The Groves Street Party

You can't beat a street party to bring a community together. This is certainly one of the events we will miss when we make our move to Auckland. The children made their own flags, rode bikes, got soaked having water fights, learnt to play African drums, held a penatly shoot out (couldn't tell you if England lost again), played giant twister and the younger ones just simply enjoyed the freedom of a closed road.

It was good to finally put a name to the many familar faces who live within the Groves and share our experiences of living in such a welcoming neighbourhood. It was particularly interesting to discover the history of the Groves and the names of the people who lived in the area dating back to the late 19th century.



Giant twister in the middle of the road.



The children making a big splash.



Etienne in a quiet moment between games of football.



Fiona watching baby Erin meet the neighbours.



Lorraine and Alistair catching up.



Chris attempting to guess which garden belongs to which house.



Dorte and Celia in a fantastic bonnet.



DJ Papa Al (Alan) and Brian taking cover in the shade.



Sue taking time out under a sumach tree.



George and Yasmin handing out the prizes during the 'Guess the Garden' Competition.



Mark and Alan looking very composed.



Sandrine, Joel and Jenny watch some of the children jumping in the paddling pool.



Val relaxing after winning first prize (with Sue) in the 'Guess the Garden' competition.



David is Kiwi resident in Sheffield.



Theo takes an early driving lesson in a borrowed car.



Yasmin contemplating her next flag.

Yasmin & Theo's Farewell Picnic Lunch

Yasmin and Theo had their farewell picnic lunch in the Botanical Gardens. It was a hot sunny day. We played football and cricket, held a sack race and an egg and spoon race. Some of the children got very wet under the sprinklers. It was a great occasion for us all to remember. Thanks to all the parents for their help and I'm sure we'll be in touch in the future. Sorry if we didn't get your photograph, but there's some interesting video footage in which you all feature.



The picnic lunch get's started.



Alice waving her hat.



Oliver and Yasmin.



Hannah and Yasmin.



Yasmin showing Haya a ladybird.



Daisy, Rachel and Albie.



Henry and Yasmin.



Theo with his mate Isaac.



Neil and Ellie with the twins Jamie and Matthew.



Ethan relaxing with his Mum and Dad.



Haya, Isabel and Helen.



Kaikora get's some attention from Beth, Tim and Rosa.



Alice with Simon and Mary.



Matilda after her sprinker shower.



Abbie and her family.



Alison and Catriona enjoy a cuddle.

The Whale Met a Man

Once there was a Whale. He had no friends to play with. So he thought and thought and he had an idea. He decided to swim about until he found a human. Then when he was swimming about, he saw a man who was diving in the sea.
'Hello there,' said the Whale. 'My name is Water. What's your name?'
'My name is Robin,' said the man.
'Can we be friends?' asked Water the Whale.
'Yes, I would be delighted,' said Robin.
Water the Whale smiled. 'You could come down once a week to see me.'
So from that day Robin came down regularly to play with his new friend, Water the Whale. They had great times together.
THE END.
An original story by Yasmin (written on a cloudy Sunday!)

Morning Rituals

Steve is Roger's brother who lives in London. He requested a post on our blog, so here it is.



The first thing Steve does every morning is celebrate life - he's that kind of guy!



George & Theo after breakfast.



Yasmin preparing to go to school via the walking bus.

NZ Update

You may wonder why it's taking so long for us to make our move to Auckland. Well, we're learning it takes time to complete all the necessary forms and if you want to live an a country that's more laid back, things naturally take longer. However, we are making slow but steady progress and we'll let you know when everything is finally sorted.



Theo and Yasmin get things started with a small 'garage sale' without help from Mum & Dad.

Bluebell Wood

You may have read on a previous post that Roger was 40 years young in January. Friends were invited to contribute towards the purchase of a single work art. After weeks of searching Roger finally found a painting he loved. He travelled to the Bonhams art auction in Chester where he successfully bid for Bluebell Wood by James Lawrence Isherwood.



Bluebell Wood required some restoration and cleaning, but has already provided a great deal of viewing pleasure. A big thank you to all who made a contribution!



Just fifteen minutes drive from our home in Sheffield is one of our favourite circular walks. In May each year the path is adorned with bluebells which provided the inspiration for Roger to acquire Isherwood's painting. Can you believe it's not the same place?

Check out www.isherwoodart.co.uk if you want to know more about James Lawerence Isherwood.

Summer Sun

We know summer has arrived when the kids insist we dust off the paddling pool so they can have some fun splashing about with their friends. Here we are joined by Jane, Meena and baby Charlie.



Charlie and Jane.



Theo soaking up the rays of sunshine (only to get burnt) as Meena looks on.



George enjoying a cuddle with Charlie.

On Yer Bike

It's a special moment when you first learn to ride your bike without stabilisers. It was something both Yasmin and Theo managed to achieve on the same day. It won't be long before the 'grown ups' get on their bikes too.



Yasmin stands proudly beside her bike with a true sense of achievement.















'Look, no stabilisers!!'















Theo making his way through the garden.

Spring Wedding

We all love a good wedding and when Joy and Bryan invited us to share their big day we were delighted to attend.



Joy being carried across the threshold by the best man (left) and husband Bryan (right).



Joy looking fabulous outside Edern church, Wales.



The hen girls happy to share a smile on Joy's wedding day.



It's not often we get the chance to dress up. Seems we still scrub up well.

It's just not Cricket...

England versus Sri Lanka at Edgbaston.



We had a full day's play in hot sunshine and witnessed Sri Lanka collaspe (141 all out) under the pressure of Englands seam bowlers. Shame England have not been able to build on this during the Sri Lanka tour. Let's hope things improve as the summer progresses.

Calender Girls

Joy, raring to go (see helmet) wanted a different kind of hen party and she couldn't wait to get the girls started on the indoor go-cart races in Sheffield.
Competitive? You bet! But it's the taking part, not winning that counts (....yeah right).




The girls are ready for blast off in their fabulous designer (boiler) suits. At least George is happy with the colour.



A winning combination - just like Joy & Bryan!



Who's that smiler in number three?

Grandad Visits

Grandad Tom made his way from Barnard Castle to Sheffield to visit and hang out with George, Theo and Yasmin.



Tom and George catch up in Sheffield's Botanical Garden.



Tom pointing the way as Theo and Yasmin head for a short ride.