The van Dijks Go On Leave: Back home to NZ

September and October flew by with a visit home to NZ. My flight took me from Luanda-Johannesburg (3.5 hours), J'Burg-Perth (10.5 hours), Perth- Auckland (7 hours), Auckland to Wanganui (was planning to fly to New Plymouth however poor weather/and half a day at the airport, I opted to reroute to Wanganui. (1 hour)

It was a bonus to see Mam and Dad and Jed before they took me the next day to meet Liam and transfer me to him! Its strange to be the one being exchanged now - we did that a few times with Liam when he was little.

Great to see my boy again and get to know his lovely girlfriend, Shani a bit better.

Liam and Shani with Mini-dog

I caught up with lots of people and had the joy of spending a week with my dear friend Karen. (AKA little Chick, bestie, KarenMarie...).

Karen standing on her rock

I arrived unannounced at Chloe's 5th birthday party - what a great party. So happy to see my young friends again.

Home in time for a special 5 year old birthday

Having a giggle with Little J. Hatch

Fun out with the girls'

Twisted Sista (Trish) and Wayne, with Miss Plum

I spent a lovely few days on and off with dear friends, The Gibbons. I was very blessed by them and their hospitatlity.

More hospitable-ness at Ian and Jill's

Jesse off to Army Cadets

Katelyn at swimming champs

A beautiful Oakura morning

Dad and I whitebaiting at Kai Iwi beach

Dad and I enjoyed a few hours whitebaiting at the beach, catching the sum total of 20 bait. I think Missy got them for tea.

Lake Mangamahoe

Liam and I enjoyed a couple of hours walking around Lake Mangamahoe - I walked there by myself the following week and in my thinking got completely off track into bush mans country!

Old friends, Miriam and John for morning tea

Due to lack of opportunities in Luanda, I got my animal fix when I was home in NZ.

Hulk

Jed, here boy!

Ruby at Little Wing, Oakura

OJ at Shani's

And then some people actually need fixing themselves! I am sure there are easier ways to preen your cat Wayne!

Wayne's weekly household vaccuuming

Karen and Dave's dear Molly Maree passed away. RIP little girl who rolled in the cow pats, let off sneakers and loved being snuggled up to Mum on the chair..

Little Miss Molly and I

Jill's sheep (minus chocolate raisins)

Jed taking Dad for a walk

Bye bye Wards 2 and 5

I worked at Taranaki Base Hospital on and off from 1984 till 2004. Lots of fond memories of the children's ward and surgical ward.

OneBurgessHill Motel view

Taranaki in Spring -so fresh and green - stunning days ...and LOTS of rain. But someone has to put the big bin out on rubbish day even if it's raining.

Barnee in Boots, Daves coat and Karen's dressing gown - what a sight.

Mount Taranaki, always beautiful

Liam and Shani, with Emma and Chloe

Bye bye Jen

Off to Perth for a few days stop over on way back to Luanda. Had a lovely catchup with Midwifery colleague and friend, Rosie and her son Tom who came and stayed with us a long time ago. Looking good guys! We had a nice meal at Mandurah (pronounced Man-drah!)