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1960	In English we had impromptu speeches: girlfriend, grammar and mine on "why the Chinese eat rice". I began with a takeoff on an Uncle Ben's "converted" rice commercial.
1969	Hawaii: Details in Peace Corps Journal.
1973	Bruce's at 8:15AM. He had a van and we moved his furniture to several places. He gave us a table and chairs (which we set up in the carport). Two trips to Papatoetoe moving his crates. We had lunch at the Blue Room. Then a load of lumber for us and a load of junk for the tip. But it was closed so we took the stuff to Clements' farm and chucked it into a gully. Brought me home and stayed for beer and pool. Ray Kelly dropped off a sleeping bag.	Ray
1986	Sa - Went to Aldersons wearing sunglasses in the rain (after a couple phone calls about going to the beach). Played pool, then meal and cake (baba, of course). James getting on great with the kids. In fact, he stayed up until midnight for the first time. Gave Trish a dog encyclopedia. They made up a great card for me and gave me a Goofy puzzle, Baby Goofy bathbook and two Aussie cab-savs. Finished off by playing Australian Baby Boomer Trivial Pursuit.
1991	David and I went to Lynfield Mall to check out the Lego display - "A Wizard's World" (amazing).
1992	Painted Aldies' mailbox metallic burgundy (Trish's birthday) and had lunch there. Home to meet Whites, Heather and Mary for a three hour visit. We played jarts.
1997	Sa - Valentines with Doug and Trish. Gave her a penguin pad and I wrote on the top page: "Dear Bali, I am sorry for whatever James did this time. See you at the usual time? Pat". They gave me Goofy stickers, a Goofy, USA tie and an Elton John discography book.
1998	Su - Lunch at Valentine's. Aldies to welcome Doug back and give Trish her shirt. Trish wasn't at airport in time so Doug took a taxi home. Meanwhile Trish couldn't find window #7 at airport which wasn't between 6 and 8. Watched his trip video. Had to wear Paul's clothes, as his weren't good enough for them. Only got to the beach once and without a towel.
2003	Ian and Susi over for a late supper with a Brown Brothers 2000 Cab-Sav. They gave me a cool Digitor 5" B&W TV that Ian got for $20! Good session of Fiji stories (Susi off bridge, Matthew's birth and how Ian got Susi for a pig).
2006	Ian, Susi, Heather and Mary came by for a meal and I showed them our Arran photos and video.
2009	Su - Auckland Sky Tower. Walked once around the observation deck taking in the long distance views but neither David nor Gail could handle the straight down ones. Brunch at the Orbit restaurant which rotates. Gurmesh was our friendly waiter and for the first time in NZ, I tipped. Tried a bavaroise for dessert. Easy to park, but many twist and turns get out. Steve's for a barbecue and cricket with Matt, Leah, Tracy, Leon, Ian and Susi. For dessert there was a traditonal cassavo/coconut sweet.
2010	M - Had the cuzzies on the road by 10AM to Rotorua by 1PM. Forced MacDonald's on them for lunch so they could see the Māori carvings in it. No sign for Buried Village, so went toward Taupo for a few K's. Got to BV in time to join 2PM tour after we had looked through the museum. Lyn Williams did a good job. We couldn't see the head chief's chimney (across the road) and since she said it was visible in the morning I suggested she get a photo to show people and to send me a copy via email [ed - she did]. The cottonwoods are even bigger 30 years on from when we saw them, but sadly need to come down due to internal rot. No trout in the stream, but the waterfalls was running full bore. A boulder smashed in the tunnel under the falls and in 2001 a new path was built. Checked into Ventura Motel. Walked over to Valentines. We were second group in the place. We had a Two Peaks '09 Pinot Gris that was fruity. We sat there telling funny family stories until 9:15PM and were the last ones to leave. Into the "heated pool" that wasn't and then a soak in the hot tub (no bubbles).	Lyn Wairere Tui in flax
2012	Th - Anna's for Scrabble with Trish. Created this year's Christmas card. Gail and Trish attended the OSV Christmas dinner. Watched Mousehunt.
2013	F - Babette for lunch outside with Trish and Ne. Walked the Pilot Bay new boardwalk and then the surf side.
2014	Sa - Clayton over for a curry meal followed by Japanese and San Marino Formula 1 games. Then it was Istanbul and Survive. Tried his Rekorderlig (Raspberry-Lime Cider) and crispy M&Ms.
2015	Su - Guys over for Abu Dhabi races. Just like the previous ones I came last and even worse, I crashed out of the Formula D. After a Turkish meal compliments of Clayton and Duet bubbly (from Kim) we had the AGM for which Clayton donned a suit jacket. After the second race we had prizegiving with me (1) and Kim (D) getting trophies. I gave certificates to the others (photo).
2019	F - Mike Clark arrived with a bottle of red, but not before he went to 106 in Bayswater. Heard about their west coast trip staying with four friends. And his continuing heart problem. Sandy has an art studio and sells.
2020	Su - Emery called to wish me a "HB".
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