Spring in September.

 The tulips are out and about in Rotorua.  Here are a few of my favourites.

Making a pirate costume

Tighe is looking forward to Halloween, and needs to make a costume.

This is what he would like to make.

 We went to the second hand clothes shop and found a jacket, a coat, and a shirt.

The coat is too long, and the sleeves to big.  The coat will be shortened, and pleats put in the back.  The sleeves will be rolled, to create cuffs.  A skull and cross bones will complete the ensemble.

 The beginnings of a waistcoat / jerkin.  The collar is going to be removed, and the sleeves. The pockets will be cut off, along with the dark brown button facing at the front.

 Perhaps we will put elastic in the sleeves to create cuffs. Tighe also would like to add a hood.

 Tighe also found some brown pants, and boots.  Time to start cutting and sewing.

Gravel Grind - Bike packing

 Erik and Peter Maindonald organised a 3 day bikepacking event, and over 50 riders participated.

They all assembled at the Government Gardens, Rotorua, ready for about 80 km to 120 km each day

 On the first day, riders head out from Rotorua through the famous Whakarewarewa forest before riding along the Western Okataina Walkway, a challenging mountain-bike track that often involves a bit of hike-a-biking. After this, you follow quiet gravel and back-country roads down to the coast, where you camp at the DoC campground in Matata right by the beach.

On the second day, the route takes you to Te Teko and Rerewhakaaitu. If you're just doing the two days, you then head back along the Te Ara Ahi cycle trail to Rotorua, but if you're riding three days you'll head over the hill and camp at the Waikite Valley Hot Pools, enjoying a soak and a meal at the café.

If you're just doing 2 days, you also have the option of camping at Waikite Valley with the 3-day riders, then riding the 30 km back to town the following morning.

For the 3-day riders, the last day involves riding out to Tokoroa, then back up to Mamaku via South Road, before heading back down the hill and following the Ngongotaha cycleway to Rotorua.

Each day has a short and a long option, and you can choose which one you want to do on the day depending on how your legs feel. The distances range from around 80 km to 120 km each day

For more information about Bikepacking around Rotorua

100 day project - final result

Finished!  Great learning opportunity and fun as well. I really like the metallic thread around each element.

From the shadows - the idea at the start of the project. The green "head" captured my imagination.

Virtual Reality in the lounge

 Today Tighe got to try out his new toy, a Playstation VR.

 I like it as it means Tighe is active, not just sitting on the couch looking at the screen.

 His favourite - Job Simulation - throwing food and stuff everywhere.

Happy 12th Birthday Tighe!

Happy birthday Tighe. May this year be full of fun and adventures!

 Lots of friends over to help Tighe celebrate his birthday.

 Tighe's friends gave him some awesome gifts.

A lot of cake was harmed ...

 The great thing about sharing your birthday date with your child, is that you get to eat lots and lots of cake.

 The urchins expressed their love for me, and wished me Happy Birthday!

 Tighe is now 12, so he figures he can go Virtual Reality now.

 Prehistoric with the modern - just what young men like.

I got more cake, this time from Ciccio's.  Perfect way to end the birthday.