A Day With Desmond

On Monday, we were in for quite a treat...the extent of which we never would have guessed. We had been in email contact with a pastor here named Desmond Cooper, who offered to meet us for coffee Monday at 11 am. We met him at the church next door, and found an older gentleman in a black cap and jean jacket. He is short and as active as a stick of dynamite...and very excited to tell us about this wonderful city.

We headed over to Astoria, a coffee shop on Lambton Quay, and he bought us delicious java. He began to tell us of his life here in Wellington, a city he is very very passionate about....we came to learn the extent of his love for this place. He came over 37 years ago on a boat from England, a tiny six week trip. (He said he wished he was dead by the end of it...) He fell in love with the place and married, having four girls he cannot stop talking about....They all live relatively close by and fill him with alot of joy!

He began to draw us maps of Wellington and the surrounding land. Now mind you these are maps which must be viewed in context of the conversation, otherwise looking like jibberish. By the end of the conversation at Astoria, he had covered every surface of napkin on the table...and we learned a good deal!

He said, "Now we'll run and have lunch over on Cuba street, eh? I know a fannnn-tastic place."

Of course we complied. First we went to his church and took a tour, met the staff, and saw the lovely sanctuary. Leaving his car at the church, we went walking to the famed Cuba street, and had a lovely lunch at "Le Cafe"....it was nice enough to sit outside. He showed us pictures of his kids and grand-kids and foster grand-kids! We ate pizza with native sweet potato and enjoyed the weather. He had stories about nearly every building, teaching us historical tidbits about the city.

He said, "Now we'll take a drive to the Mount Victoria summit so you can see all the things I drew on the map."

Again, too nice of him and too nice an opportunity to pass up! So even though I did not have my camera (sadly), we drove up and up to the summit. It gave us the most wonderful panoramic view of what Desmond calls "toy town"... It was the coolest sight I have seen in a long time!

He said, "Now we'll take another drive...to the bays surrounding Wellington." What? More incredible views? What luck!

The drive around the shore lines was so gorgeous that it just about took our breath. We stopped and had ice cream by the beach, watching some very brave people surf. This was a few miles from Wellington city centre, out near the airport. When the planes come in they land on strips that seem to be sitting on volcanic rocks surrounded by surf. It is beautiful. (Note: When you are flying in, it appears that you will have a water landing...makes you take a moment to re-think your life.)...

We paused at the bay where the ship "Wahine" wrecked in 1968...the lives of many were lost by the rocks in a great storm.

On the way back to our place on The Terrace, Desmond invited us to a traditional Maori feast with his family on Saturday.
Of course, we will go. There will be Maori children dancing! We can't wait.

Now, you may notice how kind and warm Desmond is....he is certainly a loving pastor and active member of the community. It is wonderful to meet someone so generous and good-hearted, with energy and sense of humour to match!