Many facebook friends have asked me about my cover photo.
In 2012, I had the best ever holiday I had, apart from the Black Water Rafting I did about 12 years ago at Waitomoto caves.
I went flying, I don't mean flying in a commercial jumbo plane or Fokker friendship. I flew in a tiger moth. Yes, I mean tiger moth.
I went to Christchurch to visit my old friends. They took me to Loburn, to visit Ivan and Sandy Campbell. We were all excited as we drove to North Canterbury to Loburn Abbey airfield, as we knew we were going to fly in this special plane. Our oldest "pilot" today was Mrs. Chew, aged 81. Paki Paki.
Thoughts of Jean batten conjured in my head. Ivan and Sandra make their own planes and are the creators of the World's only Class leather hard shell flying helmet. Ivan gave us flights and I am so grateful for their generousity.
We all had a marvelous time, looking at the picturesque snow laden mountains, the paddocks, the horses, the sheep and the cows.
http://www.campbellaeroclassics.com
Sandra's hospitality extended to teaching us play croquet. Croquet has a special place in my heart. I was 20 months when Dad left us in Borneo to study in London. Croquet always brings me more memories as my dad played croquet in London in the 1950s. As a teen, I saw pictures fo women dressed in long dresses playing croquet, and wondered why dad played croquet. It was only when I was an adult when I asked him why he played a ladies game. He said it wasn't, it required precision. And yesterday, I found out when I played with my friends. It was not only reminisces with this Chew Family but with my Dad.
After all the thrills and spills, Sandra treated us to a beautiful lunch which we sat outside in a wonderful sunny winter afternoon.