7th Jan day 84 all about the beach, oh and Cheryl's birthday of course

Today was my last chance for sun, sand and sea on this trip, so I wanted to make the most of our day at Waimarama. I have looked at the forecast for HongKong and it has been wet and 14degrees, so not dissimilar to the UK. I don't imagine I will want to brave an open air pool in those conditions. We packed a picnic and took everything except the kitchen sink! I had to drive as Simon isn't able to do that yet. We were meeting Linda and her boys Sam and Jack there. 

We hadn't been going long on this very meandering road with some extremely sharp bends before I could see Simon's white knuckles. Honestly my driving wasn't that bad - but he may want to say otherwise. Part of the problem was I kept wanting to stop for photo opps.

It's a pity the iPad doesn't give perspective but it's a good reminder for me.

We had only been at the beach about half an hour when Linda, the boys and her Mum, Wendy arrived. I love this family already they are just so open and welcoming. The boys immediately wanted to go into the sea with their bodyboards, I volunteered to watch them as the others were setting up base camp.

The currents were lethal with lots of riptides, as a result the lifeguards moved the flags right up the beach away from where the others were by now, no doubt, relaxing and placed the flags on this enormous beach only about 30metres apart. 

The 3 boys had a whale of a time riding the waves for well over an hour. I was minding the beach shoes and their caps so couldn't go in, but it was fantastic to watch them having such a great time together. Linda came up and we chatted whilst the boys swam, we minded their boards which kept getting caught in the huge waves and battering us. Eventually I left Linda in charge as I was getting a bit cold and Nicholas followed me soon after. When I got back to base 2 of Linda's friends and 1 of their sons had arrived, so we had a really sociable time chatting and laughing, before Linda and the boys came back. Then one of Linda's friends daughter came along with her partner, 2 yr old and her Dad staying from Australia, so we were a nice crowd.

After we'd eaten our picnics the boys began a building project and built a fort - would you believe I forgot to get a photo! Anyway here they are all looking happy and grubby after a fabulous day on the beach.

There are these signs all around this beautiful area which is a telling reminder of how seriously they take the threat of an earthquake, followed by a Tsunami. Nicholas told me years ago about how they have earthquake drills in school, not fire drills as we do in the UK. Lots of people will tell you it's not if, but when, the next earthquake will strike! 

We stopped for the obligatory ice cream on the way back, the sun was still scorching but the wind was keen. It was showers all round when we got home, for Nicholas and I it was also balloon blowing ready for the morning. 

The fresh air had worn Simon and I out which clinched the decision to get a Chinese takeaway as the easiest option and it was very tasty. The evening was relaxing with me blogging and viewing whilst keeping my eye on the time so we could ring and sing happy birthday to Cheryl (our family tradition if we aren't together). With Simon being in NZ their birthdays fall on the same day now, instead of being 1 day apart. It was lovely to see her briefly as she was getting ready for work but Marcus is still off school, so he was up for a catch up chat. He couldn't believe I would be back this time next week and neither can I!

6th Jan day 83 birthday prep and library test

Nicholas and I went out about 10am to get presents for Simon's birthday which is on Fri. We both had some ideas but Nicholas had thought of one thing he really wanted to get him with his own money. The only problem was his money was at Philippa's. But that's just a detail.We had to buy all the usual things like cake (I know I should be ashamed of myself for not making one but "you see my lord I have been just too busy emptying bedpans, changing sheets, taking swabs etc" she lied through her teeth!), balloons, candles, and party poppers. 

I was disappointed they don't seem to do themed cakes here as I was hoping to get him a Star Wars one so I let Nicholas chose, it came down to chocolate, chocolate or chocolate cake.

Then we started on the pressies and had quite a bit of success getting several things quite easilly. Here is Nicholas bouncing with joy trying to reach the shop canopies with a role of wrapping paper - not a light sabre!

I needed to get HongKong dollars whilst we were out which proved to be a challenge. I went to Simon's bank ASB but they would have to order them which meant they may not arrive before I leave on Sat afternoon. The cashier told me to go to TSB, which is a fair walk away, because they have a bureau de change. So off we trundled and yes they had the dollars, this is me waiting to get them.

But there was a problem, this bank doesn't do withdrawals from international banks, when I said "that's crazy as you do international currency" the cashier got shirty and defensive saying proudly "we are a New Zealand bank". I resisted the temptation to say that's nothing to boast about, instead I asked calmly (through gritted teeth) how I could buy the dollars. She said you need to get the cash out from ASB - aaargh! So back me and my little shopper went, got the cash only to return to get the dollars - easy as that!

But the worst of the purchasing was yet to come. You will know if you have endured this blog through thick and thin that I had a nightmare in the Warehouse looking for a particular dvd for Simon by searching through the thousands in the bargain bins. Well he had put 3 old dvds on his birthday wish list so Nicholas and I had no option but to do that horrendous search. In the event they only had 1 of the 3 in stock, so we both started looking for this needle in a haystack. 

Now I have only just finished the counselling sessions from my last experience in the Warehouse and not wanting Nicolas to develop the heebie jeebies I decided after a 15min hunt to call off the search. After all what is the use of Internet shopping if people are going to waste hours of their precious lives rummaging through bargain bins! It took me about 5mins to order when I got back and cost $2 less.

Bless him Nicholas was a gem the whole morning but he was very thankful to get home and enjoy an iced lemonade and a rocky road - our favourite cakes.

After lunch the 3 of us began another game of Monopoly, for me it's desperation time as I have lost the last 2 games. We played for a while and then the sun came out so we abandoned it and went into the garden. Nicholas full of beans and me, well not so much ....

I think I look as if rigor mortis has set in!

Anyway I had just closed my eyes when Simon remembered Nicholas needed to go to the library before 4pm. There is a really good summer reading programme there to encourage kids to read more. If they read 5 books over the holidays and report in after each one they get a small gift and then are invited to a party and presentation just before they go back to school. Here is Nicholas being questioned on his book of choice for this week, the Rangers Appremtice. He got a lovely wooden box of cubed nought and crosses this time.

When we got back we wrapped all the presents, he is very good at it, a gift from his Mum I assume.

It was late when Simon and I ate, by then we were both tired so it was just a feet up evening and then I read my Bear Grylls book in bed.

5th Jan day 82 what a welcome and fishy business

After my Florrie Nightingale duties this morning I left the boys to go to Havelock North to meet Claire's (from NY) aunt Ann, she lives about 12 miles from here. She emigrated to NZ from the family farm in Abertillery, South Wales in 1967 and has only been back for visits since then. Ann and her husband Andrew live on a small-holding - big by Brit standards, in a lovely house with gorgeous gardens and views of the local landmark Te Mata peak, it's a special place. As soon as I arrived I was in awe of the setting with its blue wisteria growing over the garage and the red bougainvillea which has spread along the front porch. The latter is such a reminder to me of Greece and the Mediterranean countries where you see it growing prolifically.

Ann was as pleased to meet me as I was to meet her, she gave me a terrific welcome and a delicious morning tea with her warm, homemade cheese scones for starters. We chatted very easily about everything from travel to families. I could see Claire's resemblance to her Dad's sister, they both have lovely facial bone structures. Ann was someone I felt I would like to meet up with again, maybe if she can go to Wales at the same time as Claire and family, and I can travel to see them all, God only knows if that will ever work out.

They have several pet sheep to keep down the grass in the large paddock for Tammy this friendly donkey who is extremely tame, as is Polly the sheep!

I was later than I had imagined getting back to 904 so Simon and Nicholas were ready and waiting for me to drive them to Taradale. Carol had organised huge bouncy castles for the holiday programme and we were taking Nicholas to enjoy them. 

The balls are called Zorbs and the kids were literally having a ball rolling all around inside them and trying to knock each other over. Nicholas loved them and soon made friends with one boy. 

All the kids could have their faces painted very professionally by the staff, the theme this week is under the sea, which meant there were some extremely cute, turtles, seals, starfish and even jellyfish. Inside the centre was all ready for them to come indoors after 2pm, when the inflatables were collected. 

I love this area in the middle of the hall that's just awaiting the kids to paint it and make sea creatures to hang on the blue paper that looks like waves. Carol believes each of them should have as much fun on the holiday programme as they would if home with their parents. On Thursday they are all going to see the Good Dinosaur and there are trips to the beach, bowling etc for the next couple of weeks, it's all about giving them good memories. That's a very different ethos from many school holiday clubs. Did you notice how attractively the paints are set out in a colour spectrum?

I really like this stag's head and picture in the TV area it gives it an old castle feel.

We left once the inflatables were down and made our way to Napier to the Aquarium. Nicholas was given a year long pass for himself and one adult by Brenda, Philippa's Mum which she said we could use. The seafront by the Aquarium has been improved since I was there last, I really like this very gentle waterfall and paddling pool.

This is a beautiful bronze sculpture right next to the Aquarium given in memory of lost trawler men.

I took this picture of Nicholas and sent it to Brenda later when I thanked her for her kindness.

I have a lovely picture of Cheryl and I with all 3 the boys on this same seat when we came in 2008 when Seb was just 4 months old - honestly we must have been bonkers to come around the world with such a small baby! It's lovely to have this one with Simon from this trip.

I found it hard to select just a couple of pictures from inside the Aquarium but I liked the setting for this American Alligator. Apparently they can grow to almost 6 metres - yikes. 

The blue penguins are adorable but tragically all of them have had to be rescued so are very damaged with fins, feet and even beaks missing, poor little things. All their injuries are due to human neglect!

We were all shocked when we saw the turtles and read about how many of them are dying because they ingest polythene bags, which in the water look like jellyfish - their staple diet. They had an illustration and it was hard for us to tell the difference, let alone vulnerable turtles. I am so pleased all of us in the UK are discouraged from using these plastic killers.

I think this is my best shot of a shark swimming over my head as we walked through the enormous tank's tunnel.

I was very thankful today that Simon felt able to do some things but by the time we got home he was tired, as were Nicholas and I. To make life easy we had pizza from Dominoes which was easy and tasty. I hadn't realised this was my last evening with Nicholas as Philippa is away on a course next week so wanted him at home from tonight. I will still see him in the daytime though because she is working. 

Anyway we let him chose what he wanted us to do for the rest of the evening and he opted for watching Ice Age 3, now that's a ridiculous load of nonsense - but lots of fun.

4th Jan day 81 more monopoly and Simon's results

Simon had a really bad night with pain waking him each time he dozed off. He felt a lot of it was internal bruising so was hoping anti-inflammatory drugs would be prescribed today. Certainly his elbow is swollen and his fingers were puffy this morning. He didn't feel like doing much so we had a leisurely breakfast and I persuaded him to put his feet up on the sofa. Nicholas started the first in his new series of Christmas books called the Ranger's Apprentice. 

I was the like a domestic goddess, I can imagine that's very hard for you to visualise, even if you have a brilliant imagination! In reality I was more like Widow Twanky with her Chinese laundry service. It had been raining hard so I had lines full of washing, which I somehow managed to get dry by putting on the central heating - it was chilly as well as wet. 

By mid morning the pain relief had kicked in a little and we played Monopoly again. Nicholas go off to another cracking start and when he finally landed on my only property with a house Simon felt him paying me money was worthy of a photoshoot! 

None of us know how it happened but Simon came back from looking over the precipice and went on to bankrupt me and then he did the same to Nicholas. I was impressed Nicholas played to the end, with a good grace. 

Simon managed to shower and shave around lunchtime after a struggle, he was concerned if his arm needed plaster he wouldn't be able to get it wet for a while. Linda had kindly offered to have Nicholas whilst we went for the X-ray and diagnosis, so that spared him hanging around in a waiting room. In the event there was no queue for the X-ray but we did have to wait about an hour to see the Dr. He showed us the slides and thankfully it isn't a complete break, but there is a hairline crack in the radius at the elbow which is surrounded by a lot of fluid. As a result Simon didn't need a cast at this point as it's still in alignment, he can keep wearing the sling and be careful. He has an appointment at the fracture clinic next Tues to check it's healing properly. He was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs to go alongside the pain relief. 

I had thought I could cancel my flight to HongKong and stay on a bit longer but Simon wouldn't hear of it. He can't drive at the moment and do things like tying his laces. So I am planning to leave him quite a few cooked meals in the freezer before I go on Sat. Nicholas can help him and Carol is very caring so I am sure they will be fine. 

The pain of having his arm moved around for the X-ray had exhausted Simon so after having a snack when we got back and taking his medication he rested again. Nicholas and I got on with taking down the tree together. I felt sad because it signifies I am almost at the end of my stay - but it's no good dwelling on that or it will spoil my last week. A couple of things have already had to be ditched now e.g. kayaking at Pandora's pond, but I am determined to make the most of every precious moment here. 

We had some melt-in-the-mouth fresh stuffed chicken rolls, with sage and apricot accompanied by kumara wedges and veg, for dinner. After we had eaten Carol called around to see the patient and brought him this ballon and sheep, plus best of all for Nicholas and I, fresh apple pies with four flavour ice cream - scrumpylicious.

Carol had started work at 7.30am today so wanted an earlier night, she left at 9pm. Simon and I watched a ridiculous Death in Paradise, followed by a Would I lie to you. I made sure he was dosed up and gave him a hot water bottle before packing him off to bed. How strange but lovely to be here to care for my injured son, thank You Lord.

 

3rd Jan day 80 church, lunch out and a nasty slip

Spot the difference - this picture probably looks very similar to the last one yesterday but just to prove we hadn't sat up all night playing monopoly here are the guys showered, shaved (well Simon) and back playing our knife-edge game. In fairness it was only nail-biting for Simon and I as with every shake of the dice we paid more and more .... yes and more money to Nicholas, who managed to bankrupt us both before it was time for church! 

Philippa collected Nicholas and we went to pick up Carol as we were going to St Matthews together. It has a lovely rose garden and very sensible lychgate (can be seen in the background) that leads right into the front door. Not like in the UK where you can shelter for a moment, then do a mad dash down a long path if you are to avoid getting soaked before you enter the building.

This Sunday is Epiphany, which is when we celebrate the arrivial of the wise men, we don't know how many there were, only that they brought 3 gifts. Of course most nativities make it look as if they arrived just after the shepherds to see the newborn Jesus in the manger. But the Bible clearly says they visited a house and Jesus was a young child. We are told they are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod so they went east by another route and they were right to do so. King Herod ordered the massacre of all boys under the age of 2 in Bethlehem when he discovered they had tricked him. So we assume Jesus was a toddler when He received the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As soon as the wise men left an angel told Joseph to take his family into Egypt, where they lived as refugees until after Herod was dead.

It was a very traditional Anglican service with the set liturgy, followed by communion. Helen the Vicar had been away and we felt she hadn't had much time to prepare, so she read from a book called 'Mr God versus Anna' by someone called Finn. It was basically a conversation between Anna and Finn about what this child of about 6 or 7 thought of God. As Helen only read extracts it was hard to get the sense of the book but it was enough to wet my appetite to want to read it when I get home. There was one true, memorable and profound quote when the little girl says "the whole purpose of living was to be like Mr God"!

The church building is magnificent with some beautiful stain glass windows but this one is my favourite, I just love the blue glass and that appearance of radiance around Christ.

After church the 3 of us went to lunch at a lovely place called Sutto, where Carol and Simon had a filo pastry roll stuffed with chicken and cranberry and I had a gluten free egg and bacon pie, we all had salad with out meals and they were scrummy. 

Carol had work to do so went home and we collected Nicholas. I am delighted Philippa is in the process of buying a house and she kindly gave me the address in order for me to be able to see it on the outside at least, before I leave. She is hoping to be in on the 18th Jan. Here is Nicholas outside the new place.

Th weather had improved a lot from being wet first thing so we decided to go to Ocean Spa, here is Nicholas in his new rash shirt and swimming shorts he had for Christmas.

We swam lengths and I loved watching the two of them larking about in the water, just doing typical Dad and son stuff. They are really close and enjoy each other's company enormously. We then went into the hotter pools playing hide and seek in there before we went into the superbly heated jacuzzi. Unfortunately it started to rain really hard whilst we were in there and Simon had left his towel outside  so he went to retrieve it and slipped, falling heavily onto his right elbow on the wet poolside. I didn't see what happened but as he came down the jacuzzi steps I could see something was wrong, he was ashen. After a few minutes of hoping the hot water would help his damaged arm we got dressed and drove home. 

I have been wanting a picture of these magnificent Hollyhox, i don't think I have ever seen any that stay upright without support in the UK. 

All the way home I was trying to persuade Simon to let me take him to the hospital but he was having none of it. Thankfully Carol's friend Jillian was a nurse so Carol managed to talk him into calling at her house, so that Jillian could have a look. She recommended he went to get it checked out and thankfully he took her advice, Carol drove him.

Nicholas and I came back to 904, he was so sweet. As we were driving he said "this is a very sad day Nan" so I asked him why and he said "because Dad has really hurt himself". To take his mind off what had happened he and I worked together to finish Ghost.

Later I cooked bolognese using a jar of homemade sauce that Carol's 19yr old son had put together. He is part Italian and his Dad is a chef - it was something else. Thankfully Simon got back just before dinner was ready. He had his arm in a sling and painkillers but they hadn't been able to X-ray it as today is a public holiday, which meant the radiographers were not available - outrageous. The Dr had been very apologetic giving him an appointment for tomorrow. He was in a lot of pain when he went to bed.

2nd Jan day 79 fun and games with Nicholas

With Simon out this morning Nicholas and I played some games, as well as watching a couple of Star Wars Rebels cartoons. I am learning that the 2 main characters in the Rebels (goodies) vehicle Ghost are Hera and Canaan and that yesterday Ezra finally found out that his parents were killed leading a rebellion against Darth Vader's dark forces - are you impressed? Simon has been a Star Wars fan since it came out when he was a child, but because it was always something he played whilst with his Dad I never learnt anything much about it, but I am having to up my game now!

Later Nicholas wanted to play Minecraft on the Xbox. He is a big Minecraft fan so before I left Seb helped me download the game but being like the Billy Whizz he is, his instructions on how to play were a blur, so I wasn't much wiser after my first training session. Nicholas was marginally better but after about 5 mins of the most basic instructions he wanted to play (understandably) and so I had to just muddle along. He was building a shelter, killing his food, finding the map etc etc, whilst I struggled to get the hang of jumping out of the water, when I inadvertently fell in. We played for quite a while, but after an early horrific demise by means of a poisonous cactus and the other cause of my death was falling off the temple, I decided I would probably learn more by watching him. 

When Simon got back we had a bit of essential shopping to do. Nicholas and I trundled to Bakers Delight to buy Simon's favourite low carb bread, whilst he braved the supermarket.

The 3 of us then went to the cinema to see the Good Dinosaur, a very sweet movie.

Here we are tucking into our goodies just before the film started. Both Simon and Nicholas like dipping their ice creams into the popcorn - different.

On the way out I noticed a cardboard cutout of a Storm Trooper, so I just couldn't resist this photo opportunity.

It was games time when we got home once we had eaten some fresh fruitbread with jam (you know me) and we also had a delicious coffee from Simon's Nespresso machine. We had all decided the game had to be Monopoly - now there's a Christmas family favourite but this is with NZ streets. We played for over 4 hours and then decided to leave it hoping Simon and I could recover a bit from the beating we were taking from Nicholas (and honestly we were both really trying hard to win).

The dining table was rendered unusable because of the game so we ate fresh chicken kievs from the Bald Butcher with lots of salad - oh and a few chips, just to keep Nicholas company obviously. We watched Ice Age 4 whilst we ate in the lounge, that is such a funny movie. 

New Years Day 2016 day 78

We had invited Carol, Wendy and Gillian to join us for a New Years Day brunch. Simon and I had hoped it could be eaten in the garden but unfortunately it was a cool, windy day so we set up inside.

Getting ready was all very easy and relaxed. Simon began cooking in plenty of time so when they arrived it was all prepared.

Brunch is probably my favourite meal as I love fresh fruit with muesli and yoghurt, followed by bacon etc and finishing up with a croissant - now there's a full days calories in one meal! Conversation is very easy with them all which made for a fun, relaxed time together. 

Wendy had asked me yesterday if I would help her sort Linda's garden in front of the decking. Linda is amazing she works full-time as a legal secretary as well as teaching piano in order to support her 2 growing boys. She is also the pianist for Four's Company, all of which makes her life is hectic. The plot around her place is enormous and she does well to keep the grass cut and on top of some of the shrubbed areas. Simon said he and Nicholas would help so they dropped me at Linda's whilst they went to collect more stones and Wendy went to buy some bedding plants. The sun had come out by then and it was very hot digging and weeding. It was lovely to do something unselfish for a change. These are the before pictures:

And here is a little part of how it looked when we had finished. Linda and the boys arrived home from 3 days in Wellington just as we were finishing and she was delighted with the improvements. 

The gardening had taken us quite a while and Nicholas was desperate to get back to finally finish his Lego enemy assault vehicle. He was thrilled when it was all completed, especially when he and Simon had sorted the problem to fix the mechanism which secures and releases the Tiefighters (all Greek and to me!). 

Carol came around later with the plan of finding somewhere for the two of them to go away for 3 days just after I leave. Sadly everywhere affordable seemed to be booked, for what is still their peak season.

Once Nicholas was in bed the 3 of us watched an episode of an Inspector Blake mystery and then I left them in peace, whilst I did my blog and read my book. Today was a gentle easing into 2016.