Home in Ashburton, with the Ashfords

Exodus 35:25-26; Proverbs 31:19-20
How is it that you come upon some people along the journey of life that you know will be friends for the rest of life.  How is it that you can come to know some folk so well and yet not see them but once every few years. I have pondered these many days how to write this blog, on the eve of our penultimate day here in New Zealand. Perhaps it was good that we planned to end our journey here with dear, dear friends. A friendship that was forged in the late 80s, has deepened and grown through the years and the miles. Richard and Elizabeth greeted us with open hearts and open arms.  Five days of recounting times together, family joys, and laughter about spinning, wood working, boating, and life in general.

On the way from Moeraki to Ashburton a stop off in Omaru. A lot or their buildings are Victorian architecture.

Of course we had to stop at a wool storage warehouse

weather changed from clear and warm to almost foggy and back to warm again.
The morning after arriving at Ashford's home

We took a trip near Christchurch to a beautiful town Akaroa, a harbor that is now used by the cruise boats since the earthquake. Their cottage sits on the lake with pristine views of the water and surrounding area.

And of course the day was spent talking and spinning.  Patsy tried all aspects of the new ESpinner

Even in the car while driving.

Sunday, helping to cut the lawn on the tractor. No picture of me, but I was earning my keep!
I did get to tour the Ashford plant, and see all the newest and latest machinery.  Quite the operation, all so very well organized.

While Patsy was working on a spinning and weaving project, Richard and I were guests on a jet boat owned by an old friend and classmate of Richard.  What an adrenaline punch! We drove out to the Rakaia River Gorge and proceeded up the very swift moving river, skimming along over rocks only inches below the hull.  The jet boat was created and designed by Hamilton, who wanted to be able to inspect his sheep up the river, without having to drive around so much. The pictures do not do it justice.

Bruce runs an immense modern farm operation, growing seed. Got to tour it.
Today I met John, a woodworker extraordinaire and visited a heritage museum that houses one of the world's largest collection of treadle and old ornamental lathes, and old hand tools. While there they fired up an old German mill saw that cut slabs.

In the museum, I couldn't pass up these two items:

While I was out playing, Patsy was interviewed for an endorsement of the new Ashford ESpinner, and photographed about a new weaving project for Wheel Magazine.
We settled in for the evening and walk the beautiful grounds of Richard and Elizabeth's home.

Tomorrow we visit with another of Patsy's colleague and friend Margaret Stove in Christchurch.  We'll get a first hand view of how the reparations are coming along after the earthquake.