A visit home (and some flashbacks)
I make it back home a couple of times a year. To get there is a one hour flight and about the same again by car, or about nine hours if I have time to drive the whole way. It’s ‘home’ because that’s a convenient label to give the area where I grew up and where my parents still live.
These days they live in a small town at the head of the Kaipara Harbour and my grandmother lives with them. We used to live further out in the country, my brother and I going to a small rural primary school (which is still going strong) and then the high school in town.
In February I made a weekend trip back as I didn’t go up for Christmas and two birthdays were about to be celebrated, including Gran’s 96th.
As well as spending time with the family I got out around my old stomping ground. I’ve posted separately the old dairy factory and cemetery. Below is a picture summary of the remainder and I’ve delved into old photo albums for a trippy flashback or two.
Dad waits to get picked up for golf
Mum and Gran at the local market
Me and Gran in 2013…
…and in 1973
Gran on her wedding day in 1943. She still has the dress and it’s in pretty good nick – I tried it on, at Mum’s insistence!, and it sort of almost fitted but I ain’t the little thing that Gran was
Gran’s mother’s 100yo engagement ring which was very kindly given to me during my visit (not in the proposal kind of way!!)
My old doll Tammy, missing a row or two of hair due to a classic maim-doll-with-scissors incident
With my brother Kyle: fun times in 2013…
…and fun times in 1974
My brother at his place
The Kaipara River which runs from the Waitakere Ranges to the Kaipara Harbour. It’s always a delightful brown due to the sediments which run into it
A weeny fishing boat puttering out to the harbour
I used to play netball on what is now the high school carpark and back then we sure as heck didn’t have security fencing around the perimeter
In 1998, yours truly attempting a shot at goal
A derelict house beside what used to be the movie theatre
Freight trains still go through here but passenger services only run on special occasions
It’s good to have a place like this from your past to periodically revisit. It’s also good to be able to leave it behind each time as well.
tall tales 
Great post, Hayley! It was so cool to see photos of your family. Good times, indeed! Cheers
Thanks Steph! Hopefully they’re not too embarrassed about making an appearance 🙂
A great post Hayley I even was feeling nostalgia with family memories. You certainly give of yourself which is a wonderful part of your personality and your family will love you for that. Your grandmother is absolutely amazing for 96. Wonderful photos of you and brother too. Of course I honed in on the horses are they his? And you look so much like your gran in her photo of 1943 the similarity is definitely there. You were a lovely little girl and young basketballer and your Mum and Dad are looking so well and happy. A true tribute to your family Hayley. Really enjoyed it. Love Janice xxx
Thanks so much for another lovely comment Janice! The horses belong to friends of Kyle but they graze on the property. Gran will be tickled at your compliment, I’ll pass that on when I write to her this week. x