Monday, 22 April 2013

Easter tidings

I'm conscious that most of my blogs seem to be about holiday times.  And you might be forgiven for thinking that we are always on holiday out here!  Hmmm.  Not so much....  But part of the reason I blog is to record places and scenery we've enjoyed, hence lots of pictures, so that readers who aren't here can get an idea of what we're up to and what this beautiful country has to offer.

Our weeks, however, are full.  Often to the brim.  We try and set aside times to catch up with each other, hopefully at least one night a week and possibly on Saturdays.  Doesn't always work - but we try :)

And so, after weeks of our Lenten journey we arrived at Holy Week. It was busy last Easter, it was busy this Easter... and I dare say it will be busy EVERY Easter, because that's the nature of priesthood when we are celebrating the most important time of the Christian year.

It was made more emotionally challenging this year for two reasons.  The first was Michael's announcement on Palm Sunday that he is leaving the parish (as I mentioned in a previous blog)   The second was the sudden illness and subsequent death of one of our parishioners: an unexpected massive stroke, at 61.  To a week of reflective and increasingly-intense services was added the poignancy and sadness of a gentle, faithful life ending.  Just as, of course, we were hearing the joyous news of a new life beginning - that of our first grandchild, Elizabeth.

After visiting the hospital and offering 'final prayers' I also knew that I was going to be taking the funeral on the Tuesday after Easter, and that it would present a challenge if I were to get it right.  [I was right, but it was wonderful and also a hugely powerful witness to the Christian faith from those gathered, especially to those who came from the nearby school.]

Anyway, it was quite a week....

The church went from looking like this:

set in readiness for Evening Prayer

To this:

Maundy Thursday, with bowls ready for the washing of hands

Sadly I don't have a photo of how lovely it all looked on Easter Sunday, with white altar cloth, lots of candles, and banners either side of the cross (and of course, no palms).  You'll just have to imagine it.

By the time we had taken 3 services on Easter Sunday, starting with our dawn service at 6.30am, I was a bit pooped.

Roy had already decided that a 24 hour break would be beneficial for both of us and had discovered an unusual B&B about 90 minutes north of Auckland.  We packed for an overnight, taking a picnic supper so we could just relax once we arrived.  And off we went.

Tera del Mar is not your average B&B, anywhere really.  It was built as a colonial-style B&B 15 or so years ago, the dreamchild of Teresa and Marshall, long-term American immigrants to New Zealand.  The house sits on the side of a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a wide valley below.  There are only four bedrooms, a wrap-around verandah upstairs and downstairs, and log fires - in the bedrooms!

We arrived, settled down, and just enjoyed the view and the tranquillity.  It was too cloudy to enjoy the fabled sunset - in fact we had lots of wind and rain - but we lit our fire, laid out our cold chicken and salads, kicked off our shoes, and .... just were.  I think Julia Roberts referred to it as 'vegging out... like broccoli' :-)
(love that film!).



Tera del Mar - our room, top floor facing us

Bedroom, with four poster 

A picnic with a view

and a real log fire

Night-time gazebo

Communal library 

and withdrawing room

Early morning spa (and I mean early - 7am!)

Breakfast on the verandah - a happy absence of breeze

Evening view, between squalls (very Lord of the Rings)

Morning view, a beautiful day; the Pacific Ocean in the distance

Nearby Omaha community and peninsula poking out into Whangateau Harbour,
just over the hill from where we staying

17 km of Pakiri beach - 'it's crowded if there's 17 people on it!' 

Pretty special.  Just as well it was only for 24 hours but it was certainly a much-needed haven.

If you're thinking of coming out here, that's definitely one to think about visiting :)

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