Hello friends!
It occurred to me that you may not know why we are visiting my "families" in New Zealand. Here's the short version of the story:
When I was 17, I was selected as a Rotary International exchange student and was given the opportunity to come to New Zealand. I lived here from January, 1980 to January, 1981. During my time here, I lived with Jim and Carol Shepherd and their three girls, Max and Peggy Bracegirdle where I was the youngest of 6 and the only one at home, and with Kelvin and Nina Wackrow and their two youngest boys. I had a family that acted like a special aunt and uncle - Colin Hale and his first wife, Thelma. Thelma has since passed away, and Colin is remarried to a lovely lady named Frances. Colin's son, Kelvin, is married to our lovely Wellington hostess, Bronwyn. They have three girls and a delightful puppy.
We came back at this time because Mum and Dad Wackrow celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April and because it was a good time to bring the children to meet the people who played a pivotal role in my life.
It is especially sweet to see how these people modeled unconditional love for me. I was not their own but they loved me - and still do - much like I am one of their own. Just as Christ adopted us into His family, they adopted me into theirs. They are precious examples of what it is to love someone who has done nothing to deserve it.
Thanks for reading! I hope this helps make some sense out of how I have "family" in New Zealand!
Aunt Susan
Saturday, 12 July 2008
mwuahahaha
Now I get to post! (heehee) Kia ora from Caiti! :) (btw, "kia ora" means "hello" in Maori - the native people of New Zealand)
Picking up from where Chris left off yesterday...
Bronwyn spoiled us by fixing pancakes, bacon, and a fruit salad for breakfast. Then, we took a three hour ferry ride: across the harbor, through the Cook strait (where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific meet briefly), and then on to the South Island. We drove through some lovely countryside as we made our way down the west coast. The scenery is a lot more rugged here. You can look out one side of the car and see the ocean, and the out the other side and see cliffs and mountains densely covered with bush. Pretty cool. Anyway, I digress.
We spent last night in Punakaiki, which is known for the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park. These rocks are actually layer upon layer of limestone, but they look like huge towers of pancakes. After seeing the Pancake Rocks, we drove down to Franz Josef, a little town whose main reason for existence is the tourists coming to see one of the two coastal glaciers here, Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. We left some of our stuff in FJ village and proceeded to Fox Glacier. We had a great hike up to the glacier; we even spent about an hour actually out on the ice. It was pretty cool! Chris, Mom, and I sampled the water on the glacier - it was really really cold. But, it tasted really good. :)
So here I sit, stiff and sore from climbing and falling. I'm going to try and post some pictures, but if they don't work, well...I'll get Chris to try and figure it out tomorrow.
Over and out -
the gimp
Picking up from where Chris left off yesterday...
Bronwyn spoiled us by fixing pancakes, bacon, and a fruit salad for breakfast. Then, we took a three hour ferry ride: across the harbor, through the Cook strait (where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific meet briefly), and then on to the South Island. We drove through some lovely countryside as we made our way down the west coast. The scenery is a lot more rugged here. You can look out one side of the car and see the ocean, and the out the other side and see cliffs and mountains densely covered with bush. Pretty cool. Anyway, I digress.
We spent last night in Punakaiki, which is known for the Pancake Rocks in Paparoa National Park. These rocks are actually layer upon layer of limestone, but they look like huge towers of pancakes. After seeing the Pancake Rocks, we drove down to Franz Josef, a little town whose main reason for existence is the tourists coming to see one of the two coastal glaciers here, Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier. We left some of our stuff in FJ village and proceeded to Fox Glacier. We had a great hike up to the glacier; we even spent about an hour actually out on the ice. It was pretty cool! Chris, Mom, and I sampled the water on the glacier - it was really really cold. But, it tasted really good. :)
So here I sit, stiff and sore from climbing and falling. I'm going to try and post some pictures, but if they don't work, well...I'll get Chris to try and figure it out tomorrow.
Over and out -
the gimp
Thursday, 10 July 2008
July 10th
Hey Peeps!
Today was great! We got up, ate breakie, and went to Te Papa, which is like most of our Smithsonian museums crunched into one building. After that, we went out for lunch with our friends. We then went to one of Wellington's mountains so that we could get a good look at the city. One of the really cool things about the city is that, rather than leveling the land to build the city, Wellington moves with the hills. There is a lot of green space with "bush" everywhere. It's also built around a harbour making the whole city absolutely beautiful.
Anyhow, after we got a look at the city, get ready for the surprise...
We actually went to the Weta Cave. (There was a viewing theater, miniature museum, and tiny store for the famous Weta Workshop.) I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't see any of the work, but I guess that's to be expected because they want to keep their secrets. After that, we saw the U.S. embassy and the Parliament building.
We arrived back at the Hales to watch "The Incredibles" while Bronwyn fixed an incredible meal of barbequed lamb for dinner. We gave another little concert, and are currently getting set for bed.
Hope to update you on the morrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
Today was great! We got up, ate breakie, and went to Te Papa, which is like most of our Smithsonian museums crunched into one building. After that, we went out for lunch with our friends. We then went to one of Wellington's mountains so that we could get a good look at the city. One of the really cool things about the city is that, rather than leveling the land to build the city, Wellington moves with the hills. There is a lot of green space with "bush" everywhere. It's also built around a harbour making the whole city absolutely beautiful.
Anyhow, after we got a look at the city, get ready for the surprise...
We actually went to the Weta Cave. (There was a viewing theater, miniature museum, and tiny store for the famous Weta Workshop.) I was a bit disappointed that we couldn't see any of the work, but I guess that's to be expected because they want to keep their secrets. After that, we saw the U.S. embassy and the Parliament building.
We arrived back at the Hales to watch "The Incredibles" while Bronwyn fixed an incredible meal of barbequed lamb for dinner. We gave another little concert, and are currently getting set for bed.
Hope to update you on the morrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
July 9th
Not as much happened today. Mum's mate that we were staying with took us to go and see a huge wind farm on the ridge above Palmerston North. We also went to a spot where we could see the whole city. Then, we began driving towards Wellington, the capitol city. We stopped to get some of the best ice cream I've had. When we arrived at Mum's friend's house, we watched Princess Diaries 2, ate dinner, and gave them a fiddle concert.
I'll be able to post on the 10th for sure and look for our surprise stop.
Singning off
The Russet Manuka
I'll be able to post on the 10th for sure and look for our surprise stop.
Singning off
The Russet Manuka
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
July 8
Hullo everyone!
This morning we said goodbye to the little town of Inglewood as well as bidding Colin and Frances a goodbye. After that we spent our time driving to the town of Palmerston North where we are spending the night with one of my Mum's field hockey friends. On the way here, we stopped by one of the West coast beaches. One of the really unique things about New Zealand is that all of the beaches on the East coast have the usual whitish gold sand. Yet, all the beaches on the west coast have black sand that, I'm pretty sure, is caused by iron ore that has been washed onto the beaches by the Tasman Sea.
That's it for today. I'll hopefully post again tommorrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
This morning we said goodbye to the little town of Inglewood as well as bidding Colin and Frances a goodbye. After that we spent our time driving to the town of Palmerston North where we are spending the night with one of my Mum's field hockey friends. On the way here, we stopped by one of the West coast beaches. One of the really unique things about New Zealand is that all of the beaches on the East coast have the usual whitish gold sand. Yet, all the beaches on the west coast have black sand that, I'm pretty sure, is caused by iron ore that has been washed onto the beaches by the Tasman Sea.
That's it for today. I'll hopefully post again tommorrow!
Signed,
The Russet Manuka
Some of the Black sand
Monday, 7 July 2008
Friday through Monday
Gudday all!
Sorry I haven't been able to post for so long. Today is the first day that I've had internet since Thursday night.
Friday morning, we rolled out of bed and left our hostel after a swim in the hostel's pool which is fed by a hot water spring. We drove around beautiful Lake Taupo which is in the middle of the North Island and is similar to Lake Tahoe. We had fish and chips and a paua fritter in Turangi on the south end of the lake and then...
We went on a "road" that the sign called "Forgotten World Highway"... which in my opinion should stay that way - though I won't be forgetting it any time soon. It was more like a sheep track with gravel thrown on top! Throw in some rain, some hail, no evidence of human life for at least 45 minutes, hairpin turns in the dark, and voila! You have the Forgotten World Highway. Even the New Zealanders have been shocked that my dad chose to drive that route. By God's grace, we survived the trip and reached the little town of Inglewood where Mum lived as a student.
Since then, we've been spending our nights with Colin and Frances Hale, a couple that Mum was close to when she was here. Saturday morning, we got up and went to meet the Hale's daughter, Dellwyn, who took us for a walk along the waterfton in New Plymouth, the largest city in Taranaki. After that, we went to a luncheon organized by the Hales to welcome us. It was there that I got to meet most of my NZ family. After that, we went see what a NZ dairy farm is like. In the evening, we watched the New Zealand All Blacks, the country's rugby team, play South Africa. They gave them a 19-8 thrashing. I hope it goes just as well when they play each other again next week .
On Sunday, Colin took us to the small farmers market in town. Afterwards, we spent the day with the third family Mum lived with, the Wackrows. Grandad "Wacky" is quite a sportsman and coach who focuses on track and field and rugby. Grandmum Wacky loves her plants and has the most beautiful lawn and garden that you've ever seen. After we got to their house, Grandad took us to the running track where Mum used to do track and field and had us do a quarter mile race (Caiti won by a hair, I was in second, Dad was third, and Meghan didn't finish because her shoe came untied). Then we went to Pukekura Park which is a beautiful place that Mum visited frequently when she was here in NZ.
After that, we went to have aftrernoon tea with Mum's second family, the Bracegirdles. Grandad used to do a lot of farming but is now retired. They took us to a petting zoo/farm where they had all sorts of animals including deer (a large export in NZ), an ostrich, a yak, two possum, peacocks, a tame eel and many other creatures - including the White Stag from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After going to that farm, we went back to their house where we had tea and got to meet one of Mum's sisters, her husband, and one of Mum's brothers.
In the evening, we went back to Wackrows for dinner. There, we got to meet one of Mum's Wackrow brothers, his partner, and her daughter. Afrer dinner, we watched another rugby game while Grandad Wacky explained how it worked.
Today, we got up and had an excellant cooked breakfast compliments of Frances Hale. After that, we spent the day with Mum's first family, the Shepherds. Grandad Shepp is half Brit, half Scot and lived in Hong Kong with his police dad until WWII. His dad spent four years as a P.O.W. Afterwards, they went back to England for awhile, then back to Hong Kong, before his dad moved the family to NZ. Grandmum Shepp grew up in England and moved to NZ in the 1950s. We got to their house and met one of their daughter, Tania, her two sons, and Blake, the son of one of their other daughters, Linda. It had snowed on the nearby mountain, a dormant volcano called Mt. Taranaki by the Maori, the night before. We decided to go up the mountain to play in the snow. We came back to their house and had afternoon tea and a scrumptous dinner prepared by Mum's youngest sister, Moira.
Sorry this post has been so long but I've had so much catching up to do!
Signed, The Russet Manuka
Sorry I haven't been able to post for so long. Today is the first day that I've had internet since Thursday night.
Friday morning, we rolled out of bed and left our hostel after a swim in the hostel's pool which is fed by a hot water spring. We drove around beautiful Lake Taupo which is in the middle of the North Island and is similar to Lake Tahoe. We had fish and chips and a paua fritter in Turangi on the south end of the lake and then...
We went on a "road" that the sign called "Forgotten World Highway"... which in my opinion should stay that way - though I won't be forgetting it any time soon. It was more like a sheep track with gravel thrown on top! Throw in some rain, some hail, no evidence of human life for at least 45 minutes, hairpin turns in the dark, and voila! You have the Forgotten World Highway. Even the New Zealanders have been shocked that my dad chose to drive that route. By God's grace, we survived the trip and reached the little town of Inglewood where Mum lived as a student.
Since then, we've been spending our nights with Colin and Frances Hale, a couple that Mum was close to when she was here. Saturday morning, we got up and went to meet the Hale's daughter, Dellwyn, who took us for a walk along the waterfton in New Plymouth, the largest city in Taranaki. After that, we went to a luncheon organized by the Hales to welcome us. It was there that I got to meet most of my NZ family. After that, we went see what a NZ dairy farm is like. In the evening, we watched the New Zealand All Blacks, the country's rugby team, play South Africa. They gave them a 19-8 thrashing. I hope it goes just as well when they play each other again next week .
On Sunday, Colin took us to the small farmers market in town. Afterwards, we spent the day with the third family Mum lived with, the Wackrows. Grandad "Wacky" is quite a sportsman and coach who focuses on track and field and rugby. Grandmum Wacky loves her plants and has the most beautiful lawn and garden that you've ever seen. After we got to their house, Grandad took us to the running track where Mum used to do track and field and had us do a quarter mile race (Caiti won by a hair, I was in second, Dad was third, and Meghan didn't finish because her shoe came untied). Then we went to Pukekura Park which is a beautiful place that Mum visited frequently when she was here in NZ.
After that, we went to have aftrernoon tea with Mum's second family, the Bracegirdles. Grandad used to do a lot of farming but is now retired. They took us to a petting zoo/farm where they had all sorts of animals including deer (a large export in NZ), an ostrich, a yak, two possum, peacocks, a tame eel and many other creatures - including the White Stag from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. After going to that farm, we went back to their house where we had tea and got to meet one of Mum's sisters, her husband, and one of Mum's brothers.
In the evening, we went back to Wackrows for dinner. There, we got to meet one of Mum's Wackrow brothers, his partner, and her daughter. Afrer dinner, we watched another rugby game while Grandad Wacky explained how it worked.
Today, we got up and had an excellant cooked breakfast compliments of Frances Hale. After that, we spent the day with Mum's first family, the Shepherds. Grandad Shepp is half Brit, half Scot and lived in Hong Kong with his police dad until WWII. His dad spent four years as a P.O.W. Afterwards, they went back to England for awhile, then back to Hong Kong, before his dad moved the family to NZ. Grandmum Shepp grew up in England and moved to NZ in the 1950s. We got to their house and met one of their daughter, Tania, her two sons, and Blake, the son of one of their other daughters, Linda. It had snowed on the nearby mountain, a dormant volcano called Mt. Taranaki by the Maori, the night before. We decided to go up the mountain to play in the snow. We came back to their house and had afternoon tea and a scrumptous dinner prepared by Mum's youngest sister, Moira.
Sorry this post has been so long but I've had so much catching up to do!
Signed, The Russet Manuka
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Days One and Two
Hey all!
I meant to post sooner but was too tired from the flight. Anyway, we touched down yesterday morning at about 6:30 AM and were greeted by some of Mum's good friends. After going out to breakfast with them, we drove for about two hours until we reached Cathedral Cove (the beach set in Prince Caspian). Believe me, it is as beautiful as it is in the movie. From there we drove for several hours until we made to Rotorua where we spent last night. This morning we went to a place called the Agrodome and watched their famous sheep show consisting of a show of breeds, sheep shearing, cow milking, and sheepdog demonstrations. After that, we went out to lunch with one of Mum's friends. Afterwards, we went to a place called Te Puia where we experienced a traditional Maori welcome ceremony where Dad served as the visiting chief, a Maori concert, and the local geothermal features. Then we went to the grocery where we got dinner and breakfast for tomorrow and then came back here so that I could tell you all that we've done.
Our connection is kind of slow so I am going to try to figure out some way to get pictures here eventually.
I'll do my best to get another post up tomorrow!
Chris
I meant to post sooner but was too tired from the flight. Anyway, we touched down yesterday morning at about 6:30 AM and were greeted by some of Mum's good friends. After going out to breakfast with them, we drove for about two hours until we reached Cathedral Cove (the beach set in Prince Caspian). Believe me, it is as beautiful as it is in the movie. From there we drove for several hours until we made to Rotorua where we spent last night. This morning we went to a place called the Agrodome and watched their famous sheep show consisting of a show of breeds, sheep shearing, cow milking, and sheepdog demonstrations. After that, we went out to lunch with one of Mum's friends. Afterwards, we went to a place called Te Puia where we experienced a traditional Maori welcome ceremony where Dad served as the visiting chief, a Maori concert, and the local geothermal features. Then we went to the grocery where we got dinner and breakfast for tomorrow and then came back here so that I could tell you all that we've done.
Our connection is kind of slow so I am going to try to figure out some way to get pictures here eventually.
I'll do my best to get another post up tomorrow!
Chris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
