Relay for Life

Three quarters of Joie de Vivre

Last weekend, some friends and I particiapted in the Central Otago Relay for Life. It's a 24hr event, in support of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, where each team is given a wooden baton, which has to circle the course (about a 600m grass track) for the entire 24 hours. There are certain specific points (for example, the first lap is for cancer survivors and their carers, and there is a candlelit vigil at 9pm whereby we remember those who have died from the disease) but for the rest of time, you can organise your team in any way you wish.

We were called Joie de Vivre as a positive note. All of us have been touched by cancer and had friends and family succumb to it, so we wanted to do something to commemorate them. The theme of this year's relay was 'Celebrate; Remember; Fight Back!' Members of the team were encouraged to fundraise and all the money was banked by the Cancer Society, to stay in the region in which it was raised. The Central Otago section had raised $130,000 at the close of the day, although more was expected over the next couple of days.



Before the start we practice our Angelina Jolie legs and pouts

Bad Fairy

Him Outdoors in a not entirely appropriate T-shirt

What would you say to a nice cup of tea?

Cheesy tartlets (and some rather nice baking - Ha!)

We are being sun smart - as demonstrated by the Fudge Princess



Maybe not so much of the smart...



The Wee Red Hen models her St Patrick's Day hat



Waiting at the start - look how eager!



Team Captain

Howdy Neighbour is raring to go

Apparently there were prizes for the best-dressed team. I don't know who won, but there were contenders with green tinsel St Pat's wigs, angel wings, steam-punk paraphenalia, and pink hula skirts.

The speech at the beginning of the relay was inspiring and emotional, and then the survivors began their first lap with purple sashes and balloons. Him Outdoors said the number of balloons was scary, but I could only think of those who hadn't made it and didn't get to carry a balloon.

To begin with we had much enthusiasm and several of us walked several laps together - I even did my allocated 15min jog. As the day wore on, we made up a roster, with half hour shifts. This meant we only got a few hours of sleep during the night, but it was hard to sleep anyway as there was a lot of noise and light.

The Dairy Queen was in hot contention for top team member - she made cups of tea in the morning, and massaged our feet as we finished each lap.

Sensory overload - the Wee Red Hen is massaged at both ends!

You could buy bags on which to write people's names and put candles (actually battery-operated tealights) inside so they glowed. Placed around the perimeter of the track, they lit the way and offered a permanent reminder of why we were stumbling around at 3am. Later they are taken and burnt, and the ashes planted beneath a tree in remembrance of those we have lost.

Dawn breaks above the Cancer Society tent

It doesn't take much loss of sleep to make me hallucinate. I thought I saw Him Outdoors hugging a lion, and a very tall angel with a very small head.

Breakfast was provided, and various bands and a DJ kept us entertained throughout the 24 hours.

During the last half hour, all the team members were encouraged to walk together, and it got busy on the track again.



Team Joie de Vivre at the finish

45: Afternoon tea and school sports

For my belated birthday party (of course I've got to still have one!) I decided to have an afternoon tea party followed by school sports' day. Many of the girls came in summer frocks and hats, fascinators or, in the case of the Mischievous Minx, cats' ears - no I didn't draw them on later as someone asked me. Most of the boys went straight for the sporting attire.


















As you can see it was all terribly sophisticated with little sandwiches, squares of sweet stuff (one friend did send a text to ask, 'what's a dainty cake?' - she is a musterer so has probably never seen one), and even a tablecloth - thanks Aunty Jo!

We had Pimms in the teapot so could serve it in an assortment of mis-matched cups and saucers, and gin and tonic in the water jug. In case you're about to condemn our irresponsible hosting, there was plenty of un-alcoholic water in the tap. 

And so to the school sports. Him Outdoors was the master of ceremonies, while I was the scorer and the administrator. There was much to do so I am extremely grateful to the Dairy Queen for all the photography.

We divided the guests into 'houses' all named after local (South Island) beer: Classy Red; Wobbly Boot; Clydesdale; Dark Horse. The first event was to sprint, for which boys stripped off, girls tucked their dresses into their knickers, and they were off!

All the races had heats with the top two going through to the final, amid much cheering and yelling (and a little cheating and interference) from the sidelines.

Photo-finish final

Next up was the egg and spoon - there were clear rules (i.e. you must have one hand behind your back and you must not touch your egg with anything except the spoon) which were explained with much seriousness. I joined in this event and won my heat! I was a Dark Horse - no further comment.



The serious business of the egg-and-spoon final

Following on, we had the skipping races, and here the Dairy Queen excelled herself with video footage. Listen and marvel at the screaming of the crowd; watch and laugh at the appalling technique - as the tallest competitor, CJD picked the shortest rope (but stole a kiss and a subsequent bonus point at the turn-around); Spik trialled a one-handed skipping 'style' and was subsequently disqualified; I pulled a calf muscle and subsequently learned that sport is dangerous (more of which later...)

After three events (of the total nine), the Clydesdales were in the lead which is where they stayed (although hotly pursued by the Wobbly Boots), and the Dark Horses had three points, which is where they stayed (hotly pursuing no one at all).

At the Standing Long Jump, the Naki Boy took out the honours for the Classy Reds. I don't know who was more pleased with the achievement; he for winning it, or The Dairy Queen with a smug smile as it was confirmed that he was seventeen centimetres longer than anyone else.

The wheelbarrow race caused much entertainement as the Dark Horses discovered that you can't get a grip on shiny tights. The things we learn...

The three-legged race really was a game of two halves, tortoises and hares, not over until you cross the finish line and all manner of sporting cliches.

The sack race caused much controversy with interference, line changes and underhand tactics - the girls previously agreed on the shuffle technique, which some of them rapidly abandoned out of necessity. There were appeals to the judges (does the whole body have to cross the line?) and vociferous protests as the competition got serious.

The Great Galah is jubilant to be crowned best in the sack

Of course, all good sporting events finish with relays and ours was no exception (although the term 'good' may be subjective). We had the sprint relay followed by the medley relay involving three-legged, wheelbarrow, skipping and sack. Marvellous fun and many hidden talents... remained hidden, really.

The oh-so-high-tech scoreboard at the close of competition

As an exhibition event, Him Outdoors somehow persuaded Squirt to have a go at flipper racing. She was extremely game (even going so far as to limber up) but collapsed at the final hurdle - beer drinking while still wearing the facemask - so Him Outdoors was triumphant. He hadn't been able to join in any of the games previously so was thrilled with the chance to participate (and win), bless him.

The evening ended, as it so often does, with music and dancing - The Naki Boy, Him Outdoors, Spik and CJD try their hand (or rather, feet) at Cossack dancing - they are crap but entertaining, a winning combination.