AUNTIE CERI

Just before we crossed to Stewart Island, we heard the sad news of Auntie Ceri's passing back at Christchurch, after suffering a debilitating illness for some time.

Auntie Ceri was a sister to Marc's grandmother - two of a large family of children from Graigwen in Llanddeiniol. A raven haired beauty, she married the young and dashing Uncle Alun and the couple emigrated halfway round the world to New Zealand when he took up a posting with the NZ Royal Airforce a few years later in 1952. Alun was flown across in a few days, whilst it took Ceri three months to make the journey by ship, with all their possessions and two young sons, Geraint and Eifion in tow. Edryd was born later in Christchurch and I can just imagine what life must have been like for her in a house full of rugby boots and surfboards.

For many years, Ceri and Alun sold the produce of their bountiful garden 'over the gate' but her real passion was her flower garden, where she often said she'd much rather be, than in the kitchen, but it has to be noted that her welshcakes (don't forget the lard), apple tart and rice pudding were legendary.

We said farewell to Ceri on a sunny afternoon in April when family and friends gathered to listen to warm tributes from her boys, two of her grandchildren - Rhiannon and Gwilym, and some long and good friends. We sang Cwm Rhondda and Calon Lan and Marc read Gweddi'r Arglwydd (The Lord's Prayer), before her coffin, draped with the Breese family Welsh Dragon flag was led out by a standard bearer from the Christchurch Welsh Society. Dozens came back to the family home at Fleete Street and the garden was full of stories and smiles until the early hours.

We reflected over a cup of tea at bedtime that she would have enjoyed the day - it had been a very nice 'do'.