Just before I left Auckland to come to Russell I went to the preliminary trials for the annual Soap Box Derby. The ultimate winner of this series goes to Ohio USA to compete in the world championships.
Down here is a very special school run and staffed by very special people for children with special needs. It is called Somerville Special School. These children never have a chance to compete with other children.
This time they did. Maybe the other competitors thought they were not a force to be reckoned with. But the local businesses sponsored them and the parents worked hard, as they do, to have a first class racer ready
In the prelims one little boy, Jordan, made it to the finals
This little speedster was 1/100th of a second behind the fastest child in New Zealand.
The parents and staff are on cloud nine. And, I bet, they are planning to be out there next year.
On the 4 hour bus ride I sat next to a stunning Maori 13 year who was telling me about Maori legends. Then she told me about pink sheep. Now, I hadn't seen many sheep to date, and certainly no pink ones. And remembering that Kiwis were on a par with Aussies for leg pulling I was a bit noncommital. As we came to Whangerai, where my story teller would be leaving me I saw, in a small paddock near the road side... PINK SHEEP!!
Amused by my wonder, she said " Watch out for the striped cows"."Pull the other one" I thought
The sheep, of course, were dyed as an advertising gimmick, but striped cows???
On we went and I settled down to watching the unbelievable scenery, monstrous ferns, rolling hills and beautiful bays when
There they were!! Striped cows!!!
These are a recognised breed of belted cows but New Zealand stories are not to be taken too lightly.
As the weather changes the yachts in Matauwhi bay are thinning as the families plus kids are up and away to the Pacific islands and the warmer weather Marg tells me it is around 29 degrees during the day. Here is is tops 25..
Bye for now
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