Leisurely Last Day

Friday

Sherry thinks Ro must be going through a growth spurt, as he's eating us out of house and home. Mark spent his morning tracking down a Notary Public - easier said than done. Our friends recommended some JP's (Justices of the Peace) and solicitors (lawyers) to sign an affidavit for us, but it turns out their signatures aren't valid in the USA. A Notary here is a lifetime appointment from authorities in England; they are few and far between, and not cheap. One solicitor Mark talked to was extremely helpful, though. Imagine a lawyer in the USA taking a call from a non-client and spending his personal time looking up the closest Notary Public in his Rolodex, and giving detailed contact info and directions on how to get there! So, after a quick hop over the bridge to Tauranga and NZD$75 later, Mark had his signed affidavit in hand.

Fisherman on the west side of Mauao

The girls had gone for a walk around Mauao (along with throngs of school children on field trips), while Carver went Christmas shopping. The ominous clouds threatened rain, but it never came. Mark caught up with Sherry, Norma, and Cerine at the tidepools on the eastern side of The Mount. They had already spotted a seal, and were busy collecting shells. On our walk back to The Anchorage, we spotted a couple of Torea-Pango birds nesting on the Main Beach.

Look what I found!

Shell hunters spoiled for choice

At the base of Mauao

Pohutukawa trees in bloom above the Main Beach

These oystercatchers picked a pretty conspicuous spot

As we walked along Marine Parade, Sherry asked Mark how his lamb chops were last night, sounding just a bit too interested. "Some of the best I've had," he replied. Sherry pulled away in a half-joking huff. Mark followed, "I'm kidding, baby...you think I don't recognize my mom's marinade?" We caught up with Carver for brunch at N&C's place, then Mark was off to work another evening shift. After school, Jean (Jack's Nan) invited Sherry and Ro to join them at the Tay St Dairy for a quick ice cream. The ladies ran into Rochelle and her daughter Bree, also from Ro's class. Soon, it was a regular after-school party, with about 20 kids from Mount Primary eating ice creams while the moms caught up with one another. Afterwards, Sherry and Ro met Cerine and N&C at Drury Park. It was nice weather, if a tad breezy (which drove N&C back to The Anchorage early), and Ro played happily until it was time to leave and get dinner started.

One last look at our beach for Norma

Although they missed Mark, everyone enjoyed making dinner (Mexican chicken with rice & beans) and eating together one last time. Sherry will miss the kitchen company when Teta leaves! Pop read a book to Ro, then Cerine raced planes with him until bedtime. It was sad when they all left, because Sherry and Ro have really enjoyed a taste of family and home. We all spent the remainder of the evening packing for our trips to Australia tomorrow!