Overview
Sun Dec 27
Another fine day. To see my darling ship out in the morning looking as fresh + as sweet as a daisy + for her to put her arms round me in a light little squeeze + her sweet lips on mine is a thing never to be forgotten. We drove down to morning service at the Methodist Church with Mrs Herd + John + Hugh. Rev Wallis, Winnie's father, preached. It was delightful sitting in church beside my adored one with my knee pressed gently against hers + using the same hymn-book. She was wearing the sweetest dress of pale blue + white trimmed with softest lace at at the breast - a most alluring place to press one's cheek, so soft, warm + faintly violet perfumed. After dinner we took the gig + drove down to Mr Herd's Karamu Road farm to look round some sheep. This farm is dryer [sic], lighter + a
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trifle less fertile than the one at Raupau Road, there being "sand-drifts" (in the form of small parallel ridges) of fine river-silt running across it. Gigantic trees are a feature of this farm. We found the sheep all right + then I took two photos (13-14) with a thread of Silver Bell + the King of Me standing under a gnarled willow-tree on the edge of the old Ngaruroo which river forms one bdy [boundary] of the farm. Then a photo (15) of Maud climbing a tree + smiling down at me (Amusing her Alderliebst might do for a title). Then we settled down on the rug + loved each other till it was time to go home. There is a woolshed on the farm which we inspected Maud showing me a novel idea they have for closing the catch-pen doors. When we are married she is going to help me muster sheep UR + will wear a cow-girl costume - Wild West felt hat, scarlet handkerchief round her neck, riding skirt trimmed with fringes of soft leather + soft leather leggings. "Ho, Ho, the dazzle 'o." Returned home in
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time for tea + spent evening in the drawing room when I showed my adored one a plan (latest edition) I have drawn of our future home. She liked it for the most part + made one or two brilliant suggestions.