PHOTO STORY TIME

I went to Auckland in July because  our dear friend, Chris deWys had a liver transplant and an 8 week roster was made for caregivers. I was one of them. I will get to his photos shortly, but first - as Kent was on night duty, he would come past and pick me up from my accommodation each morning and we went out to breakfast! This was actually our final morning, and we discovered this awesome European style gorgeous cafe. We made it a special occasion and it sure was! I SO look forward to going back...

The gorgeous table we sat at was an extremely old family heirloom...

 Another cafe, scone and coffee place! Inner city... we walked there that day.

Up close and personal....

AND NOW BROCK!!

Brock has interesting living conditions! He is currently living in a warehouse, on the mezzanine floor! Pete and Hilt actually live there in the warehouse and go home weekends, so Brock is dossing down on the mezz floor.
Here it is as we walk in the front door to the office.

You walk through that door..... up the stairs.....

and around the corner.....

and here we are!  Many hundreds of square feet all to himself!

This is where Mike and Guy are also going to stay this coming weekend! A boys weekend....

and below... the view as you look down into the warehouse from his 'bedroom'!   You'd pay good money for a view like this!

Who is this?

This is Sarah!

She and I cruised the shops and she tried this outfit on - 3 sizes too big and 35 years too old....

We took this pic for fun!

AND NOW... WE GET TO THE MAN OF THE DAY!

CHRIS DEWYS RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL FROM A LIVER TRANSPLANT

Quite early on in the picture... and he is looking well.

Off for a biopsy. Russell and Wendy Pemberton are with him.

With his close friend Neil Stace who came over especially from Australia to be with him.

This Kauri tree is 300 years old (I think) and quite a feature!

Chris and me!

Chris with Alex Eschenbach, another great friend.

Final picture of his hospital room which had become a 'home' to him!

Ashley de Wys (Chris's son) came up again for the weekend. Kent with him.

And finally, for the week in Auckland.....

Kent's trusty Merc... I was in the car behind and couldn't resist taking a pic of Brock and Kent yakking in front of us..

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Well, not quite finally!

Below are pics of the Transplant House where Chris and his caregivers stay for the 8 weeks.  It is really lovely with beautiful views over the city.

It is on the top story.

Two flights of stairs.

Inside looking towards the kitchen.

Gorgeous view from the lounge area.

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AND NOW, BACK HOME AGAIN...

Relaxing in the kitchen, Aileen Johnston (Melbourne, Australia) and Allen Riley (USA)

Aileen came and stayed two weeks.

Allen comes and goes.... like the wind... :)

 Aileen was impressed with this very large pumpkin at Funky Pumpkin!

Aileen, with Celia and Paul Watson.

Gary's birthday!  Gary and his mum!

Gary unwrapping a few prezzies! Aileen, Heath and Guy look on...

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GLORIAVALE BI-ANNUAL MUSIC CONCERT

ANCIENT ADVENTURES

(was the theme this year)

Mike, myself and the boys were thrilled to be invited to the Gloriavale Christian Community Bi-annual concert.

The whole community takes part in it, and it takes 10,000 hours of preparation.

450 odd people, and it is amazing.

Seating arrangement below. 

Guy, Heath and Mike, with Christopher Courage.

Christopher is a beautiful singer.

Gary, Allen, Steve, Guy, Heath, Mike... ducks in a row!

A beautiful 4 course meal is served throughout the 4 hour concert.

The opening orchestral piece.

ALL the children learn the violin to begin with, and then progress to other instruments as they grow older...

I know the little ones choir below is blurred (sorry!) but it's the only one I have. I think these ones are the 3-5 year olds. SO sweet. One tiny girl sang in Hebrew.

Gradually an older group concert would join the ones before. This one has three age groups...

More...

Some gorgeously attired ballroom dancers in the concert.

Every costume is made by the community people.

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And finally for today!

Heath is in the Christchurch Boys' High School orchestra and choir.

Here they are singing their wee hearts out with the 'Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrement" (or a name like that!) choir in their incredible church a couple of weeks back. It might have been freezing cold in there, but worth the sit and look as you'd be hard pressed to find a cathedral as beautiful as this in NZ anyway!

And thats it from me for today! Until next time...... Cheers!

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