New Found Family

One of the best things about travelling is all the new people you meet, some of which create lasting memories - all for the right reasons! 

It was a delight to meet my second cousin and her family in Auckland. Ruth and her husband to be Mike emigrated from the UK as a young couple over fifty years ago from Yorkshire.  Ruth is from Bradford initially and so remembered my Dad and his brother Ernest when they were young(er). I had no idea we had family in Auckland until a chance comment from Auntie Carol and Uncle Ernest (they love it when I call them that!) put us in the picture. 

We arranged to meet Ruth at the Albany Park & Ride north of Auckland and suddenly realised we might not recognise each other! My concerns were soon dismissed and we were very warmly welcomed by Ruth. She treated us to a lovely evening meal; we ate far too much of the lip-smacking green Thai curry and mouth watering trifle washed down with some NZ hospitality. Meeting Ruth's daughter Samantha (hopefully she will visit us in the UK) and son Matthew and family were real highlights. 

After a comfortable nights stay we were again fed up with a good old fry up, with lashings of bacon for rasher-deprived Chris. It was heart warming to learn stories about my Grandma - Aunt Florrie to Ruth, and nostalgic to talk over photos of extended family. I'm extremely glad we met up, and as we pulled away in the bus I thought Grandma would have been so pleased too. 

Family moment

Ruth's posh Auckland pad