Waitangi Day

Wednesday that feels like Sunday!
My sister Phillippa, Davie and I went out early to Waikumete Cemetery to Mum's grave and Nana Joan Levy where my father is remembered having been lost at sea in 1983. We were pleased with its condition, though we need to decide on the headstone. One is certainly not stuck for ideas for graves these days, the Polynesian areas are very colourful and diverse! I explained to Davie again about who my Mum and Dad were, he was particularly curious why Dad was not wearing a life's jacket that on the boat when he fell off that night. Later we were to have lunch with Aunty Fay, my father's older sister.

We shopped for sandals at K-mart and gifts at an emporium. Headlamps and tooth brushes.
Later we were out in Manurewa enjoying a stroll at the Botanic Gardens with Paula's sister Myra and Dave Smith. We explained that our latest countdown was a departure on Wed 13th of Feb, due to the Visa's probable arrival in Auckland by Saturdayish. This gives us another week of.....getting ready and a sort of holiday. Living in our friend Mark's house while he is on Safari is certainly a gift, and if we stop going shopping for odds and ends soon, we might have a trip to the beach or some such. It is very pleasing how Paula's health has responded to prayer and the right medication, though we feel we still have some unwinding to do.
Tomorrow though we are privileged to spend a couple of hours with Andrew Bell from the GMO who is sending us to this position. Though very much looking forward to a new life in the Islands, we are very aware that it will have a different pace of life and an inner working that we will know very little about. I have studied very little anthropology, though its always better to go and find out for oneself.