I cannot believe that I've now slept here for 8 nights and am shortly to be picked up to go to a 3-day croquet tournament in Mount Maunganui. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. I have hardly take a photo since I arrived. I have just lived: been a surrogate grandpa and thoroughly enjoyed The Family and my friends.
A lovely incident was the decision by the Marewa Croquet Club to which I belonged for so long to refuse my application to rejoin for the rest of the year. Given that I will only be here for six weeks they decided that they would not accept my application but simply charge me green fees: and then set those fees at zero. I was very, very touched indeed.
I have no idea whether I will have wifi until next Monday evening when I get home again so I'm just letting you know that I haven't deserted Blogland and that hopefully I'll be back with plenty of photos and something a bit more interesting to report.
I'll leave you with the view as I'm typing this. It's not a bad life!
Not a bad view. We walked on Tolsta Beach today. Brilliant weather and 11c - after the awful weather of late it was a very special and beautiful day. Have a wonderful trip. All well at your house "across the valley". 😎
ReplyDeleteThank you Pat. On days like that I'm very happy on Tolsta Beach however just at the moment a sunny 27℃ is copeable with.
DeleteThat's a great location compared to a Scottish winter!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great location to down a Scotch too.
DeleteRed and Cro you are both absolutely correct in my book!
DeleteLovely view, VERY different from what I see right now from my windows :-)
ReplyDeleteGood to know that there are nice people at your croquet club, making reasonable and humane decisions instead of just sticking to their rules.
Meike you're right. So often committees have no imagination and that decision really moved me.
DeleteI could sit there for hour upon hour...what a beautiful spot. I'm glad you're having a wonderful time, Graham...keep up the good work! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee. I seem to be fortunate to have beautiful views and big skies wherever I live. I do love openness.
DeleteEnjoy your croquet match away with your club.
ReplyDeleteThat was very sweet of them to allow you to play for free.
Thanks Virginia. The weather is good this morning - first day of tournament - so we are hoping to enjoy ourselves. It was a lovely gesture.
DeleteLooks like it is warm. Enjoy your croquet.
ReplyDeleteDiane the temperature is in the upper ℃. That suits me.
DeleteNot a bad life, indeed. How wonderful to have faithful friends that welcome you back into the fold no matter when you pop up! I wish you wonderful days.
ReplyDeleteYou absolutely right Mrs Thyme: it's a pretty good life in fact.
DeleteHappy for you that you get to enjoy playing croquet again - and even for free! Nice gesture of welcome from your old club. Wish you the best of luck in the tournament as well! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Monica. It's a beautiful morning with a hot day in prospect: right up my street.
DeleteI shall look out for you on Sky Sports when they're doing their NZ croquet coverage. Take no notice of the crowd. Their chanting and caddish songs from the terraces are meant to put the opposition off - just like Anfield or Goodison Park.
ReplyDeleteAs you know YP sport is BIG in New Zealand and croquet is quite awell-supported sport too but it is not a spectator sport for the uninitiated but the three spectators today were treated to a fair dinkum display.
DeleteA nice peaceful view!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to access blogs recently but I must say it is lovely to see this and imagine you basking in the sunshine and enjoying croquet. You are clearly absolutely delighted to be back in NZ and I don't blame you!!
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