Matamata. - part 2

We were grateful to stay put in the same place for three nights in a row, in part because it gave Julie & me time to contemplate the next part of our journey and provision ourselves accordingly. On the south island we were completely self contained in our campervan. We had beds, we had a fridge, a hob, a (tiny) oven, a toaster, dishes, cutlery, bowls, a kitchen sink, a toilet, a shower, even a driver. For the north island and sans Kim and sans campervan, we would have only our Toyota Sunny and ourselves. We were by now over two weeks in and still neither Julie nor I had sat behind the wheel but the was oohing for it now but to dive in. I am happy and relieved to report that this first venture onto to wrong side of the road went without a hitch as long as you don't count repeated use of the windshield washers instead of the turn signal indicators on our inaugural voyage into Matamata. High on the list of things to acquire was a 'chilli bin' so as to keep our food provisions cold. OK, I admit that pretty much from the moment we bought it it would also contain the odd beer or three. Any of you who have ever gone camping with us know how masterfully Julie can pack a cooler and so hats off to her, we have never gone hungry or thirsty since that day. We have had the occasional restaurant meal but for the most part have been making or cooking our own food. There will be more on this topic in subsequent entries. That first day at the base I don't think we saw Kim at all other than at the communal lunch and dinner. The leadership group were prepping for the arrival of their students which was only a few days away. On day two Julie and I set off for Rotorua where we took in a sheep show. Yes, a sheep show.

"who are you?" they asked, sheepishly.

While very 'touristic', it was great as on display were around 20 different types of sheep. The qualities of each breed were explained as were the herding methods that different dog breeds employ. There was of course a gift shop with all manner of wool products and I am relieved to say that so great was the sticker shock that we came out with only a few skeins of wool and a couple of tea towels (not wool). For our final evening with Kim we invited her and the rest of the leadership team to join us for dinner - not just any dinner - a pastie dinner. We'd show those kiwis what meat pies are all about! It was a great success. All of the team are twenty-somethings not lacking for appetites and so the pasties were dispatched with gusto and good fellowship. Julie and I said our farewells to Kim later that night and we are greatly comforted in the knowledge that she is part of a loving and caring group who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of mankind.