Return to Matapouri, Ngunguru & Auckland!

For one night only, we stopped to camp at Julie’s favourite beach, now Matapouri –just beating Uretiti! – and enjoyed our final swim! We met Solonge, a friend of Ben and Zoe’s from Mamakea, in a very amusing beach encounter and then called in to see Ben, Zoe and the now bigger puppies once more, before meeting Genevieve for a ‘Goodbye’ lunch at Cafe BOB in Whangarei. We returned the much appreciated blanket that Genevieve had lent us to keep us warm at night since night-time temperatures had become noticeably cooler, and her copy of one of the best books Richard says he’s ever read about relationships, ‘Passionate Marriage’ by Dr David Schnarch. This is all about how to maintain a strong sense of self (NO – in 7 Words terms) in relationship (THANKS – in 7 Words) without getting ‘lost’, consumed or becoming co-dependent. ‘Differentiation’ (NO) is the key and Richard thoroughly recommends this book for everyone who wants to enjoy real intimacy.

We enjoyed our time with Genevieve until, of course, we had to say Goodbye, again! Like many of our new friendships, we’re certain this one will remain very special for many years to come. Thanks for everything, Genevieve. It’s been great to get to know you, to sing with you, to laugh, share and cry with you! We’ll see you again soon, on Skype!

And so we arrived at Graham and Megan’s in Green Bay, Auckland, for our final week. Another delightful family who have a very special place in our hearts. We first met Graham back in November, our first month in NZ, at Aio Wira. Then we met the whole family at the Prana Festival in the Coromandel over New Year – remember the beach umbrella they bought us! Then during the week after our fast at Aio Wira in March, we went to visit them for an afternoon and evening which is when they invited us to stay at their bach and to come back and see them again. Having met Megan’s parents at the bach, we were now also able to meet Graham’s parents, Mike and Janet, who were visiting from Cumbria, England for six weeks. We received a wonderfully warm welcome from them all, including an electric heater to replace Genevieve’s blanket!

It was wonderful to spend so much time with them all, in their beautiful home, with wonderful views overlooking Manakau Harbour (left), enjoying many crosswords with Mike and Janet, and several games of ‘Zotto’ with everyone – a word game that Ruby and James, the children (right), particularly enjoyed.


Graham and Megan treated us (YET AGAIN!) to a wonderful Goodbye meal out at the Lai Thai Restaurant in New Lynn. Graham organized a very special and much appreciated ‘coffee and cakes’ morning for the ‘girls’ on Mothers’ Day (10th May in NZ) whilst the ‘boys’ gathered elsewhere, at Lindy and Marti’s house, to give the girls time to do on their own what only girls can do! The boys read the Sunday papers and made toasted sandwiches – thanks Marti.

That night, Megan’s choir, or rather the choir that it is fortunate enough to have Megan sing in it, gave a performance in Auckland in a concert hall that reminded us of St. George’s in Bristol! It was a huge success and a delightful way to end Mothers’ Day.

The next day – our penultimate day in NZ – we had to return our mobile home to Kerry at Leisure Vehicles in Albany, just north of Auckland, and Graham very kindly came up after work to collect us. That night Mike and Janet cooked a special curry for us all and Graham said an old and very powerful Maori prayer to bless the meal, our time together and our journey home – thanks Graham, extremely moving! And after one final game of Zotto, Megan drove us to the Jet Park Hotel, near Auckland airport, where we chose to spend our final night.