Saturday

Sat 22 Nov.

The day started with a phone call from Thomas, telling us that snow may be expected over the weekend. Very difficult to imagine when in such warm humid place. (Hooray we have got to Sunday and no snow here in Yorkshire, but family in Scotland have had a fair bit, much to the younger ones delight)

The morning was spent in great activity, getting ready for the big family get-together. Amanda arrived first with her husband Chris Coad and boys James and Tom. (I think Amanda is my 2nd Cousin) It was really super to see them, after so many years. We caught up and I showed them the pics of the ancient Cosshams, including some of Philip Cossham. Tom looks like Philip and we thought that James reminds us of Toby! (I play runescape with Tom!!)

Christopher arrived, looking really great - he reminded me of Tony,(his later father, i think) Paul thought he saw traces of Hugh and of Bill. We got on really well. It would be terrific if they could visit the UK, but apparently it is very expensive because of the exchange rate. Thank goodness we have heard very little about world economics recently. Brian's daughter Tracey and her partner Garry came too.

In the evening we sorted out some of Wendy's shell collection, and looked at Paul's pics on the computer. He is very pleased with the new camera.

Sun 23rd Nov

Brian and Wendy took us down to Wellington in the car, and we saw the Old St. Paul's church (wooden, like the one in Auckland) and went up to the Botanical Gardens in the cable car.

The gardens are huge, full of enormous trees, and a lovely rose garden and tropical greenhouse. We had lunch sitting in the rose garden.

At 1.30 we visited Amanda so that we could see where she lives. They have a splendid cat called Holly, a very placid tabby. Tom held him and he just drooped over his arm. (wish ours would do that lol) We then went on to Christopher's house in Tio Tio Road, where Wendy and Tony used to live.

Chris has done lots of work on the house and has made it really special, full of individual touches, strong colours on the walls. He has two beautiful husky dogs which have a big run in the garden, very gentle and un-threatening. Soft fur. Chris provided coffee and cakes in the garden overlooking the harbour.

Later we all went to a bay where Paul and Wendy looked for Pau shells, Chris walked his dog, and Brian and I hung around on the beach. We had a tour around Wellington Harbour which is enormous, did nearly all the coast-line.

On coming home we finished up some of yesterday's party food and then watched a DVD which Chris lent us, a very doom-laden Horizon from 2005 about Global Dimming.

The dimming is due to particulates in the atmosphere which reduce the amount of sunshine, and mask the global warming. We are dooooomed. (or is that Dimmmed?)

Much love from mumbo - Off to Nelson soon!