The first few weeks

Honeymoon Mode

From Hawera we set off east to explore Hawke's Bay and the East Coast. After about ten days we returned to New Plymouth, picked up our spare clothes and wedding gifts, and headed north through Auckland for a last few free days at Ruakaka before going back to work.

 

The honeymoon euphoria lasted a few more days. But it came crashing down about three weeks into the winter term. Quite literally: Margaret and I were teaching our fourth form English classes together one afternoon. Creative Drama it was supposed to be. Adding creativity to euphoria was too much. At one stage I gave a leap into the air and landed awkwardly on my left foot, heard a cracking noise and ended up later in  the afternoon with my foot in plaster and my walking-stick, purchased a few days beforehand in Kerikeri, helping me to stumble around.

 

Then there was the sombre period a few weeks later when Mary had another heart attack.  We rushed to Auckland, where Olwyn was home from Bangladesh looking after her. We visited the hospital, and Mum was siting up, looking and seeming weak, but able to talk with us. After staying as long as we could on the Sunday, we headed home, only to be met by a phone call telling us Mary had died while we were on the road.

 

So Monday morning we headed back to Auckland and the large funeral at the Epsom Church. Rightly, Mary was eulogised by a succession of speakers for her church and community work, and her leadership of the family at various times.

 

Eventually life began to settle down and we were able to get on with our learning to live together. Olwyn was planning to marry early the next year, in Bangladesh, and asked me to give her away. We could not , of course, stay away from such an important event. So we decided Shamal would have to be sold. We got her ready and found a buyer in Auckland, who came just before Christmas and we watched sadly as she sailed out of the Bay.

 

The scarf was intended to include the autumn colours

in the park at our wedding.

Also before Christmas, the local body elections were held. I was re-elected to the Community Council with the largest vote, and unanimously re-elected Chair of the group.

 

Also during this period, Margaret became interested in learning to spin, bought a spinning wheel and found an older friend in Paihia who was able to teach her. It is very relaxing to sit by the fire on a winter's evening, with the spinning wheel humming nearby.

 

I found an interest in weaving, and eventually purchased a small table loom on which I wove cushions and wall-hangings and so on. Especially later when we grew our own sheep, shore and spun the wool and wove some, this was a fascinating hobby.

 

We also planned some renovations for the house: aluminium joinery, and some new wall-paper, which over the succeeding months we had much fun choosing and putting up.