Callum's visit

After one day to recover from Symposium and put stuff away Callum arrived on Tuesday morning. Bright and chatty, it was a real pleasure to have his company. One on one time with Nana is fun.
We went shopping for all his favourite foods and then to Bunnings to buy my fence paint.
 Home again and after lunch we did some waterblasting... 9 year olds dont last long on physical work.. but we did get done the bit I had decided to tackle.

Wednesday was up early to go to the pool, and he was insistent I did laps with him, so after a very long time away from swimming laps I was in there - Callum can go almost twice as fast as I can but it was good exercise and I should repeat it - definitely stretches the muscles! We returned home, gave Tui a quick cuddle and then in to the train station and off to the city.

Skytower was his destination of choice and it was quite impressive - lots of kids around but a beautiful fine day and the magnificent view - I havent been there for a very long time so was pleased to go...

His favourite photo - the Lamborghini in the foyer of the Sky City hotel

Looking down the lift shaft on Sky Tower

View from the 51st floor

Then we thought a ferry ride was in order so walked down to the ferry buildings and caught the ferry over to Devonport - lovely warm afternoon, and the bit of nice beach was exposed - Callum discovered he could skim stones and I was astonished to find I could too! So we used up every suitable stone on the beach I think....

by the time we got back on the train we were a bit ready for a quiet night.. Yes, he did deserve to play on the computer for a while.. but it was a great day.

Thursday we had just enough fine weather to put the first coat of paint on the fence - the waterblasted wood soaked paint up and a fair bit of paint went everywhere but the fence, but a good exercise...
Then we made cheese muffins - he ate at least half the batch...and then round for a quick reunion of the quilting ladies - we showed each other our results from Symposium.
Then, with the weather looking a bit drizzly we decided to visit Robyn and cuddle the new puppy - she is gorgeous - and on to Miranda to the hot pool - the biggest outdoor thermal pool in Australasia...nicely warmed up we had fish and chips for dinner at Kaiaua and home .

I didnt have overalls - so old T shirt!

Callum with 10wk old Indy

Callum with Indy and her mother Supreme Champion Kate

Callum flew home Friday morning - he is amassing some frequent flyer points! A very enjoyable time had by all.

Meanwhile, the girls spent the week with Jonathan and Amy and from some photos it appears that donkey riding was high on the agenda - Cordelia is an enthusiastic rider, at present after her broken arm Annabelle sometimes prefers to walk one of the donkeys.

I am now catching up on all the other activities in my life, but after Quilting Guild yesterday I came home and put a second coat of paint on the fence, and this morning had a lovely  birthday morning tea with Dorothy and Gilbert and a very pleasant walk with the dogs around Westhaven. Good walking paths and safe for the dogs - very pleasant  morning. The kids phoned this morning and sang Happy birthday and I got a nice message from Sammy in Australia.
All is well in my world - although the body is a bit tired!