Farewell te Awamutu

The drive to visit New Zealand for me was to see where I was born and had spent the first months of my life.
Coupled to that was the wish to meet some of my relations - which included my mum's brother's, sister and where possible- cousins. A trip of a lifetime and valuable time spent with my mother.

All my hopes and wishes have come true.

Today we leave Te Awamutu. It answers questions and lays to rest the unknown in me. I am pleased to have been here. A tick in the box you might say!

At 10am the motel owner drives us round Te Awamutu for the last time - and drops us off at the bus stop. Th weather is warm and dry - waiting at the busstop is no punishment. There are 2 more passengers als waiting to join the Intercity to Auckland. It is running a wee bit late but that isn't a bother. Seems the road works are the cause of the delay.

When te bus pulls up it appears it is fully booked. We can't sit side by side - we sit one behind the other. Never mind. Maybe later.

And yes, in Hamilton some of the passengers leave the bus and seats become available. Before others join the company we quickly change seats. Much more enjoyable. We eat our cheese rol and have a drink at lunchtime. We still have 50 km to go.

As we approach Auckland and travel through the Bombays the clouds gather and it rains slightly.
Our arrival in Auckland had been delayed by 10 minutes - not bad for the distance it travelled.

Mum brother Ben was waiting for us at the bus terminal.

We also stop by oom Hans and tante June - good to see them again.
Oom Hans is recovering well after surgery - that puts us and our minds at ease
After a quick cup of tea we venture on to our stay over at Ben and Daphne's.