The Napier Clearys 2011

Christmas greetings from the Napier Clearys

The pohutakawa flowering is even better this year; hard to believe as it’s a very chilly 15 degrees today.  It’s been a year tinged by grief with deaths of close family (Mark’s 99 y.o. Aunt) and a much too young good friend.

Ben Lomond (the house) has only been home for Barbara, Connor and Fiona (who moved from Flat 2 to Flat 1) as Michael moved to a teaching job in Wellington and Mark returned to Borneo, but not before enjoying a friend filled summer.

Barbara entertaining the ABCs at Waikaremoana

We had the usual New Year’s Eve celebration at the house, spent a wonderful relaxing few days with friends at the Lake Waikeremoana; boating, walking, drinking in early January and a few of use were also lucky enough to meet again for the Sting Concert at the Mission Estate.  

Sting 2011

Christmas Day Lunch

Barbara organised her working year expertly; a Malaysian field trip followed by a term three sabbatical, combined with the rugby world cup (go you mighty All Blacks) shortened term four, meant that apart from two weeks of teaching in October, the year was all over by July.   Braving jungle and boredom, she spent three weeks in Asia, a week in Hong Kong and two in Brunei, where she was joined for a week by Connor.  Apart from spending time with Mark, she was a guest at an International Conference on 21C teaching and learning; conveniently the theme of her sabbatical study. 

Barbara advising Mark Hensman on plans for his new school in Hong Kong

Mark headed back to Brunei (no it’s not in the Middle East…it’s on the island of Borneo and that’s in South East Asia; jungle not sand) for another stint on an ICT in education project.  Reached great heights this year climbing Mt Kinabalu (with Michael); 4,095 m (13,435 ft) which although 341 m higher than Aoraki is more of a hike than a climb. 

Apart from buying a cute, yellow VW, Fiona’s life seems to have revolved around her work in the courts (Gisborne and Napier).  Her new flat gives her direct access into our part of the house.

Us at Oliver Fahey & Mikaela Bulatiko's wedding:
Michael, Connor, Mark, Farrell (Ms brother), Brigid (M's sister)
Rachel (Michael's girlfriend), Fiona, Barbara, Yuko (Farrell's wife)

Connor continues to work for Dick Smith and is steadfastly ignoring his mother’s none to subtle hints that he ‘better himself’, while Michael, after a taste of teaching is heading back to university.

M & B with Diana Seavill

with Keith Sullivan

with Ann and Mark Hensman

Love to you all and best wishes for a great 2012.

Brigid, Hilary (Mark's mum) Fiona & Barbara

There will be someone home here all summer, though Mark and Barbara are doing a South Island roadtrip from the 28th Dec to 12th Jan starting and ending in Christchurch.  If you live down there expect to see us, otherwise it'd be great to see you here.

Barbara, Mark, Fiona, Connor and Michael

For last year's news goto:  http://clearychristmasphotos.blogspot.com