Surprise!.....

We thought we were getting old being invited to a 40th birthday - then we went up the Coast to attend a surprise 70th! Luckily he was a healthy 70 and he could take the surprise, hey? ;o)


So how does Pop fit in with us?


Let's see - who do we know who would wear a pink World belt (that needs to be taken back - I mean, look at the state of this $100 belt after only a week!):


Here's his sister Dale:


And his brother Greg:


And his Mum, Jacqui:


Yep, it's my BridesMate Extraordinaire - Barrie! Back from New York to complete the surprise:


Man, it was good to see him and David after such a long time:


After the speeches:


The cake:


And the family photos:


We got down to some mingling with the rellies (Cousin Eddie and his daughter Renee and Dale on the guitar):




We paddled and played:






Then we went for a hikoi with Barrie filling in the memories for us. There was the shop they used to own when they first moved to Waiomu (although the shark jaw is a new addition these days):



And the remains of the Waiomu Library two doors down (I can vouch for the fact it was really this tiny as it was still standing up until a few years ago):


The Waiomu Stream that Jacqui and her friends held their very own demonstration (complete with marching and lying in front of bulldozers) to oppose it being mined (and they were successful):


And walking back down the old street towards the beach: