Monday, November 27, 2006

New vehicles for us


Poppa Eric has been hard at work in the garage. Throwing the elves to one side for the moment and with nothing more than a vague description from Keighley - we present the latest in kiddy transport. Yours for $50 at Kirks department store in Wellington (very pooooosh you know) but yours for a few cups of tea and a gingernut biscuit if your favourite grand daughter is Emily........
And just so Super dad doesn't feel left out, I bought this home from Wanaka....














Thomas the tank engine has already poo poo'd it, (he thinks the world revolves around Subarus) until I told him it had a pie warmer factory fitted...................the bull bar needed some attention as the number plate was held on with wire. Like new now it is.
Emily couldn't wait to take it for a spin:

posted by Redwoods @ 12:13 AM 0 comments

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Emily shows off newest trick


Only been in Wellington 4 days...if there is something to lean on, she's standing.

posted by Redwoods @ 12:25 AM 0 comments

Monday, November 13, 2006

Our pre xmas holidays



This picture was taken just before the weekend - madam is very proud of herself-whilst crawling around on the floor is progress, the word is that standing is going to be the next big thing......I'd say by the time we get home she'll be walking through the front door. From Auckland, we drove to Taupo to stay with Laura and Trevor (tom's folks) on the side of lake Taupo in their lovely house; with a big flight of stairs for Emily to ascend. Traffic is one way on the stairs at the mo. The girls took Emily down the walking path in the buggy while Tom and I galantly rode around Craters of the Moon.....unsure if we would ride again the next day we decided to make our way up the Buzzard trail which while overgrown, was a few minutes of very wide eyed downhill......always a good trail that is worthy of the slog up the hill. Indeed we did ride the next day and even had enough energy for a Guinness back at the hacienda.......I did spare 1/2 a thought for those lucky punters riding in the Auckland MTB champs in Whitford forest in East Auckland....like a trained seal the heavens opened early in the morning before the race ! Nice one.
The next picture is of my brothers new, but old singlespeed mtb......prizes are offered for the first person to email me (redwood101@clear.net.nz) with as many trainspotting bike details as you can. I think a bottle of Belgian monk trappist beer should make it interesting....

Lastly, Emily is now big on dental hygene; with her own toof brush......

posted by Redwoods @ 11:42 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Small child runs away with pack of dogs



In breaking news last weekend Emily packed her belongings and took off with Fausto (brown dog) and Gino (not the brown dog).
When reunited with her parents, she said "duh" which means DOG in kiddy speak.
Further sessions with a psychologist have uncovered the following alarming facts:
If you whine loud enough, somebody is bound to come and see what is going on - true for small kids and dogs alike.
Kids and dogs are ok with eating food off the ground.
Anywhere is fair game for an afternoon snooze.
Her parents have since made more of an effort to be more understanding.
Dad bought her a food bowl.

posted by Redwoods @ 12:04 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Emily has a new tooth…..

Bringing the grand total to four – unfortunately she is reluctant to smile for the media, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

So, a special report for one of our readers who recently asked the question “how does one cut down their handle grips in a professional like manner”

Here my friends is my take on the subject.

Firstly, I would select some high quality grips and not pay too much for them.
Those expensive self locking grips are out of my price range and I don’t like the hard rings on the ends, nor the way they scratch your car when your bike falls over against it.

Next measure up the amount to be cut off – I judge this on past experience and measuring the wifes bike and adding 15 mm for bigger hands.

Normally this is where it all falls apart – the marking out phase. As you can see in the picture I have mounted the felt pen (a Sharpie, although a Vivid would do) in the tool post, allowing for fine adjustment of the pen and a precise cutting line around the grip.

In the past I have seen amateurs using a Stanley knife or similar resulting in a very uneven cut – as you can see I chose the plastic pipe cutter and turned the lathe chuck by hand – a perfectly neat cut all the way around.

Finally with the aid of an air compressor, the finished item is installed on the bike with all it’s friends from the SRAM family: brakes and shifters, bar and stem.

Truly an outstanding accomplishment and full credit to a well organized workshop.

Remember folks, I am a trained professional; don’t attempt this at home yourself.

posted by Redwoods @ 5:17 PM 0 comments

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Kiddys pool party


So, 2nd parents and babies event this week - coffee morning.....
With the weather coming right Keighley decided the kids would enjoy themselves in the paddling pool.
Emily of course couldn't wait for the others so crawled in as soon as it was full - clothed of course.
Those of you guys thinking "lucky Rick at home with the kids" - you have no idea of the very high level of home cooking that the mums bring along for morning tea !
After lunch keighley and Lynda left me with Morgan and Emily while they took off to the mall to do some shopping. After some prolonged tears from both of the kids I finally got them off to sleep. Being the economical person I am; well the photo sums up the outcome. Good use of available resources I say.....................

posted by Redwoods @ 12:46 AM 0 comments