Happy New Year

We are about to leave this wonderful country, we feel very privileged to have been able to live at Pool Grange and work over at Tedsmore Hall estate. The Parkers have now decided to use Pool Grange for holiday accommodation, so no more Kiwis here.
We had a great trip up to Liverpool, the dock area has been modernised and is a great area, which apparently was very industrial and unattractive. The museum and art gallery are in this area. We went to Elton john concert in the arena. What a showman,!! we had great seats and could see everything, his performance, and the stage workers, so swift and clever. We also went to a comedy play, “Night Collar” Christmas Eve in Liverpool for a taxi driver. Was hilarious!!
Church and concerts and the local pub all had carol singing, so we have aired our vocals chords well, and enjoyed being included in this.
Val and Graeme left the UK on Christmas Eve; it was great to share this time with them. ”We survived the flatting” and all have happy memories of our time here.
We drove down to Brixton on the south coast of Devon, for Christmas and had 4 lovely days there. The Berry Head Hotel built 1800 as a military hospital. From 1833 it was occupied by Rev Lyte, who wrote the hymn “Abide with me” Brixham is a fishing port with many historic sailing trawlers which are still used to take tourists sailing. The houses all cream, pink or blue, mostly terrace style all perched on the steep hill sides down to the sea.
The beautiful meals , especially the fish dishes were delicious. We are waddling after the extravagance. Met great people ,all Brits, many had been to the “Land of the long white cloud.”
We have sold the car for 250 pound, bikes for 30 each, both have done us well, with no break downs, only punctures.
Petrol is 89 p a litre, Butter 1.20 for 250grams. Milk 1.20 a litre. Beer 2.80 pint .B&B 60 to80 a night Only thing really cheap was paint , half NZ price here!! interesting to compare with kiwi prices.
So we farewell Wales and the UK, and hope to return, sometime!!!

This is the song Graeme composed for our farewell party. To the tune of Maori Battalion.!
The “local” kiwis leave for home ,so’soon.
The local kiwis are a’bit sad
They have done their best to be so ‘Welsh
Being happy, loyal’forever glad
They will leave you all behind this month
To the home where they belong
To Wales, New Zealand, we drink this toast
Ake Ake kea Mai Aye