What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

 Memory tablecloths, and memory quilts, seem to be my thing, as I've made several over the years.  My latest one was to commemorate a trip away up to the far north.  Robin and I had been planning to go there next Christmas/New Year, but with losing him,  that would not be happening.  So when I saw the "North of the North" coach trip advertised, I decided to be brave and go on my own.  

Bay Tours Coach

My bag was packed, and I included blocks I'd stitched for my memory tablecloth plus a Micron marking pen.  My ...

On my far north coach trip we visited several colonial homes.  Te Waimate Mission was established by Samuel Marsden,  who played a leading role in cross-cultural interchange and bringing Christianity to  the Maori people in New Zealand.

Day by day, our tour took us to interesting places, some new to me, and some I'd been to before. We stopped for a picnic lunch at the Haruru Falls park in Waitangi.  The crew had earlier stopped at a local cafe to purchase our lunches, and together with a hot cuppa we sat at the picnic tables and enjoyed our lunch.  Then it was a short easy walk to see the Haruru Falls, such a pretty sight.  I had never been here before.

Haruru Falls

The highlight of the day was a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds ...

 I was eagerly awaiting the Fullers Hole in the Rock cruise.  It was just a short 5 minute walk from the hotel down to the wharf.  There was our boat ready  and waiting for us.  We were advised to take warm clothes, water, sun block and a sun hat.  There was no hat in my luggage but I ticked off all the other requirements.  

After waiting in anticipation for some months, Bay Tours North of the North tour rolled around.  My case was packed, and Gemma was dropped around the the cattery the previous day.  Remember, she was a bit hissy last time, I reminded Carole, the owner.  No trouble, she said, I like a challenge.  

The tour  was departing from Napier. so I took the Intercity bus from Levin to Napier, so much easier for me than driving.  And then we were off.  30 passengers, the driver and the hostess.