SOME THINGS

 ANZAC day approaches and I was looking forward to the dawn parade at the Cenotaph at the bottom of Bowen Street next Saturday.

This is because it's a short walk from home and because I have fond memories of attending dawn parades there with my dad when I was little. They had a real howitzer there in those days and at the end it made a live firing which scared the bejesus out of me, the pigeons and at least half of the attendees. Afterwards we walked to the railway station where long trestle tables were set out with steaming urns and railway-indestructible-standard cups of coffee laced with rum. This was my first taste of alcohol I think.

Unfortunately the dawn service will not be at the Cenotaph but at Pukeahu National War Memorial (by the Carillon and the old Wellington Museum. It's quite a long walk and I don't fancy going there but might change my mind on the day. At the Cenotaph there will be a 9am wreath laying which I will attend anyway. Here's a look at the Wellington city activities:

• 6am - A Dawn Service will be held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial.
• 9am - Wellington Citizens' Wreath Laying Service at the Cenotaph Precinct (corner of Lambton Quay and Bowen Street).
• 11am - The Anzac Day National Commemoration Service will take place at Pukeahu National War Memorial.
• 2.30pm - Wreath Laying Service at Atatürk Memorial in Tarakena Bay, Miramar.
• 5pm – The Last Post will be held at the Pukeahu National War Memorial.

I don't know what the Wainuiomartians and the Moerites will be getting up to - it's often better not to ask. Richard hasn't mentioned blowing his own trumpet other than skiting about his violin practice so I'm not sure if he will be 'bugling' at any local ceremonies. I believe that the organisers have been, in past years, unappreciative, disorganised and bloody rude so will be in for a shock if he doesn't attend. Maybe they can borrow that old record player that Tony found in the tip years ago and play Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.

Anyway, today The Old Girl and I were supposed to go to Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne as part of the volunteer programme to do the annual check of the predator-free fencing. This was to be from 1PM to 4PM but has just been cancelled due to the rain. We were all kitted out in raincoats, boots and over-trousers when the cancellation call came which I'm glad of as it was bucketing down half an hour ago. I guess it will be a lazy day indoors now.

Have a good Sunday all.