Epilogue: 

https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Cheers?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 Last patient, last session, last evening with friends
Last morning walk (Mangaone Stream Walkway)
Not quite time to disconnect the Telecom modem, but it is time to end the blog.
Our thoughts on the worst and the best about the adventure:
feeling physically uncomfortable
having to deal with my Albuquerque job situation
long travel time (dogs second that one)
Rich being on call the day he starts back

meeting and conversing with interesting and very kind people
getting away, scenery, abundance of learning experiences

Until our next adventure:

     Haere Ra

Helen's limerick

 Pictures of our lovely going-away-dos:  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/GoingAway?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Back to packing; do space bags really make a difference?  The weather is fine for our last weekend.

Manawatu Riverside Walkway and Bridle Track

Opened to mark Queen Victoria's 60th Jubilee, the Esplanade Gardens include a large duck pond, a cherry drive and an avenue of phoenix palms.  We won't be here to enjoy the famous Dugald Mackenzie Rose Gardens.

Spring is coming.  I won't say it's here, because it's still going down to 2 degrees at night (mid 30s).    Actually, spring here starts on September 1; summer on December 1.  The days are getting longer, and it is nice to not be doing the morning walks in the dark anymore.  For those that had difficulty figuring out when to call us when we were 18 hours ahead of Mountain Time in Albuquerque: in October, Palmy will be 19 hours ahead, and then 20 hours ahead after the US falls back in November.  We enjoyed the cherry trees in the Esplanade today, but the ground is still quite spongy.  There, and at dog club last night, gum boots would have made walking more pleasant.  Getting through the last week is hard.  We are happy to be going home, but saying good-bye is difficult, and is making me sad.  We are keeping busy with moving arrangement details, thinking about packing, and going away dinners.

We packed the dogs' bag and went through all the books and papers today.  I collected so many maps and tourist brochures that Rich asked if I was trying to start my own I-site.  Happy Rosh Hashanah.  I am missing a Jewish community at this time.  No round challah, but we have apples and honey, and can listen to the shofar on You Tube.  L'Shanah Tovah, and Happy Birthday Jeff!

reward for 1st place

See all of today's pictures at:   https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/HODTCDay?authuser=0&feat=directlink   I have to shout a cake at dog club Monday night.  

Today, I enjoyed my day off.  I had a delightful walk with 5 dogs and 2 beautiful ladies.  Pictures are at  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/SlegeTrack?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Rx enjoyed his swims.  Hope to get him to the ocean one more time.  This weekend Rich is on call, and Rx and I are going to Levin for the Horowhenuna Obedience Dog Training Club Championship Obedience Tests.  We entered Special Beginners and Novice.  We haven't trained much this term, so we're going to practice the sit and down stays, and work on heeling.  Then, we start packing.