13 March: Monday. This week will be full of last minute visits and packing up before we head north on the final legs of this adventure. Today included finishing up the rest of the laundry, a visit with the Rangoonis, and some quick shopping. I did look at the packing, but haven't the will to start.

14 March: Tuesday. At Jo Rangooni's suggestion, we went to the Manawatu Knitting Mills outlet store in Palmerston North. What a find! They have wonderful sales on both first quality and seconds of merino and possum/merino knitwear. All of their merchandise is made in NZ by New Zealanders which is not easy to find. In the evening we met the Berrys and Williamsons for dinner at the Mekong Thai restaurant here in Feilding. A good meal...and outstanding company.

15 March: Wednesday. Packing began in earnest. We arranged with Air New Zealand to have an extra checked bag...only US$70 if you prepay (US$195 at the airport counter). In indulged in a pedicure in the afternoon. Reading and relaxing rounded out the day.

16 March: Thursday. The Central Districts Field Days are on at Manfield Park in Feilding. This is one of the main agricultural fairs in NZ. Buzz and I walked around the vendors learning about all sorts of stuff and collecting swag. After three hours, I took the swag and came home. Buzz stayed another couple of hours to more closely inspect the farm machinery, etc. which, I admit, doesn't hold much fascination for me. We have just about finished the packing. We met David and Lyn Broad for a lovely dinner at Amayjen...a new restaurant in Feilding. It was good to spend some time with them before we leave Feilding. My final few Feilding photos for this trip show that autumn is inching its way in, Feild Days were fun, and beautiful sunsets are the rule...not the exception. Tomorrow we'll clean up after ourselves, and head for Tauranga beginning the end of our trip.

17 March: Friday. We packed up the car, washed and dried the sheets and towels, fed the cat, and headed north. When we got to Bulls there was a sign that the Desert road, the most direct route north, was closed. This meant a detour that added about an hour to our trip, but treated us to some lovely views along a road we haven't traveled for many years. We stopped in Hunterville to take some photos of the bronze, larger than life, Huntaway dog sculpture that is the work of our friend Jackie Williamson. The sculpture greets people arriving from the north. The day was fine as we continued, but clouds covered the mountains. There is a large NZ Army training ground and military installation at Waiouru, Just before the detour was the sign I have pictured. We drove through Ohakune, the gateway to skiing on Mt. Ruapehu, and National Park Village, around the top of Lake Rotoaira and stopped to have a picnic at a lovely spot overlooking the town of Turangi. Lake Taupo was tranquil as we passed on our way to Tauranga. Audrey had a delicious dinner for us, and we settled in for a few days.

18 March: Saturday. As Buzz was cleaning up from breakfast, he broke the glass of the Bodum coffee pot. Audrey had plans for the early afternoon; so Buzz and I set off in search of a replacement. We found what we needed at Briscoes, and Audrey has a nice new coffee plunger! In the evening we went to the Tauranga Club for dinner with Audrey and her friends Max and Pru who are club members. The food was very good, the company was energizing, and the view over the harbor was magnificent.

19 March. Sunday. Another beautifully clear, sunny day. We had morning tea with Ed Collins and then went to Waihi Beach to visit Audrey's relatives, Phil and Colleen Bowyer. They have a wonderful home with a spectacular view overlooking the beach. Our visit included a delicious barbecue lunch and a walk on the beach. We got "home" to Tauranga in the late afternoon. We'll have a quiet evening at home with Audrey tonight, and tomorrow we head further north beginning our final week of this adventure.