Dear Paolo and Christine and family,
> Thank you for the beautiful postcard from Lucerne. So wonderful!! Makes me
> feel like visiting there too! About 14 years we did stay one night there,
> and we walked across that crooked bridge. It was full of baskets of red
> geraniums. It was such a magical, beautiful place.
> Fr Mears is back in NZ and he is so looking forward to telling me all his
> stories and showing us his photos.
> It is so kind of Susanna to have Mary and I to stay in her home, and then
to
> provide free accommodation in a Flat in Borgo. We are so amazed at the
> generosity of your wonderful parents. It really is unbelievable. We so
> appreciate all your kindness to us.
> Mary has written giving you details of our arrival at the Florence
Airport.
> Who would be able to meet us and transport us to Susanna's home? It would
so
> good if you could help us buy the train tickets for the 4 of us to Rome.
We
> don't need to do that immediately, but soon. Have you managed to find time
> to book Mary and me into the Citadel in Assisi? We don't mind what date
you
> choose as long as it is not clashing with something that has been arranged
> in Borgo that we should be taking part in. Only Mary and I will go to
> Assisi, not the Maori girls. Let me know how much we owe you for the
booking
> at Assisi, please.
>
> I have just lost 2 dear friends, within the last 3 weeks. Has been a real
> blow. I travelled way up north, passed where we went with your boys, up to
> Whangaroa. The Church had been built by George's great great grandfather
in
> the Missionary Days. Was all so idyllic, perched on a high hill, over
> looking a beautiful harbour, with boats. George had been Peter Bower's
best
> friend and George's sister, Joyce, had been my best friend. It was really
> sad to see both now at rest in the Kaeo Cemetery. Now my other good friend
> also from Teachers' Training College Days, Margaret, has passed away, so
> suddenly of a massive heart attack in Hospital in Auckland. That burial is
> on Monday way up even further north, at Mangonui. I am not able to attend,
> but have sent a Eulogy to be read at the funeral by my God daughter's
> husband. It is all really sad. Once we had all been in Auckland together
> when we were young, studying for our careers and planning our futures,
which
> even included a big trip to Europe. However, we all got married instead,
and
> waited YEARS before seeing the world.
>
> I hope all is well with you. Looking forward to seeing you very soon.
> Love
> Rosalyn.