The only thing to expect is....the unexpected

So another week passes us by up here on the Coast and unsurprisingly, it was a week of the unexpected.  The first event to come under that title, comes from Scott.  He was travelling to Gisborne to attend a board meeting.  He got to the top of the hill between Waipiro Bay and Te Puia Springs and lo and behold there is a fence that needs repairing.  That in itself is not unusual, in fact up here its pretty commonplace.  The sign however accompanying the fence was not, it read: "TWO BOXES FOR REPAIR OF FENCE".  A "BOX" of steinlager being one of the local green currencies...you can guess what the other green currency is, I am sure.  We haven't been back to Gisborne since, so are unsure whether the job has been completed and payment received.

The second unexpected event to befall us this week is an unwanted pregnancy.  Before you all panic, its not mine!  It appears that Iwa, the much mentioned three legged german pointer, is pregnant.  She is a total slapper and has gone and got herself up the duff to one of Scott's farm dogs.  Not just any farm dog either, but the least desirable one.  His name is Scruffy and he is the ugliest dog that ever there was.  He is a Beardie Cross that looks a little like Basil Brush.  His only redeeming feature is his personality, and even that is questionable.  If you had to compare him to a person, you would say he was the skinny weedy guy at the rugby clubrooms that talked himself up and that got into fights for having a smart mouth and pestering the ladies.  We had kept Iwa away from all the dogs while she was on heat but right at the very end of it, Scruffy came sifting up to the house and hanging around.  That's nothing unusual in itself as he is always up here trying to ingratiate himself and become a house pet.  I digress.  Long story short, the two of them disappeared for over an hour, couldn't find them anywhere.  Poor Iwa is now developing boobies and inspection from the vet has confirmed our worst fears.  The pups will be the hairiest retards you will ever see.  Perhaps they will make good hunting dogs?!?

Right, onto the third unexpected event that happened today.  I was busy teaching the kids in the outside room this afternoon when the phone rang.  I answered and a lady introduced herself and it turns out she is from Parliament and wanted my help.  She is the press secretary for a member of parliament (I won't say who).  She had been given our contact details by another relative who had contacted their office with some information (I won't say who or what) that they needed me to do some further digging on and clarify for them.  Very odd to think that little old me, in little old Ruatoria, could be of such use.  Apparently the member had been interviewed recently by Guyon Espiner and had made some remarks that needed clarification, based on something the member had been told by aforementioned relative.  I was able to give them the contact details and information they required so that the member could quote the source...well done me!!  I know its a little cloak and dagger, but I am loathe to reveal the details.

In other news, and not part of the unexpected files, we had a lovely visit from Scott's parents over the weekend.  We took them fishing down the blue bin and caught about a dozen stingrays, trevally, snapper and shark.  Scott even managed to nip out into his "pig pen" (bushy paddock beside the house) and knock off a 120lb boar for them to take home the morning they were leaving.  They were stoked.

Kids are really enjoying their school work this week.  Madi's online programme has now started and there are 12 kids in her class.  Some of them are kiwi kids based overseas and completing their schoolwork via Correspondence...so far we have been introduced to kiwi kids in Oman, Turkey and Peru.  The balance of kids are mainly like us in isolated rural locations.  Madi has made friends with another wee girl and they have been emailing flat out and as I speak are chattering away on the telephone.  Lizzie and Xanthe have now finished their literacy units on Bees and Mini Beasts respectively.  Haven't even looked at what is happening for next week.  Its a roundtoit to job!!  I was forced to telephone the Correspondence School today to voice my frustrations over their ridiculous maths programme.  I have asked to speak to the person in charge of that curriculum area.  Watch this space as I am going to lay down a challenge.  I think that some airhead educationalist somewhere is writing the programme, with no actual experience of the reality of Correspondence teaching, particularly with four kids.  My challenge to that person or persons is to come and try and teach the actual units to my kids and see how they get on!!!  Given that Lizzie throws chips at the intinerant teacher and dog peed in his laptop bag, they will be in for an experience.  I will of course keep you all informed of progress.