… and it’s good to be home. When first contemplating a visit to NZ, we just didn’t think two weeks would be long enough to catch up with family and friends and tick off a few essential hometown attractions, but as short as our stay was, it was far sweeter than expected.We travelled to the coromandel, to find Onemana exactly how we left it, and Pohutukawa fringed Octopus Bay calm, pristine and deserted. With our freind Matt, we bodysurfed in clear waters at Tawharanui. We saw our mums, brothers & sisters, took photos with Lachlan and Connor, and visited the museum with Isla. Julz and Rose walked with us through the Titirangi Bush to a Kauri grove. I met my two nephews, and Laura held her new neice. We danced in the dust, in a shaggy west coast paddock, with the rising sun on our faces, and our mates around us. Some things have changed and some things haven’t, surprisingly: It was a bit of a shock to discover that Brazil had disappeared from K’Rd, along with its heart-palpitating coffee (a heart-clogging burger joint has taken its place); Kingsland has herniated another mega rugger pub, and a wee railway station for commuters on the western line has transformed Newmarket’s Kingdon Street into a pedestrians’ haven. But perhaps the change that struck me the most, was how returning to Auckland with fresh eyes, i could see myself living there again – some day in the not too distant future.The hardest part of returning to Victoria, has been deciding how much Whittakers chocolate to give away to our freinds here, or how much to keep for ourselves. Included in the pack of NZ goodies were tubs of Arataki Manuka Honey, a bag of Milo, a large jar of Marmite and two packets of Gingernuts … pure goodness. Just a note; in exchange for twinkies and rootbeer flavoured cordial mix, we are quite open to receiving further care packages from Zild. Here’s a glimpse of our good times.
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Great to read your thoughts on your trip back to NZ. The photos are all up to their usual excellent standard. Thanks for sharing.
Love from Ma
Hi monkey people, so delighted you had a good time. We loved having you here. Your pics are gorgeous and even made me homesick for NZ!Saw a shaggy, lanky individual loping along our street today and for a spit second thought it was Brad. Have also been listening to Great Lake Swimmers and other Laura music specials as I pound the pavements with Fleur, so you two are firmly in our hearts and minds and we miss you heaps. Hope the marmite and milo last a while. Raise the flag when you’re getting low and we’ll send reinforcements.
Love,
Heath xx
Love the photies and good to hear you like the idea of coming home in the not too distant future. Of course, as soon as summer kicks in in Victoria, you’ll be changing your minds! Fi and Simon are here, and I keep on thinking we’re going to be seeing you at Mum’s too. Always a bit disappointing when we don’t:(. Love you both heaps!
Jo
Groovers! – Although all too brief, was beautiful to see you. That free-range jam on Friday night at the Boons brought the same rosy glow to the tummy as experienced back in the Cubs days, “camp-fires burning’ and all that jazz etc. Bradders-baby, want to blog about what you’re doing in webland on site – what’s a good email to chew yer ear off on?
Dazz
Hey Dazz – too right; there’s nothing like a wholesome round of Kumbayaa to sort the boys out from the men. Great to see you also, and super to witness manifestations of the bouyant invigoration bubble in the heart your cortex that MDS has tapped. I shall contact you without further delay – probably tomorrow. cheersio, Brad