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1966	Bought Bongo Stomp by Little Joey and the Flips for 75¢ at DinkyTown used record shop. I asked for "Bongo Stomp" and the guy asked: "Which one?"!
1969	Hawaii: Details in Peace Corps Journal.
1974	Had a barbecue. Peter and I spent the evening playing darts and listening to albums and tapes while downing a good Villa Maria Siebel Red.	Wilkins
1975	Went hunting with Bob and Jeff out on the back country roads. Shot a squirrel, which we had for dinner.
1977	Message from dairy that our wagon is outside the store. Don't know how it got there. [ed. - probably the only red wagon in NZ].
1980	Su - Maplewood Bowl at 10:30AM for Trish's first go (77 and 55); Doug had two 96 scores. David got to throw a ball once and did the scoring for us. Gail didn't do well, but I had a good time getting 135 and then 195. Doug enthralled with the dollar bill change machine and the giant flag at Perkins where we had lunch. They had their first taste of pork sausages. Can't believe the great service and free coffee re-fills. Over to Maplewood Mall for a couple hours. Pork chops for supper with a Colony Chablis from a Port-a-Tap. Ne baked Doug a birthday cake and cupcakes in her light bulb oven. Looked at slides and movies of kids and had lots of laughs.
1984	F - Went to St. Paul Central Library. Very old - big stone stairways. Lot of bulk, but few books. Mom called to say that Gloria and Jessie were in hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning. Left the car running in the attached garage.
1985	Sa - Bought a used 22" TV for $345 from Hadlows and it only gets channel 2. Trish and Doug over to celebrate his birthday. Played croquet - first time for Doug. Meal and gifts - Dr. Desoto book, windsurf towel and Hawaiian surfer nic-nac. Played "Pigmania".
1986	Su - David and Ne's first Eucharist. Sanders sat with us. Friendly service. Gail had a part to play at the candle lighting ceremony. Afterwards there was food in the hall. Sanders' to meet their new big black lab, Sam, from Mike's brother Chris. Yearburys over too. Helped Mike put up fencing to keep Sam in. Ne stayed at Sanders for supper and they walked her, with Sam, home and had a coffee.
1991	Joined Aldersons at Carmel Hare's bach at Maraetai. Visit on the deck, then down to the beach where Gail swam. Doug, Gail and I walked to Omana. Fish 'n chips for supper. Birthday cake and gifts: baking soda toothpaste, Burger Rings, Beach Boys album and Cracker Jacks. Pin the Rug on Doug was a big hit with the boys. Played Scattergories and Rock Fever. Mallies slept in smelly basement.
1996	Sa - Whites dropped in. Ian, Jackie and I walked through Willis Bush and discovered bamboo. Bridge.
1999	T - Brought BBQ to Aldies. Brought fridge to Aldies.
2000	Th - Doug over for a swim, birthday cake and Scattergories
2001	Brundell's where I moved the computer downstairs and hooked up his new scanner. The women arrived for supper - Berthe said it was like a Jamie Oliver meal featuring gailan (chinese brocoli). Stephanie doesn't like Semillion (Saints '98) but did have some of the Selak's 2001 Sauvignon Blanc. Ian made it in time for a glass, but passed on Gail's cheese-slush (as opposed to a firm cheesecake). It was Doug's birthday party and he didn't even come.	Where's Doug?
2004	PAG, where I backed up the computer and joined the crowd for "Clay '04" - Sandy started off the speeches followed by another board member, then the newly elected mayor, John Robertson, and a woman from Creative NZ and finally Franklin Arts guy. I was able to catch up with Peter Goldsmith and Nancy Hawks, both newly elected councillors. Chatted with Steve Vale and then his mother, Sue, who was a COBOL programmer once upon a time. Found out more about Suliana, former Rosehill student. Good variety of pieces on hand and I particularly liked Sue Lavender's oakleaf/acorns works, so I bought one ($28.50). I would have left earlier, but the Silzie '03 cabernet sauvingnon was dry and excellent.
2010	T - Ne brought us to airport, via the new motorway which took us all the way around to the city entrance. Long walk to the gate and surprized to see the wee airplane (Pacific Blue 737-700). In total contrast it had the largest steward I have ever seen. Amazingly, for the first time, my legs didn't hurt. First encounter with electronic passport machines. Surprized to find it dark at 8PM. Our taxi driver couldn't tell us when the sun goes down in Cairns, but he did find The Hotel Cairns ($23 with tip). Desk clerk was a very cool and laid back, Warwick. Our room was nice enough - no sea view from deck, just the Holiday Inn.
2013	Sa - Petanque with Russell. Ate at Tay Street Beach Cafe, run by Brazilians. Had Quesadillas (chorizo) that were excellent, as was the peppery Lake Chalice Syrah. Forced Russell to suffer through a game of Plethora.
2017	Th - David arrived around 5PM and we surprized him with Kismet. We had Mexican and then played Archipelago, ice cream and Istanbul.
2019	Sa - Started with Concordia and then Istanbul. Had hamburgers and hotdogs. Played Castles of Burgundy. When Ne left we raced Spain. David led the whole race but I won on the last corner. Got Te unto Pixie Pit Scrabble. Then David and I played Birmingham Brass.
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