From my diary:
Saturday 22nd October.
Steady light/medium rain, blustery winds, fired the bus up and headed for Cambridge and the 2016 NZ NSRA nationals hosted by the Waikato chapter. We were supposed to head up yesterday, but Ron’s needs came above all else…gonna miss that bloke. Those that needed to know knew we’d be late; but it was surprising how many had noted our absence and were concerned for Rosie’s health after last years health scare. Thank-you people for actually being concerned for her; much appreciated!
Bernie Nealy came over, we got talking, and he asked if we’d like to ride shotgun with him on this afternoon’s run. Is the Pope a Catholic? Hell yes! I’d just done 5 ½ hrs driving being battered about by the wind; and wasn’t really enamoured with the thought of another couple of hours of it.
So we climbed in to his newly purchased standard (34?) Plymouth and away we went.
Just as well he drove, and had the double- declutching skill down to a fine art; the backroads we followed to Sanatorium Hill were winding and, in parts, very steep…we were in first gear (and working,) more than once. But the views at the summit were spectacular.
And it was good to be able to sit and talk to him one-to-one for a few hours for the first time in years.
Back to the venue, the Leamington Rugby Club clubrooms, tea was going to be late, so there was a lot of catchup done with various people…all good.
After an extremely good meal, the live band came out to entertain us. Unfortunately the band was a bit too big for the room; and with not much in the way of ventilation the crowd was a bit too big too. The heat got to us both; so we spent most of the evening sitting around outside where it was cooler and quieter playing more catchup. So that too was all good.
Bed around 11:30; I can’t take the combination of beer and late nights like I used to!
