41 Club New Zealand
RANDOLPH RIEDLINGER's visit
Randolph's Trip to New Zealand with Pictures (Written by Randolph)HAWKES BAY
Randolf and Rosie arrived in Napier from Taupo late on Monday afternoon and after settling in, hosts Lynne & Les took them for a short tour of Napier. As they were staying 2 nights, Monday night was a quiet dinner with hosts sampling some NZ produce and wines, and a chance to get to know each other.
41 ClubOn Tuesday, a leisurely start then some sightseeing before Randolf and Rosie embarked on a tractor drawn trailer ride along the beach from Clifton to Cape Kidnappers and the gannets. On return to Clifton quite by chance we came across John and Monica Jordan and found that the Reidlingers and Jordans had met on a 41 Club tour of India in 2003. It is a small world after all!
Les, Rosie & Randolf at Bluff Hill NapierThat evening Napier 41 Club members joined them for a BBQ but just as everyone was arriving the heavens opened up and temporarily broke the drought. It was the night of the one dayer so we were tempting fate. Everyone retreated indoors and a great night was had by all. Randolf addressed the gathering in his best presidential attire including jandals (see photo) and presented a club banner and apron.
Randolfs Presidential Address (from the kitchen)Wednesday morning dawned fine again and Les headed off to work while Lynne took Randolf and Rosie on an informal Art Deco tour of Napier before seeing them on their way to Palmerston North after lunch.
PS - a visit in summer certainly offers many more options to entertain our visitors.
PALMERSTON NORTH
Just a short note to let you know of the journey we (41 Club - Palmerston North) took Rosie and Randolp on, over their very brief stay in town.
Presenting the BannerOn Wednesday 14th Jan '09 they were greeted by Monica and Keith Battersby at the railway station, then entertained for an hour before going to Sue and Bruce McConnons where we all met and had a lovely time with nibbles and wine, then to Nero's restaurant for a lovely meal and great fellowship.
NerosThursday morning a few of us met and went for a drive around Massey College, then through Aokautere to the end of the Gorge. Parked up and did part of the Manawatu Gorge walk which was great. Then it was drive on through the Gorge to Woodville, turning off to head for the Te Apiti Windfarm, where they got a great view.
Randolph speakingLeft there and headed to Ashhurst and to the Herb Farm for a very nice relaxing lunch. Then it was back to Palmerston North, where they left to go to Wanganui.
Our group all enjoyed very much having them here, and we do hope they have enjoyed their stay in NZ
Rosemary Brumby
41 Club, P. North
WELLINGTON
By way of a summary of how Randolph and Rosie's visit went as they passed through the Capital, the programme went according to plan (including the weather). I traveled to Wanganui by bus on Thursday 15th January and accompanied them from Wanganui to Wellington on Friday 16th stopping firstly at Ohakea Air Force Base to see Peter Neilson and we went for a look at 3 Squadron - the operational helicopter squadron who fly Iroquois and Sioux aircraft.
After our visit to Ohakea, we travelled south to Foxton Beach to see Phil and Dale Brown and Kevin and Lil Gile for lunch and a dune buggy ride across the sand hills at the beach. This was very much enjoyed by both Randolph and Rosie (an experience which they will I'm sure remember for some time). They were relieved to have a light lunch - eating can become vey much an occupational hazard when on tour (as Ronnie and I experienced during our recent 41 tour). The next stop after Foxton was to Lindale for a Kapiti ice cream and to sample some honey.
After Lindale, we traveled south to Paekakariki and met up with some of our club who were camping for Anniversary weekend after which we headed for Len and Janice Kane's home where Randolph and Rosie were hosted for two nights while in Wellington.
On Saturday morning, Len, Janice, Ronnie and I took Randolph and Rosie for a look at Wellington City during which we had a walk around Thorndon - Old St Pauls, Thistle and Backbencher pub's (where a peck on the cheek from Randolph seemed to brighten up Helen Clark's day), the old Government Building, cable car, Te Papa and up Mount Victoria for a look at the view.
Once done, we returned to Len and Janice's for a brief rest before going to Kaitoke for a bush walk, followed by drinks at the Blockhouse and dinner in Upper Hutt. There were a number of Hutt Valley and Upper Hutt 41 club members who joined us during the visit to Upper Hutt (particularly for dinner) so all in all, Randolph and Rosie got to meet a reasonable number of people from the Wellington area during their stay. From a personal perspective, it was great to catch up with some of the Upper Hutt folk who we had not seen for a while and it was nice to meet 41ers from Wanganui and the Hutt Valley clubs.
Randolph addressed those of us at the Blockhouse and provided an interesting insight into the 41 Club organisation at an international level. There are currently some 40,000 41ers globally - and there have been links made with other like minded organisations which collectively have a membership of some 250,000. Some countries have adopted the incorporation of members who have not had a Round Table background - this has been left to each country to individually decide how they treat this issue.
Many thanks again to Peter Neilson, Phil and Dale and Kev and Lil for your efforts on our trip south - it certainly provided Randolph and Rosie some great memories during their stay with us.
2008 "Beijing to Berlin"- 41 Club Tour Photographs
Upper Hutt 41ers who have previously toured on NZ 41 Club tours have expressed interest in seeing some photographs of our recent trip. If there are any Kau Kau people interested in seeing these, please let me know by return email and I'll arrange a viewing sometime soon (good excuse for a BBQ). I have created DVD's set to music of our trip which have been well received by others who traveled with us.
Regards,
Chris
BLENHEIM:
Chris and I picked Randolph and Rosie up off the ferry at Picton and took them to a bach in the Marlborough Sounds [ Ngakuta Bay] for lunch. The weather was a bit marginal but Randolph would have had a swim if he had been prepared.
We then headed to Blenheim, settled them in at our place then went to a winery for coffee.
In the evening we hosted a finger food get- together at our place and 18 attended. We had an exchange of banners and I had the chain on for the first time! On Monday Alan and Carolyn Irvin took them both for a walk in the Wither Hills. Alan and Carolyn had stayed at the Riedlingers home in Italy during the recent trip.
Alan and Graeme Irvin then took Randolph to the Aviation Heritage Museum at Omaka [ a must for any of you visiting Blenheim] and Rosie entertained a group of wives with a presentation about her business, NUSKIN. Rosie is certainly a walking example of the success of the product!
After lunch with a group of 41er's and their wives at the St Clair Wines cafe Randolph and Rosie headed off to Nelson well behind schedule.
We all thoroughly enjoyed our contact with Randolph and Rosie even though it was a very short time. Visits like this reinforce the value of being part of the wider 41club family.
Regards,
Graeme Haymes
NELSON
Rosie and Randolph arrived at Margaret and Peter Butchart's home at Ruby Bay late on the Monday afternoon. After freshening up, they joined Nelson President Bill McDonald and Sally, and Alan Nimmo and Averill, along with their hosts for a quiet evening meal.
Randolph spoke to us about his ideas for where 41 Club should be heading, and explained his motto of "In the end we are a club of friends".
Obviously weary, and after a good night's sleep, it was breakfast at about 10.30am.
However, before breakfast Randolph walked down to the local Ruby Bay beach and had a swim in the Tasman Sea. This left time for a short drive to Mapua and around Ruby Bay.
Back home, and office duties called our leader - the name of Bob Parton was mentioned !!!
Lunch provided another opportunity to discuss many things (not all 41 Club either!!) with our guests, before they left us, and drove to meet with members of Motueka 41 Club.
TAPAWERA
Randolph and Rosie arrived here on late afternoon on Wednesday 21 January to be greeted with by the Italian flag. Tapawera 41 club held a barbeque in the evening where members could meet them and share some local stories with them. We also introduced them to sandflies! something they hadn't experienced before and as you can imagine they were fully informed as to how big they got down the West Coast area where they were travelling, hence they were given a large container of insect repellent.
They left here at 10.30am on Thursday morning, heading to Westport to see the seals, down the coast to Punukiki and stay the night at Greymouth, then they are off down the coast for another couple of nights before meeting up with our Southlanders. Photo is of Randolph, Rosie and Peter with the apron he was presented with which caused a huge laugh amongst his friends.
Cheers
Dinkie
ALEXANDRA
Randolph and Rosie arrived at Anne & Bill Wades on Sunday afternoon 25th January and had a well earned rest.
Randolph & Rosie in Central OtagoOn Monday Anne & Bill showed them around our area. Firstly to the clock and lookout over Alexandra then up to Bridge Hill and through Earnsclugh to Clylde to look at the historic township with it's interesting buildings dating back to the goldrush days.
Next was to Bannockburn to look at the many wineries Rosie being very interested as her family has been in wine. The temperature by this stage was in the early thirties, so on to the Juice Factory at Cromwell for lunch then a real fruit icecream something neither had tasted before.
Randolph with Alyth Donaldson - AlexandraBack to Wades for a rest before the pot luck dinner with the Alexandra 41ers.
A good turnout of 21 especially as some are still on holiday etc. Randolph spoke about his role as World President.
Randolph and President Alyth exchanged banners and Randolph presented Bill Wade with an apron (as seen in Photos).
Bill Wade and RandolphThe evening was enjoyed by all and Rosie and Randolph left Tuesday morning for Queenstown then on to Milford and further south before making there way back up the island.
Regards
Alyth Donaldson
Alexandra 41
QUEENSTOWN
Randolph and Rosie arrived from Alexandra at Keith and Merle O'Donnell's holiday home in Kelvin Heights, Queenstown on the morning of 27th. They then experienced the jet boat ride on the Shotover River which they said was most enjoyable. The Skyline gondola provided a spectacular view of Queenstown and some retail therapy followed. The R M Williams shop did very well thankyou.
Lunch at RivertonWhile they went to the Kawaura bungy jumping they elected not to have a go (don't blame them). They visited lovely Arrowtown before they returned to Kelvin Heights where the evening meal was enjoyed with Allan and Sharon Fyfe, who while are now resident in Arrowtown, still remain active members of 41 Club Invercargill. A very early start, 7am next morning, to Te Anau and then by bus to Milford Sound, a boat trip to the Tasman Sea, before returning to Te Anau for the night. A very long but enjoyable sunny day.
INVERCARGILL
With the help of Peter McBurney I met Randolph and Rosie at Tuatapere and travelled with them following the coastal scenic route to Invercargill. We stopped at Cosy Nook and while the sea was relatively calm it was still spectacular. On to Colac Bay and then to Riverton (The Riviera of the South) for a light lunch. Rosie purchased some products from the two Paua Factory shops in the town before we headed to Invercargill. After meeting Noeline and settling in at the Oliver's, on to Peter's menswear shop (more retail therapy) since he happens to sell R M Williams clothing and accessories. A quick trip through Invercargill and then to Bluff.
Randolph at Cosy NookThe mandatory photo shoot at Stirling Point (road end), a trip up to the top of Bluff Hill, where it was rather windy, and then return to Invercargill. The local 41ers and their wives provided the guests with a delightful pot luck tea. During the evening Randolph explained his roll as International President of 41 Cub and just what is happening at the present time. He presented me with a BBQ apron and a Merano Club 41 banner. Our club members thoroughly enjoyed the visit of our International President and his wife, who are both very likeable, approachable people and a joy to be with.
Randolph, Noeline, Rosie & Trevor on Bluff Hill.
Randolph, Trevor & Merle
Stirling Point, BluffWe had so much more to show them of our picturesque area but unfortunately time did not permit. Personally it was a great pleasure in reciprocating the hosting Noeline and I so very much enjoyed from Randolph's Merano's 41 Club friends last year. Next morning we wished them well on their short journey to Gore.
Trevor
President
Invercargill 41 Club
TIMARU
Past presidents Keith Gray & Hugh Wilson with Randolph Timaru
Timaru 41 ClubThe visitors arrived at Alan and Dawn Shuker's home at 3pm on Sunday the 1st of Feb. After a chat and freshen up we went to Betty and Steve's home for a lovely meal and social time. The Timaru group had all contributed and it was very enjoyable. Randolph spoke of his ideas for the club and about what was happening overseas. This was followed by jokes and a singsong. The fellowship was enjoyed very much by our guests.
A visit to the sea and a swim was Monday's plan but the weather was against us. Dawn showed them around the city and when Alan arrived home from work we left cold and cloudy Timaru for the sunny and warm MacKenzie country.
R & R at Shukers Lake Alexandrina
Dawn S Rosie & Randolph at Church of Good Shepherd Tekapo
R & R at memorial to MacKenzies DogWe visited lakes Alexandrina and McGregor before returning to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and Sheepdog monument at Tekapo. After a light meal we returned to Timaru. We enjoyed our brief time with Randolph and Rosie very much and it was hard to say goodbye as they headed to Ashburton to meet that 41 Club for lunch.
Dawn Shuker
CHRISTCHURCH
Tues evening 6 of us enjoyed a relaxed dinner at the Ironsides
Wed brought unsettled weather, so a trip to Akaroa was followed by a brief city viewing and some shopping for our guests. This pic taken on the wharf in Akaroa.Buona sera (good evening)
Well we have taken our delightful Italian guests to the airport and seen them disappearing through security and heading for the boarding gate towards their plane for Auckland and then on to Los Angles, both of them were rather sad that their tour of "Gods Own" was over, Randolph kept on saying that it was all ending far too soon and they really would rather stay on here than America. They wanted us to leave them there at the airport when we arrived but I said "no way, you might want to skip the flight and stay here, we are staying till you board the plane"!!!!!
While we were waiting for their flight Rosie was checking out the local "talent" and saying how she thought they weren't too bad so I presented her with a wooden spoon and (especially after she had been trying to corrupt Tina with a naughty e-mail last night). Randolph got a wooden stirrer just because it seemed appropriate.
After what happened to Marcus & Carola Hildebrandt from Wiesbaden I wonder how long these wooden objects will hold them up next time they go through customs!!!!
On a more serious note they have been a delight to have and we know that they very much appreciated the tour and being able to meet so many of our 41 Club members. Their comments to me have been that if they had only come to our AGM they could never have met so many of our national members, nor would they have been able to see so much of our country which they both have loved and I'm sure they will return someday, perhaps to travel a little more leisurely. Thank you one and all for the effort you have put into this tour for them.
Although they tried to ring most of you this morning they have asked me to thank you all again once more for the wonderful welcome you have all extended to them and I'm sure you will be hearing from them very soon after they arrive home.
I will leave it up to Alan & Sue to fill you in on their arrival and first day in Christchurch.
On Wednesday evening we went to the Ferrymead Speight's Ale House for a meal with the Christchurch 41 Club and Randolph gave the very good turnout plenty to think about with his speech. Once again we had a banner exchange and aprons were given to Alan and I.
Maybe they think we guys need to do a little more cooking? Lovely gifts that will bring back happy memories but most precious to me is the Italian 41 Club Directory complete with pictures, another book full of friends and help when needed and it certainly will be.
We brought Rosie and Randolph back here to Amberley afterwards and after discussing what we would do on Thursday they went off to bed asking could they have a little sleep in, wonder why! Next morning after a leisurely start Randolph wanted to have a swim in the Pacific but when we got to the beach the rather mean nor-east wind soon stopped that idea so we went on to the Waipara vineyard area and visited "Pegasus Bay", no we didn't spend the rest of the day sampling but came home for lunch.
We then took them for a drive up through the Waipara Gorge and on up to where Tina was brought up at "Haydon Downs" behind Hawarden and back through the Weka Pass, a drive many of our guests have enjoyed over the years.
A meal, lots of talk, computer work, more talk, nightcaps and then a request for another sleep in for this morning.
Nor-west and hot today so thought the swim would be on but by the time we had breakfast it was time to repack bags, check weights, repack again, do last minute e-mails, phone calls, a bite of lunch for Tina and I and then head down the road to the Airport.
Randolph and Rosie; Time to say "A rivederci, Molte grazie" (Goodbye, thank you very much) for coming.We have enjoyed your company and enthusiasm for all things especially 41 Club but most of all for sharing friendship all around New Zealand, I'm very sure we will meet again.
YI41
Salute - Cheers
Derek Johns
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