This is Karola’s big day. She instigated the co-opting of a regular Sunday service at the Ormond Chapel on the bluff at Napier to become a remembrance of Alexander Ormond, one of the family who went off to war in World War I and was killed, along with thousands of other New Zealanders, at the Somme. The clergy and parishioners enthusiastically embraced the idea and the Ormonds, especially the Mahia members of the family, were very well represented. There were more than 30 Ormond family members who attended, swelling the usual congregation of 3 – 6.

Karola invited them back to Karamu afterwards and 12 cars came – more than 20 people, mostly locals. It was a pot-luck meal so in addition to what Karola prepared there were plenty of other dishes and packets. To mark the entrance on Ormond Road we put a small umbrella on the 121 entrance and parked the Landrover opposite the entrance with its hazard lights flashing. No-one reported any problem in finding us.

Henare came to the church and he and Denise came to the pot-luck lunch, Denise contributing a popular bacon & egg pie. Two of Henare’s sisters were here – Irene Bird and Ira – Ira with three grandchildren in tow – mokopuna.

I got up at the usual time which, it being the beginning of daylight saving, was an hour earlier than yesterday. I changed as many clocks as I could find before breakfast. Before we set off for the chapel – the service began at 11:00am –  I did manage to get in half an hour on the fence near the new shed, straightening up the strainer at one end.

After the guests had gone I went round the sheep and foud that ewe #443 had lamb #617E and #410 had a lamb, #618R. Also ewe #231 died under the Macrocarpa tree in the Front paddock a few hours earlier. It took me 30 minutes to catch her lamb and now Karola has another mouth to feed, lamb #614E.

Oak Avenue Weather:10℃—12℃ 4.1mm rain [76.6]