Visit to Miranda

Such a lovely summer's day. Doug and I packed a lunch a set off in the MX5 to visit Miranda. This was the area where my great-grandparents finally settled after spending the first years of their marriage in Taranaki.

I have great admiration for my great-grandmother, Eva. Her first child was born at Manaia, the second at Kaupokanui, 3rd, Opunaki, 4th,Waimate Plans, 5th at Opunake again. The 6th child was born in Hawera, then 3 more daughters at Alton. Shortly before the 9th child was born, her husband, Robert, decided to move back up north. I remember being told of how Eva travelled with the five older children, four toddlers (the youngest being 4 months old) with only her crippled sister-in-law, Agnes, to help her. They would have travelled by train, boat and buggy, to join him!

A third son (child 10) was born at Pokeno railway station. (There must be a story there, too!) By 1901 the family were living at Miranda where child 11 was born. Three more children came along after that!

This amazing lady finally died at Miranda, in 1946, at the age of 84.



We could only catch a glimpse of 'Sunny Brae', from the road. This house was built on land that Robert purchased from the Maoris, after arriving in the area in the late 1890's (The first homestead was built on the high ridge overlooking the swamp to the south of its present position.) 'Sunny Brae' was built in 1902 .



Here is a view looking over the Firth of Thames.

I remember staying at 'Sunny Brae' as a child - in fact I celebrated my 7th birthday there. We sat around a huge farm dinner table; Dad's Aunty Flower had baked a wonderful marble cake for me and they presented me with a box of chocolates - I felt very special - but ruined it all by crying. Uncle Alf wanted me to sit on his knee and give him a kiss. I was terrified of him as he had a glass eye!

At the Miranda Cemetery we found some Coxhead graves. Robert and Eva are actually interred at Pukekohe. (This is where they lived with Robert's brother after handing the farm over to their son George.)





We took a different route home, travelling along the coast up to Clevedon.

Home and back to reality

We stopped to have coffee on the way home and enjoyed this beautiful view near Mokau.

Manaia/Otakeho

Doug and I left New Plymouth after breakfast to travel to Manaia, to visit the area where the Coxheads had broken in land and farmed in the late 1800's.

My grandmother, Robina Coxhead, was born during this time. (1891) Ruby's father, Robert had also been born in NZ (1851); Robert's father, a Robert as well, and wife, Isabella Muir arrived in NZ in 1842. They moved to Taranaki after living in the South Auckland area for a time.

Ruby's mother, Eva Hill was born in England. Her family moved to Taranaki when Eva and Robert married in 1885. The older Coxheads and Hills lived out their remaining years in Taranaki.

I was very keen to find my great-great-grandparent's graves.



We found the Coxhead graves in an old cemetery at a small settlement called Otakeho. Great-Gt- Grandmother doesn't get a mention, but I have been told that she is buried here too. It is north of Manaia. There was also a Hill grave that I haven't identified yet.



We then went back to Manaia to see if we could find some Hills. We were fortunate - here is the grave of Eva's parents Alfred and Julia Hill.



I had read that Eva and Robert's first home was on Palmer Rd. Robert broke in land and built a house for his wife and their first child, Miriam. As we drove towards the foothills I tried to imagine the view that Eva would have enjoyed from her new home. Cloud began to clear, and Mt Egmont revealed herself for the first time this weekend. What a beautiful view!

Lucy & Brendon's wedding

'The Bungalow' was a beautiful setting for Lucy & Brendon's wedding. The wild west coast was the backdrop to the outdoor ceremony, Mt Egmont (cloudy) was to the east.

Here are a couple of pictures that I took. David will post a full set of his professional photos in a few days time.

41st Wedding Anniversary 11.01.2010

Yesterday was our wedding Anniversary. We celebrated by having lunch at Galbraith's Ale House, Mt Eden Rd; that was once the Grafton Library.



We were married at St Andrews Church of England,Taupo, 41 years ago. (1969)

Frisbees in Cornwall park

The day after the Family Gathering we went to Cornwall Park. We had a nice lunch and some relaxed hours with David & Ruth, Alison and her 3 offspring. Skills with the frisbee were the order of the day.



Charlotte caught on straight away and threw very well.



Alex needed his spare hand tucked in his pants to get a proper backhand throw. "But I can't see!"

With a hat adjustment he soon he had the knack!

Family Gathering 2010

Our annual Family Gathering was hosted by Debbie, Chris, Hamish and Charlotte at their lovely home in Tuscany, Manukau. It was an enjoyable, happy occasion that we had all looked forward to.
David St George will publish the 'official' photos in the next day or two; meanwhile here are the best of David Alexander's.



Ali and Steve brought a great cake to commemorate the Jenkins and Alexander families. Left: Jenkins Family, probably about 1934. Max is at the back; Noline, Audrey and Merle in front.
Right photo:Alexander Family: Kath and Dorothy at the back; Josy, William (Dad) and Joe in front.(J&J were twins) We would estimate that it was taken in about 1930.



Here is a photo of Audrey cutting the cake helped by Charlotte and Alex. (Alison & Steve's children)



There was great hilarity as Steve cut it up. (Brought back memories of very noisy occasions in the past, when the Jenkins's used to get together.)



Soon it was time to pose for photos. There will be one of 'the cousins' on David's blog. It was so neat to have Suzanne and Mike here from Vancouver; and Glen and family from Sydney, this year. Here are the 'Outlaws' (married to cousins) and the cousin's children.



Finally we have the Geor family. It was lovely to meet Lucas and Isabella for the first time, and to catch up again with Glen, Lawrence, and Helene.

Happy New Year

Doug and I took our cameras for a walk through the Botanical Gardens this afternoon. The roses are so lovely at present.



I always enjoy the English Cottage Garden - it reminds me of the garden we had in Bedford years ago.

Monday Walk in the Gardens

Still beautiful weather - Doug and I had a walk through the Botanical gardens before it got too hot.

Christmas Celebrations

Nana Loma, David and I had an enjoyable Christmas lunch at Terry and Sue's house in Grey Lynn. It was very low key and relaxing - we ate yummy food, chatted and played darts. A perfect N.Z. beautiful day. David has photos here:

Boxing day lunch was at our place. Ali, Steve and the children were there; also Robert, Stacey and Caleb, and Nana. Doug had a break from coach driving today. We enjoyed opening our presents, sitting outside, under the fejoa tree.See David's blogspot for photos.

Christmas Drive Thru

Well, I've heard of Drive Through Movies, Drive Through Banking, Drive Through McDonalds but this was a new one on me - a Drive Through Nativity Scene. This is an annual event at the Greenlane Christian Centre.



What a neat atmosphere - lots of excited children - the odd little Santa wandering around and real sheep! We queued up and waited to board a truck that would take us around the scenes in 'hay bale
comfort'. One truck driver had two cute puppies with him, complete with reindeer antlers tied on with a bow beneath their chins.

You could remain in your own car. They were lined up 'Cook Strait Ferry' style. A large contingent of helpers were directing traffic; taking orders for coffee, or sausages; helping people to board the trucks, and chatting.

We watched a scene at a time, then were directed through high gates when it was time to move on. The sound system worked well so we were able to enjoy the jokes. The angel Gabriel was most impressive- he descended from a very high tree - let down by rope - then disappeared again into the darkness.





The final scene looked really beautiful.

It's their last night tonight.

Charlotte's Ballet Recital

My niece Charlotte, had her end-of-year ballet recital this morning. Alex was granted special permission to take part as well - he had a lovely time 'dancing' around the Christmas tree. What a natural!



Frances wore her pretty dancing skirt and enjoyed watching all the fun. Her turn next time?

Senior Thankgiving Service

I enjoyed being in the audience this year! The two senior classes put on a great performance of 'The Pied Piper'.


In this version, after the children had disappeared, the parents saw the error of their ways. They learned to put aside their worries, and interact with their children a little more.

The miserly mayor paid over the $1000 as promised, and the children returned unharmed to relaxed, music-making parents.

I do love a happy ending!

I was only away a couple of hours ......

When I left for work about 2:30 pm, work was underway on replacing two sections of the flue of the wood fire. Doug was actually away trying to buy a larger plate to go up on the ceiling. He had been up the ladder a few times - it seemed steady enough. I wasn't really happy about the whole situation - ladder against the wall etc, but it worked perfectly well last time didn't it? (We have forgotten about the chimney bouncing off the roof and hitting the ute......that's another story.)



Two and a half hours later: As I drove up the driveway I looked up, through the living room window and noticed that the ladder was at a funny angle. It worried me a bit that Doug's car wasn't in the garage.

Worse was to come.... oh dear, the house was deserted, Dave had gone too....windows were still open... there was a hole in the wall, and tracks down where the ladder had slid.The ladder was poking through the wall one end; the other was firmly jammed against the piano.

Perhaps Doug and Dave gone to buy some wall board, I thought hopefully, before I saw the blood trail leading out to the tub in the kitchen!

Apparently the ladder slid down the wall - it was stopped by the piano. When Doug grabbed the ceiling plate he cut all the fingers on his left hand. David took him to the Dr. but didn't have time to text me first. I was rather shocked when I registered the ladder, the blood, and the empty house!



Being a reporter at heart Dave couldn't resist a photo while the fingers were being bound up, and anti tetanus administered. A few witty texts were exchanged and peace restored.

I was only away a couple of hours!

Warbird's Open Day

We enjoyed the very 'low key' open day at Ardmore this afternoon. Here are the planes that I enjoyed seeing:



I remember flying in a DC3 when I was about 14. DC3's were still flown by our national airway. It was my first experience of flying, and I was scared stiff.



It amused me to see everyone looking up! This next one is a 'kit mustang'. (Thunder Mustang) It was very impressive to watch.




The good old Tiger Moth is always a favourite. They used to use these to tow up the gliders when I was a student at Ardmore Teachers'College.

Doug's pictures will be a whole lot better I'm sure!