Onward

Dec. 16

This was the day that John was scheduled to go to Derek and Sue's. It was yet another beautiful sunny day - there have been quite a few now and even when there has been rain, it has been only showers and you could generally see some blue sky and sun at other times.

Hans raised the Canadian flag on his flag holder on the house and it looked beautiful way against the deep blue New Zealand sky. John was deeply touched that Hans would fly the maple leaf in honour of his presence.

In the morning Pris took John to see Sullivan's Bay in Maharangi Regional Park. This was yet another part of the same coastline as Tawhranui and Wenderholme, yet once against distinct and unique. This beach has darker sand, lots of rocky outcrops and more Pohutukawa. There was the Spirit of Adventure, New Zealand's three masted sailing ship, used for training young sailors, pulling up anchor when they arrived. Soon, it was on its way out to sea.

John and Pris looked for filming or photographic opportunities. John saw some se kayakers coming in. There was also a fishing lesson going on just behind the beach. They looked for sea urchin shells and Pris found a few. She had also found a number at Wenderholme, a couple of days before. John could not see them even when they were right in front of his eyes.

The two went back for lunch and all three enjoyed the delicious leftovers from the previous night's meal.

After John had a chance to say his goodbyes to Harriet, pay his last respects at the resting place of Winston, Hans and Pris' wonderful dog who has not been gone very long, and take a last, long look across the manuka, pine and lancewood forest valleys it was tme to head To Derek and Sue's.



They arrived in the mid afternoon and it was a strange mix of feelings for John as, with sadness in his heart, he hugged Hans and Pris goodbye and thanks for a tremendous time, and happily hugged Derek and Sue hello. John had lost touch with Hans and Pris during the times of his divorce and he determined never to let that happen again.

Derek and Sue showed John around the newly renovated ultramodern home. It is nothign short of spectacular. He has a very comfortable room with much closet space and windows on two walls. In that respect it is like Hans and Pris' - light beaming in from many places.

Derek and Sue then took John down to the beach at Long Bay where he had once walked with them and their son Gareth's two beautiful golden labs, Josh and Chloe. They all lve now in Syndney Australia. Unfortunately Josh developed cancer and had to be put down a little while ago. They walked the sands of Long Bay and talked before heading off to a British pub in Brown's Bay. John had a dark British porter and Derek and Sue had their favourite beers. The pub had a great atmosphere.

Then it was back for dinner - a savoury medley of chicken and vegetables in a delicious sauce. After a week of gorging, John couldn't eat as much as he would have wanted but he did manage seconds. Sue then brought out a specail dessert, key lime pie, that she remembered was a favourite of John's. It was delicious and once again John started to despair of ever losing weight during the trip. hahaha

After dinner, the friends looked at photos of the many places that Derek and Sue have travelled from Greece, Thailand, China, Italy, and so on. Then they watched an hour of Coronation Street. The story is far behind in NZ. So, although John knew what was going to happen he kept his tongue from revealing what is to come.

Then it was time to say good night and drop into a deep slumber.

TRB