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.

It's still raining, but here are the positives:  rainbows, the verdant green countryside that we've been enjoying (compared to New Mexico browns), the fact that the coats we bought before the trip are warm and truly waterproof!

 First time Kaylee got on the bed here.  Does it mean she's ready to go home and get back on Nana's bed, or did she discover the electric blanket that was on?  Words for this week:
pikelets (little pancakes), passing motions, child was grizzly, the way phone #s are given 06 3626 184, credentials BA, MBChB, Dip. Obs, MRNZCGP, meringue recipe reminding me of Polish bezy.
Look on facebook to see Robyn's new puppy
  "Knackered after my first day of being Kiwi Ozzie!"
Why are Mike and Lee the only ones able to post blog comments? 

I wasn't going to say another word about the weather, but decided to show why another walk was aborted.  In addition to rain, cold, and wind; today we were pelted with pea sized hail.  So Nikki, I haven't been running; although the kiwis are out there training in their shorts.  I am trying to keep in shape by meeting with Mat at the gym; I don't want to add more kilos to those I've already gained.    
Palmy scenes:

library

Coleman Mall

George Street

Just came in from our evening walk in the rain.  It wasn't raining this morning, but there were waves in the puddles in our car park (from the wind).  I posted these pictures as reminders of our walks.  Of course, I didn't bring the camera out when it was pouring, but don't be misled; google the weather in Palmerston North, and compare it to New Mexico in cms per month or year.  While you're reading about weather, read about the winds that Wellington had on Saturday.  Getting back to walks, I'm not going to miss passing the "cat garage" and the "jumping dog" on Mere Mere Ave, scooters and skate boards, or cats.  I will miss watching curious George trying to snoop in every yard.  

Our adventure coming to an end is bittersweet.  We're looking forward to being home, but not to the process of getting there.  Packing is always a stress, especially with the weight limitations.  The dogs have to get their export paperwork.  Rich is worried about driving again in the US.  I am worried about practicing medicine again in the US, especially in a new clinic with a new computer system.  We were surprised that seeing Oncology patients here was not very different, but working as a GP was so challenging.  Once we're home, the Palmy experience will feel remote all too soon.

Waikanae Beach

We enjoyed our weekend in Wellington.  Spent Saturday at the wonderful Te Papa.  Sunday we visited the Botanic Garderns, the Carter Observatory, the Cable Car Museum, Cuba Street, the City Gallery and more.  It rained hard during the drive home, and we walked the dogs in the rain after we had tea.  It's still raining now.  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/LastWellyTrip?authuser=0&feat=directlink

We had fun at the rugby game.  Watch the videos at     https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/AllBlacks?authuser=0&feat=directlink
to see the haka, the weather, a scrum, a lift during a line-out, a penalty kick, and one of the All Blacks sliding in for a try; you can also listen to the New Zealand National Anthem in Maroi and English.

Friday:  Lee and Marta are now on their way back to Bonham via Auckland and San Francisco.  We enjoyed their company for the last 2 weeks; enjoyed sharing the kiwiana.  We are driving to Wellington in the morning for the All Blacks V Argentina game at Westpac Stadium, AKA the cake tin; weather prediction is for gale force winds.  Med of the week is Difflam (benzydamine), NSAID with local anesthetic and analgesic properties, mostly used for pharyngitis symptoms.
Tour of the Tui brewery and more activities with the Schreibers at   https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/TuiDay?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Less time for commentary now, so the pictures will have to speak for themselves:  https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/RoadTrip?authuser=0&feat=directlink
We leave 3 weeks from today.

Mount Maunganui sheep

Waihi Beach

Coromandel roads

panning for gold

Enjoyed a jaffa slice for dessert after our lunch in Te Aroha; then we walked a little in the Karangahake gorge.
Local food of the week: Maynards wine gums; for sale on the train and at the movies, along with the Tip Top ice cream.  Weather here has been lousy, but actually got worse with the current gusts.  Ever hear of the equinox winds?  People here are still as nice, friendly, and laid back as ever.