CatchUp - 5 Weeks To Go!

Live is crazy mad at the moment, and blogging numerous times during the week is impossible.  I think I'm just going to try and do weekly updates until we touch down in Welly - we'll see how that goes.

The Gathering is two weeks away, and our flights to NZ are in a just over five weeks.  I think the phrase is burning the candle at both ends.

So what have we been up to?

Well we've accepted an offer on the house, so have been sorting details with estate agents and instructing solicitors.  I've been trying to get our shipping quote down, which is near as damn it seven grand, and the giant headache has been dealing with Harry.  Turns out he needs a rabies jab before he flies which he hadn't had.  And then he can't fly for 6 months after then!  He had the jab as soon as I found out, and so we need to find a home for our pooch for 4 1/2 months.  We are hopeful we might have a willing foster parent for him though.  And so I've been sorting quotes for flying a dog, and then quarantine, and the nightmare that is the order and schedule of his required jabs.  It seems it will cost more to take the dog to NZ than its cost for all of our flights!

Away from organising the worlds most awesome car show and our emigration we've even got out the house once!  A lovely trip to Rowney Warren with Helen, Clauds and Amy.

 

 

And yesterday Bill came to visit to lend a hand with getting El Nino ready for the container.  NZ are so strict with biosecurity that everything has to go super clean (from dirt not grease) and then pass various safety tests.  I have had it confirmed that, being a racecar, Nino just needs to get through the bio examination.  

We got loads done, and its a rolling chassis again, ready to go in a container now.  My automotive 'to do' list is still ridiculous though.  I am waiting for new front springs to arrive from America for the Benz so that I can sell it, Nana needs going over if she is going to make the crate, and the Ducati needs a thorough going over.  I just dunno how its all going to get done, and in truth something might have to give.

Thanks to Tasha's parents I had managed to get the chassis rubbed back and two coats of chassis black painted and dry before the weekend arrived.  In a day Bill and I managed to get the gearbox and rear end together, front suspension and steering reassembled and the shell in place.  I have also learnt that, when landscaping your garden, it is wise to make sure you can get your racecar shell out again!

 

VISAS!

Passports arrived back with us today.  Super excited now!!

Tattoo Time Again

So with my two pound coins changed and a full day booked with Jeff at Evil From The Needle I was looking forward to getting my sleeve finished.

Two fairly large pieces will finish it off, an Ed Roth 'Wierdo' and a traditional 'kustom kulture' inspired piece that will include Simincellis #58 and Ducati Desmodronic valve gear.

I was in Camden by half 10 and felt like I had the place to myself.

Doors opened at 11 and with both stencils in place I was a happy man.  They're gonna look stunning.   However an hour or so in Jeff realised it was gonna take a load longer than he'd originally thought.  I was not going to be going home with my arm completed.

Great progress was made though, and there are just the flames to finish the first piece. The Wierdo should be much quicker.  Very excited to see it all come together next time!

Two Pound Treasure

I cracked open my money pot I save two pound coins in the other day.

Couldn't believe I've been saving for over five years!  Was nice to read the note I'd left inside, proof this New Zealand adventure is far from an impulsive thing.

Rescued £400 from it too, which means even after my forthcoming tattoo appointment there will still be a chunk left over for the emigration fund!

Forever Blowing Bubbles

Alfies Olympics

Yesterday we had the joy of attending Alfies first ever school sports day.

With temps still pushing towards 30 degrees we grabbed some shade before the races began.

Races which included ...

a relay race;

 an obstacle race;

and ye olde faithful potato and spoon race.

Oh, and the highlight of the day - the Dads race.  Which, even having run barefoot, I still managed to defeat a strong lineup to take the gold medal!

Followed by a picnic - where Esme are everyones apple;

 And some ice cream;

and a quick play in the park;

where we learnt Tash has a head the same size as a three year old.

and then the moment which must really tear at teachers heart strings - when they say goodbye to kids they have seen develop for the past three years.  Or in Alfies case, just a year, as they said farewell to him too.  Next Tesday will be his last day at Gravenhurst 'Pippins & Bramleys' Preschool, the next day he attends school will be in Wellington!  His key worker, Leah, got him an amazing bag of goodies including a super cool Hot Wheels Pontiac Firebird (the bonnet opens!!) and a Batman sticker book which we are saving for the flight.

There isn't too much I'm sad about leaving behind in England, but his school really is one of them.  Its an amazing little place, and he has done so well there and has loved it from his first moments.  I just hope we can find somewhere equally awesome in NZ.

Here's a few other pics from the day;

And all the other many photos are here.

Dragstalgia - Warning : Motorsport Is Dangerous

Right now its pretty hard to blog and I'm just not getting time in the day.  The Gathering is coming round fast, we emigrate in 8 weeks, and with the temperature being above 25 (oh yes, summer has arrived!) Esme is going to bed until about 9pm most nights - hence time in the evenings is short and precious.

Anyway, last weekend Claire and Jody paid us a visit.  It was Claires birthday on Friday and so, like last year when we first all met, we hit Santa Pod for Dragstalgia.

We had a cracking time, with one notable incident coming to pass.  Claire and I were returning with ice creams to realise that track action had stopped.  And as we looked up we realised the ambulance and rescue vehicles were on the track.  Turns out a top fuel bike had ejected its pilot.  We reached Tash and Jody to find out what happened only to learn an oil breather can had been launched to their direction on the bank.  It was quite a near miss for the group next to us by all accounts!  The picture at the top shows just how far it had been launched, and travelled just as high as it did along!

Here's some pics, all the rest are here.

 

FTC For Sale

It's official now.  In the local rag and everything.

Yours for £175k.  Comes with three complimentary chickens.

The Dummy Issue

Just an excuse to post this photo really. 

But the other night I couldn't find Esme a dummy at bed time.  So I decided she didn't need one.

We agreed she was a big girl now and Olive needed them more.

She didn't shout, pout, hit or throw live ammunition at my head.  If anything I'd say her sleep is better.

Dunno what all the fuss and dread is about!

BSB Snetterton

Sunday. 30 degrees.  Free tickets to BSB.  A gorgeous early morning ride out on the Duke, and a day spent with my buddy Ian.

Awesome day.