and then this!

After having just finished that last blog, there was a clatter of feet and his is was what strode into the living room....

It must be stated that these are all completely un-staged, and she just turns up in what she feels like! I am also absolutely convinced that she is cracking a salute in the second picture (and before anyone makes any comments, I know it is with the wrong hand...).

With greater independence comes greater fashion sense....

The past few posts have predominantly been focused on my manly activities of providing food for the family, my 'manly' pursuits as I like to call them. So in an effort to show my softer side and of course show off my most beautiful and fantastic daughter, here are a few snaps of her that I do not think will wait till her wedding day...

Meal times are dangerous times, and therefore protective eye-ware must be worn at all times.

In the era of the 'credit-crunch' and global recession that we find ourselves, I have now decided to adopt the practice of buying clothing that she will grow into, I reckon another 20 or so years...

So there we go, here we are on another friday, and another week gone. A bit more fishing and a round of golf are on the horizon for me on saturday, and Liz is off to do some horsey type stuff. Then the look forward to the Easter weekend, and a good 4 days off. I think a wee trip somewhere is in order...watch this space!

Not quite Hunting & Fishing material....

Well, here we are again with more of my manly exploits posted for the world to see! What we have in this picture is the almighty Red Snapper, or for those of you that are avid fans of fish; Lutjanus campechanus.

Whilst this little beauty might not make the cover of this months Hunting & Fishing magazine, I was happy with her. It was my first catch of the day and weighed in at a modest 3lbs. So not quite a whipper snapper.....hahahahhahahaha! (got to laugh at that one surely??)

The author hard at work....

All in all a top trip, and I think that somewhere along the line I did some naval gunnery with some boats...?!

Dry land!

After 3 days at sea, I need to share with you all my elation at being on terra firma....

I have gotten over my dissapointment at there being no poop deck, and have had a lot of fun on board the survey ship Star Keys. My first sea fishing has been done, awesome fun. Picture of my first catch to follow. But in the mean time I shall leave you with this snap to prove how hard I worked....honest!



- Posted from my iPhone

The Pig

A good story from the Kiwi navy frigate, the Te Kaha.

On board in the ward room, there lives a wooden pig. What his name is, I am unsure. The story goes that the Te Kaha will not sail without the pig on board, as it is their good luck mascot.

The sneaky beaky lot that dress in black were invited aboard for a party, and heard about the pig. They then subsequently plotted a raid on the boat under auspices of training. Of course said piggy was snatched.

The crew of the Te Kaha quickly worked out who the culprits were and as they were due to depart for sea demanded the return of the pig.

The SAS fellows then decided that the pig would be returned, but only under their terms.

Two officers were to dress in full ceremonial kit and go and sit outside a notoriuos gay bar in Auckland, and have a beer. Only then would the pig be returned. Desperate to get their mascot back, two unfortunate officers were duly dispatched for a shandy. Whilst sitting outside a vehicle pulled up and dumped the piggy on the pavement, complete with wings and dagger emblazened on the pigs cheek.

Awesome.




Covert picture of pig, complete with tatoo.

- Posted from my iPhone

Really?

A quick post to show my horror. About to sail with the Navy, and have found out that a poop deck does not exist on a modern day war ship... No longer sure if I want to be part of this establismsnt....


- Posted from my iPhone

It's as easy as 1,2,3...(1/2)

Step 1.

Get woken up at 0530 by grumpy child. Leave wife snoring, take care of child. Depart house for stunning stretch of river, remembering to pack fishing gear.

Step 2.

Catch decent 2 lb Rainbow Trout. Go home via McDonalds, having the Breakfast Hunger Buster meal deal.

Step 3.

Gut said fish. Bang in some lemon and butter. BBQ, whilst making comments that this was the reason you needed the bigger of the two BBQs. Mutter "...I told you so..."

Step 3 1/2.

Enjoy, whilst feeling damned manly.