Goldilocks in hot water

Dad tottered to the relative pomp of Riwaka’s Anzac wreath laying ceremony where he met a few former soldiers from Korean and Vietnamese conflicts. These included the self-announced “patron” of the local RSA. We did not stay for tea.

A goosebumpy antidote was Shane McGowan singing ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’…courtesy of RNZ in our garden, an hour after.

“A big Turkish shell sent me arse over tip, And when I awoke in me hospital bed, And saw what it had done, Christ I wished I was dead -

"Never knew there were worse things than dyin’."

....

I may be able to resist finishing The Doctor the one novel written by a marvellous British actor once noted as “the thinking woman’s crumpet”. The lead character in The Glittering Prizes TV 70s mini-series that is still well worth watching, Tom Conti is a mere vowel away from his own hero’s main obsession. The lady who works in the local garage and reads five books a week suggested I might like to read it.

Savouring Ian McEwen’s Saturday: it’s worth five million other books.

….

Clearing other people’s stuff is easier than clearing your own. Lovely daughter Claire spent 10 days sorting the Taupaki mausoleum. I’m doing the same for Dad and he’s enjoying it.

Kaiterikeri from Kimi Ora.

When he had his living alone assessment yesterday, we agreed I was surplus to his performance so I headed off nowhere in particular. The Kimi Ora spa retreat  was “just right” to quote Goldilocks and also, Shania Twain, who wrote as much over her photo in the entry hall. I relished the heated pool and  infared sauna with a choice of colour therapy. Afterwards, Lily and I meandered over the salt marshes to Kaiterikeri.

Who says you can't lick your own nose?

Avian evidence.

They drive among us!

Ms Geek.

The glorious sky was reflected in stream, sand and sea. The gold of Kaiteriteri’s sands is treasure indeed.

I will definitely return.

Dad passed his assessment. He’s not sure how he did it.