Take the chip off of my shoulder, smooth out all the lines, take me out among the rustling pines, till it shines (Bob Seger)

Two crazy kids with Graham Purdy, 1984

Wie geht's?

My father-in-law (G Brian) has been working on transferring our VHS home movies into a digital format and delivered the first batch to us last weekend. I am truly thankful for his time and expertise.

Excited? For me, this was like waiting for Peter Jackson's Get Back documentary of the Let It Be sessions. I was itching to see what was on these tapes - some, like my dad's things, had been lying dormant for decades.

I was over the moon with the results. Jacky and I (with Brian, Sallie, Ross and Michelle in attendance) were looking impossibly young and getting married again in April 1984. The Purdettes were young again, family holidays with friends reminded me of fun times again. Jacky scowled at the camera again and again - every time it was pointed at her in fact. Ah - the memories! I had quite a few cushions hurled my way during these videoing occasions - let me tell you!

A few of the tapes starred people that dad knew but he's not around to tell me who they are any more. I did see Nita in a few of them so those are from the late eighties/nineties.

The footage of him from that time at his Taupo house in the garden and his preparations to smoke a trout are priceless.  His knowledge of plants was amazing - he knew all of the botanical names! Predictably, he's dressed as if he's just returned from the office (business shirt, dress pants and a cardie). He never wore work clothes like jeans/ T shirts etc. Ever. 

What I loved the most though was his deliberate and careful preparation for the fire and the process that was used to smoke trout. He was a chemist by trade and fastidious by nature so everything like wood, sawdust, charcoal is in neat, precise piles. The methodical detailing of the process had me spellbound.

At one point, I caught myself shaking my head and then...

With a jolt I realized how much I do the same thing! Like making an omelet or assembling a flat pack. I do the same thing dammit!

I may have picked up that trait from him gosh darn it. 

I'm not sure if I've passed it on to the Purdettes. I may have.

Food for thought. 

Can't wait for the next installment from G Brian.

Much love and peace - Wozza

When the lights go down in the city and the sun shines on the bay I want to be there in my city, Ooh, Ooh (Journey)

The stage is set

Wie geht's?

And so to the wedding of 2007 - Jesse Rowbotham and Samantha Purdy in Marin County at Jesse's mum's stunning place with views of Mount Tamalpais and the bay.

Americans have some different traditions when it comes to weddings, such as a pre Wedding get together called a Rehearsal Dinner. Of course, I thought this meant a rehearsal of the wedding - who stands/sits where, who says what and so on. Nope.

Instead, both sides of the family mix and mingle over drinks and a meal in a semi-formal fashion. An ice-breaker, really.

Then it was the wedding in the beautiful Californian sunshine at Cathy and Dan Kennedy's house. First - pre-wedding drinks by the pool.

And, finally, on to the post wedding photos.

Next post - post wedding knees up and wash up of the SF trip.

Love and peace - Wozza

Remember if you must, this is just a Christmas song (Jethro Tull)

Wie geht's?

Christmas 2011. Where were you?

If you are part of the Brian Smith whanau, including as it does the O'Neill, Purdy, Dix families, then you were most likely on Waiheke Island unwrapping presents and enjoying Jacky's trifle.

Returning for the festive season of 2011, Jacky and I were back from Al Ain briefly to enjoy a New Zealand summer break.

Being in Waiheke and close to Auckland, we met up with Keegan and Adam, plus I had a reunion with my buddy, Greg, and a visit to Marbecks in the Queen's Arcade before we had to return to the Middle East.

The christmas celebrations on Waiheke included great views, tuis in the trees, excellent company and the aforementioned trifle (Brian cleaned up the bowl).

The end.

Love and peace - Wozza

Too few to mention (Frank Sinatra)

Wie geht's?

Regrets? This was a recent topic of conversation in the purdmobile.

For me, regrets are a wasted thought and I'm with Frank - I guess I've had a few but then again, too few to mention.

Looking back on some photos of a visit with Jacky to see Brian in Waiheke, I do regret not being able to revisit him there (he sold up to return to live in New Plymouth a few years ago).

An island paradise accessible by a 40 minute ferry ride from Auckland, Waiheke is a magic little piece of New Zealand. 

First time I went there was back in the nineties leading a school trip from MAGS. I was stunned to discover roads and cars! It even had shops!

Then Brian moved there and we'd love visiting the island quite regularly. 

Son-in-law and Minister of defence

Now we see him and the other wonderful outlaws (hi MaBelle) when we visit New Plymouth, and New Plymouth has its charms but it's not in the same league as Waiheke as a getaway. 

Sorry. Just sayin'.

Love and peace - the son-in-law