So it’s been a month since we left Canada and we are slowly making our way back to Christchurch for our 6 month stay there. Â The boys begin school on Monday, Feb. 2 and so we’ll drive back into the city on Thursday and meet with the school and go shopping for uniforms for them. Â Jonathan has to get himself organized to start work again and I think we’re all ready to get into a routine that does not involve setting up the tent or having to get fully dressed before the morning dash to the washroom!
Jack celebrated his 11th birthday yesterday in a sea kayak along the Tasman Sea coast. Â It was a lot of fun and he seemed to enjoy himself. Â His mom only panicked a bit at first when she realized we were actually going out into the sea and it was a whole lot choppier then she’d expected! Â All is well and according to Will, he’s just so happy we made it back alive. Â The guide found this especially amusing.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track Walk was fabulous. Â We are just so proud of the boys. Â They carried most of their own gear and although it was hot and sometimes a bit grueling, they had a great time and we hope will carry the memory of the experience for the rest of their lives. Â Jonathan and I are recuperating from blisters and shin splints but we’re so happy we did the Track. Â I think that it is a real show of character that those boys of ours did the track with little complaint and still had the enthusiasm at the beginning of the next day to continue on. Â We believe that this shows what kind of young men they are becoming and we’re just letting everyone know how proud we are of them. Â I think that the change we’re seeing in the boys and how they are maturing with this new experience has been worth the effort it took to get here. Â It’s been remarkable.
That’s it for now. Â Like I said, we’re headed back to Ch’church after a few days of recuperating in Picton for a few days. Â It’s a lovely rainy day and we’ve rented (or as Will has begun to say, “hired”) a few movies to watch on our computer in the tent later. Â We actually stopped at this little fish and chips place and ordered up a mess of fish and chips wrapped in paper (the boys could eat the chips) and then wandered around the town until the weather forced us back inside. Â We then stopped at an ice cream place where Jon and I grabbed a couple of homemade waffle cones (no worries we bought soy ice cream for the boys before making them watch us eat ours). Â A truly great day but I will be eating salad for supper because my body is rebelling a bit at the amount of calories it took in this afternoon.
Love to all.
~Sarah
Reading these posts is the highlight of my afternoon! It sounds like the Birds are having the adventure of a lifetime, stay well and write often! K
The photos are beautiful – thanks for sharing. I am certain that your boys will remember this forever!! I’m getting my map out tonight to see where you have been.
On another note – I had my 17th radiation treatment today!!! I am feeling very well – only a little tired – and am happy to be over half done!
Good luck with school to the boys and Sarah!
Love Bon