High summer in the Manawatu

My day started with a run before the cloud burned off to be replaced by a hot Manawatu day.

Coffees, preparing rooms, ironing, talking and shopping filled a good chunk of the day. During the afternoon I took a walk around the extensive and beautiful gardens my cousin and his wife have created from empty fields. They are an oasis of peace and calm on a windy boisterous plain. 

Frequent texts plotted the course of my brother, sister in law and Dad, who made a long drive to join us, along with assorted other cousins.

More local cousins joined us for a pizza oven party in the evening. We ate, laughed drank, and anticipated even more fun tomorrow when we travel to Waikanae for a celebration 90th birthday lunch for Uncle Travis.

As I helped Dad with his bags and showed him to his room and bathroom, we remarked how much Mum would have loved the garden setting, and opportunity to see her extended family.

Her absence is always bitter sweet.