New Zealand 2
Mum, Dad and Helen were all waiting at the entrance gate for us in ChristChurch. As always it was a huge relief to be home and so nice to see my family. We had a coffee in the airport with Helen who had more University lectures to go to, before driving out to Dunsandel with Mum and Dad. Their home is so peaceful and restful. Marty took a nap and I took a tour of the fruitful vegetable garden (including an eternally sprouting courgette plant) and ate off the cranberry bushes Mum has growing out the front. Helen and Dean came out for dinner and Mum cooked up roast lamb. Marty started showing photos which had us up until midnight.
We were up again at 5:30am for the drive down to Wanaka. Mum supplied us with courgette muffins for the journey. We made it down there by 11:30 and had a bit of a catch up with Carolyn and Matt over lunch before driving over to Arrowtown for a dress fitting. By the time we made it back it was late afternoon and time to go out and celebrate at Carolyn's hen's party. It began at a climbing wall with a competition for a bottle of bubbly for who could do the most climbs and get the most points. It was all a bit much for my tired mind. Jan was particularly impressive and kept going long after everyone else were done. The winner, the Best Man Wayos partner, was very deserving. We went on to The Cow pizza restaurant and finished up with light cocktails at a bar next door. Carolyn was really happy (and I think quite surprised) at the turn out of people from all areas of her life.
The next morning was busy and got busier with Caroyn's phone ringing off the hook. She made candles for the tables and collected flax for them to sit on. Riley, her 9 month old son, was very good and let me entertain him most of the time. We went and did errands downtown for a bit then went down to an apartment Sandy had rented for the night for the wedding party. Poor Carolyn was exhausted and went off to bed quite early. Zoe and I stayed up talking about babies - she is about to have one - until Suzy arrived around 10. After a lot more talking we went to bed and apparently I snored 3 times, though I still don't believe that I snore at all.
We were up in time to get to the hairdressers, despites Mum's car deciding not to start for me. From there we went on to the make-up artists. Zoe and I ducked into a cafe for lunch then found Jan had bought us sandwhiches.... such is life. I went down with Carolyn to get her face done. On the way back she slipped over on some wet grass and narrowly avoided getting mud all over her hair - I had to laugh really hard, mostly in relief I think.
The wedding car arrived to pick us up - a land drover decked out in flowers and ribbons, the perfect car for Carolyn and Matt. The wedding ceremony was really nice though the weather was a bit windy and cold so it was held under the marquee instead of under the sky as originally intended. From there it was all one big party. Carolyn and Matt generously had the wedding party staying out at the Lodge for the night with them and we all slep in luxury - though Marty and I were lucky that Mum didn't turf us out of our room.
The morning dawned still and clear. We had coffee and cake out on the lawn before slowly packing up and moving out. Carolyn and Matt both looked a lot more relaxed. We went into town and had breakfast then a wander around town before heading up to Matt's parents for a barbeque. We left around 3pm and caught up with some sleep back at the Squire's house. Carolyn cooked up another good meal of chicken and vegetables and we stayed up late talking. In the morning they got away early to have their honeymoon down in Stuart Island. We were much much later.
We arrived back at Mum and Dad's just in time for tea, Helen and Dean came out again and it was quite another party. I arranged to go and stay with them one night of the weekend. The next evening we went over to Abi and Charles for dinner. Charles had just published a children's book based on his sheep dogs, it was really good so we bought a copy which has already disappeared, hopefully not for good.
Early the next morning I got up and drove Marty out to the airport. He was going back to spend Easter with his Dad and family up at Kalbarri. I stayed on in NZ so I could catch up with Rob and Hilary who were still travelling down to Mum and Dad's. I had a lovely dinner in town with Suzy, Peter and Tanith one night followed by Scattergories. Another night I stayed with Helen and Dean. We spent all afternoon chatting on the couch then watching TV movies. The rest of the time I spent out at Dunsandel. Mum had old family papers and newsclippings for me to look through and there was much to talk about.
It was lovely to catch up with Rob and Hilary and Portia and to meet little Kartier for the first time. We went for a walk around the paddocks and had a good homecooked dinner. The next day passed quickly. Rob and Hilary had plans for going to the theatre and dinner with friends which they included me in. Helen and Dean came to the theatre too. It was a great night. The play - Joyful and Triumphant - had been written by Hilary's uncle so had a lot of relevance to her. She commented that the family in the play were similar to her own.
Early the next morning it was my turn to be driven to the airport. Mum, Dad and Rob drove up with me, then Helen and Uncle Hugh came out to meet me there for coffee before going off. It was really hard to leave, especially without Marty there to distract me with his funny jokes like he usually does. But get on the plane I did for a final week in Perth to sort out our gear for the move up to Darwin.
