Overview
Sat Decr 26
Hot sun and not a cloud in sight. A wonderful day of happiness. Maud + I + Ralph + winnie caught the 9.30 train for Napier and the Mardi Gras. Before starting I took a ½ pl. photo (2) of Maud in the rose archway “A rosebud for Fido” and one (3) of her smiling and ready for the outing. Took a quarter pl[ate] snap (4) of Maud, Ralph, Winnie in crowd on Hastings rly [railway] st[atio]n. As usual the train was crowded so we had to stand. On
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arrival went to the Trocadero for morning tea + left our overcoats there. Then walked to the Marine Parade and perched on top of the concrete wall to see the procession. Photo (5) of Maud Ralph + Minnie perching. The procession was again a great success though not quite so novel to us as last year. Photo (6) of Britain's Menagerie - the Kaiser, the Australian Emperor and a turkey caged – a great skit. Also one (7) of a wagon representing Japan. There were many representations of the war- Belgian forts, a warship fully manned and firing salutes etc etc. A gigantic green dragon with about 20 men inside took Maud’s fancy most. When all had passed we took up another position in Hastings Street + I got several more snapshots (8) the Maori group in a war canoe (9) the Highwaymen + (10) Maud’s favourite green dragon. We had lost Ralph and Winnie by this time so did not go to the kick-up in Nelson Park but took an electric tram to the terminus near the
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Tutaekuri River + engaged a boat to carry off my Silver Bell. The river is a splendid place for boating especially on such a day as the one we were favoured with. There is a very gentle current no shallows or snags + a long draught reach evidently partly artificial - just ideal with the girl you love sitting in the stern-seat and smiling at you while you pull on the oars and send the boat rippling along. At the end of the straight reach the river makes a sweeping curve to the south - the banks are dotted with camps, landing places and spring-boards + is evidently a favourite week-end resort for the men of Napier and district. On the way up the stream in answer to a question, Maud told me (so seriously, lovingly and charmingly) that she thought “five was the limit.” My shriek of astonishment and delight so startled her that she did not know whether to blush or laugh too, + finally did both, promising me a good pummeling for asking such a question and catching her unawares - what an adorable
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darling to have for a sweetheart. On getting well round the bend we drove the prow of our boat, “The Echo [sic], onto a shelving part of the bank + I settled down beside my adored one in the stern seat for a talk and a good time. The warm sun beat down on us + the fresh air of the river kept us cool while we ate fruit and + had a most delightful conversation. A good number of motor and row-boats went past (including one containing Ralph and Winnie) but for the most part we were undisturbed. Then sat on the bank for awhile and got very warm but enjoyed ourselves immensely. Took a photo (11) of Maud in boat. Time flew with amazing rapidity + reluctantly we got into our boat again for the return, Maud rowing at first. Then we sat together + just let the boat drift, giving an occasional paddle to keep it in mid stream. At one place I got out + took a photo (12) of Maud in boat on river “as in a dream it would seem, down the stream gaily paddling.” This gentle drift down with the current was a
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most delightful experience for us both. As we neared the landing we looked back to see Ralph furiously rowing to overtake us, but when he saw our method of progress, promptly did likewise while Maud and I made witty remarks at their expense. On giving up the boat we found we had actually been on the river 5 hours. The four of us then returned to the Trocadero for dinner before going to the evening entertainment. Neither Ralph nor I could raise an appetite but our girls were hungry and ordered fish. Thinking there was another item on the menu I called up the waitress for Maud’s second choice - there were no further courses so for a joke and to pass off the affair + ordered for Maud and said, “have you by any chance a small whale.” Maud was furious (that is as furious as she can be with me, the darling) and the four of us fairly screamed with laughter. We were to have gone to the play “Charley’s Aunt” but finding that it was not on went to the pictures instead. Most of the films were good, the last one
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a long comic by the Keystone Company called “The Knockout” was quite the most terrible I’ve ever seen. I roared, I screamed, I shrieked I laughed till I got violent pains, I doubled up + undoubled till I nearly wrecked my cushioned iron chair, I nearly died and the sweat poured out of me in streams. As for Maud she nearly had hysterics and still the most farcical scenes flickered before our eyes. When we came out (about 10.20pm) I was so feeble I could hardly walk up the street + Maud had to support me for several hundred yards. Then to cap all the train whistled + we ran our best, I pulling Maud by one hand + she splitting the seams of her skirt in her effort to keep up, + after all we had plenty of time. The train was packed so Maud + I stood on the carriage platform in our overcoats holding each other tight, watching the sea + the lights of Napier, while my beloved sang soft love songs in my ear - no wonder my love for her is overflowing. Then wed had our little walk home down Avenue Road + to
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finish supper sitting on the edge of the kitchen table. Could a more beautiful day be imagined?