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Published: February 8th 2008
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Tuesday
Ann’s birthday!
Ann took us to Waimate North to see Mission house and the church (first mission house in new Zealand). Beautiful church, the mission house was next door with some beautiful trees. We then went on to have a look at Pete and Anns surgery in Kaikohe which is a fab building they built a few years ago
Went to see Millie at house - sampling produce- delicious apples straight off the tree. and then to farm to see Ivan and Gordon shearing sheep
Rawene to boatshed for lunch then back to main road - beautiful little place. Whirinaki took Ann’s picture by Vucich Road, then to Opononi for walk along peninsula looking at the majestic sandhills - absolutely gorgeous.
Then through Waimamaku to see Tane Mahute and other Kauri Trees in the Waipoua Forest. Beautiful regrowth following logging over 100 years ago.
Back for a meal at the Landing with Blue and Linley and Alex. Beautiful setting with boats on the river which we looked down on yesterday when we walked to the Pa. Blue and Linley are good friends of Ann and Pete
Wednesday 6th
Waitangi day -Celebration
of signing of 1840 treaty of Waitangi conferring protection of Maori by British Crown. This is a public holiday in NZ. We were only about 20 minutes from Waitangi so after a leisurely breakfast we went over. Lots and lots of people and activities on the go when we got there. Really interesting, lots of food and craft stalls we got serenaded into one that was promoting home learning courses about Maori culture and language that Pete was interested in. We then sat and watched some Maori groups singing and having fun. Bumped into a friend of Ann and Petes , Jenny who invited us for a cup of tea on the coastguard boat where her husband was on duty. Lots of the local teenagers were having fun jumping into the sea off anything they could including the boat. We also watched the launch of a few of the Waka that seemed to be having some kind of race. Went up and had a look around the Treaty House, and the beautifully carved Marae house. There was also a lot of police around but it all seemed very peaceful and good natured to us, the English navy were also there
as they form part of the ceremonial service.
Ferry over to Russell to see Christs Church with Musket hole s and the grave of the first non-Mauri (Pakeha) women to be born in New Zealand and chief . We had beer and seafood chowder at The Malborough before catching the fast ferry back to Ann and Petes. Last evening with them it has gone so fast and we have had a fabulous time and made very welcome.
Thursday 7th Feb
Ann drove us off to the airport and we said goodbye, it has been so lovely catching up with Ann and Pete and meeting their lovely girls Sarah and Alex. Quick flight down to Auckland then transferred for flight to Nelson, weather glorious. Found our way to the Grampian B & B which is a really nice Victorian Villa.
Had a wander around Nelson then walked along to the Boat House and had a sneaky look inside and went and had a drink in the Boat Shed just further along, booked to return for our evening meal which we did and it was good. Took lots of photo’s of the glorious sunset.
Friday 8th Feb
Phoned Alex and Rich and Laura and caught up on emails. Been contacted by some of Karen’s friends and met up with 3 of them for lunch at the Boat House, it only opens certain days to members and guests but I think open to all on a Friday. Had a lovely lunch the decking area out at the back overlooking the sea and Boulder Bank is a bigger, nicer area than the Boat Shed, views amazing.. Met Mary Ann, Annie and her daughter Anna they were really nice people who had such lovely fond memories of Karen; they miss her and her social organisational skills! Met the chef there who Karen worked for at the Boat House and other venues.
Marie came round to show us the way to Ruth’s house where we all sat on the veranda and had a drink and shared memories. We walked from there to Trafalgar Sq and met up with Dave and Elizabeth and had a meal outside at Hopwood’s listening to live music . Then toggled along to the Mean Fiddler another of Karen’s favourite haunts and had an enjoyable evening chatting to folk. All were wonderful friends of Karen’s, all with their own special memories of Karen. Dropped Ruth back off at her house which is in a lovely position, nestling into the hillside with a big garden on various levels.
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