TCF in Auckland

I know you are thinking 2 blogs in one day ---- What? What?
Well the wind is gusting outside ---- so after a day of clouds ---- wind ---- sun ---- rain ----- sun ------ wind ---- clouds ----- rain ----- like that ---- I thought I'd stay put for a bit and update you all about my progress with setting up a TCF (The Compassionate Friends) group here in Auckland.

After corresponding with Lesley from the South Island who publishes the NZ newsletter, I decided to try to start a group here.  I was surprised that there is no group even near Auckland, which is the city with the largest population in NZ.  So I introduced myself to the office folks at a local church --- All Saints --- an Anglican church here in Auckland.  Joanne, the wonderful office manager, connected me with a woman who coordinates grief groups throughout Auckland.  She presented the idea to the head folks and got the approval to go forward with setting up a meeting between me and the vicar and a grief   facilitator at the church.  They totally supported the idea of TCF and were comfortable with having me facilitate a group.  So we scheduled meetings in, reserved a room, and even reserved the old church for the candle lighting service.  The last bit was how to publicize.  So a meeting was set up with a local Times reporter who interviewed all of us on our specific grief groups.  The article will be in the paper this week with an accompanying photo.  And voila ---- our first TCF group will be October 14th.  The Compassionate Friends is a support group for parents who have lost children.  Our group in Aurora has been a lifeline for David and I and I would love to help other parents going through this kind of grieving and be part of a group while living here in Auckland.

The old Selwyn Church is a historical building.  It was built in 1847 and was the first building erected in Auckland.  It is the second oldest wooden church in NZ.  It will be an awesome place for the candle lighting ceremony.  The worldwide candle lighting takes place every year on the 2nd Sunday of December.  This year it will be Dec. 8th at 7PM.  "As candles burn down in one time zone, they are lighted in the next, creating a 24 hour wave of light that encircles the globe."  The first time zone to begin the wave of lights is NZ.  It is a wonderful way to honor our children.

MOTAT

We are deep in the throws of the unpredictable weather of spring.  Our clocks even sprung forward this weekend to harbor in longer daylight time.  After a few weeks of short hikes around Auckland and no new photos to share I am back with some photos from MOTAT --- Museum of Transportation and Technology.  So welcome to MOTAT.

I believe I am in front of a steam roller that is at the entrance to the Museum --- This is not a one building museum but includes many different areas and buildings to explore.  Note I am wearing a different rain coat ---- Oh Yeah!

David was in heaven with the huge collection of old trains, trams, fire stations, road transports.  We were able to travel back in time and see what Auckland was like in the early 1900's.

Reading this little note in Sir Edmond Hillary's Display, you can see that New Zealand does like to be first.  It was a heartbreaker not to be able to win the cup this year.  Unlike in the states, everyone watched the cup races and was invested in their winning. Kiwis take great pride in their sailing abilities. So sad.

                                   I choose this little car as mine.  But wait until you see my plane.....

             David got a kick out of this little car --- referred to as a runabout car!  I could picture David running about doing errands in this little vehicle.

Katie, we couldn't help but wonder what happened to your ford?!!  Looks like you lost the whole front end---------  Did this happen at Octoberfest??

And you have to celebrate the enduring KIWI

You even get to enjoy a short tram ride between museum sites.  All Aboard!

MOTAT offers so much to see and learn.  Their telecommunications exhibit was chock full of learning.    They provided several hands on workshops, interactive experiences for children and a historic village to wonder through. It is a good 5 hours of history-filled exploring. 

 I am happy to say the weather was mostly cloudy with no meatballs so I was able to end our visit in my very own plane ---- David thought it was very aptly named.  You can imagine the teasing that will continue thanks to this 1930's aircraft which is reputed to have had a few hops but no successful flying.  It was meant for the common person who wanted to build a long distance aircraft but apparently could not even withstand a dive of 15 degrees.

Pou du Ciel ------ Yes ---- The Flying Flea!!

I don't get it ---- why does David think it's perfect for me!!1

So if you hear a little buzz and maybe a flutter hovering close above your house ----- look up and check out the Flying Flea--------

Just Relaxing....

David and I spent a quiet weekend after our 4 day trip.  We did need a sheep fix ----- so visited Cornwall Park on Sunday.  This is a beautifully landscaped park right in Auckland --- kind of like Central Park  but with sheep.  It is centered on a volcanic cone.

This young black sheep was frolicking in the grass with his buddies.  The black sheep have their own area -----  They are so cute to watch --- they actually leap in the air when they chase each other.

These two cuties were having their tea time right along the walking path.  Because of the mild winters, there are two lambing times in NZ ------ Thus All the SHEEP!!!

You can barely make David out at the base of this obelisk which is at the top of the volcanic cone..  It is 33 meters high and was built as a permanent record of Sir John Logan Campbell's admiration for the achievements and character of the Maori People in 1940 --- the centennial year of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

So there you have it ---- a little history ---- some sheep

Life here continues to amaze ----- we just love our view and walking by Howick Beach every day.  My painting class this week was on birds ---- Yes ---- I painted a robin as did most of the class after I shared some pictures and explained their significance.

We'll let the sheep have the last word

Baa!

Bay of Islands

Saturday morning we took off on David's first 4 day vacation.  We stopped mid way at Pizza Barn in Waipu known for its unique and tasty thin crust pizzas.

Uretiti Beach was our next stop.  Miles of white sand beach to walk along.

We arrived at 88 Lodge to beautiful accommodations and nurturing hosts in Kerikeri.  The gardens surrounding the property were so well tended.  It was a very peaceful and relaxing setting.

Homemade yogurt, fresh fruit from their garden and trees, and croissants to - die - for greeted us for breakfast.  Now to follow Geoff's map for our day of exploration.

A brisk walk along Maturi Bay and then on to the Rainbow Warrior Memorial Site.

This is the view from the hill top.

The Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace Ship that sailed around to protest the French nuclear testing.  It was torn apart by 2 bombs planted by French secret agents in 1985.  What remained of the ship was sunk off Matauri Bay and is used as a dive site and is marked with its propeller and a black iron rainbow to symbolize the event.  A Portuguese photographer was killed during the incident.

We visited a few more bays and beaches before winding around on a scenic route that took us to Manginangina Reserve where the protected Kauri Trees resided.  They are very impressive.

Puketi Forest

Yes --- It was raining!!  That's not a kangaroo in my pouch ---just camera, hat, etc.

Now off to Rainbow Falls and a river walk in Kerikeri.

I don't know why David is pointing to the tree --- maybe to show we didn't need our umbrellas at this point.

After a delightful dinner at the corner pub we crashed for the night.

We enjoyed a cultural performance by a Maori Group at Whaitangi.  This is a very important historical site for New Zealand.  Rather than explain about the treaty you might want to google the 

Treaty of Waitangi.

Now onto the Ipipiri for a relaxing night of cruising.

While on our one night  cruise we were able to hike around one of the islands, watch playful dolphin, and enjoy dinner with a group of people representing 5 countries. What a kick!  It was relaxing and beautiful.  Since I was unable to capture a dolphin photo I will end with one I borrowed from an Ipipiri site.

Whatipu Regional Park - Turf, Mud, Wetlands, Surf

Saturday was a peaceful day, full of sunshine, people watching, strolling, Skyping (Happy 97th Dad), and relaxing.  We must have known we would need our energy for Sunday's tramp with the Howick Tramping Club.  Sunday proved to be another beautiful sunny day --- the first day of Spring here.  There were 8 of us meeting at the carpark ready for a day of adventure.

Whatipu is within the Waitakere Ranges and is an hour north west of Auckland.  Manukau Harbour is at the entrance of this regional park.  David and I spotted a shiny black fin close to the coast in the harbor and were told it was an orca.  We parked and observed a mom and her baby frolicking in Manukau Harbour ---- What a majestic sight!  That dot in the middle is an orca ---- sorry my camera was in my pack in the trunk.

The plan for the day was to connect 3 tracks --- Gibbons, Muir, Pararaha and then a couple miles along the Coastal Walkway.  This was labeled as a Medium + tramp.  In hindsight I suspect we should have paid attention to that + which means extra challenges. Hmmmmmmmmmmm

We tramped straight up the Gibbons Track along the Whatipu Coastal Cliffs.  This was about 3.2 km and steep but very doable.  Then we rounded the corner to the Muir Track which was a muddy, muddy, muddy steep descent to the wetlands.  I slip slided my way from tree to tree --- hugging them with a love I never felt for a tree before.  There was danger around every turn as the mud thickened and my hiking boots just slid beneath me.  I questioned my sanity and tramping abilities as our leader for the day, Pam suggested I just descend at a normal speed -- my tentative steps were more risky -------Now my brain heard this over and over but would not transfer that message to my slippery tootsies.  My mantra: "I am one with the mud ---- I am one with the mud"

Yes I am smiling as I make it to the bottom of Muir Track through the brush along with fellow hiker Simon.

Oh it's not tea time yet --- we have to use a chain and climb along the rock face.

Can I say this was a piece of cake after the muddy descent.  The wispy tramper had no problem with this!    We enjoyed teatime (lunch) ---- joked around a bit and were ready for what Pam described as meandering along the coast.   She didn't address getting there.......

As you can see from my pant legs we just tramped through knee high wetlands ---- No problem ---- O'K there may be a disadvantage to being 5'2" tall --

Here we are now walking through these tall reeds in the wetlands.  I believe our fearless leader was taking a short cut to the coast --- I don't think we ever found Pararaha Track--- this looks harmless but the further in you get the deeper the water ---- this 5'2" waif was thigh high in water

Are you starting to see where maybe that little + sign ---- extra challenges was something to pay attention to?

We continued for a bit, climbed a small hill and were presented with the beauty of the black sand wild beaches of the western coast.

David with Pam, our leader for the day.  Incredible beaches!!  We walked along the coast for another couple of miles, enjoying the sand and the views.  We were blessed with a warm day so those hiking pants dried without a hitch.  David looks like he can't believe something -----

Here's a few more photos from the day --- cliffs--- wetlands ---- beach

What an adventure --- beauty --- strength ---- challenge

The Kiwi Way