Fun, fun, fun!!

We are having the best time down south.  We are finally at the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow and apparently it is the first one for 6 years due to covid (it was due to be held in 2020 and 2022),  The crowds are massive, everything is booked out but we have literally the best seat in the house.  

Our motorhome is parked up right above the airfield (well ours and 540 others).  We can either walk down to the show or take our chairs to the edge of the hill where we can see everything.  Today was practice day and the next two days there is a set program which looks to be spectacular.  The weather forecast could not be better.

After that I'm not sure but headed further south before going back to Christchurch and flying home for a week. It will be lovely to have the boys to stay and catch up with stuff.

I have absolutely no complaints other than aches and pains that come from being 67.  We are walking a lot each day and my average seems to be around 10,000 steps a day.  Today was much more and included 17 flights of stairs which was added when I walked up the side of the hill above the show.

~ Lynda

At Lake Wanaka

Our spot to watch the airshow... up the top where you can see people lined up. That's the walk I did today, just to the left of those trees at the top. Trust me, it's very steep!

Some jets at the show and the beautiful snow capped mountains in the background.

A good response

My daughter got a better than expected response when they met the Principal.  He also had Cole's teacher there and two other staff and took it all very seriously.  My daughter thought it would be another brush off but no, they are going to get 20 weeks of additional help for him and he can take more time out of school when he is stressed or anxious. 

He did think that the extra tutoring might not help at the moment but hey, it's worth a try anyway.  When Cole went for his first session he told his Mum that it was easy and they didn't teach him anything... typical of him. I'm pretty sure the first lesson is to ease him in and find his level. He also said it as noisy so perhaps headphones might help going forward.

The Principal also said that going forward there were many 'off roads' for him at college.  I think he means other subjects he will thrive in other than maths and English.  He also said they will get him into projects in the school that he has an interest in like audio visual work etc.  

The family have gone up to their caravan for the weekend and of course, Cole is angry about that.  Grrrrr.... He makes life so hard for that family sadly.

We are currently at a little place called Okarito on the coast and today we're headed to Franz Josef for the night (or two, not sure yet).  We've booked a place called the Rainforest Retreat for a bit of a treat. We've also booked a fancy dinner out there tonight. I will make a little effort and get out of my usual 'motorhome' clothing :) 

The trip down the west coast has been stunning so far and the weather has been brilliant. I think that's changing in a day or two but it is looking good for Easter for the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow.  We are very excited about that!

So that's my news, we are both very well and loving this life we have (although Stu does my head in at times, as I'm sure I do that to him).  

~ Lynda

For those who go over to the Big Tess blog you will see most photos I post here but I still like to put some here as well.

Sunset over Lake Kaniere, one of the amazing DOC camps around the country.

The Hokitika Treetop walk.  It was really, really high!

Yes, we went to the top.

We drove all the way to the Hokitika Gorge to see this - last time we were there the water was a grey colour so this was a treat!

Okarito Beach... not for swimming that's for sure, it's wild out there.

Frustration

One reason I don't like going away from home for too long is that I can't be there to support my daughter. Cole has become really bad again, totally disruptive and angry.  My daughter is at a loss about him and going by the long list of agencies and help she has tried, there seems to be nothing for him.  He slips through the cracks because he is not autistic enough for some care and at other times can be quite nice and calm etc.  

She and her husband have an appointment with the school principal tomorrow but she is not holding her breath for any help.  She said they just don't have any idea about neurodiversity.  I said they need to be really assertive and press for more answers.  I hope there will be some help. Cole is 12 and will be getting stronger, taller and more angry as he grows and it frightens my daughter.  She was in tears tonight while talking to me and here I am, on the other side of New Zealand and can only help by listening. 

I too really worry for his future. 

On other matters we are having a lovely time away.  The weather has been superb so far but I think some rain will be on it's way soon.  We are headed further south tomorrow so lots of new sights and places we've not been to before!  

Thanks Jaxx for your information regarding helping Cole.  I mentioned this to my daughter but it seems she has spent the thousands of dollars, had all the assessments, counselling and everything else to no avail.  Hopefully the extra tutoring he starts this week will help—well if he behaves and actually tries to learn!

~ Lynda

We had guests last night and I dropped the entire bowl of chippies, epic fail!

Sunset tonight at Westport

Our for our bike ride today around Westport.

South Island travel

We are in the South Island and very excited for all that there is to see and do.  This is our fourth motorhome trip around the South Island and the second in Big Tess (other times were hired motorhomes).  We have made it to the West Coast and are currently staying just north of Westport in an amazing camp.  

I am good, Stu is good and his Dad is good - well all is good really except the grandson who causes us to worry.  I must admit to relaxing a little more about him since being on the road!

Tonight Stu was on the phone to his father and as the call was ending his father said "look after your elderly lady"... I looked up and we both rolled our eyes.  I know he was joking but what a stupid, insensitive comment - as Stu tells me, he's a dick.

We have met up with some people we know while here so we're having them over for afternoon drinks tomorrow.  They are fellow Benimar motorhome owners and he is a font of knowledge so should be interesting.  

Until next time :)

~ Lynda

Wine time at the beach.

West Coast sunset.

On the road

We are currently at Havelock North and have visited my friend twice today.  She looked so much better and actually remembered things and laughed and even spoke a little so it really was wonderful.

On other not so good news, my daughter had a meeting with Cole's teacher today and it was dreadful.  He is two years behind and is now very disruptive in the classroom.  My daughter has shut down and won't respond to my messages, I know she is very upset.  Cole is on the autism spectrum and has a few other diagnosed things so I have no idea why any of this was a surprise.  The trouble is, where is the help?  Where is the alternative teaching or advice?  It seems that unless your child is really disabled they are expected to just struggle on.

Poor Cole.  I didn't sleep last night after a phone call with him where he was really upset over all sorts of things.  He was having a major anxiety attack.  I'm not surprised about any of this news but as a grandparent I can't do a lot—especially as we are travelling at the moment.  

On other news, I got a UTI (Cystitis) today and was in agony.  I went to get some pills from the pharmacy only to be told they don't issue to over 65s without a prescription.  I then phoned my doctor and was told I need to go to a local doctor. Off I went only to be told I needed to go to the emergency clinic!  Thank goodness they saw me quickly and I got my pills and already feel better.  I've not had this for years so it came as a bit of a surprise.

OK, that's me for now.  Off to see my clever son tomorrow and congratulate him again on his project winning an Academy Award!!  Oh, did I mention the movie won?  I'm a very proud mama for sure.

~ Lynda

My son, screenshot taken from the making of "War is Over"... Oscar winning short movie!!!

Counting down...

We are off on Tuesday for nine weeks (Tuesday because that's when I have a hair appointment so can't leave earlier). We are flying home half way through for a week so not technically away the entire time but still, the motorhome will be gone for 9 weeks.  There's lots of preparation to do for such a big trip but apart from the fresh food I think I'm done.  It's just so exciting to do this and we are both still so happy that we have the motorhome and chose this lifestyle.  Remember that Stu has retired early so that he is free to have these adventures with me (as I'm 9 years older than him).  

He is off at the Ardmore Airshow today but I'm at home cooking dinner for the family who are coming over tonight.  It will be lovely having everyone here to say goodbye before we leave.  I've made a big lasagne to have with salad and garlic bread followed by a homemade boysenberry shortcake.  Yum.

It's been a really easy, quiet week so I don't have any interesting news.  I did go to Charlie's school fun day and had a picnic lunch with my daughter, Stu and Charlie which was lovely.  For me, it's all about creating memories for both me and my grandkids.  I read some words on a motorhome last month that said "I want to die with memories not dreams", so true.  There is no point in us sitting around dreaming when we can be out doing!

Anyway that's me - follow along on my travel blog (link on the sidebar).  I update that much more often than this blog when we travel.

~ Lynda

All clean and ready to go!!

Charlie chilling out at the school picnic.

All fixed

Thank goodness our motorhome is all repaired and ready to go! We leave in exactly one week and I'm so excited.  We have to take clothing for both warm and cold weather so I've been washing everything to get it ready to pack.  We mostly wear very comfortable clothing while on the road—shorts and tee shirts or stretchy black leggings and a jersey etc.  We also tend to wear the same clothes over and over due to them being comfortable.  The only nicer clothes I'm taking will be for dinners out or meeting friends etc. 

We are getting Charlie from school tomorrow and will definitely be catching up with everyone before we go.  I really miss my family when we go away and apparently they miss us :) The boys get very excited when we come home so I'm glad that we are breaking this two month holiday with a flight home in the middle for a week. We did this last time and it worked well... saved me from becoming too homesick!

F is now at university and enjoying it.  Him and Stu went to see Dune 2 the other night at the movies and I know Stu just loves spending quality time with him... he really is 'Stu's Boy'.  Stu has been there for him since he was born and I just love seeing the bond they have.  F's father is absent from his life, his choice.

I don't have much other news.  All is well in our world :)

~ Lynda

My boys... they get into our bed in the morning which we love.  

Motorhome frustration!

We have a problem with the bed in our motorhome, it's been going down but not up (it's stores away during the day).  We popped into the place we bought it and they said they'd fixed it... no, still stuck.  So we took it back over a week ago and they had it for an entire week and said they couldn't find a fault! We bought it home and of course, the bed stuck again.  Now it's back there and we won't get it until they find what's wrong even if they have to replace every part! Not happy.

My daughter who was having awful issues with her boss (I've mentioned this before) is finally looking for another job.  She is so broken after trying too many times to work with this guy.  It's a long story but she really should have left many months ago.  

My son has just had a short animated movie he worked on nominated for an Academy Award!!  The movie is called "War is Over" and it is inspired by the song by John and Yoko Lennon.  He did the cinematography for the movie and worked closely with Sean Lennon, something he said was surreal.  Here is a link to the making of the movie, my son's name is David Scott and he is on at 2.07 in the clip and a couple of other places.  I'm extremely proud of my boy and he is such a lovely man.  I can't say young man because he's nearly 50!

We have the two boys for the weekend and will be seeing them a fair bit before we head off for our South Island Holiday in about ten days. I certainly hope they sort out motorhome bed by then!!

ps: Rhonda, I hope you have a brilliant time cruising around New Zealand.

~ Lynda