Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Moira of Meldon has been in Bangladesh with Abrar to visit his family




Moira of Mitford has been in Bangladesh with the family of Abra who is a Y2 pupil at Globe Primary School in Bethnal Green.

Abra and Moira went to Bangladesh with Abrar's family in the summer.
It was Ramadan, so she had to fast until the breaking of the fast in the evening, when she was then able to celebrate with Abrar's parents and his extended family.

It is not clear if Moira had mendhi decoration on her hooves!

Moira was amazed to see a 300 year old Rain Tree while she was there.

There is a detailed diary of her trip which will come back to
Northumberland when she does. She had a really great time and learned so many new things.

Katty

Saturday, 10 December 2011

Esther of Elsdon back from Colorado




I have arrived back to Pastures New,I have been to Colorado Springs, USA from Los Angeles and then to a Christian Conference centre at Shepton Mallet called New Vine. I met several much larger sheep but I did not mind because I am unique. I then went to my original owner who looked after me before I went to America and I am hoping to meet all my brothers and sisters soon in Hartburn.

Esther of Elsdon

Lady Maaori visits New Zealand





LADY MAAORI IN NEW ZEALAND
Our epic journey started on 28th September when we flew to Auckland via Los Angeles, a very long and tiring journey. We went to our first rugby match, England v Scotland at Eden Park on 30th September, a very tense game but a great result for England! After several days travelling around the north island, visiting the Coromandel, Rotorua and Lake Taupo we headed back to Auckland for the England v France game, unfortunately the last time any of us would see England play in the tournament!
After flying (again) to the South Isle we travelled to Mount Cook via Lake Tekapo where we stopped off at the Church of the Good Shepherd for a perfect photo stop. (1) On the way to Queenstown another photo opportunity, in front of Mount Mary, (my reputation obviously preceded me) was interrupted by the local constabulary!! Nothing illegal about a bit of self-promotion I’m sure.
From Queenstown we went to Fox (2) and Franz Joseph (3) Glaciers and then on to Kiakoura where we saw whales, dolphins & seals before heading off to Kenepuru Sound in Marlborough stopping off at a vineyard for some light refreshment and a chance for me to try to visit some of my relatives (4)!
We went across on the ferry to Wellington where we visited the national museum, very informative and interesting I’m sure, and then back off to Auckland with just enough time to visit the glow worm (I know I’m meant to be a vegetarian but I just couldn’t resist a little taste- delicious) caves before Rugby World Cup final day in Auckland.
The pre-match atmosphere was amazing – from the appetizers in a Galbraith's pub (a few too many pre-match drinks! (5)) to the stadium (6). The highlight for me was seeing my Idol, Weepu, leading that famous Maori dance ‘the Haka’ which inspired my name change (see top of page). As New Zealand are renowned as a sheep loving nation of course I was cheering them on and we were so pleased that the All Blacks beat France, to get their hands on the World Cup (7). A night of wild celebration followed! My only disappointment was that after hearing that Hermie had been at some of the earlier games we didn’t see her at the game – perhaps couldn’t manage a final ticket, eh?
We left NZ the day after the final and stopped off in San Francisco on the way back where we rode on little cable cars, climbing half way to the stars................!! We also visited Fisherman's Wharf where we had a lovely meal before heading back to the airport for our return flight home.
A fantastic trip to a most beautiful country. Thanks to Ian & Dawn for letting me take the trip with them.