Last days in NZ

Well, we left NZ nearly a week ago, and I'm not sure who was saddest - me or George. I had a wonderful time and met new people as well as seeing and doing things new to me. George's family were so good to me, and I can see why it is so hard for her to live in the UK so far away from those she loves and who love her. I'm starting to plan the next trip, and thinking of ways for the three of us (including Gemma of course) to get out there for more than just a winter holiday in mid-summer.

This is a picture of Mollie, who Sindy lent us now and then to help us relieve our pining for Gemma.



These were shops, believe it or not, at Tirau, made out of corrugated iron.
Sindy and George are standing by the tongue.





One of my personal quests was to get a good photo of the koru - this is symbolic of New Zealand, and as a symbol was used by the Mari before the Pakeha. At first these plants are unprepossessing, but the more you see them, the more they stand out. Capturing a photo that I felt happy with was elusive, and I have many that did not make the grade - then on our penultimate day walking by the Waikato River, I managed to take this shot. Of all the photo's I took, apart from maybe those of the whale diving, this is the one I am most pleased with. This symbolises new life and the power and beauty of nature as much as anything I have seen anywhere.



And this is the tree that produces this marvel, reaching out into the deep blue winter sky and white clouds that we were so fortunate to have with us on most of our days in New Zealand: