Bob's Party

The much advertised birthday of Bob L deBerry has taken place. A good crowd of people gathered at his house at Cambrians to help him celebrate. I was probably the last one to turn up, as many appeared to have been there for tea, and had probably eaten Bob out of house and home. However I had the fireworks, so was made welcome. And there is nothing like Bob's home brew to replace any hunger I might have had.
The above photo is of one of his Woofer workers presenting a birthday cake. I was dismayed at the size of it, but it was evidently the second one presented, the other being a Danish cake, presented by a genuine Danish cake maker.
Other photos are on Bob's blog, the link to which is on the right of this page.
Thanks Bob, great party.

You talk funny 6.

Last year I wrote several posts on this subject. This time I can describe the outcome of this story.
In the top photo is the Lions Hero Award.  This award  was started by Lions International President Al Brandel, and is awarded to the district world wide which has the best project.
The lower photo is much more significant. Holding the trophy is Genny Hanning, who is New Zealand's national director for the Hart Walker project. 
At the Multi district Lions Convention in Ashburton recently, Genny explained that the honour of winning of this trophy belonged to all New Zealand Lions.  However, I noted that there were quite a few who thought that Genny alone deserved the trophy, as the project she runs has been shown to be world class. Regardless, history will show that to be the first time winners will set a standard that will be difficult to attain in future.
Genny is indeed, an everyday hero.

On top ...

Sometime in the 1920's, my Grandmother, Josephine Nolan, climbed Mt Taranaki, or Mt Egmont as it would have been known as then. I have no details regarding this climb, only that it happened.

Sometimes as a parent, one despairs at some of the things one's children do. I know my parents did, and I presume it is the same for all parents. But sometimes there are unforgettable moments of pride in what offspring can achieve. One of these moments happened for us in January this year, when our two youngest topped Mt Taranaki. Seven and a half hours, including half an hour on the top. I mean these guys were 16 and 15, so it was a really good effort.

They tell me that it was cold and windy on the top. This does not show in the very good photo Patrick took while there. A little of the terrain, some of the view, and mostly the climber, Michael. Well balanced, Patrick.

The lower photo I took on the track on the way down. The mountain in the background is impressive, as was the feat.

Alex Dunbar 3

For four months now, I have been planning this post, and am dismayed to sit here looking at this photo, and not knowing how to start it.
Several days ago, the 8th of May I think, was the 65th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. And we have just passed Anzac Day again. So it is a good time to finish the story of Alex Dunbar. Readers should be aware that this is the third post on this subject, and maybe to get a bit of background, you should read the other posts on that subject on here. Just put 'Alex Dunbar' in the search space at the top left hand corner of this blog.
In early January, I was able to take the above photo. Denis Dunbar, my Dad, Donald J. Lamont, and David Dunbar standing outside Denis's house just out of Mercer. We had just spent two hours sitting out on the deck, looking out over the Waikato River, the railway line, the main road. A pleasant lunch. And talking about Alex Dunbar, his life, his death. I think Denis and David, both nephews of Alex, appreciated it.
Maybe, one day, someone will sit and write the whole story, but this forum is not the place. It would take more time than I have. There is a lot of research to do.
The internet is indeed a powerful tool. This meeting would not have happened without it.

Missing bits

Two months ago I was photographing a group of people having a good time at Borland Lodge, on the edge of Fiordland. A lady came up to me and said that she was sorry that I had not posted anything on my blog since New Year, and gave me a gentle chiding. I explained that I had made a resolution that I would not do anything on my blog as long as I had work to do.
A month ago, the same lady came up to me when I was taking photos at Ashburton, and again expressed regret that nothing was appearing. She said that others had noticed as well.
When I got home I checked, and found that I had passed 500 readers, and wondered where they all came from, as I very rarely get comments. I was wondering if the effort was worth it as sometimes it takes days to prepare a post.
During a discussion with another blogger, I learned that starting a blog was easy, keeping it going was the hard bit. One runs out of things to write about, he said. I do not agree with that is my case, as I have lots of material.
So now we will get back into it.
Thank you for the 'gentle chiding'.