GarrettsNews

Christmas News 07

2007-12-09T19:51:00.000-08:00

From the Garretts of Manoy Street!

This year was dominated by four journeys to the south. We spent an enjoyable Christmas 2006 and saw in 2007 with Betty’s Mum and Margaret and John in Te Anau. It was good to catch up with friends at the Tuatapere Sports on a fine New Years Day. Mum, a diabetic, was having increasing problems with circulation and when she damaged her toes they did not heal. The specialist shocked us all by saying that amputation was the probable outcome. At the end of February we travelled back to Te Anau, staying en route with the Spicers at Owaka and visiting cousin Alyse at Wyndham. We stayed seven weeks giving Margaret and John the chance for a break. Mum endured the pain from her foot bravely and hoped for a more favourable diagnosis. However in May we made a quick trip to Invercargill with Trish helping with the driving and the family were there to see Mum through her big op, leg amputated above the knee. She amazed everyone with her quick recovery, the way she handled her wheelchair and her attempts to manage an artificial leg. She is now in Cargill Home where her Aunt Muriel aged 98 is also a resident. She misses her independent life in her own spacious home with that marvellous view of the Fiordland mountains and Margaret and John popping in every day.
In October Malcolm had a big party for his 70th. Emails went out nationally and internationally. Numbers for catering and accommodation fluctuated. Liz, Ward and two grandsons came from USA. Barbara, Nick and Donna, Greg, Claire, Emma and Megan flew in from Australia. John, Lorraine, Isaac and Ben drove up from Invercargill; also Phil Burt and Rae. Rob came from Outram, Philip from Christchurch also Neil and Helene Campbell. Combined with our relations and friends from the local area we had a total of forty-five. Trish and Dave’s house provided more than the necessary space for party goers and everyone had a great time. Dave looked every inch the Laird of Balnagown in his kilt. Timo played Happy Birthday on his cornet and two local women provided music for easy listening and dancing enthusiasts. Fresh Golden Bay scallops caught and cooked by Alec made a popular entrée, and the main course of a large pig on a spit yielded pork aplenty. Herman went to bed with the head.
Betty gave Malcolm TWO tickets for a helicopter flight to Awaroa Lodge including dinner. We went on a fine day and enjoyed a good look at Motueka from above, and the bush, mountains and bays of Abel Tasman.
Our day to day life in Motueka continues to include gardening, reading, sport on TV, a minimum of housework, and visiting and being visited by family. Malcolm’s brother Dugald from Fiji has just spent a week here.
We are both involved in Probus, and St Vincent de Paul. Malcolm is Chairman of the Parish Council, Convenor of U3A, and in Seniornet, Museum Trust and Night Shelter. Betty is still Club Captain at Tasman Golf club. Playing and catering and committee work keep her busy there.
Some of our grandchildren are adults! Damien and Jac have announced their engagement. Emma graduated MA in Forensic Science and works at a lab in Wellington, and Victoria has just celebrated her 21st. Jacob is a mechanic. Sam after graduating from his agriculture course at Lincoln is back in Tuatapere doing shearing and farm work. Isaac shocked his Verdon College teachers by opting for a season at the meat works instead of University. Ben still has a couple of years there to consider his future. In Golden Bay Marian has been furthering her own education by passing a paper in avian medicine and surgery. Brenton has a passion for electronics but can be persuaded to play hockey. Katie plays netball and does tap dancing and drama. Timo plays soccer and learns the cornet. Areta has had one term at school and like the rest of her family is an avid reader.
We plan to be home for the summer so call in if you are passing through; book in if you would like to stay a while.

Back Home in Motueka

2007-08-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

Betty came home on the Monday evening plane via Dunedin and Christchurch - somehow she lost her suitcase on the way, and it turned up here by taxi the next morning! it was full of little "treasures" that she had garnered from the house-cleaning process with her sisters and brother. These are all earmarked to pass on to grandchildren with strict orders as to their care and importance as historical heirlooms!
She is still suffering from a pinched nerve which has caused numbness and then severe pain to her upper leg. No golf for a while anyway. I have had a stupifyingly busy few days with meetings, geology lessons, and shell collection displays, so today I am taking it easy with my book on the big San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 by Winchester, partly snoring off on the sofa and then going back to my first love - the computer, which now has:

A new portable hard drive to backup my data
1.5 Gb of RAM
A new 7 port USB hub - already almost fully loaded
A new 19" wide screen LCD display

And it is not even my birthday yet - All of course organised as I consoled myself in Betty's absence down south with a few new improvements to my toy!
I am now chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council at St Peter Chanel - a task which is proving very challenging, as we move to a none-priest era, with self-management as a top priority.

I am also chairing the local Night Shelter Trust - the shelter is just across the road but does not have any visual or social impact on the neighbourhood- mostly because we have such an excellent custodian couple. This job is a cinch compared to the one previously listed. I also serve on the Museum Trust board, the SeniorNet C0mmittee, and Chair U3A Motueka as well.
No wonder I am tired by lunchtime!
Cheers all!
Malcolm

All New - All Colour - All Right!

2007-07-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

This is the day I ditched our fuddy-duddy old Telecom account and got a new email home address. If you need it, get onto my gmail address, and ask for it.
malcolmgarr@gmail.com

Betty is off to the south in early August to help with her Mum's affairs. Putting her in a nursing home means that her nice house has to be tidied up and home affairs sorted - deciding what she wants to have with her in her new room at Cargill Court in Invercargill. Mum is happy in that she is just along the corridor from her Aunt Muriel - yes! her aunt is 97 or something, and they are more like sisters. Her room is quite small -though not as small as my office which is the size of a decent broom cupboard. This means that she can hang a few favourite pictures on the wall and have a small chest of drawers, and that is about it.
This will be a huge change for her as she has lived in firstly a huge old homesetad for most of her married life, and then in a spacious 3 bedroom house since then, and you can imagne what someone with the propensities of a squirrel can achieve in a short twenty years - especially when she acquired all her mother's things that were not thrown away when SHE died.
The daughters are going to have to be ruthless, but it will be exhausting. Every drawer and cupboard is stuffed with clothes, little unopened gifts, and embroidery projects on the go, and such thngs as crochet.
The intention is to rent out the house, to help pay her fees at the Home, because she doesn't qualify for any government assistance by reason of capital and income levels.
More on the way! Maybe a photo or two as well.

Mid-Winter Mumblings

2007-06-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Mid-Winter in the Motueka region is not the icy crunchy chilly experience that Southerners have had to endure these last few days. Nevertheless we have had a series of very wet cold days and will be glad to see the sun shining again. We did have a series of lawn-whitening frosts earlier in the week, which bit off the last of the dahlias and tomatoes, not to mention the begonias! So we are not quite a sub-tropical paradise here.

Our lives have grown busy as we settled back into our routines of meetings and social engagements. I sat down with a pencil recently to assess how many organisations we were actively involved in. It ran to two figures. SeniorNet [technical, tutor, committee], Museum [Trust member, Management Committee, Newsletter editor], U3A [Shells Study, Geology Study groups, Chairman], Probus Club [Betty on committee as almoner], Parish Council, Liturgy Committee, Church Bulletin editor, Church Roster editor, Tasman Golf Club [Betty is Women’s Club captain], Short Term Accommodation Trust [Chairman], St Vincent de Paul Society [both on telephone roster, hospital visits]. Is that enough to fill in the weeks of possible boredom? There is of course not nearly enough recreational activity in this list – such as reading and computing for pleasure, and watching favourite TV programmes, gardening and gathering fruit in season, visiting the Highland cows with apples, and of course seeing the grandchildren and their interests.

We have heard from the South that Grandma [Mum, Bess] has been in Dunedin being fitted with an artificial leg in the last week. She made the trip by taxi from Southland Hospital and got back early on Friday to avoid any further snow showers. She is one amazing old lady of 91! She had her left leg cut off above the knee to remove the pains of a lack of circulation caused by diabetes. The wound has healed well. We all assumed that she would lie back and accept that she was going to be wheelchair bound and in cotton wool for the rest of her life but she has shown such spirit and determination that she would get back on her feet somehow. She grumbles that the new leg is rather heavy and stiff but has been using the exercise bars at the Orthotics Dept in Dunedin with help provided by Moira and others. She will return to Dunedin to get her final fitting later in July. We still all hope that she will be convinced to enter a safe Rest Home after that, even if she has use of her leg and can look after her basic needs. It was reported in Kew that she had entered a carpet bowls competition and had won it from her wheelchair! All her old skills being used to good effect.

My brother, Robert, in WesleyCare rest home in Christchurch is in a far less hopeful situation, after a stroke last August in which he lost use of his right side, arm and leg. Very little progress has been made in getting his leg back working and as far as we can tell no progress with his arm. He can however speak, which may or may not be a plus?! However, he is in excellent hands there and living in comfortable surroundings. He has use of a motorised wheelchair which he can manipulate with his left hand. This means he can scoot around the corridors and grounds. Maria, his wife, comes in and visits regularly and they can go outside whenever they wish. The government pay all his care costs there, as they have little income and few assets. When ever we are in Christchurch, which is not often as it is a long way from here, we pop in to check on him, and Philip comes in from Leeston occasionally too. George and Cynthia Gordon have been visiting too, from Rangiora.

Homeward Bound

2007-01-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

Home again after our sojourn in the South.

We are reluctant to admit this but the weather there was almost certainly just as bad as anywhere else in the country. The Met Office is saying that December weather was the worst on record. So we had the dubious satisfaction of knowing that whatever the conditions it was probably just as bad as anywhere else!

Plenty of time to talk to relations and friends down South, in Te Anau,Southland, most of whom seemed to remember our faces – even if some of them marvelled at my increased girth – which I put down to my mother-in-law’s good cooking of course. I managed to see off the bug that had invaded my lungs over the last 3 months of they ear, with the aid of the usual antibiotics, so I can breathe easy at night, and Betty can get some sleep as well.

We met up with Cambridges [from round the corner- that wasn’t too hard], the Sims from Queenstown [Graham, Lynne – who came bearing an enormous bunch of roses from her garden, and Daniel], and Templetons [ Glenda and Gary – whose interesting email address is “gargle” etc – I leave you to work that out!] These all came on the day before Christmas to avoid the expected rush. We had a great combined meal followed by the usual exchange of gifts – and the discovery in the back of Mum Sim’s cabinet of a bottle of cherry brandy. This was demolished with glee – indeed there was much more glee at the end than at the beginning! She has no idea how long it had been there but we told her it was not something she should worry about any more.

We had a relatively quiet Christmas day – indeed the only relatives were Margaret and John, but on the Wednesday, the junior Garretts showed up for another round of pass the parcel. All four boys we can report are now taller than their grandmother, and streaking up to their father’s height. Jacob is getting oil under his fingernails at a country Engineering Work Shop, Sam has completed his diploma at Lincoln Uni, whilst Isaac and Ben are making waves at High School. Lorraine is holding down a full time Paramedic job, whilst John continues to run his little corner of DOC from their town base. We paid them a visit in Invercargill to inspect the “new” house, which it has emerged, is actually the old Holloway house, 401 Herbert St, built by Joe and Sylvia when they married. We had Noelene [Holloway] Gill come down and give everyone an historic places tour: “That is the original front door – which we never used except when the Queen visited. The coal range stood there….. etc etc”. Both Bert, my father and Phil my uncle, Sylvia’s brothers, had their wedding receptions at the house so we’d seen photos of it as background to those events. It is quite a nice idea to think that the younger Garretts are going to be the ones to renovate and restore the old place – solidly built in brick and plaster. Mum Sim was pleased to see that John had the deer’s head mounted in their lounge complete with little plaque saying that George Sim had shot it and where and when. John wanted us to admire his double garage and sleepout he’d built where the very old dairy and bottling shed had stood in the days when it was part of a dairy farm! Now it’s in the middle of town! Betty took Mum away to see her aunt in the nursing home for an hour, whilst we got on with gossiping about Holloways – Alyse in particular. Noelene had brought down [from 250 Herbert St] a box of videotapes for me as a bequest from Alyse [ahead of time] and a pile of jewellery to pass on to Trish on the same understanding. Alyse is in a Rest Home at Wyndham, and her things are stored with Noelene. I have since found amongst the tapes, one of “The Isle of Man” which is very good, and transferred it to DVD, for the future.

New Year’s Eve was enlivened by a loud bang as a missile went through the front room window – thoroughly alarming everyone. We dashed outside to see who had been so silly, but no one was there. The police we called but nothing could be done. We couldn’t even find the stone or bottle that had caused the damage. John Cambridge in true “Mr Fixit” style had it replaced the next day by the glazier.

We visited Tuatapere for the New Year’s Day Sports. Twice round the Ring to meet everyone else in the district used to be the rule and so it proved on the day. Even some Motueka people – the younger Ashcrofts back home from Alistair’s place here.

On the way in, we were lucky to find the Knowlers at home in their newly renovated and enlarged home at Clifden. It is nearly completed except for flooring. Also there were Carmen and her man, Alistair, so it was good to catch up on them too.

The day before leaving, John took us up the Mavora Lakes for a look, as the weather was improving. It was as beautiful and peaceful as ever, with all the native bush and birds about. We stopped at Bruce and Linda Kempthorne’s place on the way back – they are up that same road.

Our last morning finished with a look at the Wildlife Park with Margaret feeding the birds, letting us into the aviaries for photo shots. We were keen to see the baby brown teal – so rare now and being readied for transport to a safe release somewhere. Also on show were the possibly even rarer Orange-fronted parakeets - smaller than the red-crowned – with a yellow crown and orange patch above the nostrils. Just released onto Chalky Island last year, they have done extremely well away from the nasty stoats and possums, breeding successfully and spreading over much of the island already. Not all conservation news is bad.

We headed for Dunedin after that, to stay in the new house built by Rob and Vicki. We were the first house guests, and shared an evening meal with JB Munro and Val, who had been hosts to Vicki and Rob whilst the building process was on. Our bed was a foldout couch but very comfortable. The facilities are truly top notch – with everything thought out well, even the solar water heating and double glazing. There is much to do with landscaping of course, but they have years to do that!

We elected to go inland from Outram, via Middlemarch, across the Otago peneplain with all its switchback hills, and across the Moonlight Road to MacCraes Flat where the whole hill has been removed to extract gold from the quartz in the schist, and so to Dunback and Palmerston and the Main highway again.

We stopped as usual with Phil at Rushbrook, Leeston, and went off next day with one his geese from the freezer to share with everyone back here. We called on Marion McLean to catch up on their experiences looking after our place here whilst we were away. Then we moved on to see Robert and Maria at the Rest Home in Harewood Road. He looked a little better, having lost some weight [needed] and being able to get some movement into his ankle. The ulcer on his foot is healing at last. There is hope for further improvement.

Back home to piles of mail, and email too. AND some warmer weather!

Newsletter 06

2006-12-11T20:12:00.000-08:00

Betty and Malcolm’s
Christmas Newsletter 2006
It is five years since we moved to the top of the south and very happy we are here in Motueka. We have made new friends here but have not forgotten those we left behind. We caught up with many of these when we drove down to Tuatapere’s centenary in February. They know how to organize a great celebration there. The parade was spectacular. We saw Shane Harvey shear a lamb in world record time. We attended the official opening of Helen McKay’s Yesteryears Café. John, Lorraine and family had just moved to Invercargill so we stayed with Glenda and Gary who had recently moved in to 77 Half Mile Rd.
On our way home we stopped in Christchurch so Malcolm could attend St Anne’s Primary School Centenary. A month later we were back in Christchurch for the 50th anniversary of Malcolm’s Teachers’ College “class of 56” Then at the beginning of April we came further south to Mosgiel where the Garrett clan gathered to dedicate a new gravestone to John James Garrett who emigrated from the Isle of Man and worked as a hard rock miner on the Hindon reef. In a short but impressive ceremony at the Allanton cemetery, Dugald recited the Lord’s Prayer which he had translated into Manx.
While there we also celebrated Robert’s 70th birthday with a dinner at the Weaver’s Restaurant. Nick and Barbara were there from Queensland. Liz and Ward had come to NZ a month earlier. They spent a week with us in Motueka and during this time we joined them in a trip out to the lighthouse at Farewell Spit.
By Easter we were ready for a few months at home. Big project of the year was the building of our new sunroom. Down came the ugly patio roof, (Thanks Alec) up came the pavers. The contractors moved in and poured a coloured concrete floor. The builders did their bit. Malcolm painted and we now have a large extra room.. The smallest bedroom has lost one single bed and has my writing desk and laptop with a wireless connection to Malcolm’s computer. We don’t have to talk, we can send emails and share files!
In June John had a DOC course in Richmond and was able to spend a few days here before Lorraine, Ben and Sam arrived. They had come to support Isaac who was playing in the Southland Under 17 Basketball team at the South Island Tournament. We managed to get to see a game. Sam has spent this year at Lincoln University. He has enjoyed being able to retreat to his Uncle Philip’s at Rushbrook Farm for good food, company  and some extra work.
In August we were shocked to hear that Robert had had a stroke. He had seemed his usual self at his 70th a few months earlier. He is now in Studio 2 Wesley Care. His left side is paralysed .but he is able to speak and read. Maria has moved back into their house
More sad news when we heard that our dear friend of more than thirty years, Robin Burt, had lost her battle with cancer. We have many happy memories, Robin.
Malcolm has passed on his chairmanship of Museum Trust and Seniornet but is still much involved. Betty is busy as Golf Captain and Probus secretary. We both enjoy our house, garden, reading, TV and church fellowship. Best of all is being able to join in family activities. We had a family lunch for Marian’s 40th at The Naked Possum in Golden Bay. Katie’s tap dancing concerts are well worth the trip over the hill. The “Ents” are always included in the Ross birthday dinner parties. We have to keep an eye on the ever increasing Highland Fold, poultry, goats, sheep and building progress. Victoria’s Herman spent a year with us but now has his own stockade on the Ross acres and is on duty to challenge all visitors. We looked after Kelly, the Dougan’s beautiful golden retriever for six weeks while Joe and Margaret were in UK. [Joe’s daughter is married to John Key so they bathe in reflected glory!] At present there are no resident pets except goldfish and lovebirds.
Rob and Vicki are also making progress with building. Their new house at Outram is due to be completed soon. We will see it when we go south to spend Christmas and New Year with Betty’s Mum in Te Anau. Friend Marion McLean and some of her family will be staying in our house while we are away. We enjoyed Marion’s hospitality on our trips to Christchurch during the year.

Have a Happy and Healthy Christmas Season.
Malcolm & Betty

malcolm.garrett@xtra.co.nz
bettygarr@gmail.com
Weblog: /garrettsnewz.blogspot.com
Website:  garrettsofnewz.homestead.com
We live in the Information Age!

Christmas News 06

2006-12-04T19:00:00.000-08:00

BETTY AND MALCOLM’S CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2006

It is five years since we moved to the top of the south and very happy we are here in Motueka. We have made new friends here but have not forgotten those we left behind. We caught up with many of these when we drove down to Tuatapere’s centenary in February. They know how to organize a great celebration there. The parade was spectacular. We saw Shane Harvey shear a lamb in world record time. We attended the official opening of Helen McKay’s Yesteryears Café. John, Lorraine and family had just moved to Invercargill so we stayed with Glenda and Gary who had recently moved in to 77 Half Mile Rd.

On our way home we stopped in Christchurch so Malcolm could attend St Anne’s Primary School Centenary. A month later we were back in Christchurch for the 50th anniversary of Malcolm’s Teachers’ College “class of 56” Then at the beginning of April we came further south to Mosgiel where the Garrett clan gathered to dedicate a new gravestone to John James Garrett who emigrated from the Isle of Man and worked as a hard rock miner on the Hindon reef. In a short but impressive ceremony at the Allanton cemetery, Dugald recited the Lord’s Prayer which he had translated into Manx.
While there we also celebrated Robert’s 70th birthday with a dinner at the Weaver’s Restaurant. Nick and Barbara were there from Queensland. Liz and Ward had come to NZ a month earlier. They spent a week with us in Motueka and during this time we joined them in a trip out to the lighthouse at Farewell Spit.
By Easter we were ready for a few months at home. Big project of the year was the building of our new sunroom. Down came the ugly patio roof, (Thanks Alec) up came the pavers. The contractors moved in and poured a coloured concrete floor. The builders did their bit. Malcolm painted and we now have a large extra room.. The smallest bedroom has lost one single bed and has my writing desk and laptop with a wireless connection to Malcolm’s computer. We don’t have to talk, we can send emails and share files!
In June John had a DOC course in Richmond and was able to spend a few days here before Lorraine, Ben and Sam arrived. They had come to support Isaac who was playing in the Southland Under 17 Basketball team at the South Island Tournament. We managed to get to see a game. Sam has spent this year at Lincoln University. He has enjoyed being able to retreat to his Uncle Philip’s at Rushbrook Farm for good food, company and some extra work.
In August we were shocked to hear that Robert had had a stroke. He had seemed his usual self at his 70th a few months earlier. He is now in Studio 2 Wesley Care. His left side is paralysed .but he is able to speak and read. Maria has moved back into their house
More sad news when we heard that our dear friend of more than thirty years, Robin Burt, had lost her battle with cancer. We have many happy memories, Robin.
Malcolm has passed on his chairmanship of Museum Trust and Seniornet but is still much involved. Betty is busy as Golf Captain and Probus secretary. We both enjoy our house, garden, reading, TV and church fellowship. Best of all is being able to join in family activities. We had a family lunch for Marian’s 40th at The Naked Possum in Golden Bay. Katie’s tap dancing concerts are well worth the trip over the hill. The “Ents” are always included in the Ross birthday dinner parties. We have to keep an eye on the ever increasing Highland Fold, poultry, goats, sheep and building progress. Victoria’s Herman spent a year with us but now has his own stockade on the Ross acres and is on duty to challenge all visitors. We looked after Kelly, the Dougan’s beautiful golden retriever for six weeks while Joe and Margaret were in UK. [Joe’s daughter is married to John Key so they bathe in reflected glory] At present there are no resident pets except goldfish and lovebirds.
Rob and Vicki are also making progress with building. Their new house at Outram is due to be completed soon. We will see it when we go south to spend Christmas and New Year with Betty’s Mum in Te Anau. Friend Marion McLean and some of her family will be staying in our house while we are away. We enjoyed Marion’s hospitality on our trips to Christchurch during the year.

Life gets Complicated

2006-09-18T22:22:00.000-07:00

Life is getting complicated

I guess we have reached the stage in life that sees our friends and relations experiencing difficulties, one way or another.   That of course impinges on our own equanimity.
In the last little while we have had Robin Burt, our dear friend in Invercargill, reaching terminal stages of her cancer, with her life fast running out.  Here we are stuck in Motueka, and unable to give her a last squeeze and kiss, except by proxy through Phil her husband.  Robin is one of our oldest friends, being a young second year teacher at Clifden school when we first met her.  She started the wise trend of wearing a trouser suit when teaching her infant class.  Stretching up to write on the blackboard, provided too much entertainment for the young fry seated on the mat in front of her she decided. Her previous principal in Te Anau had decreed that trousers were not to be worn. This was in the days of fashionable miniskirts of course.
Robin was sort of adopted by us, when we found out that her busy parents had not had time to teach her all the very useful old nursery rhymes. They ran a successful Cake Shop-Bakery in the Octagon in Dunedin.  Betty and I had great fun in introducing Robin to the charms of Mother Goose, and Lavender’s Blue etc.  When Phil Burt loomed on the scene with his dog Friday, we were lucky enough to be invited to the wedding.  Indeed Phil came to teach as third teacher at Clifden School for a while.  A very cosy arrangement!
Robin and Phil had their 3 children in reasonably short order.  Katherine was born on Betty’s birthday – another bond was forged with us. Jamie and Janet followed.
We have remained good friends ever since, even holidaying together overseas – a real test of friendship!  Robin kept us amused on our touristy parts of our journeys with her propensity for shopping.  When touring and ancient cathedral, or some other monument, Robin could always be located at the museum shop.  Her most precious purchase on our European trip was her Harrods Shopping bag.
One of the links that bound us was our interest in stage work around Tuatapere’s Waiau Community Theatre.  Indeed, that is where Robin and Phil made their match. The side dressing rooms at rehearsal time were a useful trysting place. Robin appeared in the chorus line of the Mikado whilst Phil played the Mikado himself.  I was Ko Ko the “Lord High Executioner”.  It was a splendid production.  We had great pleasure in tin-canning them when they moved into a little cottage near the Golf Course at Clifden.  Phil had meantime moved to teach at Waiau District High School – later to be Waiau College – and now known as Tuatapere Community College. Phil took the family up to North Canterbury for a spell – teaching at Culverden DHS and living at Hanmer Springs. Of course he had to rename Culverden as “Culverdump”. Oh Philllll…..!!!!!! said Robin. They came back in time to teach at Waiau College in F.1-2 area.  It was quite a “home-coming” in many ways.
Later Phil and Robin moved to Invercargill, after spending a time in one or two rental properties, they had bought the old Medical Consulting Rooms after Dr Danie Gouws left for greener pastures in Ontario, Canada.  They made a cosy home out of a sprawling set of rooms which had originally been the local maternity Home, and held court there for some time.  The Invercargill move was made in stages, but eventually they bought their home in Pomona Street, and Phil took on Intermediate School teaching at “Nosedale” as he persisted in calling it.  Robin eventually found her niche in coaching with Kip McGrath after school, whilst holding down a variety of relief and part-time work elsewhere in the city.  They have some lovely warm friends around town, and are well-supported in this difficult time.  We love you, Robin.

Super 14 Quotes of The Year

2006-06-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

Super 14 Quotes of The Year

"Nobody in Rugby should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein." - Scott Hamilton

"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes." – Andy Ellis on University

"You guys line up alphabetically by height, and you guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle." - Robbie Deans

Chris Jack on whether he had visited the Pyramids during his visit to Egypt: "I can't really remember the names of the clubs that we went to."

"He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is." - Robbie Deans on Rueben Thorne

Kevin Senio, on Night Rugby vs Day Games, "It's basically the same, just darker."

Robby Deans talking about Caleb Ralph: "I told him, 'Son, what is it withyou? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Robbie, I don't know and I don't care."

Dan Carter when asked about the upcoming season: "I want to reach for 150 or 200 points this season, whichever comes first."

"Andy Ellis - the 21 year old , who turned 22 a few weeks ago" ( Murray Mexted )

"Robbie has done a bit of mental arithmetic with a calculator." ( Dan Carter )

"He scored that try after only 22 seconds - totally against the run of play." ( Murray Mexted )

"We actually got the winning try three minutes from the end but then they scored." ( Phil Waugh )

"I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body." ( Andy Ellis )

"That kick was absolutely unique, except for the one before it which was identical." ( Dan Carter )

"I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father." ( Dan Carter )

"Sure there have been injuries and deaths in rugby - but none of them serious." ( Doc Mayhew )

"If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again." ( Robby Deans )

"I would not say he ( Rico Gear ) is the best left winger in the Super 14, but there are none better." ( Murray Mexted )

"I never comment on referees and I'm not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat." ( Ewan McKenzie )

MurrayDeaker: "Have you ever thought of writing your autobiography?" Chris Jack: "On what ?"

"Well, either side could win it, or it could be a draw." ( MurrayMexted)

"Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air for even longer."

( Murray Mexted )

2006-05-09T19:44:00.000-07:00

Autumn has arrived in Motueka. The main sign is that our feijoas are falling, ripe, to the ground. The only way to tell if they are ripe is see them fall. Luckily they have thick skins and don't get bruised easily.
Betty is playing golf twice a week, to make for which, I have been unable to get on the course at all since the twilight golf finished. betty is one of a small group of ladies who make up the only team of golfers from Tasman Golf Club, and she fills the positions of Ladies' president, club captain and "minute" secretary for the main golf committee. A fearsome combination would be harder to find than one of my well struck drives off the tees, and that is saying something!
I am leading a research team, identifying molluscs for the Motueka museum. After we complete that exercise the shells will be displayed as a reference set at the museum. In addition to that, i am teaching three classes at Seniornet: Word processing, Powerpoint, and Website construction. At U3A, I have joined in the group studying the physical geography of the Motueka valley, and have given a short talk on the Isle of Man - to follow up my talk last year on Trafalgar. A good way to increase your own knowledge is to try to teach something to others.

Garrett Reunion Thanks

2006-04-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Garrett Reunion
Allanton – Mosgiel
1-2 April 2006

Final Wrap Up
Thanks immensely for all the support you gave over the weekend. It was great to see the different branches of the family getting to know each other after so many years.
A special thanks is due to Rob Garrett, for the work he did in arranging for the stone and inscription to be in place on time and accurately done, and for the background work he did in planning for venues and menus! We were well-served!

I particularly also want to thank those who contributed towards the monument. Your generosity went a long way towards paying for the costs. It should be a visible reminder for at least a century more, of the pioneering work done in the area in the field of gold mining. It is not too late to make a donation towards the costs, should you feel able to do so. It is worth noting the sons Tom and Jim were also to the fore at Barewood Reefs and they appear in the photos in the booklet, “Gold, Cyanide and Quartz” from Heritage Books Otago.

I have not included with this is a list of all who were there and their contact details, as supplied. A Blog is a bit public! You can get a copy by emailing me. I apologise in advance for any errors! Please let me know of any mistakes. Some of the writing was hard to read! Those who have email you can keep in touch with each other if you wish. I would be pleased to add any other names and addresses not included to add to the contacts. Just let me know. I pay special thanks to those who came from USA, Australia, and Fiji to join us.

I will conclude by thanking Joy Samson again. Without her resolute digging around in the archives, all the information we have access to today would not have come to light. Well done. Joy. You looked great on the day as well.!

Ancestor Search ends

2006-03-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

We are now gearing up for a reunion of Garretts after successfully locating the John Garrett grave at Allanton - not that it was lost - but the gravestone had been mostly destroyed by the ravages of time and the fact that the old cemetery had been closed for many years before being opened again by the Dunedin City Council, in response to demands for space on the Taieri Plains.

Rob assisted me and all we could find were the remnants of a marker with a few letters left.

Soon there will be a fine monument to take its place - and we will have had a fine excuse for a party to celebrate our ancestor and his brave wife, Fanny [frances Lovell].

Garrett ReUnion

2006-02-12T01:26:00.000-08:00

Garrett Re-Union and Dedication of Headstone for John James Garrett

I have just completed, with son Rob’s help, a basic plan for the weekend of 1st April.

How to get there:The Allanton Cemetery is 10 minutes away from Mosgiel, heading South. The turning off the main Road HW1, is at the corner where there is a large display of farm machinery. From there it is only a couple of hundred metres to the cemetery. It is on the left up a steep but fully sealed drive leading to an extensive new sealed carpark, at the top of the small hill. The cemetery has just recently been reopened and refurbished so this is a good opportunity to make this monument to our common ancestor.

Timing:As many folk are coming up from the South on the day, it is planned to stage the small formal part of the day at 1.30 pm at the cemetery. This leaves plenty of time for an “After-match function”!At the cemetery we will have a very short dedication – led by Dugald Garrett, and unveiling of the monument, ending with a few words from family historian Joy Samson.

After-Match Function:We have booked the Function Room at the Taieri Motel/Hotel complex on Gordon Road – on the left as you go into the town of Mosgiel – easily located! And only 10 minutes from Allanton. We have this to ourselves from 2 pm till 5 pm and we can order our drinks, light food, tea and coffee from the friendly staff. I have told Mike, in charge, that I will get back to him with the likely number, so do please indicate if you will be joining us for this family backslapping session.

Accommodation:Many, if not most, may wish to stay over. We don’t recommend Taieri Motels [attached to the hotel] but we have pencilled in a booking at Regency Motels – also on Gordon Road just a few blocks along. If you wish to take up a booking, please ring the motels Management as soon as possible with your group’s requirements. The back-up motels are the Bella Vista, if the Regency is fully booked by the time you get onto it. You may wish to arrive the night before – Friday 31st – or possibly stay over till the Monday and do some more exploring of the old haunts. Please make your own arrangements in this regard.To assist our overseas arrivals, we have made bookings for, Robert, Maria, Liz & Ward for Friday night – through to Saturday night, 1 x 2bd unit. Because of varying flight arrival times,. Barbara & Nick& Dugald and Philip are booked for Saturday-Sunday nights - 2 x 1 bd unitsThere are 18 units. Please phone 0800 162 162 to make your own booking and mention clearly that you are part of the Garrett Reunion.

Birthday Bash TooRobert Lovell Garrett is seventy on 1st April! We plan a celebration dinner at a local restaurant in Mosgiel – so handy! We have booked the licensed Weavers’ Retreat on Factory Road – for 7 pm. Again we’d need to know if you are going to join us, to be fair to the chef- who is a very nice man. I suggest we all go for a set menu of very tasty fare which he is willing to put on for $32 for 3 courses. A cake will be cut.
Other Activities:Whilst you are in the area, you might like to take a look at some of the associated sites and interesting places around the region:

Taieri Gorge train trip – stop at the Reefs Station [Barewood] and get time for a look around before rejoining the train on the homeward trip [$63.00]

Tour the Albatross Colony etc at Taiaroa Heads, Otago Peninsula [$28-00]

Pop into the Early Settlers Museum by the Dunedin Railway Station and find our ancestors there?

Tour Larnach Castle – [$20.00]

Take a car trip round to Outram and Hindon – old stamping grounds

Wet Day? Tour old mansion Olveston,[$14.50] go on Cadbury’s Factory tour [$15-00] or Speights Brewery Tour [ $15.00]

The above information is just a guide. You are expected to make your own arrangements for the most part.

*The dinner booking is quite important! We will need to confirm that number by the week before, to help out our chef.
You can reply by email or write – particularly if you are sending a monument cheque!

It has given us great pleasure to help organise this occasion.

Contact List so Far
Bert Garrett’s Lot:
Barbara Tzvetkoff
Nick Tzvetkoff
Greg Tzvetkoff
Dugald Fergus Garrett
Robert Lovell Garrett
Malcolm William Garrett
Patricia Susan Ross
John Malcolm Garrett
Robert [Rob] George Garrett
Marian Elizabeth Milne
Philip Louis Garrett
Elizabeth Mary Helms

Phillip William Garrett’s Lot:
Cynthia Gordon
Barbara Pasco & family members in Invercargill
Anne Marie Baird

Sylvia Garrett’s Lot
Alyse Holloway
Noeline Gill

Others – sorry to lump you together!
Colin & Ron Garrett
Juliet [Coker] Rose and her 2 sisters
Joy Samson
George Garrett [of Heriot]
Most of the above have spouses who may or may not attend, so you can see we will have quite a group.
So if you know of more contacts please feel free to pass on the info., but make sure they let us know they are coming.

Rob Garrett lives in Mosgiel and is happy to provide a local contact should it be needed. His phone number is:03 489 8889

I hope to have a press release ready in the next week, to help publicise our efforts and bring a few more names out of the “woodwork”. It will, I hope, be published in the ODT and the Taieri Star community paper.

Cheers

2006-01-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

A view of the main mast on the sail training ship out of Nelson Harbour - my birthday treat! I didn't have to climb it!

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and Betty tells me I didn't stop smiling the whole trip. No wonder I had a sore face at the end!

Wandering Garretts

2006-01-29T23:55:00.000-08:00

Wandering Garretts
We’re Off!

for a couple of weeks to swing through the south.

Catching up on Brother Philip L in Leeston at Rushbrook

Checking out son Rob in Mosgiel – and arrangements for the BIG BASH on April 1st there at nearby Allanton

Zooming in on Burts in Invercargill for checkup on Robin

Inspect John and Lorraine’s new house in Herbert St

Mingle with the crowds at Tuatapere as they celebrate 100 years of settlement

Up to Te Anau to inspect the matriarch and carry her off to Dunedin for eye inspections

Relative checking in the city of various other relations there

Highway One to Rushbrook for temporary bedwarming, followed by

Visit to old primary school St Anne’s for THEIR 100 years!

And home in time to host big gathering of old SeniorNetters in Motueka on Monday 13th Feb

See YA!

SEARCHING FOR JOHN S

2006-01-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

SEARCHING FOR JOHN SPENCE – my great-great grandfather on my mother’s side of family.
I knew Richard Henry Spence’s birthplace and date of birth but nothing else.  I searched at the Family History Centre using microfilm of records borrowed for me by them.
Using the 1861 Census of England – Piece No. 3209 (R.G 9)  Folio 28 page 1-2

District of Wetherby – sub-district Wetherby  Enumerator Mr Richard Tate

Description and boundaries of proposed enumeration district and names of places comprised therein

7c Spofforth Parish – part thereof:  [no one believed there could possibly be place with such an unlikely name!]
All that part of the Parish of Spofforth which comprises the whole of the township of Spofforth on the East side of the Main Street of Spofforth (including Stockeld Grange, Newsholme House, Throstle Nest, Crowper Farm, Red Hill, Red Hill School, Red Hill Cottage, Braham Hall, Spofforth Bar, Spofforth Mills, Potters Cottage and Anglers’ Lodge.

Found at no 8 Main Street, Spofforth
John Spence, Head of family, married, aged 34 , Police Constable, born in Leeds  Yorkshire
Mary Ann Spence, his wife  aged 30                born in Sherburn, Y
Robert Spence          son     aged 11               born Barkston Ash, Y
William Spence     son     aged 9                    born Sicklinghall, Y
*Richard Henry     son     aged 7                    born Sicklinghall, Y
Hannah Mary          dau     aged 4                    born Sicklinghall, Y
Thomas          son     aged 1                    born Sicklinghall, Y

Richard Henry Spence is known by his birthday and birthplace, recorded elsewhere, as born 13th November 1953 at Spofforth – but probably recorded at Sicklinghall as shown above. He died 7 May 1920.  Richard Henry is the father of Louis Joseph Spence, grandfather of Malcolm Garrett, and Christopher Spence and their brothers and sisters, and cousins.

John is likely to have been born in c. 1827.  He and Mary Ann were probably married in 1849 Perhaps Barkston Ash, or Sherburn in Elmet, which would be the bride’s birthplace  Their marriage is registered at Tadcaster which is the nearest registration point and is shown as for the June quarter of 1849 – Vol XXIII p. 613).

He was, at an earlier time, a simple farm labourer, as shown on 1851 census, so he must have shown good character and intelligence to achieve promotion to the newly formed Police Force.

Following on from that research:
Marriage Certificate obtained for John and Ann – now called “Mary” Ann  is detailed as follows:
Date: 8th April 1849 – place: Tadcaster Registrar’s Office.
Name of Husband: John Spence [of full age], farmer, resident of Barkston, father’s name: Robert Spence, servant
Name of wife: Ann Wrightson, aged 19 years, resident of Barkston, father’s name: Joseph Wrightson, Blacksmith
Witnesses: Abigail Wilson and Benjamin Midgley.  John could sign his name, but Ann made her mark.  William Backhouse was Deputy Superintendent of the Registry of Tadcaster at the time.

So, from the above, we learn the name of John’s father – Robert, and that of Ann’s family – and her father’s name and occupation – Joseph Wrightson, blacksmith – a fitting surname meaning son of a smith or Wright.

Their first born son was born at Barkston Ash.  Thereafter, the children are registered as born at Sicklinghall.

Interesting Discovery
Found at 4 Main Street, Spofforth was Rachael Spence aged 12, a scholar, born at Boston Spa, and listed as visiting with John Falkingham (42) and his wife Sarah (31) and their baby son Charles, aged 10 months.

I had  believed that Rachael could be the eldest of John Spence’s children, which puts their marriage in the range shown above (1848-9).  The place could have been Boston Spa.  This is now shown not to be true.  Rachael has to be from a different family, because …………..

The 1851 Census shows John, aged 26, Mary Ann aged 21 and their first born son ,Robert, aged 1 year living in a cottage [no.27] at Sickinghall village where he was a farmhand. [Kirkby Overblow district – village of Sicklinghall P.10 in piece 601 of the census].

So John and Mary Ann must have lived at Sicklinghall for most of the intervening ten years as their children were all recorded as having been born in Sicklinghall except for Robert, the eldest, who was born near Mary Ann’s birthplace [Sherburn in Elmet] at Barkston Ash.  As their youngest, Thomas, was only 1 year old at the time of the 1861 census, their move to Spofforth most have been recent, as perhaps, was his elevation to constable.

Location of Birthplaces of the family
Sicklinghall is nearby (see map) in the Parish of Kirkby Overblow, less than 3 km away to the SW of Spofforth.  Kirkby Overblow village is a further 2 km NW from Sicklinghall.  Boston Spa where Rachael was born is just SE of Wetherby town only 5 miles away by road.  Sherburn in Elmet  where Mary Ann was born is in NE Yorkshire halfway between Filey on the coast and Malton-Norton inland.   Robert, their first child, was born at 2 miles away from Sherburn at Barkston Ash, which is a village 5 miles directly South from Tadcaster and 15 miles or from York City.  Most of these places lie between York City to the East and Harrogate to the West.  All these places are in a twenty mile radius from each other.

Spofforth is the site of the holdings of the noble Percy family, well-known protagonists in the Wars of the Roses.  Spofforth Castle is supposed to have been built in the reign of Edward III and at present is in a dilapidated state.   Henry Percy  held the castle Spofforth on behalf of his brother, the Earl of Northumberland until the disastrous defeat at Towton, so fatal to Henry IV, when the Earl and his brother Henry were both slain and their estates plundered by the victors.  The castle and mansion was ruined but today Lord Egremont, a direct descendant of the Percy family still  holds possession of the lands about.

Spofforth is a Parish-town, and the C of E church is a Rectory dedicated to All Saints and is in the Deanery of Ainsty.  Its Patron is the Earl of Egremont.

Another Spence Family?

On that part of the township of Spofforth which lies to the west of the Turnpike Road from Wetherby to Follyfoot, lies the farm where William Spence, aged 13 years,  b. Yorkshire, is recorded in the 1841 census, as being employed as a farm labourer by  William Cussly aged 45, a farmer and his wife, Lydia aged 43.

In the 1841 census at Whixley Village, no more than 12 miles North of Spofforth, Whixley hospital employed Mary Spence, aged 17, as a charwoman. – b. Whixley

By 1951, Matthew Spence, 52,  now a widower, an agricultural labourer and his daughter Mary, 27, were living in Whixley, whilst nearby Thomas, 24 and Joseph, 20, [both b. Whixley]were working as labourers for Farmer Thomas Cass, widower, 72, who worked 173 acres with the help of several other farm workers. Farmer Cass had 2 daughters, Elizabeth, 31, and Harriet 20.

There is nothing to show if, at all, these families are related.

Apologies to Charles

2005-12-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

Apologies to Charles DickensRewriting "A Christmas Carol""A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!" cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge's nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach. "Bah!" said Scrooge, "Humbug!" He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again."Christmas a humbug, uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew. "You don't mean that, I am sure." "I do," said Scrooge. "Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough." (Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" 1843)
Well, Charles, it's a darn good thing you didn't try writing this story in 2005. You'd be "boiled in your own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through your heart" for writing the words "Merry Christmas" or, I guess, even thinking them.
This year, even in the little town where I live, one would be hard-pressed to find any evidence that Christmas is near. They've hidden the manger scene and forgotten to put up the Christmas lights. They don't dare, not anymore; not these days. Last year they had a "Holiday Lighting" ceremony downtown. But even the words "Holiday Lighting" smacked too much of Christmas I guess, because this year we don't even have "Holiday" lights - at least none that I can see.
Bah! Humbug!
Yes, Charles, the world has changed since you walked among us. Now, I bet, as a ghost of Christmas Past, you must be shaking your head at what we've done to Christmas. It's nothing like your world. These days your beautifully-written story of hope, forgiveness, forbearance, and good will toward all mankind, would be ridiculed and derided by critics who are too afraid to offend the few, whose rights have somehow become more important than the rights of the many. And, why would they attack your story, Charles? Not because of any literary faux pas, no indeed, but because you used the word "Christmas" - and not only used it, you used it in the title!
Bah! Humbug!
We now live in a world where one is afraid to say "Merry Christmas" for fear we might offend an atheist or someone who is not a Christian. This has placed retailers in a tenuous position. These retailers dearly love to exploit the Christmas shopping season; but they are in a quandary about what to call it. Many dare not call it Christmas. Many times, when we walk into a store decorated for Christmas, we have a difficult time trying to find anything in the store with the word "Christmas" on it (except for maybe a sign on the front that says "Closed Christmas Day" - hmm why doesn't it say "Closed on a certain Holiday" or "Closed December 25th"?)
In 2005, we have "Holiday" trees, "Holiday" lights, "Holiday" candy, "Holiday" decorations, "Holiday" cookies, but no Christmas anything; anywhere. But, stores refusing to use the word Christmas (and forbidding their employees to say "Merry Christmas") does not stop them from cashing in on Christmas. It's a very good thing for those stores that Hanukkah and Kwanzaa happen to occur in December or they would have a hard time defining exactly what "Holiday" it is that they're cashing in on.
Bah! Humbug!
Charles? I don't blame you for rolling your eyes at our world today!
And, Charles? Would you believe that we have children in our schools that sing "We Wish You A Happy Holiday" and "I'm Dreaming of White Xmas"? Or schools that perform plays called "A Holiday Carol" (all references to Christmas removed, of course but based, of course, on your story)? Children now recite poems like "It was the night before Xmas and all through the house". I don't blame you blame you for looking askance at my world, Charles. I even hate to admit that what is happening to Christmas is partly my fault. After all, I'm part of the generation that let this happen.
Bah! Humbug!
When my kids were in school (and it wasn't all that long ago) we went to "Christmas Plays" and we had "Christmas Parties'. Kids got out of school for "Christmas Vacation" and we actually called Holiday Trees "Christmas Trees". Yes, even those who sold them called them "Christmas Trees". We even ate Christmas cookies and sang Christmas carols - and Christmas was Christmas.
But, these days, kids go on "Winter Break" and the schools put on Holiday Plays. Elementary children have "holiday parties" and eat holiday cookies and sing holiday songs like "Jingle Bells", "Frosty the Snowman" and other songs in which the word Christmas can be easily removed or replaced with a less "offensive" word.
Bah! Humbug!
And to think Charles, I've let this happen! Everyone who holds Christmas and its traditions dear, and yet has allowed the tiny minority to make us all ashamed to say "Merry Christmas!" has allowed this to happen. But, it really has been a long time coming. We all should have seen it coming two or three decades ago when the colleges started calling Christmas vacation "Winter Break". We should have known what was coming. But, really, Charles, I didn't think it would ever get this bad.
Bah! Humbug!
Let's face it, Charles: Not everyone in this world are Christians. But, what is wrong all of us, regardless of race, religion, or nationality, aspiring to the Spirit of Christmas and its love and its traditions? And far too many, these days, who do say Christmas, spell it Chri$tma$. And to me they're just as bad, or worse, than those who won't say Christmas at all or those who try to keep anyone else from saying "Christmas".
Bah! Humbug!
Christmas, as you know, Charles, is not about gifts, or buying things, or rushing about the malls in a panic. It is a time of year that all of us who call ourselves Christians, should stop and remember why it is we celebrate Christmas. It is a time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus and a time families and friends to gather together in the love and in the true Spirit of Christmas.
" 'Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. 'Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!' "(Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" 1843)
Charles, your ageless and poignant story of Christmas certainly embodied the true Spirit of Christmas. Maybe those who call for the end of "Merry Christmas would benefit by reading your story. I wish they would read it. The world might just be a little better place. In fact, Charles, everyone would benefit from reading your story. And, guess what, Charles? You don't even have to buy it these days! Did you know that you can read the whole story on the Web. "What's the Web?" you ask? Charles, it would take me too long to explain. I think you'd really like it though - most of it anyway!
It's funny that we don't have any problem with President's Day, a national holiday, where we honor George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. And it's a proven fact that regardless what you believe; Jesus was a well-documented historical figure. But those of us who want to celebrate his birth on the 25th of each December are not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" in celebration of his birth? Can you believe what we've done to Christmas, Charles?
And what about St. Patrick's Day. I don't recall anyone ever getting upset over stores having St. Patrick's Day sales or someone putting up shamrocks in their windows. Or advertising "St. Patrick's Day" parties. St. Patrick is a Christian saint, is he not? Maybe those who don't like Christmas, but don't mind St. Patrick's Day, are green-beer-drinking party animals? Ya think, Charles?
And, I don't know if these people were around in your day, Charles, but there are those "intellectuals" who will tell you that Christmas is celebrated on the 25th of each December because at one time it was a pagan holiday which occurred near the winter solstice each year. They claim "Christmas" therefore is a pagan holiday. Really! I am serious! Don't laugh Charles. They claim that Jesus was actually born in September, whatever difference that makes. That we've chosen the 25th of December as the day we celebrate his birth and that we call this day "Christmas" is enough for me. Jesus should be allowed to have a birthday too!
So, now we're not allowed to say "Merry Christmas" anymore lest we offend someone who doesn't believe as we do? I don't understand that, do you, Charles? If a person of the Jewish faith said "Happy Hanukkah" to me, I would say "Happy Hanukkah" back and not think a thing of it! If a person of the Muslim faith wants to celebrate one of their holidays, that's fine with me. And the same is true of any religion.
You know, if I lived in a town where the majority were Jewish, it would not offend me at all if the town erected Hanukkah displays in the town square.
I believe that every person has the right to believe as they wish; but no one has the right to ask me not to say "Merry Christmas" or not to believe as I do. I am just not going to let anyone ruin my Christmas Spirit this year Charles!
What kinds of people are offended by the term "Merry Christmas" anyway? I'm not trying to convert anyone. I'm certainly not wishing anyone ill-will. I'm celebrating a happy time and I'm celebrating the birth of Jesus. And, It's hard for me to believe, that a virtual handful of people could cause an entire country to go into spiritual hiding. But they have. When will stores and cities and towns realize that there is nothing wrong with saying "Merry Christmas"? When will they recognize that using the words "Holidays" and "Xmas" aren't fooling anyone. Everyone knows what time of year it is. It's Christmastime.
There is nothing wrong with saying "Christmas" or wishing someone a Merry Christmas. If anyone is offended by good wishes and good tidings then they are the ones with the problem, right Charles? And looking at this whole mess, again I am reminded that we have only ourselves to blame for this situation. We all sat back and let them them take Christmas away and replace it with "Holiday" and "Xmas" and "Season".
We are all to blame for what has happened to Christmas. Now we find ourselves struggling to keep Christmas alive; fighting to keep the eternal Torch of Christmas burning in spite of the many brothers and sisters of Ebenezer Scrooge who would darken it forever.
"What else can I be," returned the uncle, "when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!" (Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol" 1843)
I think it's high-time we took our Christmas back, Charles!
As Tiny Tim once observed, "God bless Us, Every One! "

Merry Christmas

2005-12-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy 2006 to all.
2005 year with the Garretts at Motueka

Not For Sale!
Small private 3 bedroom home with very private back garden, complete with ponds, raised beds, cool shady shrubs, greenhouse and shade house, citrus and other fruit trees. Modern home with tiled wet floor bathroom with under floor heating, dishwasher, water filter, clothes dryer and good indoor-outdoor flow. Garage with indoor access and remote opening door. Handy to all shops [5 minutes walk] and library etc. yet in quiet side street.
Owners’ Report cards:
Betty ► Golf Club Ladies’ President and Club Captain, Probus Club secretary, St Vincent de Paul operative, church cleaner, Canine Boarding Kennels dog walker.
Malcolm: ► SeniorNet president and tutor, Museum Chairman and front Desk volunteer, golf club hanger-on, Probus club member, U3A member and tutor, choir member, church bulletin editor, St Vincent de Paul operative.
Climate: here it is truly tremendous. Where else is it programmed to rain only at night, so that the sun shines nearly every day? OK so the farmers and orchardists are pleading for extra rain at the moment, but the holiday planners and pharmacies are looking forward to more sun tan lotion and sunglasses sales to go with the processing of digital photographs taken of this beautiful region. Enough of boring talk of weather!
2005 highlights:

90th Birthday celebrations in Te Anau for Grandma [Bess] Sim brought huge gathering of relations together. All Garrett clan together again for some time. Plenty of Sim cuzzies too! Not to mention older generation with Peter Sim, and Mary McIntyre. Lots of photos on website. See below.

Visited Brisbane for Nick Tzvetkoff’s birthday – great family time – and went on to Darwin and Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge etc. Hot time in all respects!

Saw Rob & Vicki’s new “Townhouse” in Mosgiel – stepping stone to building in Outram?

Found old grave marker for Garrett ancestor, John James, in Allanton and arrangements are in hand for a replacement monument to be unveiled on April 1st next year – when Robert Lovell Garrett will be 70. Family welcome!

Malcolm had his yDNA sampled to confirm the relationship between his Garrett family line on the Isle of Man and that of David Garrett in USA. It was successful in confirming what we knew by surnames and dates etc.

Watched with amazement the raising of the Round Tower on the hills at Mahana for the Ross family Seat. Spectacularly different and spacious, and due to be completed by 2010 by best estimates but habitable by Christmas it is vowed by Trish.

Admired the garage with a fancy concrete apron and the new bridge over the ford [thank goodness] at Milne homestead, in Golden Bay

Started own blogsite – see references

Christmas news

2005-12-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

Betty and Malcolm’s Christmas Newsletter 2005

Is it really nearing the end of another year! We are being forced to believe that it is by Santa Parades in November and decorations in every shop. The commercial countdown has begun. For those who remember what Christmas is really about, the season of Advent has its own exciting rituals. We enjoy Christmas-time: Midnight Mass, carols, lights and decorations, shopping for gifts, unwrapping parcels, family gatherings, eating lots, and  receiving cards and news from our scattered friends and family.
Since Christmas 2004 the world has been hit by a massive tsunami, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars, flu and famine. Lest we get too complacent in our secluded islands we are continually being warned that these disasters are bound to hit us some day. But we carry on, spending more money and building flasher houses preferably close to the sea.

Enough philosophical musing. We are here to let you know what we have been up to in the practical sense? In June we set off to cross the Tasman for nephew Nick’s 50th; but missed the party as our plane broke down in Wellington and we had a free and unexpected night in the James Cook Hotel. We caught up with the party people next day and as usual had a great time in Brisbane. Then we flew to Darwin and toured the spectacular Kakadu and Katherine Gorge areas – hot but exotic and fascinating.
In September we headed south to Te Anau where we celebrated Mum’s 90th birthday. What a family gathering it was! Over seventy friends and relations came to the Lakeside Hall. Mum looked fine with her five “very mature” children, their spouses, 11 of her 13 grandchildren, and 12 of the19 great grandchildren. Betty was surrounded by “her sisters and her cousins and her aunts”
For the first time in eight years we had our own four children together; certainly time to get out the digital camera and record this rare occurrence.
Our grand children are another year older and we are proud of them all.
Betty and Malcolm continue in their chosen pursuits. Betty has actually managed to get Malcolm to join her in pursuit of the little white ball on Thursday’s Twilight Golf. One week he was awarded a prize for the most golf, then next week was on the good score prize list, while Betty remained unrecognised for being consistently middle of the fairway. She did win the women’s putting trophy for 2005.
Malcolm has added membership of the local U3A group to his list. Betty just reads more books. She has been lucky in competitions, winning a cell phone, an electric wok and an oilskin vest. She has also acquired a gold tooth, but not for free. Malcolm thinks it should be regarded as an heirloom and removed before interment.  Other acquisitions include a half share in a “fold” of highland cattle – grazing on the Ross hills at “Balnagowan”. Anyone with a Skype phone can now talk to us for free anywhere in the world, and you may take a look at the blog as well as the website.
We aim to be at home in the top of the south for December and January so do call in if you are in the neighbourhood for food, fellowship, and fabulous weather.
Have a Happy and Healthy Christmas Season.

SeniorNet News

2005-11-09T15:36:00.000-08:00

Time to update – I have got through the Annual General Meeting of SeniorNet Motueka, of which I am privileged to be the President. We had a special farewell to three sterling committee members who had made huge contributions to the club’s development of our own clubrooms. Brian Say was President during most of the development work and bore the brunt of responsibility for seeing that the project stayed on track. He really knew how to harness the best on everyone and did enormous amounts of “backroom” negotiating to see it through .
Phil Peters was the inspiration and creative talent. His attention to detail and the desire to achieve a perfect result saw very high standards of finishing work being done. At times things were fraught and tense but we managed to get through all the stages well and we now we have a lovely clubrooms of our own.
So we welcome four new faces to the committee, in the hope that they can bring fresh impetus to our hardworking group. We all do this for the love of it so it should be enjoyable to be a part of it. At times it has not, but that I hope is in the past.
Now we have our Christmas raffle, and I’ve just finished painting up a “sandwich board” for it as we display our raffle in the Supermarket foyers for the next month.

Fireworks in the Bays

2005-11-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

November 5th is upon us with plenty of loud bangs and wildly barking hounds disturbed from their equilibrium by it all. We had resolved to have nothing to do with this event but our daughter in Golden Bay rang for assistance with the plea that fireworks were unobtainable in the Bay and they needed to make their contribution to their planned beach party – highly controlled she told me- at Pohara. So I toddled over to the Warehouse and laid out $20 for a box of this and that. Stockers are expecting Patsy’s father Ross Garrett down on the plane this afternoon and he is calling to pick up the explosives – for that is what they are.
This year there have been more than the usual reports of eye damage, property fires and nears misses. I pray that our lot get through their fun night unscathed.

Highlanders Calving on the Hills

2005-10-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello folks. Our partnerhsip in owning three Highland cows with son-in-law Dave Ross and Trish our daughter is bearing fruit. All three of our cows have now produced a calf.
UInfortunately they are all bull calves so we will be looking to sell them off to dairy farmers wanting to use them in their herds with their heifers, being an easy-bearing offspring.
After our hectic but enjoyable trip south we are settling in to life at home for the meantime. We hav a builder coming in to start work soon on our proposed sunroom which will take the place of the patio cover. All very nicely designed by an architect, so it should pass the Council regulations.

Hello everyone again

2005-10-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone again.
I congratulate everyone who has managed to locate this blog. I have also identified that when I edit a blogscript in WORD I can’t add Pix to it.
You may wish to go to our website for an update. There are 10 pix in a photo frame on the latest news page.
Malcolm

Visit South to Te Anau

2005-10-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hi to all family and friends who happen upon this WebLog. This is a new step for us here so forgive any strange parts. I understand that it is a bit like a website but not so permanent.

We all enjoyed our trip South to Te Anau for Bess Sim's 90th birthday. We had a week to acclimatise before the BIG day. It was good to see the Matriarch lookng so well and ready to cope with anything.
The Saturday was also Betty's birthday [17th Sept], but so that we could get a good number there, she bravely gave up her day to her Mother - whose real day was 14th.
70 folk turned up on the day, and the buzz, if not roar, of conversation filled the little Church hall.
Lickily the day was fine and a lot of us went outside for chats. Were lucky to have all the Garrett family together for the first time in many years.
The first picture shows Grandma Bess cutting the cake. I can show pix 1/4 size, 1/2 size or full page size, but they are all originally bog files suitable for printing.
The 2nd pic, showng the Garretts is 1/2 size, to give you the idea.
Please comment at this stage. I don't know yet if you can download from here for printing but we can try it out.
Regards from Garretts at Motueka