Rotary International have a scheme, abbreviated as GSE (group study exchange) where a team of up to 5 young adults, aged in their late 20s or 30s, visit a country to expand their knowledge in their chosen vocational area. It was Hawkes Bay’s turn to be the last stay for a team of 4 Danes from Aarhus on the east side of Denmark, plus their leader, Kjeld. The engineer and I were fortunate to host Helle Fabian, a teacher from Skanderborg, for 4 nights. We shared school and teachers’ stories, joined on Saturday night by daughter Kate, also a teacher. Our club organised activites including a cycle along the Rotary pathway

Mette, Peter, Claus, Kjeld and Helle

 visiting Cape Kidnapper’s private wildlife sanctuary, where they were able to witness the release of 44 endangered Blue ducks and saw close up, a Kiwi. Included in their visit was wine tasting at Te Mata wines and cheese tasting at the Te Mata cheese factory. All in all, a very successful and rewarding time with visitors from the other side of the world.

Many, many years ago I spent a year in Wisconsin, USA, as an AFS student. I attended school for a year at J I Case High (for the non-farmers amongst us, J I Case made tractors!) I stayed with the wonderful Barrett family of Crabapple Drive. I had a great year, which changed my life. I travelled all the way to the US from Gisborne and I hadn’t even seen the South island at that stage. I kept in touch with my family, spent a white Xmas with them in 1981 with my husband and 3 year old Kate and 18 month old Mike. The Barretts moved to live in Tucson, Arizona,  in the early 90s, as many older Wisconsinites do to get away from the bitterly cold winters.  I visited them three times since then; in 1992. 1999 and with my two sons in 2005

Having a laugh with my AFS and NZ famiies

 Today I learned my American mother Dottie died last week from complications of being a diabetic for over 50 years. It is sad to be so far away, but my thoughts are with the family. Dottie will be missed and I was so lucky to have shared their lives so long ago.

Saturday 24 April my Rotary club held their first fun run and walk on the Rotary pathway starting at River Road outside Havelock North. It dawned a gorgeous day, as the engineer got up before 6am to join the set up crew from the club. I got there at 8.30am, excited to see quite alot of people there to participate. I convinced my daughter Kate and grand daughters Tia and Maddi to join me on the walk. As Maddi is only 8, we didn’t expect her to walk more than a few kilometers. She managed 6!

A great day for a walk.

Altogether there were 154 registrations, mostly women. As the weather was perfect, it was a great experience for everyone. My daughter had not been on the Rotary pathway before and she was delighted to find such a great place to walk the dog. As you will see from the photos, many of the walkers bought their dogs along.

It was a hot day for a walk!

 The Mayor started the walkers off at 9am, while the 20 runners began at 10 am. Most of the participants completed the 15 kilometers to Blackbridge and back, some for the very first time.  MP Craig Foss, who also walked with his daughter Sophie, presented the major prizes at noon. There was a remarkable selection a spot prizes for all the participants to have a chance to win, with a few major prizes, including 2 bikes, from local businesses.

Only way to go!

We returned to Havelock North today after spending 12 days, travelling down to Queenstown to walk the Milford Track. There were 9 of us in our “Blue Shirts” team, coming from as far afield as Canberra. The team also had both my sisters, Kerry and Penny, as well as my brother-in-law Dave and good friend Jane. We began the walk on 6th April, in overcast conditions but were fortunate enough to experience no rain whatsoever! It was a brilliant experience, helped by the weather and the fact it was a guided trip with all our meals catered each day. I was apprehensive before starting the second day’s walk, as we actually climb the Southern Alps, via the McKinnon Pass at 1154 meters. I made it, with the help of my sister Penny and good friend Jane, who talked me up! The “Blue Team were all thrilled to have made it over the Alps and posed for this photo.

We all made it over the McKinnon Pass, plus George on the right!

I made it in perfect weather!

Last Saturday morning I went to Anderson Park amd watched my grandson Kalani begin his rugby career! Andy and Reece Barham along with George and Sarah Massingham, organise under 5 year olds, called Mighty Rippas, to begin learning rugby skills. It was great to watch boys and a hand full of girls, along with their parents, doing rugby drills and participate in a short game of touch. Tries were scored but the emphasis was on having fun and learning a few basic skills. The highlight for me was, of course, watching Kalani run over the line with the ball, even if he didn’t touch it down! The children all wear rugby shirts, sponsored by Village Shuttle. and Mackersey Construction.

Kalani-A lock like his great grandfather!