Well here I am embarking on my blogging again, and I thank you for your patience. You see the unexpected arrived, so in writing terms, here is my ‘back story’.
Kotz and I undertook our well advertised Southern Library Tour in February, an exciting time to venture out in our ’new’ 2001 caravan (see previous blog) . Along the way we met many enthusiastic fellow campers, readers and librarians, eventually arriving in our old haunt Balclutha to spend an afternoon at Murray’s memorial service. There, we caught up with old Balclutha buddies, wallowing in special memories of where it ‘all began’…
Kotz and I undertook our well advertised Southern Library Tour in February, an exciting time to venture out in our ’new’ 2001 caravan (see previous blog) . Along the way we met many enthusiastic fellow campers, readers and librarians, eventually arriving in our old haunt Balclutha to spend an afternoon at Murray’s memorial service. There, we caught up with old Balclutha buddies, wallowing in special memories of where it ‘all began’…
We wound our way further south then headed north again until we eventually arrived in Gore. That evening at the local library, one of the ‘talk attendees’ gave us a huge start, appearing as a dead ringer for an old dear Alaskan friend, Tom Harpole. This gentleman proved he had Alaskan roots also, questioning and interjecting throughout my talk, adding information and corroborating. Invited to a post talk dinner, where Alaskan-adventure-sharing was a promising main course, our new friend along with his South African rancher girlfriend dined out on adventures! We reluctantly left them to head back to our cosy caravan in anticipation of a gallop up to Queenstown the following day.
However an over night call from Nelson informed us that my mother had suffered a stroke. Dunedin, not being too far from Gore, was where I caught a plane back home the following day, to be with my Mum. My trusty husband drove all the way back to Nelson with the caravan.
One week later my dear mother who never regained consciousness, died with us by her side. We held a memorial service for her three weeks afterwards in Christchurch; a service attended by around eighty friends and family. What a spectacular sunny day and a loving and laughing, meaningful farewell.
However an over night call from Nelson informed us that my mother had suffered a stroke. Dunedin, not being too far from Gore, was where I caught a plane back home the following day, to be with my Mum. My trusty husband drove all the way back to Nelson with the caravan.
One week later my dear mother who never regained consciousness, died with us by her side. We held a memorial service for her three weeks afterwards in Christchurch; a service attended by around eighty friends and family. What a spectacular sunny day and a loving and laughing, meaningful farewell.
So it was, that in mid April, already scheduled for talks in Christchurch, we decided to complete the remainder of our southern tour. After visiting Queenstown, Te Anau, Waimate (my mother’s birth place), Ashburton and Rangiora, we eventually headed home with just enough books left over. (Whew).
There, so now you have the ‘back-story’.
Since then I have been planning a North Island tour to start mid August, and have been called on to do a spot of unexpected and delightful relief teaching at a local school. As of today (ta da de dah) we have just returned from a South Pacific cruise specially for Kotz’s birthday!
I do plan to keep on keeping you posted.
There, so now you have the ‘back-story’.
Since then I have been planning a North Island tour to start mid August, and have been called on to do a spot of unexpected and delightful relief teaching at a local school. As of today (ta da de dah) we have just returned from a South Pacific cruise specially for Kotz’s birthday!
I do plan to keep on keeping you posted.
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