On birthdays and ingenuity/cheapness: Hayley Lee turned 21 last week. Twenty-first birthdays are huge in New Zealand and call for a grand celebration. Hayley chose a masquerade ball. She ordered a special, one-of-a-kind mask from a woman in Auckland. It was beautiful.
The rest of us found less expensive masks in the shops around town. Here’s a sampling.
Tui and Trevor
Martin
Olive and Wiki
Karla and Sarah. John, however, decided to make his own and his mask was the hit of the party. Is it any wonder?
The eye holes were just a wee bit off. That’s right, it’s a rag from the institute building.
On driving and traveling in New Zealand: We did another trip down south this week. As we drove we decided that we had both been through the same process while learning to drive on the left side of the road; first it felt so very wrong, then it was difficult to remember which side we should drive on, and finally, the left feels right. After seven more months, we’ll have to reprogram our old brains back the other way.
On spring in New Zealand: August and September are lambing months here—another sign of spring. Lush, green paddocks are filled with these wonderful little things.
So many of them come in twos. In fact there are so many twins, I have started wondering if they are “Thatcher” lambs. (Congratulations Alison and Greg!)
The hills are alive with the sound of baaaaaing.
On sites to see around Dunedin: We attended seminary in Dunedin on Tuesday morning, and institute that night. We used the hours between to drive out to the tip of the Otago Peninsula. It was a beautiful drive on a very narrow road right on the edge of the ocean. Every where we looked, there was beauty.
Spotted Shags nest on the cliffs.
Larnach Castle is perfectly situated on this peninsula. We walked around the gardens and enjoyed the stunning views.
On photography: Whenever we see couples taking pictures of each other, I feel very confident offering John’s services. I always ask if they would like us—meaning John—to take a picture of them together. I know that he will do a good job and that he will be able to handle any camera. For the first time, a couple offered to return the favor. I’m not sure this husband was as competent as John. What do you think?
On Masterchef and quaint dining: In the evening, while eating dinner, John and I like to watch Masterchef Australia. (Yes, senior couples can watch TV—there’s not much time for it though.) This past week, they had a segment on New Zealand and some of this country’s finest chefs. We watched as Fleur Simons demonstrated how to make her tomato based fish chowder, and told of her restaurant in Moeraki. Moeraki is right on the coast and is home to 69 people—mostly fishermen. Even in this tiny town, she manages to serve around 300 people a day. As we drove home this morning, we just had to stop and see if we could find Fleur’s Place. What we found was a treasure trove of atmosphere, personality, hospitality, and great food fresh from the sea. Although we arrived an hour and a half before opening, Fleur invited us in, told us her story, and served us a bowl of her fish chowder.
Fleur Simons in Fleur’s Place.
I could have sat here for hours with a good book and a bowl of chowder. YUM!!!
She had me at hello. She wrote her personal phone number on a napkin, told us to keep it in our car, and to call her whenever we were coming again. We WILL be back. Anybody want to go with us?
On quirky Kiwis: Along the side of the road, we see fences covered with shoes like these. We see no purpose, but we like it. Maybe we’re quirky.
On fact or fiction: In District Conference this week, we heard that studies show when a wife is thinner than her husband, the marriage has a better chance of survival. (The talk was on silly philosophies of men.) Because John has steadily lost weight on this mission while I have been going in the opposite direction, if there is any truth to this study, we are doomed. I’m hoping it’s not all about weight, that there are other factors of importance like loving and caring for each other. I cannot imagine a better companion for missions or life. No matter how thin or heavy, he is perfect for me.
Now we have a problem. I had convinced myself that I wasn't interested in coming to visit New Zealand, but after this post I'm not so sure. I want to go to that quaint fishing village and have a bowl of stew with you guys! I want to see some of those sites in person. Maybe I should come?
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and yes...you two are perfect for each other, any size or shape.
Oh those lambs are so cute! Jill- if you're going for chowder, slide over - I'm coming too.
ReplyDeleteJohn, Eric and I think your mask is the best thing we've ever seen. It completely made our day.
Love the picture of Janice in blue - oh, those blue eyes. I would guess John was the photographer on that one. I bet that other photographer wasn't a member of the church - his perspective suffers.
ReplyDeleteLove the shoes on the fences - it gives me an idea for cleaning out our mud room.
And John, you always were creative. Perhaps you have a career ahead in masks. Halloween is just around the corner.
Would love to come and see you in NZ and eat at the little place by the water, so beautiful. we are at the farm in Switzerland. So beautiful! So busy! Every day they are working, working, working! I am glad that I am not a farmer's wife.
ReplyDeleteWe have been picking fruit, plums, prunes, apples, pears, walnuts, raspberries, and some beans, and squash and pumpkins. We (Brent and Sabina have been raking hay, taking the cows to the pasture, milking the cows, pushing fresh grass to the cows, and making the apple juice of course.) It is alot of fun but this is just our first week. We will see by the end of the time. We love the travel log and you have been so diligent to keep it up. Way to go you two!!!