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Meet Amy Sylvie Murray….

She is the daughter of one my first cousins from the Murray side of the family, namely Blair. She was born to Blair and Sylvie, her dear mother from whom she inherited her middle name in February of this year. It was in celebration of this new life that a whole clan of New Zealanders descended on Antwerp, Belgium (Europe’s so-called diamond capital). The clan was of course none other than the extended Murray family, most of whom you will see in pictures here…

Of course this was a real initiation into Kiwihood for Manijeh who had previously met very few members of the large antipodean Murray contingent. Naturally she fitted right in, after all she pines after life in the land of the long white cloud more than I do. We did all the meeting and greeting on Friday night and on Saturday we did what all good Kiwis do when away from home during the rugby, we found an Irish Pub in a Flemish town and watched the ABs prevail over their Aussie counterparts. Speaking of the All Blacks, for those familiar with the Haka, below is a demonstration of just how patriotic we Kiwis are. In a video first for afnan-murray.com this rendition of the traditional Maori invitation to a challenge took place in Blair’s back garden…

After the victory celebrations we were treated to some serious Belgian hospitality courtesy of Sylvie’s parents who certainly answered the invitation to a challenge by cooking for all the Murrays, Corbett’s and friends. On Sunday it was time to focus on the reason for our coming together, little Amy. She was to be christened at the local Church in the town of Boechot just outside Antwerp. The service was very moving and beautiful especially for the way in which it included its child participants. Not only that, but what you might imagine an English local church to look like is very different to the Belgian equivalent. Needless to say that it was a very fitting venue. After we all recovered our emotions it was time for some fun and laughter back at Blair and Sylvie’s with a smorgasbord of bread, cheeses and much more. Amy’s granddad David also tugged at our heartstrings with some more moving words and a toast to a fine father (in Blair) and a gorgeous granddaughter. In spite of the tears and the full stomachs the kids, and some of the “big kids” still thoroughly enjoyed a good bounce on the inflatable castle that occupied the backyard…

After all the busy family activity Manijeh and I had the chance to really explore Antwerp on Monday, visiting it’s glorious cathedral among, munching on Belgian waffles (not be missed of course!) and taking a ride in a local police van. You’ll have to ask my dad about that one!

That night we would bid farewell to some of the departing family and on Tuesday we squeezed in a half day visit to the town of Gent which truly showcased northern Belgium’s unique style of architecture. We ate lunch there in a hall of hanging meat under which we said our final goodbyes.

And that was that, but before I sign off this little account, let me spare a word for Sylvie, Amy’s dear mother who gave of herself for her precious daughter. Regrettably, Manijeh and I have had the fortune of meeting her only once here in London. After which, we were so looking forward to sharing more time together. We didn’t have the chance to visit her in Brussells where she is recovering now, but we hope to go back soon and do just that. In the meantime we have our memories of Amy from which to remember Sylvie too.