Vivian: This was our GSE break

We have spent Thursday, April 5 until Tuesday, April 10 at Cooks Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula. It takes almost 3 hours to drive here from Auckland and we had new host families at baches close to each other. I am with Graham and Alison Leach for the weekend and for next week. It has been wonderful to rest, and walk on the beach. We have also been with our hosts to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach (both of which were crowded with tourists for this busy weekend). We have spent the day with DG Alan and Claire and their daughter and her partner, traveling by ferry to Whitianga and then to several beaches further north on the peninsula, a picnic at Otama beach under the trees in a rain shower, and taking a narrow track train ride at Driving Creek near Coromandel town, then fish and chips at Whitianga - a full day. I spent a morning "fishing" in the Bay with my host, Graham, and Trevor, and Graham and Linda Kelly on their boat. We also gathered Tuatua (small clam like shells) to eat, and went swimming - cooler than Cabo San Lucas waters in February, but very pleasant. We have caught up on journals and photo uploading and laundry. However, we have not had internet access. The Inbound GSE Chair, Sylvie, met us one day and all the hosts gathered for a potluck dinner which was delightful and delicious. I also went to an Anglican Easter service at Hahei with Murray and Pam Guy and Joan Guthrie. It was a lovely service. The GSE team seemed to benefit from this rest break and had time to share some of their experiences and thoughts with each other about the exchange so far. We also began planning for a new powerpoint presentation for the District Conference in 2 weeks.