Family Reunion early January 2023
Monday 2 January We drive from Owaka to Clyde and find Auntie Sue and Uncle Gerard Mulvey's house (on second attempt). There's a picnic down at the Clutha River so we head there and find cousin Ben, his partner Suzy, and their three kids, the youngest of whom, Campbell, is four months old. Haven't seen Ben and Suzy since they stayed with us in London, pre children.
Lots of canoeing and swimming and I take Campbell for a wee paddle/ dangle his legs in the water. Nat arrives from Dunedin with her three kids (but without her husband Drew, who is working this week); they lived with us in London when they were working in UK - so good to see her again.
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| Lyndon, and Campbell, her first cousin-once-removed-in-law |
Later in the day we head to Cromwell to stay at Auntie Helen and Uncle David's house. Joined by Auntie Christine (Helen's twin) and Uncle Alan plus other whanau members.
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John (oldest 'next generation Mulvey') and Campbell (youngest) |
Tuesday 3 January to Pisa Moorings a development 7 miles from Cromwell where we're staying at Paul Cross's parents' house (they are in Te Anau) along with Paul, Sarah & Ryan Cross and with Paul and Richard Clarkson and families in their respective caravans. People are very generous about opening their homes to others, even if they aren't there ☺️
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View of the lake from the house |
Head to Cromwell for the start of a family gathering of John's late mother's family, the Mulveys. She was one of six, and four siblings, plus many of the kids and grandkids, are congregating at the Lake Dunstan Boat Club. We number circa 60! Thankfully Margaret has patiently prepared a family history and each family unit is given a copy of this invaluable reference document/who's who.
The day is spent yarning, meeting new cousins, and boating , which mostly involves Uncle David in one boat and Brendan in his boat, taking the kids biscuiting. I'm on spotter duty ie shout to Brendan when we lose a biscuit load. One of the youngest cousins has barely ever seen open water so is v brave to get out there.
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| Biscuit time |
In the evening we return to Pisa Moorings for tea with brothers and sister and families.
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Wednesday 4 January the big reveal today . Some decades ago Gerard started to build a small sail boat which was then taken on by Paul and finally completed with Richard. With the Mulvey gathering providing a deadline, and John and Sam to help, the project was completed and the boat, the Margaret, launched with a crowd and a speechless Gerard!
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| the Margaret (+ John, Richard, Paul, Gerard & Sam) |
She's taken out on her 'sea' trials. Bit of an oopsie when the tiller breaks on one outing but Paul was able to fix it later in the day.
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The Margaret under way |
More swimming, paddling and boating today plus the obligatory group photo, twins photo, 1st cousins photo etc!
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| The Clan Mulvey |
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| Mulvey(ish) twins |
We both got taken out for spins in cousin Daniel's race boat which gets up to 80 mph. Scary but exhilarating
Thursday 5 January clean up time at Lake Dunstan Boat Club with many hands making light work. In the afternoon John goes jet boating with Paul Cross and others along lake Dunstan then up the Clutha River. It was a really good afternoon, running an unrunnable channel and a stop for a break at a "bar" halfway up to meet with the owner Tony Glynn. Definitely a good old fashioned Southland character, now building a home from a series of huts and welcoming visitors for a yarn as they travel the river.
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Heidi, Stella & Meg jet boating I stay with Jo and Melissa at the house, and go for a walk along the lake. |
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Lake Dunstan |
Friday 6 the house, the boats, the caravans etc are all packed up and Sarah and Ryan take us to Queenstown Airport. Very sad to part but it won't be a 5 year gap next time!
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