“Time Waits For No One” as the Stones once sang, without exception. The prospect of hitting the 60 label could not be put off so the only way to deal with it was with such terrific celebrations as to demonstrate that numbers need not be well hung.
On 18 March it was back to New Zealand we went, via a much-anticipated few days in
Sydney spent with brother Mark who had arrived from England a few days before. Many happy excursions, meals, events and visits unfolded with the highlight being a fabulous dinner at Beppi’s Restaurant in Yurong Street (see photo to the right).It was Beppi’s 60th too but very sadly, only a few days after he signed my card, Beppi died. What a legacy he has created. Friends Jean and Cathy joined us and helped make it a special “Sydney Celebration”
Across to Christchurch in New Zealand’s magnificent South Island on 19th where we
joined Sam and Sophie initially, with Holly zooming in in the small hours of 24th. The actual birthday on 23rd was marked with the most glorious lunch at Pegasus Winery to which we motored in Bentleys – of course (see photo to the left).
This mode of transport was a brilliant touch of Louise’s. I even got to drive the grand
specimen we were in. The owner, just visible in the passenger seat (see right), assured me that it had a dustbin-sized turbo charger and encouraged me to give it plenty of wellie. So I did. It was quite an unusual sensation to be sitting in an opulent lounge and experience the whole thing accelerate forwards, gathering speed rapidly, but then just keep on accelerating. However, I suspect my ‘Green’ credentials went equally quickly in the other direction.
The lunch was a gastronomic epic for which we needed to limber up in the tasting room
(photo right).
Even before the courses arrived, our little indulgence of nibbles was such a sight to behold that both brothers felt compelled to photograph it so that I could share it
with you – on left. Superb Pegasus Reserve wines came and went, leaving the taste buds mesmerized.
A few drops of rain sent us in from our al fresco setting to the restaurant proper. There we overcame the last challenge of the pudding course and as the photo below suggests, we were a pretty content bunch!
A bit of thought and organisational effort went into the centre-piece celebration,
beginning in June 2015. By the time the event at Olivers in Clyde (above), Central Otago happened, I had looked ahead to it often and developed high expectations. These were well and truly surpassed! The main aim was to assemble family and close friends for two days at a quality venue where everyone would have ample opportunity to mix and mingle in comfort and style. Over the course of the gathering I think I caught up with most people. But a constant source of joy was glancing hither or thither and spotting so-and-so deep in conversation with what’s-his-name.
Having gathered after lunch on Easter Friday, we relaxed in the garden gently imbibing 
Twisted Hop’s Challenger on hand pump (a special request gracefully accommodated by our hosts) until it was time to brush up for dinner in the restaurant. Olivers did us proud and were amply rewarded by our spirited assault on menu and wine list.
The next day started slowly with the crew gently creeping into the breakfast room. Later in the morning we reassembled in the same room for a Pork Pie Tasting and English Ploughman’s Lunch. Rob had made four absolutely superb examples of this traditional fare (photo below).
These were up against the fine specimens from The Canterbury Cheesemongers. The two interpretations were greatly appreciated but Rob’s got the nod. Challenger was required to wash these down as we had to climb on a bus 
at 12.15pm to take us to the International Curling Rink in Naseby. it would be fair to say the mood on the bus was buoyant, with more catch-ups, connects and a whiff of eager anticipation. For many of us it was an obvious ‘first’ although some showed a degree of
poise (as per photo of Holly on the right). This was a great excursion (thanks for the idea Ken and organisational skills Lynley) and a continuation of the mingling, mixing and merriment
We returned to Olivers in time to spruce up and gather for the grand dinner in the Merchant Room. Family members had 
been strategically placed at tables of friends to ensure that all were kept in colourful disorder. Between starter and main, Dagy performed his inimitable MC role, leading to some moving speeches from the three ‘kids’ (tolerating hecklers – left). During the course of the dinner, the Hair Of The Dog Irish band played gently ballads, paving the way to the more rumbustious numbers which exerted a gravitational pull upon most people towards the dance floor. The
exhibitions of movement were many and varied with father and son tending towards the more energetic end of the spectrum, sharing the floor at one point – above!
This was the most amazing party and decimated any concept of the ‘number’ attaching to the birthday having any relevance at all.
On Easter Sunday morning there were many farewells as everyone departed Olivers to whom I will always harbour immense gratitude for the efforts, seen and unseen, that helped make the occasion such a great, heart-warming success.
On Monday, Mark, Louise and I drove up to Nelson for three days in close proximity to our
future home. There we spent time with a most special friend who would have loved the party a few years ago. There was a little reminiscing with some other close friends who did make the trip down to Otago. A swim at Little Kaitiritiri (photo right), fish and chips, The Free House – lots of happy times.
Eventually we said goodbye to Mark in Christchurch on 2 April, but not before yet another indulgent meal, lunch at the Curator’s Lodge in Christchurch – ole (below).
After some relatively quiet time at Dagy and Carol’s (yes, really!) we flew back to our Santo home on the farm on April 5th just as Cyclone Zena limbered up.
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