Baptism

One does not have to be a baby to be Baptised.

Respite

The Immune Deficiencies Foundation of New Zealand is a charitable organisation which helps those, who for any reason at all, have a reduced ability to ward off bugs and illnesses. Many of these are children who have had transplants, or other major surgery. One of the objects the Foundation has is to provide Respite Care for those families affected. And, after many years trying, the Foundation opened the first South Island house for this purpose. Ideally positioned in the Cairnmuir Holiday Park, Bannockburn, it has everything a family on holiday could want, right down to the view from the balcony.
This project was finished off by three Lions Clubs in the area, each having a different project around the house.
In the above photo, Laura Hannah, the only Board Member of the Foundation in the South Island, officially opens the house. Also in the photo are two representatives of the Lions Clubs.
In a typical Kiwi fashion, the smart looking plaque was covered with a tea towel until the opening. The speeches were short and to the point, and the BBQ that followed was excellent.
And there was no mucking about, the first guests were there within days of the opening.

Afternoon off ...

At this time of year, things tend to slow down a bit, so I took the chance to go fishing on our local lake one afternoon during the week. We did not catch anything, but some of the other boats did.
As a photographer, John McDermott rates very close to genius. Some years ago he toured New Zealand with Gary McCormick, doing a series of television programs known as 'Heartland New Zealand'. In the subsequent book about the series, John McDermott had a photo like this one above. Only his was really good, dark and brooding, but with the sense of speed. You can see more of his photos here http://mcdfoto.com but I do not know if the one about which I speak is here.
The problems I had in the above photo was trying to keep the grins off the faces of the subjects, and the rough ride I was getting on the small chop on the lake.
Lewis McGregor, Trevor Mills and Brian Dark were very good company for the afternoon, and a good time was had by all. It is true, a bad day's fishing is better than a good day at work.