Matarangi Peninsula Coromandel 5 - 6 November 2010

Left Ngatea in sunshine, called into Thames for supplies, then set off for Matarangi for the wedding of Jay & Briar.  For those of you who don't know, Jay is my oldest grandson & he & Briar have been a couple for some years.  They have a dear little girl Alyvia (my first great grandchild).   Our choice of route was Highway 25A through Whitianga, a lovely drive the whole way through wonderful bushclad hills with the odd glimpse of blue sea.  Stopped at Whitianga to meet up with Sue, Craig & of course my first glimpse of Trevor after his arrival from Oz.  So lovely to have him back on home soil after so many years, albeit a very short visit.  We all had lunch & continued on to Matarangi.  All the family had accommodation booked in the lodge, but we were still unsure of whether we could park our caravan in the immediate area or have to go back 20 minutes to a camping ground.  Faith & Graham had booked a little bach flat & we were fortunate that the owner offered to let us park on the grass verge outside so we were all able to converge on  Sue & Craig's unit & have fun together catching up especially with Trevor & news of his little family (my other 3 grandchildren).  All went to the restaurant for dinner - only diners there so I don't know how they make a living.  Young ones  stayed up till the early hours, but Faith, Graham, Stu & I headed off for bed being the senior members of the family.

Wedding morning rose sunny & a bit breezy.  Service not till 3pm, so Stu & I went exploring on our bikes & found a nice track which went around the back of the golf course & along the beach.  Found the others down on the surf beach with friends so took Trevor back to have lunch with us oldies (lucky him), returning him in time to get himself polished up for the wedding.

Well what a wedding.  We were all transported to the site of the ceremony (the 4th tee on the golf course) via little golf buggies which was very lucky for all us ladies with high heels.  Jay & the best man were patiently waiting at this beautiful setting overlooking the surfbeach - sun, sand, azure blue sky & aqua sea.  Little Alyvia duly arrived looking like a little angel in her flowergirl outfit with the bride'smaid (Briar's mum) (also in a golf buggy).  We were all apprehensive about how she would handle it at as she is not yet two.  However, she handled it like a professional model, even lifting her skirts to go up the steps to daddy Jay.  Then came the arrival of  the beautiful bride who looked so, so stunning & happy beside her dad.  The ceremony was performed by Briar's aunty who is a marriage celebrant, so it was very personal & lovely.  Of course when the vows were taken, written by the bridal couple themselves, tears appeared around the circle of family & friends.  We were all so proud - they are an incredibly sensible & loving couple, fantastic parents with a really cute, bright little daughter, & they all looked so gorgeous.  I told Jay if I was 40 years younger & not his nanna I would whip him away myself.  He just looked at me with a patient, wry smile.
It could have been a celebrity wedding there were so many cameras clicky.  I myself captured some lovely ones, especially of Alyvia who was by then back amongst the grandparents etc.  And so to the reception which took place back at the restaurant at the lodge.  The speeches were fantastic by all, so genuine & sincere.  Both sides of the family are typically modern with extensions & both are similar in their fun-loving aspects so it was a truly a successful event with everyone joining in.

Next morning we all packed up to leave, had to say goodbye to Trevor who was returning to Oz next day.

Stu & I drove to investigate 'New Chum's' Beach which has been a news item of late because of it's secluded nature & developers trying to change that.  It can only be accessed via a bush walk of about 20 minutes - not a properly developed track either.  It certainly is a very lovely, secluded bay, and it would be a shame to lose it's charm but it appears it won't happen YET???