Just when the roses are fading , I came to Rose Town again . The trees are still so green and the grass as luster  but the roses are fading.    Autumn's coming !    It anounces its arrival by painting the landscape different  shades of golden yellow colours . When will great mother nature change its garment completely ? I mused to myself .   Strollling through the tree-lined streets  of the town , I lost the excitement I once used to feel when I first came here ;  tho' I was still a stranger there,  not having the feeling of belonging.   Vey often I walked  to town alone , while strolling ,  I took in the scenery,  enjoyed  the cold air ; a change for us tropical birds .   The autumn dry weather is good enough for a  quiet stroll but I still need an extra jacket in the morning and good footwear that covered  the feet to prevent them from cracking and cream for my hands and face .    As the afternoon approached , I could feel the heat stifle me and it was  time to take off the jacket . It's like  the description , ' summer in the sunshine and winter in the shade ". You experience all weathers in one day ; for going out-door during night time    is cold to us even in Summer.   Later we discovered  some nice gardens accidentally ; there we wiled away the whole of our morning  sitting in the park , taking in the green surrounding , watching the birds fly here and there and the ducks swim in the pond.   Shopping was l another activity that I indulged   myself in ; Just to buy those cute little souvinirs ,  post-cards , dresses would  be quite a treat.    During weekends  my family and I  went to some weekly market . It's just like our tamu . The only  difference is that there are bands here and there and singers singing songs with a  spirit that liven up the place , giving it a romantic touch . Here you can get almost all the vegetables  we have back  home. We stocked  the freeze for  not only a week but weeks of meat, fish too.   On the way to Hamiton , we passed sheep , cows grazing on the vast meadows.There  are also beautiful roses , cherry trees and gardens  that adorn the streets and free road-side  parking .   Once in a while we got invited to   some farm houses  to enjoy the picturesque country- side and  its spaciousness and to pluck apples .   However house work keeps me occupied most of the time ; helping with washing dishes and cooking ; looking after my grand-daughter ,  singing nursery rhymes  to her or watch her  toddling round the house .    If we like a change , there's always the   Chinese fish 'n' chips take- away , den-sin at Chinese restaurants to tantalise our taste buds . Other food-stuff that I frequently ate included ice-cream, chocolate , bread with peanut-butter , salad and fresh apples.   My   other  favourite activities include reading , surfing the net  and attending church services in the beautiful old wooden church . Life that is not so hectic suits  me well.   The beauty of New Zealand fills  me with reminiscences  enough for me  to want  an earlier  future visit .     By Agatha Lai ©