Well I finally get back to typepad after an absence actually caused by how long it takes to get a credit card out here...(shut out!). And I get about half way through a post before the kids grizzle for a turn on club penguin (they've been on holidays since early December as its summer over here right now); so I give them a turn and... they lose my post... I'm sure there's a moral there somewhere...
So I'll catch up what we've been up to over a series of posts. I also had a look for Dane Sander's simple photo tutorial on how to use google reader, I thought that might be good for those of you who like reading "irregular" (a nice way of saying "slack arse") blogs like mine. Can't find it anymore (sorry Dane!), suffice it to say go to google, get a personalised home page and add google reader. If this isn't detailed enough then I could put the steps in in a future post- just ask in comments... I'm getting the hang of screen shots with this new computer...
First up a big thank you to Wendy and Peceli of Babasiga blog (say "bambasinga") for their kind words. I've put Babasiga in the side bar- its a very interesting slice of Fiji life. Julie O and nzm this photo is for you...(they're here with David H from Fiji Swims)...
So its summer here and typically calm mornings, and hot, hot and maybe rainy afternoons. It rains a lot on the mainland, but less out here in the Mamanuca's, in fact we can often see from here the clouds and rain on the mainland 19km away. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. One of our sharks had babies and guests would watch them from the sea wall. I had no idea sharks were maternal, but there you go... No photo, shame, not keen to grab the pentax optio W30 and hop in! We do swim a lot with the camera though, and last week it was pouring with rain and really muggy, so what better thing to do than go for a swim?
We were out swimming and suddenly the rain stopped and it went very calm, and reflected. I took lots of photos which I haven't really looked at yet, but I selected two and had a play as well. Its not easy when you're floating and can't see the lcd either to take photos! But here they go...
and here's the play on them...
Well of course when it looks as beautiful as that its always tempting to go and get the big camera, so that's what I did- ran up the beach and went to get the D200. But by the time I got back... of course the whole effect was finished. So we had some wide angle fun with the kids instead. It may look grey and cold and just like a southern beach, but remember its about 30C both above water and in!!
(I have used a retro vintage action by rocket launch- on action central -on some of these!)
and final photos to share- same time- Big T is currently known as "big tooth" (nice to have T stand for tooth instead of "trouble"). The second one is coming in now, but for a while he had one HUGE tooth and a gap and little baby teeth all around. Very comic. I had been meaning to get a photo of him and T2 who also currently has the big tooth effect happening (which makes them very strange looking best friends!) but of course I didn't get around to it before they went to NZ for the long holidays. Anyway here's big tooth. And the idea actually isn't all mine- I saw a classic baby shot by Anna Kuperberg and I thought yes! Go wide young man!
So anyway this conversation is leading itself naturally to our near miss with two recent cyclones, but I need to do some other work now, so I'll post this and not push my luck, and hopefully continue later!!
Yeah--you're back! Finally some pictures of heaven. Perfect timing considering it's 1 degree (-17 C) here today! Brrrr.
Posted by: sarah | January 24, 2008 at 08:29 AM
How cool!! I just came across your blog, you posted on Avery's (baby stroke steps) blog, and though you weren't speaking to me , I really appreciate the comment and advice you left. My daugher who is 13 months is a bit behind in developmental "milestones" and it can be hard sometimes. I sense her frustration and as a mom I want her to be able to do more, but also, I feel like other moms can be so competitive and judging- reading your thoughts cheered me up and made me realize how un-important their comparisons are! :) thanks!
Posted by: jen | January 25, 2008 at 03:53 AM
Hey Meg!
glad to see you guys are doing ok and missing the cyclones so far! that word just scares me...i don't even like tornados around here! which leads me to how you ended up in Figi in the first place ? have you always lived there ? would love to know your story...Figi was always a place that my husband wanted to visit, you know, one of those things that you know will almost never happen, but it sure is nice to dream! and yes...it does sound like a dream place to visit...except for the cyclones!
Posted by: cynthia | January 26, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Hi
Very glad to hear you made it through - sounds like a normal day in the Catlins!!!!!
Actually I fib - this year has been absolutely amazing down there - we definitely did the right thing!! Dolphins galore, seals, sealions, penguins, sun, sea sand, icecream...
Ax
Posted by: amanda | January 31, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Cynthia tornadoes are DEFINITELY INFINITELY scarier than cyclones! We haven't always lived here but DH has always been in hotels, which is what brought us over here. Its a lovely place to visit, such a cool culture.
Amanda- Jane (my sis) provided this reply for you "her comment does have a ring of authenticity...why else do the trees grow sideways there. And you're right, good day on a nice stormy beach, just what we're used to" -so they are at last coming over, took a decent storm to attract them (or as Jane called it "the most splendid storm!").
Posted by: meg | February 02, 2008 at 07:05 PM
Thank you!
I hope you don't mind, but I pinched the image and sent it to my folks in NZ.
I think that Mum and Jessie met in the maternity home when I was born and Jessie was in there to give birth to Dan Jr. There - I gave away my age - if you know how old Dan Jr. is!
We visited I Tai many times. I remember one instance where my Dad and I went snorkelling, and Dad somehow stepped on one of those big black sea urchins and got one of the spines lodged in his foot. There was much hilarity back onshore as Aunty Jessie told Dad to pee on it so that it neutralised the poison! Uncle Dan was acting the goat (what's new?) one day and I must have been staring at him. He looked over and said, "Michele, stop staring at your grandfather like that!" which of course made everyone laugh as he's about the same age as my father.
Great memories.
Posted by: nzm | February 10, 2008 at 09:05 PM