I know I always seem to write that life has been hectic but boy has it been so over the last few weeks. I need to drop some things as life is far too cluttered. Alice even said to me recently “Mummy we never see you” after a particularly long stretch of evenings out. I haven’t had a piano lesson for 4-5 weeks as I have been busy every Monday evening. And since I last blogged I have added another, more time consuming activity to my life – cycling. More on that later.
Where to start? I’ll try working backwards from yesterday. 22nd December 2008 was Mom and Daddy’s 50th wedding anniversary. I guess in these days of ever increasing divorce rates and later marriages, this will become a rarer event in society. I know I’ll have to make 83 if Eric and I are to reach ours, which I'm sure we will!! After some investigating of appropriate venues I booked lunch at a café at a water lily garden out in the bush off Karagahake gorge http://www.waterlily.co.nz/ . The setting was lovely and the weather nice so we had tables under shade on the terrace. As Mom and Daddy have only been here for a few years it was a small affair with about 23 of us. Sharron, my sister, came from the UK for her first trip here and my Auntie Joan and her husband, Tom were over from Australia (Joan was married to Daddy’s brother Charlie until his death. She re-married to the lovely Tom in her 70’s). I had also organised for Harriette, Alice, Bec’s and Jac’s to play, along with Sarah doing some flute solo’s.
Ann had made a cake before she returned to England (Ann and Mike live 6 months here and 6 months in the UK each year) and I had been brandy-ing it weekly. She had also done some beautiful decorations. I was left instructions to put a white icing on nearer the time but found that too onerous a responsibility so found a local lady to do it. I was so pleased with it. Here is the result. 
I was pleased with the way the day went. I left early with Harriette and Alice so we could collect flowers, my skirt that I had altered etc on the way to Mom and Daddy’s. Eric left later with Liz and Steve and collected Jac’s and Bec’s, dropping them in Paeroa so as not to spoil the music surprise. Daddy’s best friend from years ago was a lovely man called Colin who sadly died shortly before we left the UK. Colin and Brenda’s youngest son, Steve, married a kiwi, Liz and they now fruit farm down in Hawkes Bay. They are staying with us for the weekend so they could come to the 50th. Anyway, after giving Mom and Daddy their present (a beautiful bird bath/sundial, sounds naff but was really very pretty).
We then left, leaving them instructions not to get to the venue before 12.30, I picked up J and B and headed off to the café to set up. Harriette had decided at the last moment to bind their music so was sitting in the café with binding machine getting stressed (I can’t think where she gets it from!). Anyway, they managed to get tuned and set up and Harriette was playing Golden Wedding on the sax as they arrived. They launched into their repertoire, playing on and off over the course of the afternoon. I was very pleased with them. 
Lunch was casual and, I think, everyone enjoyed it. With coffee we bought out the cake and had a few short speeches and toasts, one from Steve which I was pleased about. The girls went off to play chess (they had a large garden set) so did not get too bored. Finally we headed back to Mom and Daddy’s for tea and cake then I dropped Jac's and Bec's home and we picked up fish and chips for supper. All satisfied with a good days work. On our arrival back at Cedar Lodge Harriette had to stop quickly to avoid the geese, and 5 one day old goslings on the drive. We were very excited as we have never had more than one gosling before!!
As I said, Sharron was over so I have been on leave for 2 weeks, apart from a day each week when I had teaching commitments. Sharron’s arrival at Auckland, Monday last week, caused huge problems as, after a 5 hour arrival delay (flight late leaving London so she missed her Hong Kong connection) she arrived with prescription medication in an unlabelled container. Customs held her up for about 4 hours, threatening to deport her etc, finally letting her in with a telling off. She was meant to get in around 8am and Mom and Daddy were collecting her, with me collecting Tom and Joan when they arrived at 2pm. I met M+D at the airport and they still waiting when I left with T+J!! Tuesday I worked. Wednesday was Mom’s birthday so they all came to us for morning tea then we went to Rotorua for the day. We walked around a thermal area then after lunch by the lake, went to the Polyneasian spas. Various naturally (very) hot pools, on the edge of Lake Rotorua. It was then back to us for dinner. Sharron then stayed with us. Next day I took her for a walk round the Mount (the only person I have ever known to be underwhelmed by it),with Harriette and Alice, and a swim in the hot pools there. It was warm but a little over-cast that day. Friday, Sharron and I went into Tirau to shop for a present for Mom and Daddy.
Saturday was a day we had looked forward to for ages. I had booked matinee tickets to Phantom of the Opera which was in NZ for only 3-4 weeks. We treated Sharon and Mom also. Sharron was not impressed with the idea and was convinced that she would not enjoy it (“I don’t want to be bored for 2 hours”!!). I think she did in the end but it’s difficult to say with her. Anyway, I didn’t realise it but I had booked middle of the front row so we were immediately behind the conductor, and within a hair’s breath of the flying chandelier!!! The show was spectacular and we absolutely loved it. I bought the CD for the girls and Eric told me they played it constantly for days afterwards. We then went to the Sky Tower for Sharron’s benefit (we’d all done it before) but she didn’t stay up there long as she was convinced it was moving and didn’t like it (though she did appreciate the spectacular views). We went down to Mission Bay to find somewhere to have supper but couldn’t find any parking! It was a lovely evening, probably the first warm weekend evening this spring, and I think the whole of Auckland had gone there. We therefore headed back to Remuera to the Thai Village and had a nice meal there. Sharron, Mom and I stayed in Auckland overnight and Eric took H and A home. We 3 headed up to the Bay of Islands (BoI’s) the next day. It’s about a 4 hour drive from Auckland. There we stayed about 8km outside Pahia. The day we arrived we went and booked Swim with Dolphins which Sharron kindly paid for. This was the one big thing she had been looking forward to. We then went for a drive round, up to the lookout point
As I said, Sharron was over so I have been on leave for 2 weeks, apart from a day each week when I had teaching commitments. Sharron’s arrival at Auckland, Monday last week, caused huge problems as, after a 5 hour arrival delay (flight late leaving London so she missed her Hong Kong connection) she arrived with prescription medication in an unlabelled container. Customs held her up for about 4 hours, threatening to deport her etc, finally letting her in with a telling off. She was meant to get in around 8am and Mom and Daddy were collecting her, with me collecting Tom and Joan when they arrived at 2pm. I met M+D at the airport and they still waiting when I left with T+J!! Tuesday I worked. Wednesday was Mom’s birthday so they all came to us for morning tea then we went to Rotorua for the day. We walked around a thermal area then after lunch by the lake, went to the Polyneasian spas. Various naturally (very) hot pools, on the edge of Lake Rotorua. It was then back to us for dinner. Sharron then stayed with us. Next day I took her for a walk round the Mount (the only person I have ever known to be underwhelmed by it),with Harriette and Alice, and a swim in the hot pools there. It was warm but a little over-cast that day. Friday, Sharron and I went into Tirau to shop for a present for Mom and Daddy.
Saturday was a day we had looked forward to for ages. I had booked matinee tickets to Phantom of the Opera which was in NZ for only 3-4 weeks. We treated Sharon and Mom also. Sharron was not impressed with the idea and was convinced that she would not enjoy it (“I don’t want to be bored for 2 hours”!!). I think she did in the end but it’s difficult to say with her. Anyway, I didn’t realise it but I had booked middle of the front row so we were immediately behind the conductor, and within a hair’s breath of the flying chandelier!!! The show was spectacular and we absolutely loved it. I bought the CD for the girls and Eric told me they played it constantly for days afterwards. We then went to the Sky Tower for Sharron’s benefit (we’d all done it before) but she didn’t stay up there long as she was convinced it was moving and didn’t like it (though she did appreciate the spectacular views). We went down to Mission Bay to find somewhere to have supper but couldn’t find any parking! It was a lovely evening, probably the first warm weekend evening this spring, and I think the whole of Auckland had gone there. We therefore headed back to Remuera to the Thai Village and had a nice meal there. Sharron, Mom and I stayed in Auckland overnight and Eric took H and A home. We 3 headed up to the Bay of Islands (BoI’s) the next day. It’s about a 4 hour drive from Auckland. There we stayed about 8km outside Pahia. The day we arrived we went and booked Swim with Dolphins which Sharron kindly paid for. This was the one big thing she had been looking forward to. We then went for a drive round, up to the lookout point
and to Hururu Falls before heading off to one of the beaches north of Kerikeri. We then had a meal at 35o on the wharf back in Pahia. Tuesday was our only full day in the Bay and unfortunately the weather was not good for our day on the water. We toured around some of the islands delivering mail and saw a pod of dolphins with young (which meant no swimming) then headed out of the bay for a very rough 20 min trip to the Hole in the Wall. I felt quite unwell but there were lots of people a lot more sick than I was!! Back in the Bay we located a pod that we could swim with so we togged up into our wet suits, fins, mask and snorkel’s. We were then instructed to jump 12’ into a net on the side of the boat. I initially baulked at this but as first in the row I just swallowed hard and went for it, conscious of holding others up! It wasn’t so bad. The water was cold but I was expecting that being ocean water at the end of winter, and it took me awhile to get used to the cold, the gasping breathing and the mask, at the same time as trying to catch up with swimming dolphins. I wondered how Sharron was getting on and saw her briefly in the net but was under so much pressure as everyone on the boat was yelling and shouting directions at us that it was all I could do to swim and look. I did have 2 brief sightings as 3 dolphins swam under me but in a split second they were gone. All too soon, though Mom said it was a good half hour later, we were called back to the boat. Sharron had not got out of the net more than briefly and I found out afterwards that she had never used a snorkel and mask! If she’d have said beforehand I could have shown her what to do, particularly as Mom had said her problem when she had previously done this, was not knowing how to use the snorkel. Sharron also said the water was colder than she expected which she didn’t like. It was a great thing to do but I found the whole thing very rushed and was left wanting to do this again, but from a private boat and in my own time!!!
That evening, back on shore I took Mom and Sharron back to the motel and then headed back into Pahia to do a bush walk to a lookout point. I tried to run up but resorted to a fast walk as it was seriously uphill. I ran down! I then went to a bar on the wharf and had a quiet beer reading my book for awhile before going back to the motel for supper.
The next morning I was up and packed before Sharron so decided to walk into Pahia saying they could pick me up on the way, and if they missed me I’d meet them at the Fullers office at 10am. I did the 8-9km walk first on the road then picked up a bush walk then along the beach and round the heads, in 1 hr 25mins, stopping to admire views on the way.
That evening, back on shore I took Mom and Sharron back to the motel and then headed back into Pahia to do a bush walk to a lookout point. I tried to run up but resorted to a fast walk as it was seriously uphill. I ran down! I then went to a bar on the wharf and had a quiet beer reading my book for awhile before going back to the motel for supper.
The next morning I was up and packed before Sharron so decided to walk into Pahia saying they could pick me up on the way, and if they missed me I’d meet them at the Fullers office at 10am. I did the 8-9km walk first on the road then picked up a bush walk then along the beach and round the heads, in 1 hr 25mins, stopping to admire views on the way.
If you’d have asked me to do that walk 2 years ago I’d have looked for any excuse not to, a year ago I’d have done it but not happily. This year I not only did it, I ran some of it AND I enjoyed it! I am so loving being reasonably fit. This did however detract from the enjoyment of being out with Sharron. I was so frustrated by how slowly she walked and I am sure she was fed up with me tearing off and chomping at the bit to walk at any and every opportunity.
We drove back to Paeroa stopping at Orewa for lunch and the Thai Village to pick up the camera that Alice had left behind!! I put Paul Potts on at full blast after dropping Mom and Sharron off having wanted to play it since Saturday (he does a piece from Phantom) but knowing Sharron hated classical music.
Wednesday I worked the day and Thursday and Friday was running around sorting cake, cards, presents, girls for rehearsals etc etc. It is such a pleasure to know that today, apart from doing a BBQ lunch for Steve and Liz before they leave I have nothing I have to do until tomorrow morning when I have a very early opticians appointment.
Sharron and I have never got on but I was genuinely looking forward to her trip. I was looking forward to showing her where, and how we lived, and seeing her reaction to this beautiful country. Unfortunately, although she says she liked NZ, she never smiles and so it’s difficult to appreciate if she is enjoying anything, very off-putting when you have invested time and money into trying to make things nice for her. She also never said thank you for anything (with the exception of possibly Phantom, though I’m not sure) which really grated on me, never offered one compliment and never even washed up a coffee cup when she stayed with us. I am sure from her perspective she’d say I am a stuck up snob who gloated in her weight loss and fitness (I don’t think I did). I am also sure she felt intimidated by us and way we live. We have absolutely nothing in common. She lives for her 2 motorbikes and her biking friends and we cannot relate to anything in each others lives or outlooks. It is all very sad but I guess that’s life.
We drove back to Paeroa stopping at Orewa for lunch and the Thai Village to pick up the camera that Alice had left behind!! I put Paul Potts on at full blast after dropping Mom and Sharron off having wanted to play it since Saturday (he does a piece from Phantom) but knowing Sharron hated classical music.
Wednesday I worked the day and Thursday and Friday was running around sorting cake, cards, presents, girls for rehearsals etc etc. It is such a pleasure to know that today, apart from doing a BBQ lunch for Steve and Liz before they leave I have nothing I have to do until tomorrow morning when I have a very early opticians appointment.
Sharron and I have never got on but I was genuinely looking forward to her trip. I was looking forward to showing her where, and how we lived, and seeing her reaction to this beautiful country. Unfortunately, although she says she liked NZ, she never smiles and so it’s difficult to appreciate if she is enjoying anything, very off-putting when you have invested time and money into trying to make things nice for her. She also never said thank you for anything (with the exception of possibly Phantom, though I’m not sure) which really grated on me, never offered one compliment and never even washed up a coffee cup when she stayed with us. I am sure from her perspective she’d say I am a stuck up snob who gloated in her weight loss and fitness (I don’t think I did). I am also sure she felt intimidated by us and way we live. We have absolutely nothing in common. She lives for her 2 motorbikes and her biking friends and we cannot relate to anything in each others lives or outlooks. It is all very sad but I guess that’s life.
Oh, and the cycling. Well I have actually found a fitness activity I enjoy. As you may have worked out, I was 'persuaded' into the Taupo challenge and found I actually enjoyed cycling after my first trip out with the Matamata Peddlers http://www.matamatapeddlers.org.nz/ (or 'Piddlers' as Eric calls them, a mock on the kiwi pronunciation) and a 25-30km trip. I was using a borrowed road bike with peddles that had a slip in for your feet. Imperative that you remove both your feet from these slip-ins before you stop. On one occasion, whilst out on my own, I only took one foot out and the bike leaned the other way (the saddle is seriously high to ensure the right peddling position). With nothing between my shoulder an the road, and gravity conspiring against me, I fell, coming a huge cropper.
Anyway I had Phil's bike for the challenge but had to return it at some point, which left me with only a mountain bike. Hence my wonderful Christmas present. So, now I'm away. The only downside to cycling over running (I still try to run occasionally), is it is very time consuming, something I don't have a lot of these days. I'm managing during the holidays with few after work activities on but not sure how it will pan out when school goes back. We'll see.
