Happy 48th year to me! How great to come home from work on Friday to find the loveliest bouquet of flowers from far away friends! Thank you thank you!! Times like these being miles away can be more challenging than others, but fortunately the next day the best surprise of all arrived-AW flew in as a surprise guest to celebrate my birthday!! Whoowee! We were all thrilled to have him here for the week! He arrived on a glorious day-sunny, cool breeze, 70 degrees, and the town in a festive mood with the Tauranga Arts Festival beginning. We scooped AW up and off we went, taking full advantage of the street market, buskers juggling and riding unicycles, a samba band and a classical flash mob.
Later we went to see the NZ Trio, contemporary classical violin, cello, piano trio playing mainly NZ composers. Out of the box for sure but interesting. Next day with new friend Dawn Picken, friend from Spokane, we saw the Tattletale Saints, acoustic duo who reminded us of Paul Simon with a female Garfunkel. All of this in small venues, great artists and great audiences.
On Sunday we trekked out to the Karangahake Gorge, old gold mining site with lots of old equipment to see and tunnels to explore. The hike we were hoping for was cut short due to mudslides and a closed track; kids not too dismayed! Reminded us a bit of the Hiawatha Trail, as there were many riding the trails on bikes.
This was the beginning of a great week with AW as our first visitor. Such a joy to share our new home with him, though a bit surreal at times to look across and see him here with us. Luckily there was lots of time to enjoy the beach and hike the Mount and relax in the resort atmosphere that is our home here.
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