On the 11th they crashed with Pete and Nicky after dropping in on the Jim and Marg and the other Auckland Turnbulls so they go to visit all family members - no small task and last done in 2012. We met new additions to the clan - Bob & Tannin's Brennan (we were at the wedding in 2011) and Rochelle & Scott's Abe. Stephen and Paulie got to try the training simulator we saw Pete talk about on NZ news.
On the 12th a dinner at Pregos continued - fed by Italian rose and Argentinian merlot- late into the evening and Paulie got to catch up with her pals. The last similar pal gathering was in 2012. Kav was in town- normally we only see him at home base in London (last time during a 2 month EU stint in 2012).
Lochie sends Paulie & Stephen off to Auckland with a 2004 Verve!
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First stop in Auckland ... Margot, Rebecca and Bill
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... and possum
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The tree is plum full
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Dropping in on Jim & Marg Turnbull's property. Paulie escorts Rochelle down (she taught Rochelle at AUT Uni)
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Jim has made his own bushwalk track
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Including constructing his own bridge over the treacherous gorge
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Scott shows Paulie the swing..
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... that shoots over the trees
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Grace and Nanna Marg start lunch
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Judy, Sally and Rochelle
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Latest grandchild Abe
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The clan prepares for a shot
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not ready yet
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Done
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Going over some family history that Rochelle has collated
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Farewell to the Auckland Turnbulls
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.. Piroa Falls en route to the Whangarei Turnbulls
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a few hours later, at Pete and Nicky's
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Dr Phil has to shoot back to Auckland for research & Lucy has to work her thesis
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We've heard about the custom built simulator. An ex Japanese chopper damaged in the tsunami
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Computing power on...
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Pre-flight checks
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... and off to Paris
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Getting dark
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Stephen landed on a ship, but crashes on this take off
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Brennan - the latest grandchild for this clan
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Bob and Tannis join us for dinner, Heather has moved back in to the family home
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Chateauneuf du Pape time
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Not a red drinker, but has a try
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The morning walk. A lot of uphill
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Not great for Stephen's knee, but great for Sammy
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And back to Auckland for a Stephen meeting and a Paulie Pal dinner.
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Richard and Kav
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Uni flatmate Sally joins the party
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As does Helen (aka Pearl)
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.. and Dr Phil who stayed with the guys in France mid 2014
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Margie was at work all night so missed dinner, but dropped in to Margot & Bill's place
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As did Olivia's dad Maurice
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En route to the airport we visited more clan - Paulie's Mum & Dad's "glade"
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