AGP (Annual General Picnic) at the Auckland Domain

Sunday, February 6th was the 19th annual AGP, which was held in Auckland at the Domain.  It was a beautiful day, and the Domain (park) was just spectacular, with lots of green and flowers in bloom.

Tony, Deane and Suzanne have been organizing the AGP for 19 years now, and it's a great opportunity to see people that you sometimes only see once a year.  It's a potluck, so there is always a great array of wonderful food.  Tony and Deane always greet you with a glass of champagne, and, if you like, a platter of oysters!  Lee gets my share!

The official flower of the AGP is the sunflower, and Suzanne has created a banner that is present at all AGPs, as well as wonderful flags to decorate the area.  The flags always attract visitors, wondering what's going on, and if it's a public event.

We knew that we were on the right track for the picnic site!

The entrance to the 19th AGP

Here is the perpetual banner.  There is a patch from each AGP that shows the date and location.  You can see the US flag on the bottom, which was for San Francisco in 2002.  I think that Suzanne is going to run out of room for patches!

Tony and Deane - AGP hosts extraordinaire!

Dominique and his beautiful daughters Milla and Portia

Picnic goers - we had a lovely, shady spot under a huge, spreading tree

Pat, Craig and Marilyn

More picnic-ers!  You can see Jo on the top left, then Bryan, Suzanne (host!) and Dianne in the chair on the right.  Standing above is Peter, John (with his back to us) Mark and Luanne

Ok, there's a story here - we've been having hot, humid weather, which has brought out a plethora of flies!  Dianne came for lunch on Friday and we spent the afternoon visiting and waving flies away!  So, Dianne brought us a gift!  A package of 6 fly swatters!  They have been put to good use!!

Tracey and Mike's kids - Joel and Emma

Jo and her daughter Portia

David, Jo and Pat

The kids had a great time!

Lots of yummy food!!  The theme this year was "New Zealand", so there were lots of traditional foods that everyone had grown up on

Very clever!  This bacon and egg pie has the AGP XlX on it!

Brothers Mark and Craig

We thought this was cute - sunflowers and an empty champagne glass!

Stephen, Mark and Portia

Mark and Portia, isn't she sweet

Me, being silly!  I can't believe that Lee put this picture in here!

Pat, Tracey and Stephen

Luanne, John and the back of Dianne

The Auckland Museum, which is located in the Domain

Auckland sky tower

There was a jazz concert going on as well, so we had lovely background music for the picnic.

Great job, as usual, Tony, Deane and Suzanne!  We're all looking forward to the 20th AGP in Crete!!