Its Springtime at Greystone!!

Spring is well underway now. See the photos of the Mt Fugi cherry and just wait until Carl's birthday on the 3rd of October for the showy Sakura cherry blossom. The yellow tulips are also in full bloom in the half barrels at the front and the Magnolia grandiflora is also showing off as usual. Early vegetable plantings are underway and growing from seed this year is a very worthwhile exercise.







Christmas thoughts are starting but there are some big birthdays to be celebrated first. Those that SPRING to mind are Steve's, Carl's, Thomas's, Isaac's, Jesse's, Greg and Kristina's. If there are others that the aged brain has overlooked an email will fix that and the next entry will add them.

Picasso is always alert and ready for his next feed, as the picture shows.

Major milestone. The foot gate has been installed! After 8 years is not bad! Is it? Gavin the stone wall artisan got the gap just right. When Mike Vennik sees it he will cheer since he asked me many moons ago, "When are you going to instal the gate?" "Soon, Mike soon," was the reply.

Greystone Happenings in August

Wow! Without power for a few days! A new pole was scheduled for 20 August and was installed earlier. The installers had all the big vehicles and all the marvellous gizmos and were happy to have their photos taken. Provided I didn't send them to OSH (Occupational safety and Health).

And of course the major happening was Sammo's birthday! Sammo has decided that she will take one year off the total each year now, going backwards in effect. She has joined the Sadie who has been going backwards for years. The Countryman in Masterton was the favoured restaurant this year and was most enjoyable. Many thanks to the offspring who phoned and texted from New Plymouth (Thomas is nearly five and getting very good on the phone), Brisbane and the Italian Alps.

Spring is well underway at Greystone with the blossom all some 2 weeks earlier this year.

1st Daffodil of 2009 at Greystone

It came out when we were playing golf yesterday! We won a frozen chook and two vouchers with our combined stableford in the Relatives' Teams' Tournament at Mrs Martin's borough's golf club.

Relatives' corner - Robert Loftus Stanford

Robert Loftus Stanford (RLS) arrived in New Zealand in 1864 with his wife. He is Evan SE's maternal, paternal great grandfather. More easily understood, Evan's mother's (Norah Osbon nee Stanford) paternal grandfather, that is her father's (Arthur Kynaston Stanford) father. A separate article is being written; another part of a series for family records of those who have gone on before us, to help answer those questions that arise. Such as, "Where do I come from and who were they?" Copies of the articles are available on request in the comments section from family and genuinely interested individuals.

The following is a brief summary of the full article still underway.

RLS was born in Buckinghamshire, England in 1839 and was educated at Cheltenham College and Exeter College, Oxford. In 1862 he took his degree at Oxford and two years later he and his wife came to Dunedin, New Zealand on the ship "Chilli."

He was ordained as a Minister of the Anglican Church of New Zealand and was the founding Vicar, in 1868, of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist in Milton, Otago. There is a full article on his activities in the centenary publication of Saint Johns. Further invetsigations are underway regarding his subsequent ministries in Dunedin and Napier.

He studied for the legal profession and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of The Supreme Court in Dunedin in 1883. In 1884 he was awarded his LLB degree from the University of New Zealand in Dunedin. RLS practised his legal profession for many years, his firm being Stanford and Milne. On the 15th of November 1894 he was appointed as Stipendary Magistrate at Palmerston North. This position required him to act in New Plymouth and Wanganui over the years till his death in Wanganui in 1909.

During his Oxford years he was intiated into the Apollo Lodge of the Masonic fraternity and in 1864 he was married to a daughter of the Dean of Leiglin in Ireland. There were five sons and five daughters from the marriage.

In 2009 he has many descendants and these will be the subject of identification and linking through their descendants to the present. Evan SE's grandsons, Isaac Morch of Brisbane and Thomas Harvey of New Plymouth are two of RLS's great, great, great grandchildren. Both Isaac and Thomas have longer ancestral ties with New Zealand through their mother's and father's sides respectively. These also will be the subject of investigation and recording.

(in progress). Watch this space.

The Teacher's Golfing Holiday

One day during the recent two weeks "non-classroom contact time" (holidays to non-teachers) Sammo revolted.



"No more of the high-pressure cleaning Sadie! I want to go golfing!" And so the following day the golf clubs were loaded into the CRV, clothes packed together with Greystoned gin, whisky (single malt), pear and boysenberry liqueuers and of course some of the famed Greystoned Limoncello. There was a sack of food too!

Next stop Napier! On the way we found a bypass around Woodville, following the Manawatu River, coming out at Oringi. Yes, we bypassed Woodville, however, some 1/2 hour was added to the journey! Found the usual "no exit" roads and waved to the starving 'cockies.' All four-finger waves too!

Made the motel in Napier in time to catch breath and mosie off to the Bank to discuss investments with the Trust advisor. Weather totally inclement and only place of interest was a suitable 'watering hole' to quaff Pinot Noir and talk golf. Various children waved and called out, "Hullo Teacher (by name) since some of the Greytown darlings were in Napier. "Can't escape," said Sammo before running into a surprised relative. Yes, Kiwiland is a small country. Next day following 'fush and chups' for the night before's repast it was decided that a 'good look' around the shops would be in order before finding a golf course. Suffice to say that more and more shops intruded with the gallant pair ending up in Havelock North and, yes, finding a 'watering hole' and quaffing some more fine Hawkes Bay pinot noir (as you do)!

Next day being a Friday we examined the Princess Alexandra Retirement Home and had a great, warmly welcomed visit. They didn't get where they are today without spotting a likely pair. So with facts salted away for some future use (doesn't have to be Napier) the pair of young oldies (not foggies Jo Jo, or even fogies) set off for the Rio Grande. Whoops! (Apologies to "Deadeye Dick and Mexican Pete!") Wrong joke! Set off for Remmers in the city of Auckland (Jafaville).

What a wonderful trip up the Napier/Taupo road with the snow way down on the Ruahines to the south and the Kawekas in front. No snow on the road and ideal driving. Kept an eye out for golf courses and cheered mightingly when some were spotted. But we couldn't tarry since the russian kiwis and the kiwi russian were waiting. Sadie was not allowed any by-passes much to his consternation. He did however miss the 'new' Hamilton highway 1 bypass around Hamilton which caused at least another 10 minutes delay and a lecture of sorts from Sammo. Poor Sadie, sometimes one thinks he lives in the past when he knew Hamilton and the Waikato backwards even though it was in the early sixties before he was put on the straight and narrow by Sammo.

Well! We made good time to the East Tamaki junction on the southern motorway and then guess what? That's right "the revenge of the *jafas" struck with a vengeance. 3/4's of an hour later Sadie said, "Stuff this!" and went off the Mt Wellington off-ramp and up the Mt Wellington highway to Remmers. A few wrong turns at Ellerslie and off "Ladies Mile" when we should have stayed on it occured but we made Haast St just as the light was fading and the wines were warming. Too dark for golf so we dined and imbibed and then quaffed some more quaff mixture at little Russia. Strange at first not to see Jack (for Sadie) since Sadie's previous visit was Christmas 07 when he and Jack Robertson (Poppa) relived the Maungatapere days and the many golf matches played over the previous 40 odd years.

Much yak, reading and relativing the next day since the intrepid pair were too worn out to look for golf courses. Strange how empty wine bottles multiply overnight but there were a lot more than Sadie counted on the Friday night. Amazing all the things and gossip to catch up on and how the time just slips away.

Sunday and Sylvia Park golf course beckoned. But when we got there the golf course had disappeared and there were lots of 'loverly' shops in its place. Maybe there was never one there? Retail therapy has a lot to answer for! Back to little Russia where we found Sergei, Tania and Demyan (5 months old). You can see from the photos the happy reunions and first time meeting with Demyan.




Monday dawned and after lunch a leisurely trundle down to Eureka (between Hamilton and Morrinsville) via Taupiri looking for golf courses on the way to John and Wendy's. Sammo's navigation skills came to the fore and we hit the target right on the button using all the shortest backroads and bypasses. Even found a stop at Gordonton where even the whitebait are 'free-range.'



Weather would have been great for golf but we couldn't find one with a welcoming committee and a golf buggy at the ready just waiting for us. John and Wendy of Eureka just like Ian and Olga of little Russia work from home and the aforementioned are getting on well developing their lifestyle block. The feisty ram has gone and been swapped for fresh fish; now there are donkeys, goats and beef animals to name some of the livestock in residence. The photos also show the property and the livestock. A tramp into the adjoining dairy farm, feeding the animals and eating and quaffing saw Monday draw to a close. Tuesday was 'spent' at the "Base." This is a large retail development at Te Rapa and is designed to curl plastic, straighten it and then curl, straighten etc etc ad infinitum. Weather cold and very wet so no golf courses came to the fore. Tuesday night was spent relativing, quaffing and eating John's very well prepared meal.





Wednesday, Eureka to Greystone (8hours, 7 hours driving) with a short detour, bypassing Onga Onga to Waipukurau where Sammo lashed out at the scrapbooking shop. Home just on dark and just in time to delay Picasso's routine call to the SPCA complaining of starvation. Picasso was looked after by the Vicar's daughter all week however when tested in the following days his ability to explain in four letter words has not been diminished. He was caught kneeling down, but no it wasn't prayer - just another fur ball!

So there we have it - Sammo's golfing holiday. For the record, on the first and last Saturday of the "non-contact classroom" time Sammo and Sadie played two rounds of golf at Mrs Martin's borough's golf course with golfing accomplices.

For the record the match play 'off-the-stick' between Sammo and Sadie for the Jack Robertson Perpetual Memorial Golf Trophy stands at Sadie 5 holes up after 14 rounds. The "Rules" have been written sometime back; a trophy is being made and each golf round when Sammo and Sadie are playing together is part of the competition - to the amusement of others in the four. After much discussion it has been decided that the last one alive will be the winner! For the record Jack and Evan started to play golf in 1969 at Sherwood Park, Maunu, Whangarei in between bouts of fishing. Sammo started in 1976 at Fitzroy, New Plymouth and Olive 1980 at Inglewood.

Oh! And by the way the golf clubs enjoyed their trip all 1525kms and came back to Greystone thoroughly rested!

Ein Skol! Dien Skol!

*Translation - 'jafa' - just another friendly Aucklander.

Matariki and the Winter Solstice

Sunrise 7:42 am, sunset 4:57 pm! It's all downhill now to summer. To all those friends in Europe just think each day gets shorter now!

The Greystone greystone has said: "Hullo!" to the daffodils, see attached photo! Gardening is now all about tidying and making ready for the spring. For those who like brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, onions and silver beet then Greystone has good winter crops coming on.



Helps to balance the red wine, slow cooked lamb shanks and carbohydrate (swedes, kumara, carrots and parsnips) diet with the occasional G&T.

The wines are coming on well with the pinot, noir and sauvignon blanc looking (and taste testing well!). 'Tis an onerous and demanding job but someone has to do it. Sadie's hand went up fast when asked!!!

Svend Carl Vilhelm's Remembrance Day

Once again the Danish flag flew at Greystone for Svend my Dad celebrating his birth date 10th June 1905. When we were young our Dad often had 'tree tomatoes' now known as tamarillos, stewed and cooled with whipped cream for dessert on his birthday.

Our new neighbours came out from Denmark in the 1950's and really enjoy seeing the flags flying.

June days in Greystone

The leaves are all down and raked. They have provided a base for the bark garden - some 15 barrow loads over the last 6 weeks. The autumn rains have well and truly soaked the Wairarapa and there is a great coating of snow on the tops of the Tararuas. Some frosts have been recorded, the lowest being -3C but all with brilliant sunny days following.

Some photos have been taken using Sammo's fantabulastic camera (it even tells you if the lens cover is still in place!). A wonderful assistance for the "retired one."



These photos show the berries and water droplets on the Indian Lilac Tree at the front wall and the next one shows the first crop of our mandarins, alondside the limes and Meyer lemons (yet to ripen). The Guardian of Greystone alias Picasso the big, fat cat is watching! He is handling the winter weather well; often on his personal pet pad in front of the log-fire.



See the 'naked ladies' in amongst the stones and bulbs by Lillehus very close to the grapefruit tree that has learned to resist the frosts.



Note: The daffodils have just poked their inquisitive noses through the grass around the front trees by the stone wall. Spring is in their thoughts. Just 10 days away from the winter solstice; Matariki will be celebrated on 22 June.

What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Maori name for the group of stars also known as the Pleiades star cluster or The Seven Sisters; and what is referred to as the traditional Maori New Year.

When is the Maori New Year?
The Maori new year is marked by the rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon. The pre-dawn rise of Matariki can be seen in the last few days of May every year and the new year is marked at the sighting of the next new moon which occurs during June.

So there you have it, Summer beckons!

Mothers' Day at Greystone

Wait for it! A picture of Sammo is being planned for tomorrow. Yes! here it is following calls so far from Carl, Brisbane and Jo, New Plymouth! Kristina rang from Belgium later during the evening and Sue had just arrived back in Belgium from Oman! Great for Sammo.

Underneath are some of Sammo picking sauvignon blanc grapes - courstesy of Peter and Jude Hudson - for Greystone's 09 vintage. Last weekend we picked grapes all day for the Hudsons together with other friends, relatives and vintners

Another birthday for Jo!

Yes, Jo's birthday came and went on 13 April. Sammo the Mum rang Jo as she, Sammo, was on her way to Oz and later that evening Evan the Dad also rang, Jo that is, and complimented her on achieving such an age.

What is it about these offspring of ours? Don't they realise that for every year they get older we (Evan and Sammo) also get older? It seems sometimes that we are being pushed somewhere. Perhaps they also are being pushed just as we did to our parents etcetera, etcetara.

And now Thomas's 5th birthday looms in October. Evan and Sammo will be in attendance, God willing!

Jo. How about a photo for posterity showing just how young and sprightly you are?

Well it didn't take long and just look how young and sprightly Jo is?

Back from Oz

Sammo and Evan arrived back 23/4 following a great visit with Carl and Isaac; Tanja, Jesse and Tim. Evan's arrival on 16/4 was a complete surprise for Sammo (she says a very pleasant one!) who arrived in Rochedale, Brisbane on 13/4. Yes, Carl and Tanja kept it a secret for two months! See Carl's blog for other commentary.

The property that Carl and Tanja are house-sitting for a year is a wonderful place for young people and their dogs. Heidi the black retriever is being house-sit for the owners as well. Madeline (known affectionately as Maddie) is the young golden labrador pup. She delights in putting on 'mad dog' stunts. Those who knew Rambo, Rolley and Rastus will recall the ever diminishing, nearly concentric circles that they would run in when encouraged to perform 'mad dog' stunts.

A very relaxing visit with much attention to soccer by the boys and informal games of soccer on the front lawn with the two canine members. Chewing of the soccer balls definately frowned upon! Some shopping, shopping, shopping also!! Saturday was 'soccer day for the boys. The pictures tell the story. Yes, Isaac worked hard for his side's 2 - 1 win.



Before Evan arrived Sammo, Isaac, Jesse, Tim, Carl and Tanja went to Australian Zoo. The pictures tell the story!



Evan and Sammo's friends Lisa and Leigh and Horst rose to new heights to facilitate Evan's surprise visit. The CRV was parked at Leigh and Horst's in Newlands for the week with Lisa driving Evan to the airport. Leigh and Horst met Evan on his return flight and plied him and themselves with a gourmet meal cooked by Horst with wines to match and then left Evan to collect Sammo from the midnight flight on 23/4. Evan and Sammo spent the night back in Newlands at their homestay.

But back to Brisbane and the 'barefoot' bowlers. Tanja's Mum and Dad and Evan and Sally joined with Tanja and Carl for the big 'bowl-off.' The ladies' team sqeaked home against the gentlemen's team. Have a look and decide for yoursselves whether it was a friendly match or not!




Sammo is off to Hamilton tonight 1/5 for an NZ Reading Association executive meeting and back 2/5. The 'high flying executive' has arrived with planned work visits to Christchurch and Queenstown in June and September respectively! And, whew! just to round this coming weekend off Evan and Sammo are helping the Hudson's to pick their riesling grapes on Sunday 3/5 in Martinborough.