A Taste Of The Middle-East

Friday

Since we're going on a rafting trip this weekend, Norma and Cerine were in need of non-cotton clothes, so Sherry took them to the Salvation Army Thrift Store down the street. Norma held her purse tightly as she dubiously eyed the rack of used underwear, muttering "I've never been in a store like this." She did find some nylon track pants ON SALE for just NZ$3, less than a cup of coffee. Sherry found a comfy merino wool jersey with a small, easily-repairable hole in the elbow. Norma made sure to wash all her purchases in hot water...separately.

Ro preparing his own lunch, enjoying a leftover lolly from last night

While Mark was working and Ro was in school, Sherry took Norma, Carver, and Cerine to Tauranga's Historic Village. They checked out the Rock & Gem Club and the Wood Museum. Carver was impressed with the selection and prices at the Gem Club, but thought the wooden products were overpriced. Sherry bought a fossil cockle "for Ro's shell collection." Mark suspects she got it just because she likes saying, "fossil cockle."

Mark had to stay at work late to cover for a sick colleague, but made it home in time to walk the couple blocks with the family to Zeytin's Cafe for dinner with Bill & Kathryn. Ro was off with Barnaby at a party, and Mat was home with a babysitter, so we had a rare adults-only dinner. It was very relaxing, and the food was very good. We even lingered over coffee. Norma and Carver got the lamb and beef tagines, respectively, Mark the lamb doner kebab, Sherry the moussaka, and Cerine the spanakopita. Most of the conversation revolved around the cultural differences between countries we'd visited, and, of course, the kids. Kathryn had been at the school earlier in the day, and told us that all the children ate sandwiches using veggies from the class garden. Apparently Ro wolfed down two, while classmate Greer exclaimed, "I don't eat anything green."

Enjoying a peaceful evening out at Zeytin's

Even though we weren't home until 9pm, we beat Craig back to The Anchorage. He and the boys had been at a surprise party for one of his friends located on a farm. Ro and Barnaby had thoroughly enjoyed it, and when asked about the evening, Ro exclaimed, "Their dog liked me!" He was so tuckered out when he got home, Sherry took a chance and put him straight to bed without a bath. We then started packing for our weekend getaway.