The Days of Our Lives

For the Lord of the Rings fans.

  On Friday we set off. .   Laurie said he'd love  to "Nana Sit "...... so with Mum in such good hands, Clare and I left under a beautiful Auckland sky.  There was the compulsory stop at the cheese factory outside Matamata, a couple of food stops and then we arrived in Tauranga in time for afternoon tea at a friend's home.  After a lovely catchup we booked in at the Mount.

Clare checking out the neighbours

                 Clare being the event planner had arrived with all the cocktails a girl would need.

Clare relaxing

The Tauranga Clan

Clare called our lovely relatives, Uncle Laurie and Ruth saying we were in town. They kindly said they would pick us up the next day for lunch.Clare and I spent the morning walking the beaches, window shopping, eating and stumbling upon a lovely Saturday market. 

 Our limousine arrived and Uncle Laurie and Ruth took us to a lovely little cafe.  Talk about a small world, as when we walked in cousin Carol and husband Dave were in the cafe trying to enjoy a quiet coffee together ..and then we arrived. I think the last time I saw Carol was when she was cutting her  baby teeth , so it was wonderful catching up.  We had a delicious lunch and lots to talk about.

AS there was still lots to share after a couple of hours, we moved onto the motel.  It was a great afternoon and it was nearly 7pm when we said goodbye.

Uncle Laurie and Ruth

     On Sunday we stopped by Uncle Laurie and Ruth's place to pick up a couple of BIG BAGS OF AVOCADOS that had just been picked. YUMMY! 

THANKS ALOT, we promise to share them around.  So with all our goodies, and great memories    we set off to Hamilton.  Secretary Clare had called Aunty Jackie to see if they would be home.  .......Clare also called Aunty Cecilia and Uncle Roly,  but no one was home so maybe we'll  catch up another time (with some prior planning).  Clare had also called Mary and Phil, but they were involved in some great and mighty community works on Saturday,  so the show had to go on.  

Clare enjoying her meat pie, and refusing to share it.

Inflation has hit Cambridge as I remember when it cost a penny for a visit,  now it's 50c. 

So we set off for Hamilton, and pulled up outside Mt View Rd. The bush telegraph had been busy as     out  of the car parked ahead of us came Julie and Michael. I recall I saw Julie last working at her father's petrol station, I think she was just out of high school.  As I had mislaid my glasses it appeared as if she  had not changed at all.  At the door we were  greeted by Aunty Jackie, who was looking hail and hearty.  Uncle Bernie was in Morrisonville doing a 5k walk , and arrived home about an hour later followed by Christine and Martin, and Elizabeth and Hamish.  It's been many years since we've seen our cousins, so it was so wonderful to catch up with them (although it was very brief). Uncle Bernie we thought you looked great and applaud you for getting back to where you are (might have something to do with the lovely woman who has taken care of you).  yes photos were taken of our long lost cousins, but not on my camera  As soon as I can get them they will be posted.

   So Clare and I set off to Auckland via 12 Fowlers Ave ( to the Hollywood screenwriters who are interested in making a movie of our lives, that is where our grandparents lived.)

12 Fowlers Ave today. with a trespasser.

So we set off for Auckland.  Clare was really getting into the memory lane mode and at the Greenlane Exit decided to stop at 379 Great South Road.

Clare outside where Dad lived as a boy. Could they possibly be the same fruit trees we raided over half a century ago?

  As all good things must end, so did our magical road trip.  Mum was looking great, and Laurie had raised the standard of her care to a higher level.   He made her poached eggs for breakfast( she makes her own with me), he'd transplanted her orange tree into a wine barrel,  taken her to Herne Bay for a walk and coffee, and they'd both gone to Mitre 10 to select irrigation parts for the garden.  Hmmmmm I might be in for a hard time this week.  Martin and Stella came visiting Mum today so that was a treat for her.

Mary was in Auckland a couple of days last week so it was great catching up with her. John F stays in touch around the world or he's stopped by on his way to work. Nothing is too much for Hayden, scrubbing mildew from decks, pricing out wood for odd jobs, moving soil etc   The foreigners skype, Pat called last week, along with Kevin and Noeline.  Layla will be here Friday night and return to the States on Saturday so Mum has declared it a "Catching up with Layla Night," to all who can come.

Rebecca Baird and Ruby are coming on the 21st to be a companion to Mum for a week, so that is wonderful.

If anyone has been left out or misrepresented I apologize and hope you will use your grievance for character building!

 thats all for now folks, 

 Goodnight, be well, take yourself lightly, and stay in touch.  #3