photo - Jim ZLlAVR
Alison ZLl lXQ

2 October Monday Jacqueline ZLl JAQ - Early Monday morning we went to the Novotel Tainui Hotel to wave goodbye to the group going off to Rotorua for two days, and to the others continuing on to Norfolk Island. There were lots of hugs and kisses and I saw a few tears. Many of these YLs had met on previous DX occasions and had a wonderful time meeting again.

Maria VK5BMT - That birthday card after collecting a fair number of signatures and ensuring that most of the YLs had signed it I very discreetly handed it to Aola to present to Dave on the Monday morning. At the farewell breakfast she discreetly handed it back to me for presentation, so by tingling on a glass I got everyone's attention and held aloft the card in its envelope, saying `You all know what this is about so please on the count of three, would you sing. One, two, three ' and all present happily joined in to sing `Happy Birhday to Dave'. Minutes later, we went through the same routine for Nozomi who also had a birthday on the same day.

Sharron ZL3AE - On Monday we travelled to Te Aroha to meet Joline ZLlUJB and Morris ZLlANF who I had spoken to but not met before the Saturday. We spoke at the Dinner on Saturday night and I was very pushy and invited myself for elevenses on Monday. Without thinking they said OK. You know the directions, you can't miss us, just look for the radio mast! Giggles, laughs. chat and photos later, we sat down to lunch and then went visiting another radio ham in Te Aroha I chat to regularly. By the way Morris, Glenn thinks it's great to meet another guy who wears moccasins. I'm definitely coming back to take part in the pool adventure Joline!

With great regret we headed back to Auckland (still in the rain) and returned the rental car before flying back to Christchurch to meet our youngest son who (always hungry) wanted to be taken out to tea. Three tired travellers then drove home to Timaru.

photo - Morris ZLlANF Joline ZLlUJB with Sharron ZL3AE

Very special thanks from Dennis, ZL2BFI, and from all in WARO to Pat ZLlLD who designed the banner and to Trish who made it so beautifully.