A day at the races!

This is something we just don't do much of in Canada... well at least not in the world I grew up in! A fun way to spend a Saturday in New Zealand is to get dressed up (or not) and go to the horse races! You pack a picnic lunch, and if you go with a group of people like we did, you eat and drink in the hot sun (hopefully) and spend money placing bets on horses. Drinking and betting... healthy huh? Here I am with Kelly looking all snazzy in our race day outfits.

This was my first day at the races and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I relied on my friend Daz to help me learn the "lingo" (see my notes below). I studied the program and asked questions about which bets to place. It was a whole new learning experience. I won about $26 in the second race and I think that made me feel a bit over confident, overall I lost money... but it was still heaps of fun and I got a buzz from watching the horses race.

I would have liked to win instead of lose, but I think I might have developed a bit of an addiction so this was probably for the best.




















Thought you'd all like to know a little about what I learned:

A Girl's Guide to Racing:

Let's face it - we all know nothing in life is a dead cert and that life itself is a bit of a gamble. While choosing a horse can be a science to those in the know, girls who just want to have fun can apply feminine logic…choose by names, the colours of the jockey's silks, the jockeys themselves or surrender to those who know and pick a favourite or take a tip from someone you can blame later (this was the method of choice for me).

Picking the form of a horse can be technical, but not nearly as dicey as picking a husband - after all you can see what they've achieved recently, how much money they've won and you can have a good look at them 'au naturel' before you commit.

All bets are placed in $1 multiples.

$1 for a win: means you will receive the win dividend posted on the board if your chosen horse should bolt in. Otherwise referred to as 'on the nose'.

$1 for a place: means you will receive the place dividend posted on the board if your horse comes first, second or third.

Each way: Otherwise known as 'hedging your bet'. It is a combination of a win and place bet. If your horse wins, you walk away with both the win and place dividend, and if your horse comes second or third, you will collect the place dividend.

Quinella: Not a trendy dress shop in Newmarket. Just pick two horses to come first or second in any order and you will receive the Quinella dividend.

Trifecta: Not some new name for a bug caught while on holiday in a far off land… pick three horses in the order they will romp home in and you will receive this dividend.

Box Trifecta: Not the packaging for the vaccine for the above - just pick three horses and if they win in any order you're a winner!

Easy Bet : A much hackneyed phrase also found off the track in a hopeful man's vocabulary. Just think of this as the dating agency of the racecourse - simply pay your money and let the computer choose!

Here's some other helpful jargon that you can slip into conversations to make you sound like a well seasoned racing guru!

Stayer: A horse who can handle long distances or someone who can drink all day. The Auckland Cup (held in March) is an historic staying race.

Mud-lark: A horse that likes rain-affected tracks.

Maiden: A horse or rider who has not yet won a race.

Birdcage: Actually for horses not parrots…the horses head to the track via the birdcage and the jockeys dismount here after the race. In the birdcage is where you'll spot important trainers and owners.

Photo finish: Not only flawless make-up, it is a finish of a race which is so close that they need to examine a photograph to determine the winner.

Spelling: Leave the dictionary at home…a horse will typically race until it needs a rest or is injured and then it will be turned out in a paddock to recuperate or 'spell' (if a horse had spelled recently it will be marked under the horse's form in the racebook as 'X').

Flutter: A small bet.

Plunge: Not a dress neckline, but a very big bet (we did this at the last race as a group bet - we lost everything).

Blinkers: Although batting your eyelids is a great flirting technique, blinkers on the racetrack serve to improve a horse's concentration by limiting their vision of the other horses running. The racebook will indicate which horses are wearing blinkers.

Blaze: A white marking on the face of a horse

Scratched: When a horse is withdrawn from a race before the start.

Length: Describes the distances between horses in a race. Horses can win by anything from a nose to a head to a length or a number of lengths. A length is approximately 3 metres, the length of a horse from nose to tail. (Anything over 5 lengths is commonly known as daylight).

In the money: When a horse finishes first, second or third.

The toppie: Horse number one usually has the most weight, which means it was the first to qualify for the race and will be carrying the most kilograms of extra weight.

Group one: A Group One Race is the best there is (kind of like travelling first class) and it is all downhill from there.

Favourite: The winner of the popularity contest for that race. Also known as 'a certainty', 'the banker' or a 'sure thing', it means that all of those in the know expect this horse to win. The favourite will be paying the shortest odds. Be warned: there is no skill in backing favourites but if anyone mocks you for playing it safe just say: "Better a short-price winner than a long-price loser".

Roughie: a roughie is more than just someone who has had a late night! Also known as 'a long shot' or 'a rank outsider', it is a horse with very long odds. Backing a long shot that wins takes a whole lot of luck and skill but if you win on a roughie, you will be basking in the glory all day.

So now that you know a bit more about the lingo I thought you might like to know a little about "what to wear to the races"...

Think about the occasion: Racewear sits in its own distinct sphere within the realm of fashion. It should be lady-like, elegant and feminine and most essentially it is daywear and not to be confused with cocktail or evening dressing.

Coordination is key: It's important that you're clever with your coordination. You don't have to match colours and fabrics from head to toe, but make sure you consider the bigger picture and remember that accessories can make or break an outfit.

A passion for fashion: Don't forget to be fashionable! While racewear is often very classic looking, it doesn't mean you can't have fun with the current season's trends.

Top it off: Nothing screams racing like a hat - don't underestimate the value of a fantastic headpiece or gorgeous feathered fascinator to make you stand out from the rest of the field.

Bearing in mind you'll be on your feet for much of the day, you may opt for lower heels - but take note of this quote from George Bernard Shaw: "If a woman rebels against high-heeled shoes, she should take care to do it in a very smart hat".

For the Guys

1. Entering the fashion event might make you feel like a poser, but fab prizes aside, your partner will love you, you will score the ladies and it is something you should try at least once (doing wonders for you confidence and making your mum proud).
2. Cup Day is a prelude to autumn fashion, beach season is over and interpretations of fashion are vast.
3. Study up on hats: once upon a time wearing a hat was mandatory - it also can make receding hair lines disappear for the day.
4. Think Ascot, top hats, morning suits, tails, three-piece suits.
5. If you have to wear a three button, the rule is fastened top two buttons; two button, fastened top button. Jacket on at all times - when you're seated is the only time you have a choice.
6. Shoes should be polished to military standard.
7. A tie is a man's jewellery - be bold yet cool with colour, create a story between the tie and shirt, accessorize with the satin in your hat band or silk handkerchief in your suit pocket. The bigger the Windsor knot the better and your tie should just brush your Christian Dior Homme belt buckle.
8. The Charcoal suit is now a uniform, so watch out for birds eye fabrics, which are the modern mans tweed. Prince of Wales checks are back with a vengeance as are obvious pinstripes. Light merino wools with mohair or cashmere are the new Ferrari in suiting.
9. If you're wearing a bright suit, make sure it's not cheap and you don't look like an out of date American anchor man. If you must wear double breasted, check out the latest European looks, very, very fitted and longer jackets.
10. Lastly, Miami vice pastels are still in so mix them up and try for new interpretations. You're the man.

Natalya and Chantelle

Last weekend was our labour day long weekend and the girls came to stay with me. It was the first time they have been back since they left in June. Each of them had a friend over so it was a full on GIRLS weekend! Here they are with their adopted Granny Mabeth who has missed them terribly. Haven't they grown up so much?? I absolutely love these little girls.

They arrived Friday night and it was so good having them "home". Chantelle slept in my bed that night and I have to admit, it was so nice sharing my space and waking up to that smiling face of hers.

They are growing up so fast. They both have cell phones now as they are fairly independent. Brian works so much and they are left to look after themselves most of the time. I am so glad I gave them the skills they needed for this stage of their life. Brian tells me that I should be proud of myself for what I did for them - and I am.


On Saturday Rebekah and Bree arrived and that's when the party really started around here. First thing's first... teeth check!!! I made sure all four of them properly flossed their teeth! Just because I'm not technically a "mother" anymore doesn't mean I'm any less of a mother! Some things just don't change. Boy, don't I sound like loads of fun?


The girls had a movie marathon Saturday night while my friend Julia came by for a visit with her adorable baby Grace. I'm not normally clucky over babies but Grace is so perfect! I absolutely adore her and I crack her up. Seriously, this baby splits her sides with laughter when I talk to her. It's hilarious! Must be my funny accent or somethin'.


Sunday morning we all walked to church. It was drizzling a little... here's a photo of Bree and Natalya wearing the Canada umbrella hats.


I was teaching Sunday school... and the lesson that day happened to be all about unconditional love, what it means and how important it is to learn to love yourself first. How appropriate. During our discussion both Nat and Chan mentioned that they hated themselves numerous times. I was able to explain to them that they needed to love themselves before they could possibly love anyone else. We then traced the outline of a body and inside we wrote all the things we could think of that we could do to "love thy neighbour". It was a fun project and they all enjoyed it. I hope the lesson sticks with them.

They went to the buskers festival Sunday afternoon and then more movies Sunday night. Monday morning we all went to the Hot Pools for a long soak. I was exhausted at this stage... and just about ready to send them home. They both have a bad habit of fighting over who can boss who around the most. It can get very irritating. Sometimes I wish they would just love each other and stop trying to hurt the other one. It always ends up in tears and Nat having a major fit (she's almost a teenager).

Neither of them wanted to go back. I think they are terribly lonely. It was nice to see that they are living in a lovely home on a quiet street. Brian has done a good job. Unfortunately this is just life. They know that they are loved... and that's more than a lot of kids out there.

Tramping for a Good Cause

On the weekend I was invited out to an "open day" with the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust by my friend Nicky. You're probably thinking, "What the heck is that?" which is precisely what I thought too. Here's a little bit about it...

The trust was initiated by Te Puke Forest and Bird and the local community in 2002. The prime objective of the Trust is to ensure the long term protection and survival of brown kiwi and all the native flora and fauna in the Otanewainuku area.


Early settlers set aside 1200 hectares of virgin bush as a protected area. Otanewainuku is home to such birds as the kereru, bell bird, grey warbler, whitehead, tomtit, tui, kokako, fantail, robin and North Island brown kiwi. Other special species include long tailed bats, gecko, skink and the rare king fern. Studies show that predators such as stoats, ferrets, dogs, rats, possums and feral cats are degrading the forest and decimating the bird population.

The kiwi population in NZ is in serious decline with 99.5% of the population now lost. Kiwi numbers plummeted from 50 in 1986 to just 5 in 2006. Thanks to the pest control operation, numbers are recovering. Research has shown that less than 5% of kiwi chicks born in the wild survive their first 6 months. Scientists have calculated that around 20% of chicks need to survive for kiwi populations to maintain themselves. 70% of chicks are killed by stoats. Adult kiwi are killed by dogs, ferrets and vehicles.

(This is Irish Brian holding up an actual kiwi egg)


A most ancient nocturnal bird, the kiwi evolved about 70 million years ago. In many ways kiwi are more like a mammal than a bird:

• They have loose, hair-like feathers and whiskers.
• Kiwi cannot fly but they can run fast
• They dig burrows with their feet
• They are the only known bird to have nostrils at the end of their bill.
• They have a strong sense of smell which they use to find food.
• Their life span is 35-40 years.
• They lay huge eggs.

In 2007 four kiwi were released into Otanewainuku. Each bird is fitted with an electronic transmitter so that they can be tracked. One of the female birds was found on the side of the road a few months ago - hit by a car at night while she was feeding in the soft soil on the shoulder. It was devastating news. The project is to build a 21 hectare kiwi creche. This would give vulnerable kiwi chicks a head start in safe surroundings so they can be returned to the wild. You can help by making a donation or sponsoring the "predator fence" which they are building around the reserve which will keep new pests from entering the reserve. This fence is specially made and will cost approximately $650,000 - it is dug deep into the soil and has and electric current running through it. You can get a group together and sponsor a post (and four metres of fence) for $950.

We learned how to set traps for these predators. The objective being to eradicate them entirely and keep new ones from getting in. The Trust depends on volunteers to set traps and check them regularly. It was a lovely day for a bush walk with my good friends Nicky and her Irish husband Brian (who reminds me of a Sprite and he has nicknamed me "Pixie"). They invited their friends who have recently moved here from Holland and I invited my new housemate Karel who is from the Czech Republic. We were the United Nations! The bush walk was beautiful and we got to see some beautiful flora - the trees are magnificent and they seem to grow gardens in their branches!

The hike was up to the top of the ranges which offers spectacular views. We came prepared with sugar sustenance. Irish Brian disappeared ahead of all of us (just like the true Sprite that he is) and left us a trail of mini chocolate bars along the the path. I like hanging out with these guys.


























We didn't see any kiwi birds but I'm pretty sure this was a burrow that they were likely sleeping in. I was tempted to stick my hand in there to see if I could pet one... but knowing me, I'd stick my hand into the mouth of a ferret with razor sharp teeth and lose my fingers so I just pointed.



We did manage to see two little grey robins, a kereru (NZ pigeon) and a moose.


Just kidding about the moose. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention. There are no moose in New Zealand.

All in all it was a great day out. I signed up to volunteer once a month. I wouldn't mind going for a hike through native forests more often... all for the preservation of a living dinosaur - the sweet little kiwi bird.




And afterward we stopped at Irish Brian's favourite pub, "Molly's" for a pint, some potato wedges and nachos. Every Sunday should be like this!



For more information please check out www.kiwitrust.org or email info@kiwitrust.org