higgins and Gaz!) and hung out until we were forced to relocate to one of our old stomping grounds, Negotiants.
From there it was like a rerun of our teenage years ending up in Toby's flat where we zoned out in front of the TV until it really was past our bedtime.

Walking down the street with Gaz and Luke I was soon berated for only spending one night in Edinburgh despite a 3-week visit to Scotland. I pleaded my case and argued and from nowhere emotion overwhelmed me. From fisticuffs to group hugs. It was like being at a Scotland football match.

First thing next morning I was whisked back to Glasgow where I met Ross and his stag party. An all-day affair including the wonderful Scotland-Lithuania match (from fisticuffs to group hugs once again) and various watering holes and curry houses. When I returned to Helen at 1am I could barely walk. The 11-a-side game had ruined me. It took me almost a week at Dorothy's to recover from this initial weekend.

Ross and Mary's wedding was next. Video to come.

Then up to Aberdeenshire, sharing the drive with Douglas, Janette, Helen and Granny Harper, who had the best quip of the trip. Arriving at a restaurant after some 5 hours of driving she was heard to mutter, "Oh, I feel a hundred." She is currently 98!

Up to Shetland where I was reuinted with my siblings at the place of our collective births where we hadn't all been together since 1979. The following video says it all.

From there it all went into fast forward. A brief visit with Sorley, Wendy and Ben, where we 'stole' some furniture to be shipped back to New Zealand. Back to Dorothy's. Then Glasgow for one final night. And then suddenly we were returning to our new home.

It felt good touching back down in Wellington, despite the 6-leg flight back and missed connection. We house-sat in Korokoro, just outside Wellington, looking after Roxy (below).

Then arrived G-Dog Simpson fresh from another whitewater season in California. Helen and I were attempting to buy a house in the city and with our minds somewhat preoccupied G-Dog took care of us, cooking fishcakes, roast chicken, steaks and all sorts in just one week.

And miracle of miracles we bought our first house! Thanks to Jonathan 'Jono' O'Connor, an old friend of Nick's who works for Rothbury Financial Services, who talked us through the entire process, we were able to make it happen in one week! Must be some kind of record.

Perhaps due to the speed at which the whole thing happened we became a little uneasy this past few days. But we went back to see it and take measurements and all our fears were quickly dispelled - as you can see by the inane grin on Helen's face in the pictures below. We move in December 7th and it will be the first house Helen and I have had of our own since Glasgow 2001, unless you count our bamboo shack in the jungle in Thailand. Strangely our new home is very close to the Zoo and it may be possible to hear Gibbons whooping in the morning as we could in Thailand.

It's tiny, so filling the place up with our lack of possessions will be easy. It is perhaps a more Johnston-like abode than any other Johnston house I know. This is the living room with wood-burner.

Views from the outside sleep-out above the house:

Our crazy red and yellow kitchen with stools from one of the oldest cafes in Wellington:

Main bedroom:Sleepout (3rd bedroom):Back of the house:
We are very very happy, and can't wait for Dorothy to be our first visitor this Christmas.

Happy Birthday Mum!

2007-07-28T09:17:00.000+01:00