Two old wrinklies with two west highland terriers Traveling New Zealand

Birthday and Anzac Day

What a glorious few days!!!! Our adventure in Wellington began when we arrived and had to find the NZMCA park in Plimmerton……bless Garmin; it had not updated one of the off-ramps and we initially missed our turn. With some creative manoeuvring we turned around and eventually found our night’s end goal. Reasonably impressed with the facilities – it had potable water, a dump station but it is all gravel so luckily there is a park to take Mac and Rose.

The following morning which was also my birthday; we headed for our next destination which was the Barnett Street carpark (a Wilson carpark that accommodates RV/campervan parking overnight for the princely sum of $30). It is right next to Te Papa so score!!!!

Te Papa did not disappoint!!! They provided a mobility scooter for Heather at no charge so she could explore Te Papa comfortably. The Gallipoli exhibition triggered a multitude of emotions – frustration, humility, anger, pity, pride, love………these men gave everything they had for the glory of war and their motherland. They suffered so much and it was epitomised in the amazing models in the exhibition. Weta Workshops should rightly be proud of what they created!!

 

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I loved the maps that showed the battles and troop movements and the stories!!!!!!! As an ex-Navy medic I certainly appreciated that the medics – Doctors/Nurses etc were also acknowledged. Well done Te Papa!!!!

 

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The evening ended in a wonderful birthday dinner (thanks Heather); and we laughed and shared memories which just made the day special. Many thanks to all those who sent birthday wishes – they were so appreciated and made me feel special!!!

The following morning (Anzac Day); we were up early and walked up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the 6 a.m. service.  It was as always poignant and I wore my Grandfather’s medals with pride!! The service was lovely, but I was disappointed that the crowd did not clap the veterans as they marched off the parade ground as they do in Waikumete Cemetary as a mark of respect and to thank them for their service.

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Anyway; the rest of the day was spent relaxing while Heather went back to Te Papa to view other exhibits. We moved on and had a late lunch in Lyall Bay before heading to the Airport to drop Heather off for her return to Christchurch.

 

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