Wow, what a busy month this has been. We have just finished a week celebrating five birthdays and, at the end of that week, a happy family wedding. I have to say it is all or nothing with us!
We were so lucky with the wedding. It was down in Tauranga and the sun shone all day. I had bought a new dress from Annah Stretton and I also picked up a fabulous pair of shoes that looked great with my dress. However, it was really essential for my outfit that the weather was warm and it was.
My Waiau Pa friends came down to the event too so we were assured of lots of fun. On the way down we called into the Kaimai Cheese Factory at Waharoa and had a lovely lunch at the cafe where we also bought some of their super cheeses.
Our return trip took us through the Karangahake Gorge, a route we haven’t taken for years. It was so beautiful and although a bit slower, it was fun. Emma, our Pukekohe daughter, drove us home so we were like the old folks out on a day trip but it was great to be free to look around.
The wedding was at Bethlehem and we all stayed in the local motor inn. Looking around that area at the amount of development happening was amazing. We haven’t been to Tauranga for a few years and I couldn’t believe the suburbs that were opening up. I thought Auckland was in a building boom but Tauranga’s development is huge.
While, on one hand we had a family marriage, we also said good bye to one daughter who now is living in Dubai. At home we continue to paint and garden, slowly making the property look a bit more like home.
We are developing a new outdoor living area and when I rang our builder to see when and if he could build an outdoor screen I was in luck. He had two days free before starting a big job so the screen was built before I knew it.
Now, I want a roll-down blind to block the wind in that area so I have had people from Cairn Awnings come and make some suggestions. I am still not sure that at our age doing up a property is a great idea but, for sure, we are never bored.
Also this month we went to the movies in Pukekohe with our Waiau Pa friends. We saw Murder on the Orient Express and afterwards enjoyed dinner at Alfonso’s. I haven’t been there for a while but I have to say the meal was super.
On another note, while travelling home recently I discovered the perfect place to pick up vegetables and nice cheese and that’s at the newly named, Paddock to Pantry. Big changes are happening there but so handy for me.
At long last Brian is over the dreadful cough that has plagued him for months and, with the sun shining more often, I think everyone will start to feel better. It has been the worst spring I can remember although the garden has certainly enjoyed the wet, warm conditions.
Well that’s it for this last issue before Christmas. It will be here in no time but, really, right now it’s roll on summer, a good summer, that is!
Reay Neben is a Franklin resident and publisher of Rural Living.
