January: As Covid restrictions ease – I fly to Wellington to see the Van Gogh interactive with family. A stunning experience.
January again in Wellington for Capital Swim weekend and the annual competition between Team Auckland Masters Swimmers and Different Strokes Wellington. TAMS won both trophies.
A time to catch up with Cousin Marie and Anne
February another mini lockdown
The America Cup was raced on the Waitemata Harbour often overtaking the ferry on training runs.
March: My cusi -sis, Mary Taylor (entrepreneur and foodie) develops a business – Walking food tours around Auckland. Queens road Panmure – a rich variety of tastes from a round the world.
A visit to Ngawha Springs where my mysterious grandfather spent his last years. The hot springs were frequented by Maori warriors after battle. Now a sad collection of batches with the baths closed for re-development.
I drop in to visit an old acting friend Johnny Givins at Ngunguru and catch up on my swimming in the Whangarei pool. Further south then to visit cousin Robyn Mustard and partner Eric, who have newly relocated to Mahurangi West with stunning views
April and Autumn in Central Hawke’s Bay with family. Reconnecting with the land and generally making myself useful.
Managed to get a few swims in at the Waipukurau pool.
Back to Waiheke Island and Rocky Bay
Rocky Bay Store for sale – now sold
May: Back in London to a nation emerging from covid restrictions. My first swim .
July: A visit to my dear friend Ros and partner John. We walked for 6 hours through deserted farmland.
Travel Guide friend, Richard came to stay and we went to Greenwich for the day.
My birthday party was postponed by a week. It also rained heavily, flooding the courtyard.
August: To Hebden Bridge to see Annie and Fyfe. The familiar walks in the woods with the dog and a visit to the wonderful Barbara Hepworth Centre.
September: Swimming the 1500m freestyle for the first and last time. I do look a bit wrecked don’t I?
K2 Crawley.
At Barnet Copthal swim meet, I managed to win a fist full of 1st place vouchers to donate back for a good cause rather than collect medals.
It’s Chelsea flower show, in the Autumn for the first time. The Kings road shops get in on the act.
Delmozine and I go to Is God Is at the Royal Court to see friend and colleague, Ray in the show.
I’ve got a job managing a production of Marlowe’s Fate by an American academic, Peter Hodges. We are auditioning this month.
October: We are rehearsing Marlowe’s Fate all month, but I skive off to go to the National Masters Meet at Ponds Forge in Sheffield for a weekend
I come away with good times and 4 bronze medals, two of them for relays.
November: Marlowe’s Fate has kept me very busy. No that it is up and running at the White Bear theatre I can relax just a little bit.
I now have time to visit the Banksey exhibition, which is fantastic.
Time for a commercial break to push my own art. Now available on Kindle
A long awaited visit to Cathy and Claire in Collingham where we visited the Holocaust Museum and Southwell Minster. Both stunning
Xmas Star
December: The Out to Swim Angels (Artistic Swimming) Christmas show.
