Walk Down Memory Lane

Today was the day. We got to spend time with Anne Waddington and Rose Rose... two of the best host mums a kid could ever ask for. It's been 20 years (nearly 21 years) since we've seen each other... and it was great to do a little catching up.

Neither of them has changed a bit.


We met Anne for breakfast at the hotel in Auckland. Her son, Gareth, came along, too. (He's grown up, to be sure! Looks a lot like his dad!) Anne is just back from Scotland where she's been taking care of an elderly couple... and traveling the world. She's been all over Europe and to lots of places in Africa. The caregiver job allows her some freedom to take time and travel.

Anne told us the tragic story of how Barry and Jeanette Jones' daughter was murdered in Auckland. Awful situation. She was on her way home, walking past a park, only a block or so from the police station, when she was attacked. She was raped and murdered by a man out on parole. He's been put away for life now. Anne and Rose said the news hit the Warkworth area pretty hard... and people are still a bit unsettled by it.


We met up with Rose in Warkworth. The boys are grown and she and Barry have bought a nice piece of land near Wellsford. Barry is planning to retire from the police force "in about two years." Rose is doing sales at the local electronics store -- she's such a people person she could sell just about anything. They're doing great and seem wonderfully happy. Rose always has a great smile and witty comment.

In Warkworth also ran into Wendy Milne who says Don is at home these days.