Darfield

My oldest daughter Chloe and her partner Tim manage a dairy farm not far from Darfield township. They are also building a new home with acreage adjoining their workplace. Tim and Chloe along with my grandchildren, Riley 16 and Saige 13 are into many different sports, actively and as avid spectators.

Chloe, Tim and I went with a group of their local friends to the South Island Food and Wine Show. It was a fun day with great entertainment even though it was a bit wintery. We ended the day by visiting several bars in town before heading home … thanks to Tim our sober driver.

It was a fun trip in on the bus … here with my daughter, Chloe.

Saige was dressed in her cricket gear ready for a Sunday match and Riley was about to get on a flight to Tauranga where he was going to play in the Condor 7’s rugby tournament.

I made caramel filled, caramel popcorn cupcakes for Saiges 13th birthday. These also had a cream cheese frosting which was a nice contrasting taste to the homemade caramel filling.

My son Dylan, his partner Kiri and my grandson Jacob came to visit for a week while I was staying in Christchurch. We went for a walk in the Fairy Forest, Darfield.

We saw some beautiful wild flowers on our walk in the Fairy Forest.

Jacob had fun finding the fairy doors in the Fairy Forest.

That’s right … I took a photo of the sign so that I could remember what it was called … McHughs Forest Park.

Tim sheared their sheep using a mobile shearing plant during my visit. I think that these sheep are a Suffolk breed.

It was Saige‘ last year at Darfield Highschool as she is going to Christchurch Girls next year. I was so proud to be at her prize giving where she won the school medal for swimming and head girl for her year ❤️. We had no idea that was coming.

We spent some time getting the pool ready for the summer - Jacob was pretty excited about this - Tim did most of the work.

I learned a new card game and had some laughs.

Oh and I also made these yummy cupcakes to celebrate Dylan, Kiri and Jacob coming. Chocolate with cream cheese filling and topped with chocolate ganache. We also had home grown lamb roast dinner for their arrival … it was a treat.

At the airport while Dylan, Kiri and Jacob waited to board their plane Jacob read some books and did a Karakia with his mum ❤️

Chloe asked that Saige and I prepare food for their staff Christmas Party. We did snack platters, salads and various bbq dishes. I also helped Riley and Saige make their own showpiece item.

Saige made these caramel filled (as that became the favourite of the week) cupcakes and decorated them as a tree.

Riley did a great job with his tree and it tasted really good.

I thought that I took some photos of the finished table, showing off their centre pieces, but I can not find any now 😩.

It is made from timber recycled from the Christchurch Earthquake demolitions. I love it so much ❤️

I loved my time in Darfield spending time with family … I had not been back there since January 2020 … I got out just before Covid hit. We enjoyed doing so many things together and only some of which I have mentioned here.

Oops I nearly forgot to mention the new house. I can’t wait to see it finished.

The house is beautiful with wooden ceilings and schist feature walls inside and out.

They are hoping to move in soon.

Another hilight of the week was Chloe being excited to find her favourite curry mix (it has recently been unavailable) when we were out shopping so she bought them all.

Curry and in particular this chicken and vegetable korma is one of our favourites. As I am in Vietnam as I write this, I could really do with some of this now 😀