We’ve planned 2 days and 3
nights in Tauranga (midway down the east coast of the North Island) with Maureen and Alan and arrive to find them test driving
Maureen’s new electric bike. Talk
about a fabulous toy! A 5-minute
operating primer, the loan of a helmet, and Tim’s off. It’s almost a half hour before he
reappears and his eyes are shining:
‘What a neat toy! This
thing goes over 30 miles an hour!’
Faster than Brownie at full gallop! And it doesn’t require a twice-daily ration of hay and
pellets!! Definitely have to look
into one (or two) of these when we get home.
A bit of background . . . we've known Maureen for over 25 years, ever since she and her former husband, Robin, arrived in DC to work at the aviation systems company where I also worked. The four of us became fast friends during their year in DC, and we spent a lovely time with them on our 1999 visit to NZ. Tragically, Robin passed away suddenly, less than six months after that visit, leaving Maureen devastated. It was inconceivable then that her life would ever bring her to this point - a long-term, loving relationship with a most delightful man, Alan. They met in Auckland at a ballroom dance club; he is funny, joyful, outgoing, and great fun. They're now together going on 12 years and have a tender, loving relationship.
When we were here in 2012, we caught up with them (never having met Alan!) just days before they were to move from their South Island home in Mapua up to Tauranga. We cleverly arrived at the new place in time to help them unpack and assembled our own beds for our visit. We had a good laugh over the fact that they have no memory of us visiting them in Tauranga!!
No matter, as we picked up where we left off and had a grand couple of days. They are eager to take us on a 'tiki tour' and see some of the sights. First stop, the most amazing woodcarver, ever! We walk up to the door and are both taken with the most comfortable-looking leather armchair, complete with throw rug and newspaper draped on one arm. It's all wood!! Unfortunately, taking pictures is forbidden so I have to content myself with a photo of his postcard - doesn't begin to do his works justice.
Interestingly, he is a former policeman who was severely injured and pensioned out at quite a young age. A chance encounter with a piece of driftwood while walking on a beach changed his life. He carved it into a dolphin and thus was born of a new career . . . with spectacular results. These are all made out of wood!! Each piece is carved with such exquisite detail, you'd swear you could pick them up and put them on.
On to a dramatic gorge which is the site of all sorts of sunbathing and diving. People seem to heed the sign on the bridge . . .
. . . only to jump from the rocks on the opposite side!!
We're quite content to photograph each other from the safety of the bridge deck . . .
A bit of background . . . we've known Maureen for over 25 years, ever since she and her former husband, Robin, arrived in DC to work at the aviation systems company where I also worked. The four of us became fast friends during their year in DC, and we spent a lovely time with them on our 1999 visit to NZ. Tragically, Robin passed away suddenly, less than six months after that visit, leaving Maureen devastated. It was inconceivable then that her life would ever bring her to this point - a long-term, loving relationship with a most delightful man, Alan. They met in Auckland at a ballroom dance club; he is funny, joyful, outgoing, and great fun. They're now together going on 12 years and have a tender, loving relationship.
When we were here in 2012, we caught up with them (never having met Alan!) just days before they were to move from their South Island home in Mapua up to Tauranga. We cleverly arrived at the new place in time to help them unpack and assembled our own beds for our visit. We had a good laugh over the fact that they have no memory of us visiting them in Tauranga!!
No matter, as we picked up where we left off and had a grand couple of days. They are eager to take us on a 'tiki tour' and see some of the sights. First stop, the most amazing woodcarver, ever! We walk up to the door and are both taken with the most comfortable-looking leather armchair, complete with throw rug and newspaper draped on one arm. It's all wood!! Unfortunately, taking pictures is forbidden so I have to content myself with a photo of his postcard - doesn't begin to do his works justice.
Interestingly, he is a former policeman who was severely injured and pensioned out at quite a young age. A chance encounter with a piece of driftwood while walking on a beach changed his life. He carved it into a dolphin and thus was born of a new career . . . with spectacular results. These are all made out of wood!! Each piece is carved with such exquisite detail, you'd swear you could pick them up and put them on.
On to a dramatic gorge which is the site of all sorts of sunbathing and diving. People seem to heed the sign on the bridge . . .
. . . only to jump from the rocks on the opposite side!!
We're quite content to photograph each other from the safety of the bridge deck . . .
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