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1970	Strolled around Honolulu, Hawaii: Details in Peace Corps Journal.
1972	Left Waseca at 7:30AM so Gail could get to school on time. When she got back we visited Jerry and Opal in Morgan. Found the place with no trouble - still have the '55 Chevy. Jerry drives a Mobil oil truck now. Called Steve at Marshall and talked shop (physics). Did my Fiji slide show and left at 11PM.
1973	Went to Suva in a taxi with Eric, Pita and Marika. Had a snack in the outdoor court by the arcade and gave Luisa copies of the photos I had taken of her and she gave us a book on Fiji. Ate at Peiking. Took bus home and stopped at Lawaki to get photos. Simon gave us a macadamian nut as a going away gift??
1974	The couple left to climb Mt Stewart. I found their washing gear at the creek and we had Shaun chase after them with it. Then Murph found their ice-axe and he brought it to them. I found their sausages, but we figured they were too far and probably too embarrassed by now. We tramped up to the Canterbury Mountaineering Anti-Crow hut. (Map) From there Gail and went off on a trail along the river. Decided to cut back through the trees. Ended up crossing over many beautiful streams before we found the trail again. Up a hill and there was the hut. In it were Chris and Stewart. John and Shaun had gone off to look for us thinking we were lost. So we played a game of cribbage in the sun. Two trampers passed through. Shaun had a 2 inch splinter go into the sole of his foot when he jumped into an icy stream for a swim. [ed. - Because the water was so cold he didn't realize it until the next day when it really began to hurt]. Had a sandwich for lunch and then hiked the nearby hills. Got up to around 4000' and got some great photos. Came down through bush, crossed the Anti-Crow and onto the Waimakariri where I discovered that my film had torn! From there it was a quagmire to the A-C and back to the hut. Susan and Harvey showed up. He teaches kayaking and does this sort of thing all the time. Susan stayed up writing copious notes under candlelight.	A-C Hut A-C River Mt Stewart
1976	Lyndsey, Fiona and Tina were here first thing in the morning to play with Te. Breezes brought Don "what's the plan" Unger over on their way to Auckland. Fran returned our jug.	Don
1977	A package filled with newspapers, two toys, dress and a denim outfit for Te all arrived today from Mom. Put up side wall for the woodshed. First decent harvest of apples.
1980	Sa - Woken at 6:20AM by a guy in Hamilton who said he'd buy the fridge. Around 20 calls during the day. Sold a mattress for $100. A few people came out to look but no sales.
1981	M - Chuck and Inez over for supper (very good Cribari Vino Fiamma da Pranzo) and visit.
1984	4th straight day that I had my glass frames adjusted by Butch and yet the nausea and pain just grows worse.
1985	Sa - Went to Landmark Center to see the Will Barnet display. Foreman & Clark [ed. - men's clothing store started in Seattle in 1900's and closed in 1999] to buy a brown 3 piece suit ($135) [ed. - tossed it in 2011] and a couple ties. Home to watch wrestling which is great these days. Hulk Hogan is training Hillbilly Jim (video).	Hulk
1986	Su - Duder's Beach to try out the two person inflatable boat. Kids fell out. Ne can't control the boat but David does alright. Gail had a go by herself and I took it out after a lunch. Fell out getting into it and sprained a finger on my left hand.
1987	David and I made our way across Table Mt in 5 hours [ed - closed now for ecological reasons] - read about it and see the photos click. Went for a swim at crocodile pond in the extremely warm water (no rain for months).
1988	Botanical Gardens for a stroll. Many large sections of one type of bloom (canna). Had supper at Georgie Pie and got a photo across the road of Thoroughbred signage.
1990	"International Steam Expo 1990" at Mangere Central Park where Manukau Live Steamers have permanent tracks. There were around 40 engines and 10 or so were running (video) as was a tractor. David and I rode the train on the long circuit, then Ne joined us for a shorter scenic track - through a tunnel and several more loops. David went a couple more times on his own. Looked over the model trains, war items and ships set up in a building. Article. Gail left her camera on a picnic table. Watched Tai-Pan.	David
1993	Aldies arrived around 11AM with Robyn Withers (friend of Trish's camping in town). Started our hike around noon. Went to Collins Drive of Golden Hills Mine via the slip, water race, ladders and tunnels. Had lunch before heading down. Doug was bouncing on a plank which broke and he ended up falling backwards 2 metres onto his bottom. I jumped down to him immediately and luckily he was okay. A bit stunned and very embarrassed. We all went for a swim in the river. I got James with a bucket of water when he was returning to the camp. Cuppa before they left. A possum walked right in front of me.
1998	M - Ian brought Tracy and Matthew over but left with Tracy's gear in his boot. So she went to Opoutere without. Gail cooked chicken on an outside fire. Scrabble cards and cribbage. I slept in caravan, Gail in garage and girls in barn after setting up tent.
2003	Ian came by to get van - going to the zoo. David brought us to airport where Gail and I boarded a twin prop toy plane of Origin Pacific that flew us down to Nelson. Walked to the main terminal to get some fresh air. Informed by Joanna that our plane 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 paid as we were allowed onto the plane at the last minute, to be served by a very polished blonde, Liz. That got us to Christchurch in time to make the OP flight to Dunedin (DUD). Our stewardess was a beautiful Polynesian, Alison. Got to DUD at 7:45PM and 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 was perfume free. Its the summer - but in Dunedin you need heat.
2004	Saw Harris for refills (he likes my Christmas cards as they make him think). Gail spent whole day defrosting garage fridge without turning it off!!
2009	Brought Susi over for a meal and a couple of Upwords games. She brought along Chicken Flavored hot peas that Tracy had brought back from Fiji.
2011	W - Atmores took us up to a private golf course, Summerhills Estate, that afforded scenic views. The clubhouse has grass growing in the rooves. Drove around Papamoa neighborhoods. After lunch we went to the nearby beach where Gail and I surfed the powerful waves. Then after a fresh up we drove around Mount neighborhoods. Had a barbecue supper. Early to bed, or in my case, early to floor (bed too soft and springy).	Papamoa
2012	Th - Walked around the Mount with Kathy and Mike. Gail slipped and scratched her leg. Has iced coffee and blueberry muffins at Number 8. Drove through Bayswater to demonstrate how close the houses were. Mike and I went to the main building for the Table Tennis Club - no one. So we played pool for a while and then ping pong. Supper with a sweet Montana '10 Gewurtz.
2018	F - Four hours visiting with Mike and Kathy. Mike and I headed out to Kaituna River to do a walk...only the place Ian and I went to kayak is not where it was. So onto the net and found where it was...other side of Te Puke. Found it using my phone's map which showed us as we moved along. Sign says stay out Sept to March. We went in anyway and made sure we stayed away from the dotteral area. Walked for about an hour on the Maketu Sandspit. Could see Maketu on a cliff and the Mount looking back. Home to open a great 2017 Squealing Pig Pinot Noir Rosè - loved the label. And we four had our phones out as they taught more about using them. I sent my first photo via the phone. Chinese takeaway with an 2015 Iron Horse Shiraz.
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