October 24th, 2009 through October 26th, 2009

Monday October 26th, 2009
We were up very early for our car trip from Martinbourough to Wellington, visited a couple of shops, and then hopped on a plane to Auckland. When we arrived to Auckland we rented a car and drove to Dawn and Darrell's friends Belinda and Steve. They live on this property out in the country in Ramarama. Their place is amazing with birds, plants, and flowers. They have an orchird growning range named Balzana LTD. It has been wonderful to walk through the orchids and hours of discussions about growing, cutting, shipping, and processing. Steve is an amazing man and the process is successful. The smell in the warm greenhouse is great. this ius the end of the orchird growing season, with only a couple of weeks left. Thank God I am able to see and be here now.

Sunday October 25th, 2009
Today is Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Monday is considered Labor Day and is a national holiday. We were up early packed a lunch and to the beach, beautiful black sand beach. The whole family and the two dogs . We went to this great lighthouse, 250 steps up and down. Cape Palliesr on the Pacific Ocean. The seals were right up on the rocks, actually they look like rocks, only they move, yawn and stretch, oh yes, and smell!!!!The picnic was lovely, warm, the black sand was beautiful and warm.We went home late afternoon. Crisi taught Thalia cheer leading, and dance. I put a tree together with bamboo, from the yard, and grapevine around and around and around.Then I put it upside down, saw that at K&D, great idea. It looked so nice. So Gail, Dawns sister and I decorated the Spa for Christmas. We set the tree up in front of the small wood burning fireplace--funny--I was concerned at first about the wood so close to the fire.No need Christmas here is in the summer.
We had a bonfire and introduced Smores. They loved them.Great day.
Crisi had a meeting with Chris Wilson,EMT emergency fireman and CPR instructor in Wellington and Martinborough.Mental health crisis, emergency and CPR services were the center of topics.

Saturday October 24, 2009
Crisi was up early to walk the two German Shepards with Dawn and Gail. Then we had a traditional New Zealand breakfast with pancakes, toast, eggs, hash browns, and fruit, and , and , and everything . We jumped into Gail's caddy to go to Greystown where we had tea, more "pies", looked in the local stores, and had some fruit ice cream. Next to the Richmond Gardens in Carterton Wirarapa for a wonderful walk around the privately owned gardens. Then back to Gails house for a wonderful organic dinner. Crisi, Gail, and friends went to the Okotober Beer Festival with a great local band at the local pub. They dressed up as German Wenches, let it go at that.
Ardith

Advantures Ardith-New Zealand

October 16

My daughter is flying to Minneapolis from Durham, North Carolina this evening.Tomorrow morning she and I will fly to LAX. We arrive about 2:00 there to meet with Dawn and Darryll. Dawn is my good friend that is from New Zealand. Dawn and I meet a couple of years ago when she came to Minneapolis with her then military husband to take floral design classes.We formed a fast and strong friendship. Last Spring she and I were talking about her trip in October , home for the summer for her , away from the Midwest winters. They have the best, they follow the spring and summers around the world scuba diving.

We will be there for a couple of weeks. I will be doing a few design programs,visiting some growers that Koehler & Dramm buy from, visiting some design schools and doing a show or two on the way. Cristin a Mental Health Professional and trainer will also be networking and visiting facilities in her profession. Dawn has us all set up with business and recreation. She is the number one cruise directer, thank goodness. She knows her island and the people and places.

For those that know Cveta, who used to work here at Koehler & Dramm. She moved to Maui a couple of years ago. She will be meeting us in Auckland on Monday the 19. She is already there, been there for a month now on a meditative retreat. Long story, ask her about it.Finally another wish of mine to come true, my daughter Cristin and Cveta will meet for the first time, and they will be able to meet Dawn. That alone for me is wonderful.

This blog is set up to share with you the adventures, people, flowers and any design tips, ideas that I see. This for me is about design education. I'll be looking and interviewing designers/instructors to come over to share with you.You can have input in the process.

Stay tuned.There is a class today, Friday. I'm packed and ready, have been all week.Good thing for the class to occupy my time.

The Adventure has begun...