Time To Go

As some of you know, we’d planned to begin living full time in the rig in February. However unexpected mechanical trouble with the truck caused us to change our plans. When the truck was eventually fixed we found ourselves nearing the end of autumn. Bernie thought we should set off in spring instead of starting in the winter months.

Recently several personal factors have been thrown into the mix. Now everything seems to be pointing to us leaving sooner rather than later.

House-wise we have a couple of things left to do. Paint the sleep-out and finish extending the kitchen deck. Both of these jobs can be completed in a couple of weeks (so Bernie says).

The awning for the rig will probably be made by next week. And Nick Eagle (the agent who imported our rig) is sending down a new motor for the slide out and legs, which have been playing up (stalling mid movement). Once that’s sorted the rig should be good to go. Hopefully it’ll be trouble free from here on in as we seem to have had our fair share of teething problems!

Just like all landlords…finding good tenants is a priority. Becs has offered to keep an eye on the place for us and do routine checks.

So, at last, we are on the count down.

How do we feel now that it’s about to happen? Excited. Happy. Relieved. Curious. A little anxious (will we find work and will the dogs be okay with the change of lifestyle?). Also slightly cautious about getting too excited incase something else holds us up.

It’ll be so good to finally experience this new lifestyle. . . a dream come true!

Second Place

Surprised and happy to get an email from the editor of 'The Leader' saying my photo came second in our national for front page of the week.

Toadstools With A Twist

Finally I found some red toadstools underneath the pine trees at Rabbit Island. It's another aspect of autumn I like. Toadstools, warm temperatures and colourful leaves.
After I surfed the internet to find the name of these toadstools I discovered they have a few interesting facts.

These toadstools/mushrooms belong to the genus 'Amanita Muscaria' and are commonly known as the fly agaric or fly amanita. The name 'fly agaric' comes from the medieval times when they were ground up and mixed with milk. This mixture made a sweet smell which attracted flies. Once the flies drunk the milk containing 'fly agaric' they'd become intoxicated and drown.

The fly agaric's bright red, coloured cap acts as a warning to animals that this mushroom is poisonous. Although it's classified as being poisonous, it is eaten in parts of Europe, Asia and North America (after it has been parboiled). Parboiling weakens its toxicity and breaks down its psychoactive substance.

The indigenous people of Siberia used this toadstool as a spiritual experience. It has a religious significance in the Siberian and Indian cultures.

In some countries (such as The Netherlands) it is considered a criminal offence to be in possession of these toadstools. They are noted for their hallucinogenic properties. It's been calculated that 15 mushroom caps could be a fatal dose.

Amanita mascara are associated with various deciduous and coniferous trees. They have an interdependent relationship with pine and birch trees. The toadstools provide the tree with an increased absorption of water and minerals and in return the tree provides constant access to carbohydrates.

It seems, although these toadstools have appeared in fairy tales for years, there is a slightly sinister side to them. But if all we do is admire them for their beauty and refrain from nibbling on any - no harm will be done.

Reflections at Rabbit Island

Reversing Camera

Since we had the shed built on the truck we've had to hitch up using our cell phones or walkie talkies. It's worked well. But it must have felt strange for Bernie backing blind and relying on my instructions to get the hitch lined up to the rig. Last week we had a reversing camera installed - I'm sure hitching up will be even easier.

An auto-electrician named Dan Thompson installed the camera for us. He was very professional and knew his stuff. Would highly recommend him. 

That's something else we can tick off our 'To Do' list.

Worth Getting Up Early

Cyclone Cook was predicted to bring high winds and flooding. Unfortunately the North Island suffered most of it's fury. We got off lightly in Nelson. A few days of rain, cloud and miserable weather and it was all over.
This morning I woke just after 6am and saw a tinge of blue in the sky. I grabbed my camera and whispered in Oakly's ear that we were going in the car ( I had to whisper because if the other two came with us, it wouldn't be a relaxed sunrise experience).
We headed to the Boulder Bank and had it to ourselves. It's a beaut place to watch the sun rise.

It looked like the spot to build driftwood huts. There were over a dozen huts built along the shore line.

A few paradise duck couples were enjoying the early morning too. Oakly was interested but never approached any.

The Boulder Bank had calm seas this morning. Sometimes when the weather cuts up, it's a good spot for surfers. So, although I missed getting surfies in action, I loved watching the new day dawn with my furry friend.

The cows seemed oblivious to the start of a new day ...

After our walk, we (Oakly & I ) jumped in the car to head home for breakfast. It was a little bonus seeing a rainbow as we drove along Rocks Road.

Relief Teaching

Part of 'Life on the Road' will be finding casual work. And, for me that will probably be relief teaching. 

Last week on Friday I had my first day as a relief teacher in a year 4 class. It was interesting and exhausting!

There are lots of positives to relief teaching ...

• Good money
• Less planning
• No assessments
• No meetings
• No report writing
• No parent/teacher interviews

But, as I found out - there are some hard aspects to it ...

• When I had my own class I built strong positive relationships with the kids and once you have that, then behaviour management is sorted.
• Being a relief teacher means I won't have the same class. So I it'll be harder to develop those crucial relationships in the short time that I'll have the class.

So, my first relieving day was all about behaviour management. The class was known to have a high percentage of children with challenging behaviour. Wow! Some of the kids in this class reinvented the meaning of 'defiant'!

Yesterday I relieved at a different school. Again, this class of 44 year 2, 3 and 4s had very challenging children. 

But as difficult as it is - it's also an opportunity for me to develop techniques and strategies to deal with defiance.

                                                

Maybe next week I'll get a call to teach in a class that is less demanding in terms of behaviour.