The annual Dead Boring (homeschool writing group) concert was on October 13th this year. I’ve finally managed to get the videos I took of our children’s contribution uploaded to YouTube so I can put them on here. Enjoy!
Away From Home
Long Hike!
Sunday after church, we decided to take a hike before going home. We drove south from Kaikoura, along the coast, on our normal route home, but stopped where the highway goes away from the coast into the hills, at Oaro. After parking the van beside the beach, we took off walking. Someone had told us about a cliff where there are a lot of fossils, and the boys wanted to find some. We walked along a trail through lupines in full bloom, first, then crossed the Oaro River.
We never got our feet wet! The river goes through gravel, under a bank several feet high. 
Then, we walked along the access road between the railroad and the beach.
This boy likes to do what everyone else is not doing–in this case, everyone else was on the road–but not him!
The most surprising discovery we made appeared to be a train wreck, from 75-100 years ago. There was a string of railway carriages pushed over the bank to just above the high-tide line of the beach, and even a steam engine! We found out a couple of days later that old railway cars used to be pushed over the edge to help stabilize the bank.
The next excitement came when we got to a section of beach where there is a retaining wall for a good ways, and the water comes right up to the base of it. Most of us walked along the roadway on top, but two adventuresome boys decided to walk along the ledge at the bottom of the retaining wall. Well and good–except it went a lot farther than we ever imagined, and got narrower and narrower! They had to keep moving to different levels to keep going. There was no way to get them up over the top–they had to go on or go back! They made it eventually–but I think this mom probably has a few more gray hairs! 
Another boy got down on the ledge after he got to the end of it, and went back to help keep the 3-year-old going, and safe. Brotherly love!
While he waited for the boys to come to the end of the ledges, Daddy found a place to sit out of the wind and let baby play with rocks.
The next section was lovely sand that reminded me of Lake Michigan beaches, except that it was dark instead of bright yellow. So warm to the feet! After that section, the shore turned rocky again, so we walked on the road again, between tall stands of fennel.
This boy was pretending to hide from the train (long before it showed up!)
Baby rode most of the time on Daddy’s shoulders.
We knew the passenger train should be coming through soon, so we were watching out for it.
Here comes the train!
The children stood on a small hill to wave at the passengers, and when it had passed we started back for the van. By now, the sun had gone behind the hills and it was getting cold. The children all armed themselves (against ??) with dried-out fennel stalks and we marched. 
Daddy got to the van first, with baby, and I straggled in last with the 3-year-old. We all agreed it had been a wonderful experience, even though we never did figure out which cliff had the fossils.
Exciting Birthday!
Today is my birthday, and I had a wonderful birthday present–my cow calved this morning! She was nearly a week late, so we’ve been keeping a close eye on her. Last night she looked like she was very close, so we moved her into a paddock (we had her beside the road) so the calf wouldn’t end up on the road. When I went out at 6:30 this morning to check on her, it was apparent that she was in labor, but she also had milk fever and couldn’t get up. Of course, Gayle was at work, so I called our landlord, who knows a lot about cows, and asked him if he would be able to come over and give her some calcium. He very kindly came over soon, and instead of giving her the oral calcium that I had, he gave her two bags under her skin. He tried to hit a vein, but missed both times. It still works, just not quite as fast. We continued to watch her closely, and around 9:00 I felt inside to see if the calf was in the right position. It was, and half an hour later the feet started showing. Around 10:00 she finally stood up! The feet and nose disappeared back inside, and she took a break for awhile, eating some grass and hay. By 11:00, though, the calf was born–a healthy little bull. The children all got to watch. They had been hoping for that. They’ve had quite the education–they witnessed the breeding and now the birth.
And here’s a funny: This is Chestnut’s third calf, and all three have been born on a Thursday. We’ve had four different goats kid here, and three have kidded on a Thursday. What are the odds of that happening?
Just born!
Everyone wants to meet the new baby!
Worn out.
This afternoon, the two oldest boys went to help a local man “tail” lambs. Of course, lambs are born with long tails, but if you leave the tails on, poo builds up on them and then flies lay eggs…. I’ll spare you the details, but it’s kinder to cut off the tails. At the same time, they notch the ears for identification, and “ring” the males. This farm has around 2,000 ewes, so there are 3-4,000 lambs. The farm is in the hills directly east of Cheviot. We were able to drive the van to the back of the farm where they were working, since we have 4-wheel drive in it. We were going up and down some mighty steep hills! I have been looking at those particular hills, and the farm road we went up, since we moved here, wishing I could go up them! What a day for my wish to come true–my birthday! The views from the top were awesome. Snow-capped peaks in one direction; the sea in the other.
Ever since we moved to Cheviot I’ve wanted to go to the top of this hill.
The tailing operation.
On the way back down, we stopped on the hill at the base of the cell tower (we were higher than the tower when we were back where they were tailing!). We live at the edge of the worked ground in the middle of the picture–just beyond Cheviot.
View to the north from the cell tower. You can vaguely see the Kaikoura mountains here; in reality they were quite clear.
Look how steep this hill is!
See the cows along the top of the ridge across the valley?
The road we drove on to get to the back of the farm, viewed from the other side of Cheviot. That’s the road I’ve been eyeing for nearly three years!
Baptism
Our second son (third child) was baptized this past Sunday! What a joyous occasion. We went to a creek several miles north of Kaikoura for it, where there was a pool nearly under the railway bridge.
We arrived before several of the other car-loads of people, so enjoyed the sunny day beside the creek.
The boy who was to be baptized acted true to his nature, and played in the cold water while we waited.
Meanwhile, our oldest boy discovered a “cave” up under the train bridge, and his daddy helped him climb up into it.
We teased him about living under a bridge now!
Suddenly, we heard a whistle–a freight train was going through!
Finally, everyone arrived and one of the brothers shared the passage from the book of Acts about Paul’s baptism.
Then, Gayle had the privilege of baptizing his son.
Just as we finished praying, another train whistle sounded in the distance–the passenger train was coming through!
A constant backdrop to the service was the surf, easily visible on the other side of the highway bridge.
Classic Cars
We had some different entertainment on our way to church this morning. There was a classic car show in Kaikoura yesterday, and the cars were on their way home this morning. We probably saw around a hundred of them–didn’t think to count till we were nearly there! This post is mainly for my brothers who like old cars–we were thinking of you as we enjoyed the “parade”.
A few of the cars were not being driven!
We also saw a couple of railroad track-fixing-machines–made us think of our friend back in Michigan who used to build them! These were built in Australia, though, it looked like.
We also saw this picture of spring.
Field Trip
WARNING! If you are squeamish you may want to skip this post!
We actually took a field trip last week! We don’t often do that, but Gayle organized a tour for us of the place he works. It is a small meatworks, although the largest employer in the district. They process cattle, sheep and pigs, doing everything from slaughter to sausages, hams and bacons. We found the tour very interesting! Our children have grown up butchering and were totally fascinated.
Sheep carcasses
Sheep waiting to be skinned.
Sides of beef, and our friendly tour guide.
The best part of the tour–seeing Daddy at work! He was “tender-stretching”–rehanging the sides of beef to make them more tender.
Tender-hung beef
The boning room
Sausages
We had to wear plastic covers and hair nets for our tour.
This Past Week or Two in Pictures
I keep thinking about things to blog about, but real life keeps getting in the way. So, here are a bunch of pictures to give you a glimpse into the past couple of weeks.
Now that he can get around we have to be more diligent about cleaning up ashes!
Last Tuesday we had the biggest hail I have ever seen. When it hit a boogie board in front of the house it bounced up 3 meters (10 feet)!
After the storm passed, the cows finally made it to the trees for shelter–and when the sun hit them a cloud of steam went up!
Hail on the trampoline.
Almost crawling!
Gayle and the boys built the framework for raised beds on Saturday.
On Sunday we stopped to explore some rock pools along the coast.
Starfish
Sea anemone
Shags
After our hike around the Kaikoura Peninsula Sunday, when we were waiting for Gayle to bring the van back around to pick us up, the children who were with me, and I, were quite amused by the sounds of the shags going to bed in the tree above us. A shag is a large bird that lives along the coast; I think they eat fish. They sleep in trees, and when each one comes in for the night they apparently have to discuss the day! The sounds they make are so funny that I tried to capture them in this video so you can enjoy it, too.
Kaikoura Peninsula
We had an adventure Sunday! It was such a lovely day that after leaving church at 2:00 we went to the Kaikoura Peninsula to walk on the rocks. Gayle has been wanting to walk around the Peninsula again, but we weren’t sure what the tides were. When we got there, however, it became apparent that the tide was going out, so we took off from the north side of the Peninsula, and walked around to South Bay at sea level. It’s quite a long, strenuous walk, but beautiful! We made it to the other end around 5:00. Gayle went ahead of us the last little ways and then he and two of the boys hurried up the cliff to the trail on top and across to where we had left the van, then came back to get us.
Seagull at the north end, before we started out hiking.
Here we go! Just starting around the first point.
The tide was still high enough we had to be fairly close to the cliffs, and the seaweed on the rocks that were in shadow was extremely slick. We had to search for dry places to walk on.
Lots of energy at the beginning!
Simon climbed halfway up that high cliff! He climbed several hills on the way, and at the end ran back across the top of the Peninsula to catch up to his dad, who was on the way back for our van. Incredible energy, there.
Some of the easiest walking on the whole trip.
Some of the first seals we saw up-close that day–but not the last!
The game of “Pass the Baby” was popular with the one being passed–until one big brother fell down with him. Then, he wanted Mom.
See the boys most of the way up?
More seals, and a shag grooming.
At the base of the cliff ahead of us is where we first came very close to seals–like, on the trail! Seals can be quite dangerous; if they bite you can get a very bad infection. Don’t go between a seal and the water, and don’t threaten them! Signs are posted saying to stay 10 meters (30 feet) from seals.
Our protector going ahead to scout for seals.
Here we come, skirting as far around the seals as possible. Simon, behind me, very thoughtfully waited there for me, keeping a lookout while I watched my footing, then brought up the rear.
I had to stop to feed the baby, and while they were waiting, Gayle and some of the boys climbed up through a cave and came out on top, where they could watch us coming up!
We all ended up going through a branch of the cave to get to the other side, because the only other path had a big seal on it!
More seals–all over the path! We were very cautious.
At last! We have rounded the end of the Peninsula and can see the mountains again. Our destination is across the bay.
This fascinating layer of rocks, shells, and bones ran along the cliff for quite a long ways.
Simon found this whale’s vertebrae sticking out! He brought it home.
Seth found this fence post washed up, and carried it a LONG way along the beach. He fell down four times while carrying it across slick places, but persevered. He really wanted it!
South Bay–the end of our hike.
Google Earth map of the Kaikoura Peninsula
Beach and Playground
Yesterday the sun shone! We’ve had several weeks of mostly rainy days, so when it was nice yesterday I challenged the children to finish their schoolwork by 11:00. Everyone was done by 11:30, so we went to the beach for a little while. We wanted to be home by 1:00 to be around when our landlord’s son came over to work with a wild cow that was here, but the beach is less than 15-minute’s drive away so we can go for just a short time.
A cold wind was blowing off the Pacific, so we didn’t stay out there very long. I told the boys to see who could find the most interesting item washed up along the high-tide line, and they came up with some good ones. There was part of a horse mussel shell with barnacles on it, a sponge attached to a shell, and a clump of several different seaweeds with various shells through it. The 2-year-old collected a lot of sponges. (When his Daddy came home from work, he wanted to show him his “seahorses”!)
The trail that goes up and over a small bluff to the beach.
Off on the search for treasure!
The clump of seaweed and shells.
I carried baby, in his wrap, and the sponges that 2-year-old collected.
After spending awhile on the beach, we went to the playground on the other side of the bluff. There is just enough of a rise of land to break the wind, and it was lovely and warm there. Some of the boys just climbed around, but most of them spent time one time or another figuring out how to balance the seesaw with their various weights. A seesaw, by the way, is a great way to learn how a balance scale works, and how you can use your weight on a lever in different ways!
Balanced!
Baby woke up and enjoyed the bright day, too!
On our way home, we drove through the Cheviot Domain–an area of public land–to admire the daffodils.