Art Deco Weekend, Napier 2012....

Peter and I are travelling down to Napier for the Annual Art Deco Weekend to relax and unwind after the exam. We are also going down to collect some more pedigree Dorset Horn Ewes to cross over our current Ram (yes, thing are really taking off on the Rare Breeds Farm).

Napier is known as the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.

The 1931 Napier earthquake (10:47 AM on Tuesday 3 February) killed 256 people and devastated the Hawke's Bay region. It is still NZs deadliest natural disaster. It was 7.8 on the Richter scale and lasted for 2.5 minutes. There were then some 525 after shocks over the subsequent fortnight.

When the rubble was cleared, many of the Buildings were redesigned in the voguish art deco style, and some Spanish mission style. Thus, Napier remains the Art Deco Capital of NZ to this day...

Above and Below: The iconic National Tobacco Company building

Above and Below: The Daily Telegraph Building

Above and Below: Views down Marine Parade

Above and Below: It's just not deco without those glamourous deco ladies...

People usually go all out with their dress and there is usually a vintage car parade. And being the Hawke's Bay there is good weather, plenty of fresh produce and wine in abundance.

Fiat mihi secundum voluntas tua...

Well, yesterday was a gruelling day. The exam was pretty tough and I really have no idea how I performed (the Adrenaline seems to have blanked out my memory, pretty much as it did on the day - or maybe it's just post traumatic stress disorder!). Anyway, the papers are now winging their way across the Tasman. Let's hope the Fates are kind.

The NZ vs Australia Polo Match 2012...

After a hard week of study, I took yesterday off and we went with friends to the Australia vs New Zealand Polo Match. Just like the Previous International, it was a great day out. Beautiful weather, lots of good food and wine, and fantastic company. Here are some pics of the day...

Above: Peter with Chris and Robyn, and our host, Beth.

Below: One of the players took a tumble during the Colts curtain raiser match.

Above: For a while there was someone out in his microlyte, making the most of the glorious weather.

Below: One of the up and comers on his little pony for the children's chukka.

The New Zealand Team comprised of

JP Clarkson (No 3 Jersey)...

Sam Hopkinson (No 2 Jersey)

Jimmy Wood (No 1 Jersey)

and Tom Hunt (No 4 Jersey).

It was a very evenly played match, close until the end...

Below: Ball in mid air behind pony's back right leg about to be hit

NZ scored the winning goal within a minute of the last Chukka (sorry Millie, and no Nacho either)

There was of course the traditional stomping of the divots...

With many dressed up for the occasion...

At the end of the game both sides were knackered...

Above: The Aussies, Below: The Kiwis

I bought a great pair of white polo jeans there too, although they won't stay white for long...

I'm looking forward to starting my Polo lessons after my exams are out of the way (Peter bought me some coaching sessions for my Birthday)

I wonder if we will ever end up seeing an Elephant Polo game...

Day out to a Goat Farm...

A couple of weekends ago we took a little trip up to Hunua to expand our breeding stock of Boer Goats and Suffolk Sheep. Here are some photos from the day...

Above: A very contented doe.

Below: Ngairie and the rest of the herd.

Below: The two does we chose, following us to the trailer.

Ngairie also showed us some Angora goats. Maybe we will add them to the menagerie next spring (they are very cute, but a little more maintenance than the Boer Goats).

Below: A lone horse nearby. I wonder how our horses are enjoying their holiday on the Costa del Whakamaru? (They are at a horse retreat being looked after while I prepare for my exams - 10 days to go...)