All good hopefully

My cold is all better although I did feel pretty bad for a couple of days there!  Thankfully I was mostly better in time for Stu's father's visit here.  He stayed the night and Stu took him to the airport in the morning—he's off to Invercargill for a few days.

We got on well. He is clearly being nicer to me and when we only see each other for a day then things can stay very civil.  He told me that he loves our motorhome blog and really enjoyed all of the photos.  

Thankfully Stu never got my cold because he not only needed to go over and get his father, he had to get a mole removed yesterday. The doctor did a large incision so now we just wait for the results in a few days.

We had the two boys last night and it's just lovely to see them getting on better.  Cole seems to have grown up a bit and they now enjoy chatting instead of the constant fighting.  We are having them all next weekend so we should have fun.

On to something positive I went shopping the other day and bought three new tops which I desperately needed.  Three winter jerseys and a lovely white dressy top.  Hopefully you'll see a few photos of me in something other than the same old clothes :)  

One of the malls I went to used to be a favourite of mine a few years ago—Pakuranga Mall.  Now it's sad to see nearly all the shops closed. At one end is Farmers Department Store and between that and the other end is only a dress shop and a bookshop.  Even the once large foodcourt only has two places open.  I saw a couple of 'dead' malls in the US years ago but this is just sad.  I wonder what the future plans will be because there is no way it can survive longterm. Newer, flasher malls have replaced this one.

I'm not sure when we'll be going away in the motorhome again... maybe a spontaneous few nights away?  We have a few things on here and there so no extended trips right now.

~ Lynda

The empty mall.  Those are all empty shops except for one. 

Unwell

It's lovely being home.  We had the boys on Friday and have done gardening etc. The lawns certainly needed a cut after a month (we did then when we flew back that time) and I trimmed all the shrubs etc.  There are more jobs but they can wait.  

The oldest grandson F, came for dinner on Sunday night—so cute, he drove himself here now that he has his licence.  He's so grown up now and such a lovely young man.  We are all very proud of him :)

The stuff with my daughter is getting sorted.  She's away for the weekend with her family and we know that her boss is feeling extremely embarrassed, humiliated and sorry.  He will be dealing with the situation with her when she returns to work tomorrow.  Stu went to see him yesterday although my daughter doesn't know that.

So, the heading... unwell.  Well yes I am sick.  Probably the flu because it seems worse than a cold for sure.  I started feeling unwell on Sunday and have had two negative covid tests so it's not that.  My biggest worry is passing it on to Stu because he needs to drive over and get his father on Thursday. He's staying here the night and getting a flight in the morning.  The last thing we want is passing this on to him. 

Stu also needs to stay well because he is getting another mole cut out on Friday.  He has been getting a mole check every three months due to having a melanoma last year.  Yesterday's check was overdue (six months) and showed up one on his wrist and the doctor is going to take a deep incision. He needs to be well and not have a cold or the flu!

Fun times.  Not. 

Anyway, I'm staying in bed for awhile and hope like hell that Stu stays well.

~ Lynda

  

Finally home after eight weeks!

We arrived home today after picking up Cole and Charlie at Turangi (off their other grandad).  We took them to the Lake Taupo Holiday Resort for the night and we all had a great time.  

My daughter came and picked them up later today and we had a good long talk about her trip to Las Vegas.  Things didn't go as planned and while I did post a little about it here, I've decided to edit and delete that.  Let's just say that initially she was incredibly excited but the behaviour of her work travelling companion was totally unacceptable.  So sad to have a wonderful trip like that ruined by the another person—I just hope there will be enough good memories for her.

~ Lynda

Two happy boys on their way to Taupo

Ready to hit the water slides!

Stu on the slide

The Lagoon pool at night

Cole enjoying Poppa time before bed

Somehow both the boys made it to our bed... I love that they enjoy the motorhome as there will be more adventures to come.

Slight change of plan

It seems that Charlie wants to stay with his Poppa now, I think that mentioning how he was feeling to my ex has made him take more notice of how he was being treated.  Anyway that suits us just fine, we can now carry on with our travel as planned and get the boys on Wednesday.  We are meeting my ex somewhere up north so that we can take them home.

My daughter is having the BEST time ever in Las Vegas.  She video called last night (twice) and was literally almost exploding with how amazing everything is.  She has bought loads and loads of shitty Vegas rubbish (bags, hats, souvenirs, chocolate, makeup etc) and has been out until extremely late every night.  The group she is with party til late and she is right there for it!

When she called it was 4am over there and she was ordering room service snacks.  She then called back at 6am her time... still no sleep.  She will be wiped out today but never mind.  She said she is incredibly homesick though.

Yesterday we had a lovely family lunch.  It was my son's 47th birthday and we met up with my sister, two nieces,  a great niece and a great nephew. My son loved meeting up with everyone and had a good day.  He is off to see my brother today with the nieces and I know he'll enjoy that, he's not seen my brother (his uncle) for years!

Today, now that Charlie is staying on at his Poppas, we will head north - not sure where yet.

~ Lynda

Family time, left to right: My niece, me, great niece, niece, son, Stu, great nephew and my sister.

 

Back to the North Island

Today we sailed back to the North Island.  We had the best time away and loved everything we did.  I know we'll return because there are so many places we didn't get to and so many places we want to visit again.

At Picton we stayed at a campervan park that is on the exact same spot that my grandmother's house was on where I used to spend many wonderful holidays as a child.  It was kind of surreal... her old apple tree is still standing in the corner too.

Tomorrow we are having a family lunch at a lovely Italian restaurant—it's my son's birthday and also there will be my sister plus two nieces with us who I've not seen for many years.  

My two grandkids, Cole and Charlie, are here in Lower Hutt as well staying with their grandfather.  That's all good but poor Charlie simply can't cope.  There are other boys there who are bullying him and he phoned me tonight to ask if he could come with us.  I knew this would happen, it happened last time and my ex simple doesn't do anything about it.  His house is run like an open home... no rules, not bedtimes, no set meal times.  For a kid like Charlie, it's very hard.  I think his autism really kicks in when there is no structure. Add to that other boys who bully him, it makes me so sad.  We will collect him on Sunday and take him with us. 

~ Lynda

Crayfish lunch at Kaikoura... the home of crayfish!

At Picton Foreshore... so many memories there from my childhood.

Enjoying a Pina Colada in the local pub

Goodbye to the South Island... for now :)

An easy ride :)

We are now in a little town called Ranfurly.  Yesterday was spent at St Bathans which is a little historic town from the gold rush days.  We loved it there and we are loving it here too!

After we got here we went for our first ride on this section of the Otago Rail Trail and it was EASY!  What a difference an easy riding track makes to my mood.  We cycled to Waipiata which was only 15km return but tomorrow we plan a longer ride in the other direction.  The scenery today was beautiful and I just love these wide, safe, rail trails! 

The weather today was brilliant but the nights are very cold—thank goodness for a warm motorhome and heating.  

We are slowly making our way back up north to get our ferry across to the North Island next Thursday.  While I'm sad our fabulous holiday is coming to an end, I know that we will carry on once we get home.  We never stay at home long these days and have become rather addicted to motorhome life.  

~ Lynda

St Bathans, a gorgeous 1860s historic gold mining town.

Our park for the night... look at that scenery!

The Blue Lake at St Bathans

Blue Lake this morning with blue sky.

Cheese rolls... a Southland specialty. Yum.

Parked up at Wedderburn.

At Waipiata.

My kind of trail.

Did I say easy?  Yep, no drop offs or dangerous corners on this track.  There are some amazing bridges and tunnels further on though.

A rainy day

Today is the first really wet day of our holiday.  There have been rainy nights and a bit of rain here and there but today is a stay inside and hibernate kind of day.  

We are camped beside Lake Dunstan where it was beautiful yesterday which is a complete contrast to today. Thankfully we are not in a hurry to go anywhere and it's a free camp.  

Yesterday I put on my big girl's panties again and went for a bike ride with Stu. We looked at the track as it looked easy up to a certain point so off we went.  It was a little bit challenging in parts and I walked my bike across a couple of narrow bridges to be safe.  That was all fine until we rode further and there were drop offs, cliffs and curves in the track where you couldn't see who was coming around the corner or what was around the corner.  That freaked me out but we carried on with me getting off a few times.

Then on the way back, after realising the track was too scary for me, I totally lost it and started crying!  Riding on the outside coming back (left hand side with the cliff/drop next to me) was just way out of my comfort zone.  Stu rode ahead to make sure the track was clear but there was no way I was riding my bike then.  I ended up walking around these corners and only rode again when the track went back to where I could see where I was headed (and no drop offs).  

My frustration is that other riders are fine.  They find this trail easy and have full control going around these blind corners.  I'm angry at myself and frustrated with my ability.  On a positive note, there are some great easier trails where we are headed and I have full confidence that I will be able to ride them. I'll let Stu go off on his own and do the harder rides.

Great news today... F got his restricted driver's licence so can now drive his car on his own!  He passed first time and we are so proud of him.  He had some professional lessons and Stu has also been taking him out teaching him for months.  He can get his full licence in 12 months after completing a defensive driving course (which we have already bought for him).  

It's still raining.  Thank goodness for great wifi where we are :)

~ Lynda

Wine tasting and cheese platter at Rosa Vineyard, Gibbston Valley

Our park at Queenstown/Frankton overlooking Lake Wakatipu

We went on the Earnslaw steamship for a cruise on the lake

On the Earnslaw

Our camp on the banks of Lake Dunstan - yesterday when the weather was gorgeous.

Lake Dunstan looking from our campsite.

I rode...

Today we rode the Otago Rail Trail from Alexander to Clyde.  It was around 20km return and while it was an easy ride, there was the odd challenge because we carried on to the Clyde township on narrower pathways and streets etc.  My only real problem today was steering through narrow areas and the little chicanes  (curves to prevent you riding straight through).  I had to dismount and walk through whereas Stu rode through.

It was fun today though because the views were awesome and it was 'safe' riding.  

Did I mention that in my 30s I was actually a mountain bike rider?  Yep, gnarly corners, ups and downs, narrow gravel paths etc.  Oh well, age and ability has changed.

We are now at a stunning spot called Burton Creek for the night—a fabulous free site alongside the Clutha River by the Clyde Dam.  We have stayed here a few years ago when we hired a motorhome but it's lovely to be back for a night.

~ Lynda 

On my ride... crossing this historic railway bridge (I did ride across it!)

Happy selfie, I'm feeling much better today.

At the start of the Otago Rail Trail

Our spot for the night