Rotorua

Sunday 27 and Monday 28 Jan 2008

After waking up a bit on the seedy side (huzzah to all those involved in the organisation of the SOCSPO Closing Ceremony), and a fortifying breakfast (for old times) at the Arizona Bar, Kathy headed off to the airport to fly to Rotorua to visit family up there. Most importantly, it was to visit elderly grandparents, as Kathy’s afraid that it will be the last time she sees them so hale. It was well worth the effort (thanks Matty for nagging me). Kathy stayed with her uncle Graeme and his wife Mary, which was lovely. Grandma and Grandpa picked her up, then dropped her at Graeme and Mary’s. After lunch (and a laze on the back lawn), Mary lent Kathy her car, and she took then for a drive out to Lake Okareka, the Green and Blue Lakes, and to Lake Tarawera, then back to Rotorua around the ‘back’ of the lake through Ngongotaha. We arrived back at the Grandparent’s place around 6pm-ish, picked up a couple of things for dinner, then headed over to Graeme and Mary’s for dinner. It was a lovely afternoon and evening, and Kathy had a good long talk with her grandparents. They asked many questions about the upcoming move to Wales, and are looking forward to hearing all our adventures and mis-adventures.

Dinner that evening was lovely – nice Kiwi lamb rack roast with veges. After dinner, and after Graeme took the grandparents home, Kathy also had a nice long chat with her hosts. It was really good for her to get the low-down on the health of both grandparents.

The next morning, after a lazy start all around (it being Auckland Anniversary Weekend – yes I know she was in Rotorua, but there you go) Kathy’s cousin, Abigail arrived, and we all headed to the airport. We met up with the grandparents for an early lunch, and the rest of the Rotorua family turned up. Kathy said she felt very special being seen

off by so many people (including the Air New Zealand manager for Rotorua!).
And what was Matt doing during this time? He did some washing and important shopping for Kathy’s birthday, then proceeded to have himself scared witless at the movies. (Matt - I didn't say witless - it was "Cloverfield") Oh, and he set up this blog, got some postcards, and did the first posting.

It was good to get back to Wellington, even if the weather wasn’t as good as it had been the week before.

After a lazy afternoon, Kathy and Matt proceeded to get ready and go out to celebrate Kathy’s birthday. At her request, dinner was at Logan Brown. Logan Brown is one of Wellington’s top restaurants, and is located oddly enough on the corner of Vivian and Cuba Streets, in the heart of the red light district. The building the restaurant is in is an old bank, and is just spectacular. Very beautiful, and the owners have done the right thing with the interior decoration. Matt was most impressed with the drinks trolly for the after dinner bevvies. Kathy was just thrilled to be there. The food was good, the wine was good, and a good time was had by all. Back to the hotel not too late, in preparation for the next day – off to the Marlborough Sounds!!