Bye Bye Aotearoa

I apologise for the LONG, LONG silence. Would you forgive me, if I told you that life has been one long string of organised chaos for the past few weeks, with very little sleep? I really, really dislike having to move, and resist it unless it can’t be avoided. We have now left The Land of the Long White Cloud, and have just made the hop across the Tasman. Exhausted, but still kicking!

The last few weeks have been a blur. This post is dedicated to that blur. And to the people who kept us going – one foot in front of the other – ever onwards. I can’t thank enough our friends and family who walked the miles with us – farewells, connection times, kind deeds, generous words, a tonne of love and support.

Though this period of having to leave Kiwiland was incredibly heartwrenching, it was highlighted by the beautiful gifts of words, deeds, and things that we were blessed to receive. Here are just a few photos from our last few weeks in NZ, and the words of a wonderful farewell song written for us. THANK YOU for the special memories!

Once upon a time, there were the P’s –

Many years ago, there were just two,

With them we’ve always laughed away the hours

And dreamed of all the great things they would do...

Those were the days my friends,

We thought they’d never end –

We’d sing and dance forever and a day.

They’d live the life we’d choose,

Our friends we’d never lose –

For we were young

And sure to have our way.

Then the busy years went rushing by us,

E and L joined the fray.

If by chance we’d see them in New Zealand,

We’d smile at one another and we’d say...

Those were the days my friends,

We thought they’d never end –

We’d sing and dance forever and a day.

They’d live the life we’d choose,

Our friends we’d never lose –

For we were young

And sure to have our way.

Now tonight we gather with the P’s

Their future not the way it used to be.

We raise our glass and drink to their departure –

All the way across the Tasman sea...

Those were the days my friends,

We thought they’d never end –

We’d sing and dance forever and a day.

They’d live the life we’d choose,

Our friends we’d never lose –

For we were young

And sure to have our way.

In this room, there is familiar laughter –

We see their faces, hear them call our name.

Oh, my friends we’re older, maybe wiser –

But in our hearts the dreams are just the same!

Those were the days my friends,

We thought they’d never end –

We’d sing and dance forever and a day.

They’d live the life we’d choose,

Our friends we’d never lose –

For we were young

And sure to have our way.

Those were the days – oh yes, those were the days!

Photos from The Other Side of the Ditch tomorrow….or as soon as I can manage it!