"Good water, good life; poor water, poor life; no water, no life" Sir Peter Blake


Monday, December 05, 2016

Iaido - the language of swords

Since joining up with the Whangarei Ninjutsu training, the kids have experienced different teaching techniques, kids and also different interests..

One of their trainers, Ellis Reader, bought along his sword especially for Blake to see, touch and learn about.  His very own special lesson!  Ellis is a 1st dan black belt who specialises in Iaido (sword drawing).

One very excited Blake!
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Ellis showing Blake the 'stingray skin' markings through the handle
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Each part of the sword has it's own reference and name
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Ellis showing Blake the blade and how it is made
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Eager to feel the sword, Ellis shows Blake the techniques
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

The 'locking system' .. the thumb to prevent it falling out
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)
Finally!
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Drawing the sword
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)
 
Very excited to have his own sword lesson
Whangarei Ninjutsu, Onerahi (December 2016)

Iaido is the Japanese Budo Martial Art that specialises in sword drawing - it emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to a sudden attack. Special attention is given to etiquette, posture, breathing and technical precision.

Iaido can be roughly translated to English as “being constantly (prepared), match/meet (the opposition) immediately”.... The primary emphasis in 'iai' is on the psychological state of being present (居). The secondary emphasis is on drawing the sword and responding to the sudden attack as quickly as possible (合).

Ellis went through and named the parts of his sword, what they were made of, and the ways to hold and draw the sword. A very special moment for a 7 year old who wants to be a sword maker when he grows up!



Sunday, December 04, 2016

ocean beach duning

Just to hot to do anything else, (35 deg on the boat) so a trip to the beach to cool off was a must! (and we found these sand dunes....)


On top of the dunes
Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads (December 2016)

Improvising for a cardboard box
Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads (December 2016)

A very sandy slide!
Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads (December 2016)

Blake's new treasure, a board leash
Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads (December 2016)

Downhill run with board leash
Ocean beach, Whangarei Heads (December 2016)

Thursday, December 01, 2016

running free

There is nothing like long grass and flower treasures to let the mind be free.....we have much to learn off our own children!  The freedom fuels the imagination big time!  

Free running through the field of long grass,
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Finding buttercups... "do you like butter?"
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

 


Dandelions get a helping hand to seed...
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Tigers in the long grass,
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)


Wednesday, November 30, 2016

saving another bee

There seems to be so many bees landing on us at the moment, so as part of our devotion to saving bees, we will always have honey for their stopover aboard Mazuran...

Yum yum!!
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Wiping his face... such a messy eater!
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Amazingly thin wings, and so colourful!
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)


Say cheese!
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

I think this bee was very grateful of the fuel for it's trip home...
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

tea bag art

With a few different tea bags, you never new that brew could be so much fun!

Tea bag art.. one cup of tea and some paper is all that is needed!
Whangarei, (November 2016)
Some controlled 'blobs'.....
Whangarei, (November 2016)
Blake mastering a different approach
Whangarei, (November 2016)
Freya loving her new art designs,
Whangarei, (November 2016)
Raspberry on watercolour paper,
Whangarei, (November 2016)
Some amazing colours were made! -  blueberry and raspberry teas were used in this one....
Whangarei, (November 2016)

magic tea potion

After the tea bag art Freya wanted to make her "magic tea potion"...

Magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)


Magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)
Showing "Splash" her new magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)


Sunday, November 27, 2016

a glass universe

After collecting our amazing glass fragments from our walk the other day I decided to look some pieces more closely....and what another universe I found!