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 ©
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