The Verna Fraser-Bill Mason’s Kids Re-union
Sometime before WWII ended, Verna Fraser and Bill Mason, both of Scottish-Kiwi descent met and married. They had three children- Janice, Allan and John. Twenty years ago, Verna and Bill went to the world beyond. Their children decided to have a reunion since they are scattered around New Zealand. One lives in Christchurch, another in Wellington and the youngest in New Plymouth. These children are already in their ‘ties (like sixties or fifties) as you will see in the photographs.
Here goes what happened before, during and after the reunion. The children’s reunion were witnessed by their respective sweethearts.
Before the reunion:
John and Penny Mason went to Wellington and stayed overnight with Allan Mason and Jessie Chan. The next day at about 6:15 A.M., the four left to take the Bluebridge Ferry that will take them to Picton. Jessie Chan was the photographer so she was not always in the pictures.
The four arrived in Picton at about 11:00 A.M. They had a picnic at Waikawa Beach.
Penny, John and Allan
Unfortunately, it started to drizzle and there were plenty of wasps wanting to share the fried chicken, pancakes and loaf that were just cooked in the early hours before the trip. Penny was trying to avoid some wasps.
Anyway, after the hurried lunch, the four continued their trip by car. They stopped at Ohau Point Seal Colony to view the seals frolicking.
John and Penny
Allan and Jessie
Allan and John
Allan and John
Penny and John
The four continued their trip and stopped at the Whale watch Bay.
Finally, they arrived at their destination at about 6:00 p.m.
They were met by Janice and Jack Chisnall and their dogs.
Jimmy
Jack and Penny
Penny and John
Scooby
Jan,Allan and Jack
Jan and Allan
Penny, Jan and Allan
Oz
Inca and Aztec
After sometime upon arrival, some of them walked around the farm.
Penny in her solitary walk.
Inca didn't like the apple Penny offered him.
Inside the house.
John, Allan, Jan and Jack
John, Allan, Jan and Jack
Jack, Allan, John
Penny
John was sleeping when Penny thought of putting a bottle of wine near him.
Giggles might have woken him up.
Out in Christchurch business area.
Allan, Jessie, Jack, Jan, Penny
Allan, Jack, Jan, Penny, John
Jessie and Allan
Jan, Penny, John, Jessie
Jan, Allan, John
Next, a visit to Helen Fraser (Frae as she is lovingly called), a family friend for decades.
A cake for the birthday girl.
Frae
John served while Penny washed afterwards.
Jack reminded me of what some people do when they are at church listening to a priest’s sermon. They close their eyes so you don’t know if they are listening intently to the sermon or sleeping. Jack, which one were you doing?
Frae
Smiling Frae
Frae's Place
Back to the farm.
A bird inside the net protecting the grapes. I think it got tipsy.
The second night, the six of them played "Rapid Dough". They were divided into three pairs -Allan and Jan, Jack and Jessie , John and Penny. Each pair was given a colored lump of clay. Each round of game, they pick up a card from a set of cards. One of the pair read it without showing to his/her partner. The one who read the card will try to convey to his/her partner what he read by forming it in the clay. There should be no talking but the six played it with plenty of grunts and actions of the hand. The first one who could guess what the other wants to tell will be the winner. The two pairs that lost will give a measured portion of their clay. This will go on each round until there is no more clay to form. The winning pair will have the most clay collected. They had fun that night. Jan and Allan won. I think their mental telepathy was stronger than the others.
Next day, off they went to the Canterbury Museum and the Botanical Garden.
After the museum, the group went to Jan and Jack's place. Later, Jan and Jessie went out again to the book launching of Jane Buxton's "The Runaway Toilet". The oldies stayed in the house. They missed the food and drinks at the book launching and interacting with other book enthusiasts.
Jan having the book she bought autographed.
That night, the women played scrabble while the men watched TV. Jessie won the game so Penny said she will not play with Jessie again on scrabble. Who knows, the next time Penny will win.
Jan and Jack's place.
Out again to the business center.
Jan and Jack's place.
Inca and Aztec
Apricot Trees
Jack feeding Inca and Aztec
Didn't see any iron bars used
Allan says he will get chinky-eyed with all the Asian food he is eating.
He keeps eating them anyway.
Japanese food at the Container City. Yummy!
Summit Rd looking down on Governor's Bay and Teddington
At the Summit Rd overlooking Lyttleton Harbour and Quail Island.
Overlooking Christchurch and Southern Alps.
Castle Rock at Ferrymead
At night, the six played "Charade". It is a game where one is given something to act or pantomime while his /her group mate will guess what he or she is trying to convey. Since it was Jessie's first time to encounter that game, the group was divided into two. The women versus the males. The photos will show that this is a game for all ages. Sorry about some of the photos being blurred. The photographer was laughing so hard at the antics of the performers that the camera was shaking.
The final night, Jessie cooked Pancit Sotanghon with pork. The past days, Jan and Jack had been cooking the meals. This time, they were willing to eat something new to them. Noodles! The noodles were mixed with assorted vegetables. They all ate it with chopsticks up to the finish! Jessie appreciated Jan and Jack for having second helpings. Action speaks louder than words after all.
In the morning, time for leaving.
Freshly baked loaf for breakfast not a brick.
John, Jan, Allan, Jack
John, Jan. Allan
John, Allan, Jack
John, Allan, Jack
Penny, Jan, Jessie
Penny, Jan, Jessie
So off the four left. Views along the way to Picton.
Covered grape vines.
Kaikoura
Kaikoura
Mouth flute
At Whale watch
Dried willows on land being reclaimed
The ferry the four boarded.
Picton view
Picton view
Picton view
Picton view
Picton view
Picton view
Picton wharf
Picton wharf
The four reached Wellington at past 5:00 p.m. Another 45 minutes drive to Allan and Jessie's place. They had supper at Cossie Club where they later watched sports on the screen. Morning trip for Penny and John the next day.
We all enjoyed those days. Now back to everyday routine.
