ANZAC DAY
And here we are near Tinui where on the 25 April 1916 the first ANZAC service was ever held in the World.
We began our day in the Wharema Hall singing God Of Nations at thy feet in the bonds of love we meet, hear our voices we entreat God defend New Zealand.
We sung it in Māori first and the whole anthem was truly moving.
We drove to Tinui, parked in a paddock with the bonus of cow paddies and ambled down the lane to the Memorial Hall where we positioned ourselves well to enjoy the service. A lone piper headed a parade to the Memorial Hall with the Whakaoriori Air-Scouts and a detachment of the Armoured Corps (Cavalry - their officer wore spurs!). The national anthem was sung. The names of the Fallen from both wars were read by the scout troupe followed by an address by Sir Jerry Matapaerae GNZM, QSO, KstJ. At the conclusion of the proceedings we were all invited to a banquet of locally baked delights and tea and coffee.
The original service held in April 1916 (exactly one year after the Gallipoli landings) also involved erecting a memorial cross at the top of Tinui Taipo, a 360 meter high hill overlooking the Tinui township.
We were unable to do the walk with our girl as it was farm land, so Sophie looked after our home.
We both set off with good footwear and plenty of water, but in hindsight tramping boots would have been more appropriate. It was a steady climb with several steep bits in places and much of the tracks going into the bush was narrow goat tracks and steep drop offs to the side complete with slippery clay and mud.
Needless to say, we both slept well💤