Christmas News 06

BETTY AND MALCOLM’S CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2006

It is five years since we moved to the top of the south and very happy we are here in Motueka. We have made new friends here but have not forgotten those we left behind. We caught up with many of these when we drove down to Tuatapere’s centenary in February. They know how to organize a great celebration there. The parade was spectacular. We saw Shane Harvey shear a lamb in world record time. We attended the official opening of Helen McKay’s Yesteryears Café. John, Lorraine and family had just moved to Invercargill so we stayed with Glenda and Gary who had recently moved in to 77 Half Mile Rd.

On our way home we stopped in Christchurch so Malcolm could attend St Anne’s Primary School Centenary. A month later we were back in Christchurch for the 50th anniversary of Malcolm’s Teachers’ College “class of 56” Then at the beginning of April we came further south to Mosgiel where the Garrett clan gathered to dedicate a new gravestone to John James Garrett who emigrated from the Isle of Man and worked as a hard rock miner on the Hindon reef. In a short but impressive ceremony at the Allanton cemetery, Dugald recited the Lord’s Prayer which he had translated into Manx.
While there we also celebrated Robert’s 70th birthday with a dinner at the Weaver’s Restaurant. Nick and Barbara were there from Queensland. Liz and Ward had come to NZ a month earlier. They spent a week with us in Motueka and during this time we joined them in a trip out to the lighthouse at Farewell Spit.
By Easter we were ready for a few months at home. Big project of the year was the building of our new sunroom. Down came the ugly patio roof, (Thanks Alec) up came the pavers. The contractors moved in and poured a coloured concrete floor. The builders did their bit. Malcolm painted and we now have a large extra room.. The smallest bedroom has lost one single bed and has my writing desk and laptop with a wireless connection to Malcolm’s computer. We don’t have to talk, we can send emails and share files!
In June John had a DOC course in Richmond and was able to spend a few days here before Lorraine, Ben and Sam arrived. They had come to support Isaac who was playing in the Southland Under 17 Basketball team at the South Island Tournament. We managed to get to see a game. Sam has spent this year at Lincoln University. He has enjoyed being able to retreat to his Uncle Philip’s at Rushbrook Farm for good food, company and some extra work.
In August we were shocked to hear that Robert had had a stroke. He had seemed his usual self at his 70th a few months earlier. He is now in Studio 2 Wesley Care. His left side is paralysed .but he is able to speak and read. Maria has moved back into their house
More sad news when we heard that our dear friend of more than thirty years, Robin Burt, had lost her battle with cancer. We have many happy memories, Robin.
Malcolm has passed on his chairmanship of Museum Trust and Seniornet but is still much involved. Betty is busy as Golf Captain and Probus secretary. We both enjoy our house, garden, reading, TV and church fellowship. Best of all is being able to join in family activities. We had a family lunch for Marian’s 40th at The Naked Possum in Golden Bay. Katie’s tap dancing concerts are well worth the trip over the hill. The “Ents” are always included in the Ross birthday dinner parties. We have to keep an eye on the ever increasing Highland Fold, poultry, goats, sheep and building progress. Victoria’s Herman spent a year with us but now has his own stockade on the Ross acres and is on duty to challenge all visitors. We looked after Kelly, the Dougan’s beautiful golden retriever for six weeks while Joe and Margaret were in UK. [Joe’s daughter is married to John Key so they bathe in reflected glory] At present there are no resident pets except goldfish and lovebirds.
Rob and Vicki are also making progress with building. Their new house at Outram is due to be completed soon. We will see it when we go south to spend Christmas and New Year with Betty’s Mum in Te Anau. Friend Marion McLean and some of her family will be staying in our house while we are away. We enjoyed Marion’s hospitality on our trips to Christchurch during the year.