Much to the amusement of some of you back in the UK I am now a semi-obsessed fisherman. Rok n Roll eh!
The main reason I guess is having the opportunity to go and grab free fresh fish whenever I want, no permit, no stress, no clubs. Just get a rod, go down to the sea and get busy. Even if you're not catching fish the scenery (I mean natural rather than semi-clad!) makes for a nice few relaxing hours.
I must admit that for the first 6 months I had no luck (apart from in the Marlborough Sounds where you can scoop the things out with your bare hands) but recently, and since getting some local knowledge bestowed on me, I have really been pulling them in. The Red Snapper have nearly all moved off now for the winter but I have been catching a few decent sized ones just off the beach in my new rubber, chest high, waders. Oh yes.
A bit belated but thanks to everyone who sent Buster a card, birthday wishes or a pressie for his 4th birthday.
Being mildly obsessed with bikes we thought it was good time to upgrade him from his red mini bike to a new 16" wheeled BMX. Its a tad too big for him but he still rides it every day and has had some fun down at the BMX track on it. It goes without saying that he loves it.
The other main pressie was a new fishing rod - Buster sized. I took him down to the port to try it out and he caught two baby Snapper on his first two goes. After that he lost all interest (apart from watching one of them floating around on top of the water after we threw it back, before a seagull grabbed it for tea). I cant say he is a fishing enthusiast but he loves his new rod and takes it whenever we go out on the boat.
Our frinds the Faldgates came over for a party (following the ones he had at his mate Elliots house, Kindy and day care) so by the end of the weekend finished he was totally fuelled up on chcoolate cake and sweeties. Ah, what fun we had trying to get him to sleep.
I'm not a big fan but it needed doing. Thoughts?
He looks too much like a poodle now for my liking - but he is a damn sight easier to brush and keep clean (especially after our bike rides, which he loves coming out on now. 1hr of mud and running sure takes its toll on a fur ball).
Well, I can't really believe that I haven't done an update to this website since Christmas. Time sure does fly, especially during the summer months.
So - here is the plan. More updates of a shorter nature and if any of you want an further info you can fire me a message or e-mail and we can get busy on the detail.
Things here are good - the clocks changed recently, which hasn't affected the weather much but has definitely got everyone thinking about keeping warm and cosy when the snow gets here. Wood chopping is the new black for everyone (including me) and we now have a log pile that would make any pyromaniacs eyes gleam. Most of it has been scrounged, nicked or otherwise procured so I am hoping to get through this winter without spending a penny on fire wood. We will see.
Fishing is still flavour of the month - I'll write about that some other time but we are eating Snapper steaks like they are going out of fashion (or should that be going into extinction).
Buster is good and now 4yrs old. We recently gave him a Mohawk hairdoo which has only served to make him even more agro than normal.
Lisa is going for a promotion at work (that appears to be a bit of a shoe in - though she wont appreciate me saying that) and has started to cook evening meals like a good wife should. I cant get enough of macaroni cheese or lasagna - hmmmmm.
Finally - this news will only get traction with a few of you but they are building a council sanctioned and payed for Pump Track in the woods 1min away from our house. Oh the joy. Virtually in our back garden now we have 4 XC trails with quality DH sections, 2 DH tracks, a pump track and some pretty damn big dirt jumps. The words Pig and Mud spring to mind.
Thats it - stay in touch.
The Jennings 3
