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Published: April 13th 2008
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This one's for you Nic
Uncle Norman's old orchid farm (Tina)Hi everyone, its Sunday today and you've guessed it, another hangover, two weeks on the trot, however another fab party! Anyway more of that later, first off I'll start where we left off.
Got to Auntie Jan's and Uncle Norm's last monday when we blogged and our plans were to go with them on the Tuesday to there bach (pronounced batch and is the kiwi term for a holiday home), however Uncle Norm had to go and have his foot dressed first thing (he had an ingrowing toenail seen to) only to be told he had an infection and he wasn't able to go. This was such a disappointment to us that we decided we didn't want to go without them, so we stayed put for another night and did lots more catching up and had Toad in the Hole for dinner, haven't had it for years and it was really scrummy! Also Auntie Jan took us to their old orchid farm, we had to go as Nicky wouldn't have forgiven us.
On the Wednesday we dragged ourselves away and set off in the car up to the Bay of Islands to the Bach in Kiri Kiri. The scenery
up there is magnificant. The house is in a tiny place called Opito Bay which is right on the coast and the terrace overlooks the water, really pretty.
(Lynda) Hi everyone, well New Zealand is a wonderful place but they do like their kip, most of them are usually in bed by 9 and, anyone that knows me, knows how hard that is. At the bach the scenery is wonderful and I took myself off exploring. I walked for miles in the bush and had a really nice time. Spoke to a few people on the beach and told them we'd been recommended to go to the sailing club for dineer (apparently it only opens once a week and whoopee doo it was on a Wednesday). Bad news for us though, the owners had been chucked out and the place was being redecorated so no night out for us. I went back to Tina and after looking at each other for about an hour we got bored so decided to go out and find somewhere to eat. the guy on the beach had recommended somewhere so we tried to find it. (As an aside I must say that not
Never seen one like this before!!
Not that we've seen many urinals at all!!!! once, YET, have we got lost anywhere here!!) This pub, in the middle of nowhere on a crossroads was the busiest place we've found in the whole of New Zealand. We only ate quickly and went back to the bach to look at each other again until bedtime!!
Due to the fact that there was so much to do in Kirikiri we were really reluctant to leave and wondered what awaited us in Dagerville, which is where our Hayley lives. On the way we went to Pahia and got a ferry across to Russell. This was a lovely place now but has a very chequered history. We spent a while wandering around and then back to the car and on the road again. I'd read about some famous toilets in a place in Kawakawa and because of David's, and some of my other friends fascination in toilets, thought we should visit. Well see for yourself ... These were designed and created by an Austrian called Friedrich Hundertwasser in the 90's and it's such a funny sight to see coachloads of Japanese tourists (and others) pull up to take snaps of a loo!!
Anyway eventually arrived at Hayley's and
Double Trouble!
Grace and Rhiannon - the delightful twosome. was introduced to her lovely husband Gari and their two adorable twins Grace and Rhiannon. The last time we saw Hayley she was a dizzy 20 year old, really glad to see that nothing much has changed, now she's a dizzy 40 year old. Gari is so kind and gentle and the twins are a delight. We really didn't want to leave as they made us so welcome. (Also they don't go to bed early so had a good night catching up and playing Buzz - Tina got a nice little bonus when Rhiannon climbed into bed for a cuddle in the night).
Met some lovely friends of theirs, Frank who works as a volunteer fireman, and Liz who made us very welcome. Frank took us out for the morning in his 4 x 4 through sand dunes and along a 50k stretch of beach (we didn't go the 50k - in case you were wondering). Liz welcomed us into her beautiful home (a barn conversion) even though she was in her sick bed.
(Tina)After a tearful goodbye we arrived back at A Jans and U Norms place about 5ish on Friday and they were both there waving
Something's you never forget
Still a natural behind the bar! us back, felt like coming home, a lovely feeling when you've been on the road as long as us. Sue and David (their friends from England of many years) were there to so we had a good old catch up and a lovely evening with a few bottles of wine.
Saturday loomed and we all knuckled down to get ready for the party, the house was full of people so many hands made light work and we were all organised with a couple of hours to spare. We all nagged the birthday boy to have a lay down cos he wouldn't be able to go to bed at his usual 9pm.
There were about fifty of us at the party and A Jans put on a huge spread that was all delicious, she hasn't lost any of her catering skills and stayed so calm about the whole thing. Everything flowed perfectly, and a great time was had by all. After the meal we got down to singing all the old songs and had a little dance, Rex one of their friends even did a little break-dancing, not really but he did end up on the floor!!
(Lynda)
This moment was the whole purpose of our visit and I'm so glad we're here. There were a few times during the evening where we and Uncle Norman at times had a tear in our eye, but we had such a lovely time. All their friends are really lovely and made us feel welcome. There was Vernon, who loved a song and a dance (and didn't want to leave), Gill and Judith who helped so much with the preparation and Rex for his entertainment value. Luke's mum Mary and her partner Peter were there and Bev (who was their first neighbour and friend when they moved over here) and many many more, all of who we spoke to and made us welcome, but are too many to mention. Uncle Norman gave a touching speech about how much these people meant to him and how good they've all been to him especially while he was poorly. It was really touching and yes Tina and I were crying again!!! He then had his birthday cake and with the help of his gorgeous, beautiful, delightful grandaughters blew out a few candles (obviously the cake wasn't big enough for 70 candles and we didn't
Speech, speech!!!
Not a dry eye in the house. want to start a bush fire!!) Thanks to everyone at home who sent birthday messages to him - it really meant a lot.
Another late night (2o'clock) and just off to bed when I checked my phone and there was a text from Nicky telling me "sod the party get on the computer and have a look at your new grandchild" I nearly had a fit thinking Donna had had the baby, until I read the rest which said he/she's beautiful...... It's a bit hard after a belly full of beer to take this in, but I got on the computer only to find 12 4D pictures of my next little love. How blessed am I!!
Unfortunately Tina woke up with a raging hangover, (think Luke got some wicked photos) but after a fry-up she perked up and was back to normal. Quite sad saying goodbye and will be even harder tomorrow when we leave Southfork and head back to Karen and Lukes before our final journey in NZ to Auckland airport.
Bye everyone, see you in Fiji. Loads of love, hugs and kisses L&T xxx
ps welcome to all the new bloggers - Uncle Tony, Juliet,
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Luke
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Lynda's got late night staying power because she doesn't get out of bed until 10am. Tina was too scared to try and wake her up any earlier. Glad you both had such fun. It was great having you here and can't wait to get back over to your hemisphere soon. I'll have to get Ben over to do my lawns - sounds like a visual feast. I'll move the car first.