We wake up to a beautiful day in Wellington. It's sort of shocking to be in a big city, but we managed to wend our way to the campsite yesterday after the ferry crossing and here we are ready for our next U3A encounter.
Karen Palmer of Wellington U3A put together a fantastic gathering of 16 for a 'pot luck' buffet lunch at her lovely home high overlooking the harbour - wonderful view, a challenge for the RV to get up there! As usual we talked U3A. A great group. Lin, everywhere we go, they love the U3A pins and magnifiers. Wish I had brought more bookmarks and a U3A News to show them. You can see from the picture we're having fun.
The rest of the afternoon we spent at Te Papa Tongarewa, the National Museum of New Zealand. Along with a great heritage exhibition of both the Moari community and the settlers history, a big attraction is the giant squid that is preserved and on show. Something right out of 2o,ooo Leagues Under the Sea and scary. You would not want to meet up with it ... ever. In fact this is the only museum in the world that has one.
There's a concert in the Botanic Gardens tonight and I was hoping for classical or easy listening or even country and western, but instead it is pop - decided to give it a miss this time - must be getting old!
We decided to stay an extra day because tomorrow there is the 'Absolutely Positively Pasifika Festival' on at the waterfront Waitangi Park. Says there will be a kaleidoscope of Pacific island dance and song, traditional food and crafts. Can't wait.
PS The U3A group picture above includes Elizabeth Moles, Vivienne Rollo, David and Anke Atkins, Gaynor Stewart, Val Ferguson, Jane Page, Julia Sparks, our hostess Karen Palmer (front left), Michael and Joyce Foster, Rosemary and Stan Ralston, Bea Hamer, Lloyd and Joy Parkin. Can you picture me in the middle of everything?! (Picture, as usual, by official photographer Stew.)
PPS Mike: yes, we saw your note and will be sending an email to your friend. Don't think we'll be in her vicinity on our journey, though.
The forecast his for a return of Arctic conditions. NCFC are where they were -- a striker short of being a team -- but with B Gunn esq risking his place in the affection of fans by becoming manager. At half-time on Tues (with NCFC 2-0 up v Southampton) fans were saying; "Thart shews yer aboot Rooder. They din't waarnt ter play fer him." Then, after drawing 2-2, the Radio Norfolk phone-in on the way home was all: "Gunny, his got no experience. Blaars, we shoulder git Paul Ince." Both views are crass, of course, but I do fear for the great Gunn. This isn't the Pink Un message board, I know, but thought you'd like to know. The pic of Barb with the two cornets was rubbing it in a bit, I felt.
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