GISBORNE

HOW CHOW REUNION

This photo is of the How Chow family. Our grandfather Engquork (we knew him as England) is second on the left in the top row. To his right is Christabella who is not George's daughter. This was taken in 1906 before they left for China. My great Grandfather was very wealthy and was kidnapped in China. A large ransom was paid to free him but we don't know what happened to him as he never returned to New Zealand. His wife Sophia was also a great entrepeneur as well and dabbled in investments when she returned on her own. It must have been very difficult for them in those days for an English women married to a Chinese man.

One of the older relatives in the How Chow family.

I come from a family of four girls. In the wartime mum's first born was a boy who unfortunately only lived two days. It was a mystery where he was buried but Sharon (I think) found out where he was and very kindly paid for a plaque for him. We had a lot of trouble finding the grave as it was tucked in beside this grave. Fortunately Bill found it.

This is the gravestone of my nana and grandpa.

We were fortunate enough to visit this house that they lived in. Above is the original house.

WAIOWEKA GORGE

ROTORUA

Last weekend my three sisters and some family all made the long awaited journey to go to our hometown of Gisborne  for a family reunion. There will be some double up of photos I am sure as we were all at the same places. These photos were taken in Rotorua, a city on the way down to Gisborne.

CEMETERY

Today I took my sister Sharon to see the beautiful cemetery that is just down the road from home. I liked the way the other angel is in the background.

This was a ceramic flower sitting on a grave.

On one of the plots was covered in shells that had weathered over the years. Someone had gone to a lot of trouble to gather these up.

FROM MY GARDEN

These are spring onions that have gone to seed.

I love the contrast of the black dirt, makes it stand out.

LAVENDER

It's Peter's birthday the 20th October and his favorite flower is Lavender. I brought this Lavender for him and the variety is Ruffles - Blueberry. It is long flowering and dry tolerant and has cute curly leaves. The box I got at the market for $4. So sisters this has taken me five minutes to take photo, download and put on my blog. I know you all like to know what each of us are doing so how about taking some time to keep these blogs continuing.

COATESVILLE MARKETS

Once a month they have a lovely crafts market at Coatesville. One of the stall holders had her displays hung across a tree. She said that corset fits her. She was tiny.

Peter was happy to find this fruit bread. There was a local French bakery that made it but they closed down.

This shop is only a few months old. The shop used to be a garage as you can see by the roller doors. They have lovely things including animal antlers. One of the large antlers was so heavy, the deer must have found it hard carrying a   pair of them around.

Peter and I thought this style of building would make a nice home in the country. The beautiful antler chandelier in the background is for sale for about $2700.

These rustic animals were for sale about the same price.

This guy was at the markets as well.