In the Pilot's Seat and the Life Flight Air Ambulance

Being given instructions on how to fly the plane.

At Wings Over Wairarapa, Salem got to have a go sitting in a small plane and was told how the plane works and what all the controls were for.

Checking the wings.

He loved sitting in the plane imagining that he was in the air flying.

Then it was off to check out the Life Flight Trust Air Ambulance.
This is the Wellington based plane which looks like it has been all bandaged up.

The Life Flight Air Ambulance

The design on the plane was created by Weta Workshop.
Check out more information about the work this plane does at: http://www.lifeflight.org.nz/what-we-do/air-ambulance-services  and http://www.lifeflight.org.nz/node/31 .

Salem got to have a look inside and saw all the medical equipment that it has at the ready.
It was very impressive.

Going to Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 and We are Back and Blogging

Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 was held over the Wellington Anniversary Weekend ( January 18th - 20th) at Hood Airport in Masterton.

We had to get up very early and catch the train into Wellington and then caught the specially put on train to Masterton.  It was the train that is used for the Capital Connection from Wellington to Palmerston North.  Much more comfortable than the usual Trans Metro train.

On the train.

It was a very nice trip, Salem has only been out this way once before and that was in 2007 which he doesn't really remember too much.

I prefer the train as the car ride over the Rimutaka's to get there is very winding I always get car-sick.
Salem was very excited about the train ride and getting to see all the planes.

Making tiny paper planes.

He spent a lot of time looking at the scenery and making minature paper planes.

Over the next few posts, I will be posting some of our photos that we took at Wings Over Wairarapa.
I used up nearly all my SD card and Salem who was using a proper film camera, used up many rolls of film.

It was very mild when we arrived in the morning but turned out to be a hot scorcher of a day.
Even though we both put on sunscreen, be both got very, very sun-burnt.

When we first arrived we were greeted to planes flying above us in formation.
The joy and excitement was written all over Salem's face.
We found a good spot to watch quite a few flyovers before we went off exploring.

So the photos on this post are of the sight that greeted us as we arrived.
There were so many people there, and more and more arrived as the day went on.

Luckily I had made us a picnic lunch and plenty of snacks, a flask of tea and plenty of water.
There were long lines of people at the food and coffee venders.  I was dying for a coffee later in the day but I couldn't be bothered waiting in line for half an hour or so.  Though it would be something I would have had to do during wartime for everyday items.

It was a fantastic day out and we would have loved to go back the next day.
Can't wait until next year!!!!!!

We have been very slack with our blogging lately, life has been very busy but we are back into blog-mode
so watch this space..............

Wright's Hill Fortress on Waitangi Day

In Gun Pit One

On Waitangi Day, the 6th February, we walked up to the Wright's Hill Fortress, boy what a mission that was!!!!
We walked from Karori Road, up Campbell Street and then turned into the road that went up Wright's Hill.
It had been many, many years since I had been up here and the last time was in a car.

View from Wright's Hill

It wasn't that bad so far, but the 2 to 3 kms up the hill was really hard.
It was very sunny and getting quite hot, we were carrying jackets as it was really cold when we caught the train into Wellington early in the morning, so we were getting hot and hoping that we wouldn't get sunburnt.
It was a very steep walk.
There wasn't a footpath so we had to keep stopping while letting the many cars coming down the hill get by, we didn't want to fall off the side of the road down the hill into the bushes.
There was loads of cars going up and down the road.
We were very high up.

Taking a closer look

When we finally got up to the fortress, we had a bit of a rest before going in.
The electricity was down and the generator had stopped working so we were given a torch to go exploring.
It was so much fun going through all the tunnels in the pitch black by torchlight.
Salem was so excited.
We explored the engine room, gun pits, plotting rooms etc.....
We didn't stay as long as we would have liked to but plan to come back next time it is open and we will catch a taxi up!!!!!!

We were lucky enough to be offered a ride down the hill and then the lovely people took us right to the Railway Station.  Just in time for a train home and we were able to quickly by some icy cold drinks for the ride home.

Checking out the Tank

Open days are on:

Waitangi Day - 6th February

ANZAC Day - 25th April

Oueen's Birthday - June

Labour Day - October

Opening hours are from 10am - 4pm

www.whfrs.org.nz

WRIGHTS HILL FORTRESS

- ARTICLE -

Wellington's 9.2" coastal defence battery.

© Darcy Waters 1999

        In 1935 the top of Wrights Hill in Karori, Wellington was chosen as a site for a 9.2" coastal defence battery.  Although it was not as large as some overseas fortresses such as that on the Rock of Gibraltar, it was fairly extensive with 2,030 feet of tunnels linking magazines, gun pits, engine room, plotting rooms and more.

         In March 1942 the authority was given to construct the battery.  Engineering reports and cost estimates were submitted to Army HQ in July and  preliminary site work including roads was started in October. Downer and Company of Wellington got the contract for the underground work and started in November with the driving of the tunnels were completed late 1943.  On the 13th of April 1943 Downer and Company were  awarded the contract to do the concrete work for the pump chambers and gun pits.  The gun pits were completed in December 1943.

         The first gun was installed during June 1944, with the 2nd gun shortly thereafter.  Due to the improved situation in the Pacific theatre of the war the third gun was cancelled despite the gun pit and underground works for it having being constructed.  The only time the guns were fired was when they proofed them to ensure that they worked properly  The proofing consisted of 3 shots fired - each shot at a different elevation and bearing. The No.1 gun was proofed on the 28th of June 1946 and the No.2 gun was proofed on the 26th of March 1947.   The only damage caused by the proofing was some broken windows at the fortress and in the suburb of Karori below.

         About 1950 the Fortress Battery was put into care and maintenance with crews from Fort Dorset visiting weekly or biweekly to service and maintain the guns and equipment.  In August 1957 the Army decided to decommission many of the coastal defence installations including the Wrights Hill Fortress Battery.

         During the summer of 1960/61 the guns were cut up for scrap and the Battery was stripped of nearly all of its equipment.  The scrap dealer was from Sydney, Australia and they were also responsible for the scrapping of guns at Palmer Heads and  Fort Dorset as well as those emplaced in Auckland and Christchurch.  Ironically the scrap metal salvaged from the batteries was sold to the Japanese. 
 The Post Office took over parts of the former defence occupied area and used it as a receiving station.  The Post Office was later split up into Telecom and N.Z. Post.  Telecom still has a small presence on Wrights Hill.  

          The Karori Lions cleaned up the inside of the Fortress Battery, and they opened it up for public viewing for the first time on ANZAC day 25th April 1989.  The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society Inc. took over the custodianship of the fortress in 1992. The incorporated society's aims are "To restore and preserve the Wrights Hill Fortress as a historical monument for the benefit of the community."

Down in the tunnels

We Love Beans

Lots of fresh asparagus and beans

We have been having huge amounts of beans growing in our garden and have been given loads of fresh asparagus.  Yum!!!!!
With all our beans, practically every meal has beans in it.
One of the kids favourites is beans with baked beans.

A meal of beans with baked beans

Beans and Baked Beans

In a large pan, frying pan or wok, fry one chopped onion in a small amount of dripping or oil.
Then add in some mushrooms and a good amount of fresh beans and asparagus.
I don't measure the amounts of veges I use.
When nearly cooked add in a can of baked beans and 1/2 cup of water.
I used some frozen peas too.
Stir through and add parsley and some mixed herbs if you want.  I really like using sage.
Add Worchestershire Sauce and some HP Sauce if you like.
Bring to the boil and then simmer.
If the sauce is a bit watery add a little cornflour mixed in a little water and stir through until thickened.
Serve with rice, mashed potato or on toast.

One Year of Rationing

Today was our one year anniversary of living on wartime rations.
We have all enjoyed the challenge and are going to continue with this way of eating.
It's been interesting finding all the old recipes and creating new ones out of rationed foods.

We started after watching "The Supersizes Go.....Wartime" on tv.
Both Salem and I were watching it and then decided  later that it would be fun to try living on wartime rations ourselves and I thought it would be a good project for Salem as I home school him.
So we decided that Boxing Day was a good day to start.
It has become a way of life for us and we will continue for as long as we are enjoying it.

You can watch one part of The Supersizers Go...Wartime on the video above then get the rest on You Tube.
Or watch the whole episode on the link below..
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xr5ntx_s1e1-the-supersizers-go-wartime_lifestyle

Just before Christmas we appeared in That's Life magazine.
We were approached to do an interview to appear in the magazine in the lead up to xmas.
It was in the shops on the 17th December.
We were a bit disappointed with them getting facts wrong and the way they had portrayed a few things...putting their take on things we have said or didn't say...artistic licence I suppose.
But it looked good :^)

We had a lovely xmas, Salem put up our artifical xmas tree, we have had it quite a few years now and we had bought it from an op-shop too.
Good value, I don't like cutting down a tree just to be decorated for a few weeks.
Some years we just cut a large branch from a pine tree to have as our xmas tree for a change, not causing any damage.
Just love the smell of pine needles.
Salem decorated it beautifully with some of our old decorations.
We have got quite a collection as we make a few every year along with ones we have picked up over the years.
Great memories with all the ones that the kids have made.

I made our xmas cake the other night, it was such a hot night and the kitchen was sweltering,
that's Christmas in summer for you.
I included the recipe for the xmas cake in the magazine article.

Xmas Cake 3 oz sugar 4 oz margarine 1 tablespoon golden syrup 8 oz flour 2 teaspoon baking powder pinch of salt 1 teaspoon mixed spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs 1 lb mixed dried fruit 1/2 teaspoon lemon essence milk to mix Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees C.  (or a slow moderate oven) Cream the sugar and margarine then add the syrup. Mix in the dry (not fruit) ingredients alternately with the eggs. Beat well. Then add the rest of the ingredients with enough milk to make a soft dough. Put mixture into a 7 inch tin lined with greased paper and bake for two hours. Do check afterit has been in the oven for an hour as I found it was already cooked after this time. This cake should keep for about 2 months in an airtight container. We were going to top the cake with a chocolate topping but because it is so hot here at the moment we decided on a nice light lemon icing just made with lemon juice, icing sugar and water. It was just perfect. It is a lovely xmas cake recipe and not heavy which we all prefer. If you would like to try the chocolate topping the recipe is next. Chocolate Topping Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons each of cocoa powder and milk. Stir in a saucepan over a low heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Pour over the cake while the mixture is hot.

Salem went to Grandma's and helped her make xmas mince pies and bought some home for us.
He made one with a grumpy face on for his brother, the Grumpy Teenager, and that was eaten straight away.
They were very yummy.

On Christmas Eve we made biscuits and some cupcakes (made with the Fairy Loaf recipe) even though it was another very hot day and the kitchen was still very hot that night.
We had cupcakes for xmas breakfast.

We made each other xmas presents, Salem made me a lovely flower brooch and made some coupons for his brother for Salem to be quiet.  Salem talks a lot!!!!!!
I crocheted the boys a pair of fluffy slippers each (for winter of course).
Grumpy Teenager drew me a picture, I will have to frame it.  It is very funny.
I can't remember what GT got Salem.
I also got Salem a pack of WWII aeroplane identification cards.
He loves them.

Grandma and Jimbo also gave us a "care package" to keep to the WWII theme, it had pictures of WWII posters and ration books.....

And stamps from that time......
All wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string.....

Salem had so much fun opening it.
There were so many goodies in it.... chocolates, fruit, nuts, jams etc....
even treats for the cats!!!
A very big thank you to Grandma and Jimbo!!!!!!

The cats enjoyed their treats and of course the paper wrapping.....
It's just like having young children who love playing with the wrappers and boxes.....
rather than the actual toys.
This kept the cats entertained for quite a while!!!!!
Because of the heat, Wellington's hottest summer since 1934, we had salad and potato salad with a good old fashioned New Zealand salad dressing.... for our Christmas Dinner.

• 
  
• Highlander Salad Dressing
• 
  
• 1 can  Sweetened Condensed Milk  (aprox 400 ml)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup malt vinegar
• 1 tsp mustard powder or wholegrain mustard
• Mix all together with a fork or whisk.
• Then refridgerate.

Use as a salad dressing, with coleslaw or potato salad.
I made the dressing using half the amount of everything as it makes quite a lot and there are only three of us.

This is the salad dressing I grew up with and I think most New Zealander's of my era remembers this one.
I don't remember there being any alternative.
I love it and the kids do too!!!!

We are having a little break from the Ration Hint of the Day and WWII Aircraft of the Day but will be resuming them in a week or two.

We hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family and best wishes for 2013.

Merry Christmas Everyone

I hope everyone has had a lovely and safe Christmas Day!!!!
Sorry we have been a bit quiet as of late, we have been busy with xmassy stuff and it has been very hot and extremely humid over here in Kiwi Land.
Which has made cooking and even eating very uncomfortable.
Summer is not a good time for having a traditional Christmas.
The boys, the cats and even the chickens have been hiding from the sun and just generally lazing about unable to move much.
Tomorrow is our one year anniversary of rationing so I will give you an update of what we have been doing, hopefully it will be a bit cooler.

Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year from the Wartime Rationers!!!!!!!

Getting Our Sweet Ration

There are so many to choose from.  I think
I will start with these.....

It is a real treat for Salem to get his sweet ration for the week.
We like to go to "Over the Tea Cups" tea shop at Paraparaumu Beach shops.
They have a great selection of old fashioned sweets.

I'll have some Black Balls.....

Salem loves being able to choose his sweet ration for himself.
We have a ration of 4 oz (113 g) each a week which was one of the maximum allowances during WWII.
It did go down to 2 oz (57 g).
We are not huge sweet eaters so this is ample for us, and often I don't have my ration at all.
I'm sure that Grumpy Teenager has a black market supply!!!!

.......and some Humbugs!!!!

During WWII, cough lollies and pastiles were not rationed so they were often eaten as sweets.
I really love my cough lollies, especially Throaties which I think were around at that time.
I think next week we will have to go and get our ration for over Christmas.

WWII Aircraft of the Day - The Short Sunderland

The Short Sunderland

The Short Sunderland - Britain
By Salem

The Short Sunderland was one of the Royal Air Force's biggest seaplane.
It was often called the "Flying Porcupine".
The Short Sunderland was used for long distance transport, search and rescue and patrolling for U-boats.
It was even used for reconnaissance work.
Even tough the Short Sunderland was big, it wasn't the most manouverable and was no match for the deadly Messerschmitts.

Ration Hint of the Day - Number Forty-one

Ration Hint No. 41

No breadcrumbs ready!
Then dip into that packet of breakfast cereal flakes for topping fish, 
creamed savoury or sweet dishes etc., etc., 
and save time!

Ration Hint of the Day - Number Forty

Ration Hint No. 40

Oatmeal cookies are nice anytime, 
but for extra appeal, stir in some mixed candied peel and fruits into the mixture.