2003 - No. 1         www.malecek.com          Jan 2003
Down in
MANGAKINO		 DUD

    Friends bought a rundown shack in a very small town located in the middle of the North Island. Why? Well it only cost $3000 and the land was $8000 and it is near a lake and a property developer is hoping to turn it into a resort. So Gail and I went down to check it out as the empty lot next to them was for sale at the same price. enlarge  After a tour of the place we went down to Maraetai Lake for some fishing (rudd and trout) enlarge as the rowers - single, 4s and 8's - zoomed back and forth the still water. rowers        
Ann caught her very first fish, a rudd, ever and it was a beauty compare to the small ones that Christopher landed.
enlarge

    We were informed in late Dec. that Gail would receive her treatment in early Jan. so it was a rush organizing the flights and hotels.  David brought us to airport where Gail and I boarded a twin prop toy plane of Origin Pacific that flew us down to Nelson. Informed that the plane to Christchurch had been struck by lightning, so we were being transferred to Air New Zealand. So it was back to the other terminal in the rain only to be told that yes we have been booked but payment not received from OP. Somebody must have paid as we were allowed onto the plane at the last minute. That got us to CHCH in time to make the OP flight to Dunedin.  Rode a shuttle into town with 3 other women. Laura Jane at Abbey Lodge soon got to know us as the heater in room 8 didn't work, so we moved to room 12 which luckily also was perfume free.  Yes, I know it was summer - but in Dunedin you need heat.
   Up at 7AM and got a ride to the Otago Hospital where we saw Dr. Graeme Stevens in Oncology and he pretty much went over everything we already knew. From there to a room where Nadia and Craig fitted a contraption enlarge to Gail's head, so the rays can be pinpointed at the tumor. Couple hours to kill so we walked back to motel and there was a message to call Strathallon.  Gail offered the Year 3 position.  Walk to hospital for CT with frame gizmo on and an MRI with contrast. Back to motel at 4PM to find the faxed contract. After supper I had a nap while Gail called home (Monique and Florence arrived safely from France).  We hit the indoor pool (claimed to be 28°C - but seemed cooler than our 24°) with a couple young girls and then joined their mother (from Red Beach) in the spa.  We now had a week until the computer had been programmed to do the job. Instead of returning home we used the opportunity to visit Queenstown (story in MG-032).
Back to Dudedin and we go in for Gail's first treatment. I didn't even have time to settle into my book.  She was amazed how simple it was - wham, zap, thank you m'am. The helmet is fitted and double checked to be exactly positioned then it is bolted to the table rendering Gail’s head unmovable.  The computer zaps then moves to another position and radiates the tumor again. This goes on for about 10 minutes and its over. She had to go in four more days to repeat the process. So we pretty much had the days to ourselves to explore Dudedin.
We drove out the Otago Peninsula - absolutely beautiful views the whole drive.  First stop the Royal Albatross Centre. Not enough time to do a tour, so we just checked out the information and displays in the building that included many marine birds and seals. We spent some time on the cliff edge watching hundreds of seagulls, mobs of cormorants and about ten playful seals. The penguin place was also a tour and we had to miss out them, too.  Down to the shore on Pilot's road where we were entertained close up by one seal as another slept.  Took back roads to other side of the peninsula to Allans Beach where we had our picnic lunch.
Taiaroa Heads seal Allen's Beach
Aldies' Rellies at Malleys TMDK Malley Muses
   Met Marcia’s parents, Toby and Kay, who came up from Wellington where they have retired after umpteen years of working for US diplomatic corps in various countries. Toby is a joker and has many stories of life back then, and Kay is just as sweet as honey.
And after 30 years finally met Trish’s brother, Peter, and his son Steve. They came up from the South Island’s town of Timaru to see the big smoke.

I wonder if I’d known lose my hearing
I would

That I’d have listened more when
I could

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