2004 - No. 3         www.malecek.com          June - August 2004
postcardspcards

Jackie White, aka Sulu, spent 3 months in Virginia as a camp counselor, then had a few weeks traveling around the States. enlarge Stephanie: France once again to escape our winter and be with her family. enlarge Brundell: Japan & China in search of exotic clivia. enlarge Titania: Sydney to work, then France to study. enlarge Graeme: Canada for son's wedding.
Su: Fiji to get a haircut.
beach
Gail and I had access to Marcia’s “bach” in Whangamata during the July school holidays.  We had been to that resort town many times during summers—good surf beach— and wanted to see what it was like during winter. enlarge Hauturu Island  bachThe “bach” turned out to be a very nice newly built house and it was like staying at a motel unit.  Only a block from the beach which we walked. We lucked out as far as rain was concerned, but it was very cold. Brisk and refreshing. We also drove to nearby settlement of Whiritoa and walked along its lagoon.  When not wandering the wilds, we did the town center, checking out the shops.  Wandered into an artist’s studio and he, John Quellin, explained the various processes he was employing. And just for good measure we also drove down to Waihi to check that town out as a possible retirement site - it has a hospital.

oceanasWe timed it to coincide with our 32nd anniversary. So it was a special meal at Oceana’s on the 8th. Only one house in ten occupied in the off-season so the place wasn’t crowded and we got first class service from Gary and Gloria, the owner-operators.

enlarge David  On way back we stopped at Opoutere but Nick not there, so then we drove to Tairua to check it out.  We ran into the now infamous lo-o-ong lines to get across single-lane Kopu bridge on the Firth of Thames. Made it back to Waiuku in time to celebrate David’s 30th. 30!!!!! Ne had made a lovely German chocolate cake.

To Room, Or Not To Room? enlarge Malley Muses
At last!!!!  When I returned from the States in Nov. ‘02, I cleared my room, pulled the carpet and moved down to the living room.  Even bought the wood floor pieces.  Well, Ne came back from States in Jan. ‘03 and instead of doing my room, we had the loft done so she could move into there.  Then when Steph went to France we did her room.  Two years later I am finally doing my room - lowered the vaulted ceilings and insulated the walls.  And currently, the paint is going on.  Who knows, I might be back into it by 2005??      Apparently the buck is always bigger on the other side. Minnesotans go to Wyoming to hunt deer. I wonder if Wyomingites come to Minnesota?

MG home page      Previous MG       Next MG     JNM Productions