New Zealand Sabbatical

The final Kiwi week was a frenzy of work, activities and parties before we headed home to the states. My final ride with the Malvern Hilllbillies bikers took us up through the Malvern Hills, quite appropriately. I felt especially strong that day and we all agreed it was a reward for following them in exploration of the nearby backroads. We have been back home in Lambs Grove, Iowa for a week and have already cycled around town intent on keeping this higher level of conditioning. The Fowlers (Maria and Ross) not only loaned us bikes to ride but hosted a pot luck dinner culminating in some wonderful pavlova for dessert. (We got the recipe.) We both had a hard time saying goodbye to neighbors, quiz teammates, tennis players, patients and clinic staff we have come to know and truly appreciate.

Getting back to family and friends after 5 months is ta rue joy even without mountains, braided rivers, the South Pacific Ocean and Kiwi accents. Now if I can just make the adjustments back to the northern hemisphere celestial motions and driving again on the right…