hobbledehoy
Monday, January 28, 2008
Took the girls back to Staglands on Saturday, Maggie's first trip on dry land, although she did come with us last time too, not quite a year ago. More bogglement this time. And fewer attacks by Marmite-crazed peacocks. Although the goats were still a bit familiar. And Brock the long-suffering little Shetland pony is still giving rides around the paddock. This time, rather than hiding shyly behind Jack's leg, Becca marched straight up to his wrangler and accosted him with 'Excuse me, can I have a ride on the horse, please?' before climbing up by herself. As she was led off, she was heard informing the bloke with great assurance that she would be starting school soon.
Nobody tell her we forgot the Teddy Bears Picnic yesterday. I am still racked with guilt: I went riding instead. Bike the Trail happens on 24 Feb and I'm going to give it a crack, so went for a practice run yesterday: Jack dropped me and bike off at Manor Park and I cycled down the Hutt River to meet him and the girls at Petone Beach, 10 or so miles away (my odo's still set to Imperial). Although by the time I got down there it was more like 11: it's testament to my utter lack of navigational skills that I can contrive to get lost following a river from north to south; there were a couple of unplanned detours via a large bramble patch and at one point I had to shoulder the bike across a small creek. Still, J reckons the lacerated legs make me look butch. And it's a fun wee ride, gently undulating, mostly gravel tracks with the odd paved bit, and following both sides of the river. Could have used a few more signposts but that's probably just me.
Photos of Staglands are coming. And of Becca's stage début at last week's A&P show. In fact, I'm toying with the idea of a YouTube account just so I can post evidence of Jack's, er, memorable supporting performance as a horsie. (Peter Shaffer, eat yer heart out...)
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