Overview
Mon Dec 28
Our last day. Maud + I walked into town so that I could wire home my return tomorrow. Later in the morning we set out in trap for a little picnic at the Havelock Hills. On way out compared notes on various subject as to our likes + dislikes + I found that my adored one + I will have remarkably few things to quarrel about. We drove up the Reservoir Road taking a photo (16) of Iona College and the Havelock foot-hills en route + left trap + Judy on roadside at outlet of gorge leading up to Te Mata trig. The weather was cloudy + there was a cool breeze so we found a sheltered side gully to the main gorge + settled down under some manuka scrub on the rug. Lunched, talked + loved each other. I discovered a
[page break]
wonderfully fascinating cave, snowy white inside + very beautiful. As a momento Maud gave me a bow of white satin ribbon. Later we popped into our new B.S's [bathing suits] to show them off + do Scene II Act I of the Adam + Eve tableau. "Loving is so sweet" + Maud is the softest, sweetist, purest truest girl I know or ever wish to. Resumed mufti feeling much better. Once again Time acted like greased lightning so we packed up + made for the trap. In the gorge I took a photo (17) of Maud on the pathway, + she put me in a state of ecstasy bordering on insanity by putting her arms round my waist from behind while I was fixing up my camera + singing "The Wedding of Sandy McNab" in a in a man's voice - I nearly went wild with delight because it was one of the most captivating things she has ever done. I felt like snatching her up in my arms + running miles just to let off steam. Drove home late for tea - considering the circumstances I was hardly to blame - that song was enough to love me for a week.
[page break]
In the evening we sadly said farewell (for certainly not more than 3 hours or was it only 3 mins) + had supper with Ralph in the kitchen, I disperality [sic] eating lunch quantities of Maud's shortbread in the fond home of inticing dreams of her.