31/3/2026 a day that turned around

Not a good start to the day, an awful night of tears, nightmares and snot bubbles. However, the mood was lifted significantly when I had a message from Carey asking what I was up to. I didn't disclose that my plan was to bury my head under the duvet for the day with the curtains drawn.

They are staying in a bed and breakfast on the North Shore of the city in a lovely area called Takapua and once they had got up they drove over to me at the apartment. It was so good to see them again, they're both looking really well. We had a cup of tea while they planned their road trip around the North Island before their cruise. It was nice to be able to recommend places to stay that are slightly off the beaten track but in beautiful parts of the country. With a few nights of accommodation sorted we went down to St Heliers for a snack lunch at the cafe. We are really lucky in that we have so many to choose from in the village but obviously I took them to the best one. 

Carey and I had food and coffee and Ray toddled along to the sushi bar and picked up some sushi as he's on a diet for medical reasons. We sat outside in the sunshine for an hour eating our lunch and generally catching up. Once we’d finished, we had a wander around the village and went into a little shop called the bays. I'd only glanced in previously as some of the prices on the items in the window are a bit steep! It really is a lovely little shop with all sorts of quirky goodies on offer. Carey was most impressed with a Mona Lisa cushion, but was reluctant to get it as she'd have to carry it around the world with her for the next three months. I've offered to take it home with me when I go and they can pick it up from me when they come over to stay. I think she'll get it when they come back from their north island tour if they haven't found something she likes more. We went and had a walk along the ocean front and the sun was shining beautifully. 

I wore my rather splendid radish trouser and top for the first time, and even if I do say so myself I looked rather spectacular in them. Carey and I sat on a bench while Ray went off to explore further and continued our catch up. When Ray came back we walked black to the car and returned to the apartment so they could do some more booking. 

Morg finished work early and arrived at 1630 ready to go for dinner . Once they'd finished their final organising we went to Annabel's. It's a nice place but the menu isn't a patch on  La Vista which is a  Mediterranean style restaurant. Unfortunately, as always it was booked solid so we couldn't get in so Annabel's had to suffice. The issue with it is that the main dishes, while tasty enough don't come with sides and you have to pay extra for veg, chips salad etc, which are really pricey. Like I say the food is nice, and as it is a much quieter place it was actually perfect for chatting and no one had to shout to be heard. 

We had a lovely evening but Morg has been doing the work of three people and it's taking a toll on his back, which is in bits. Ground work and concrete prepping is hard work solo. He left around 2000hrs and we stayed until 2200 just putting the world to rights. We were the last to leave and they were waiting for us to leave so they could close up for the night. 

They dropped me back to the apartment and went back to Takapua. I've given them the address of Kohimarama Lodge for the two days they have in the city before they set off on their cruise. In case they don't fancy it, I also sent them the bed and breakfast details (on the very steep hill) which will be ok for them as they have a car, and also the Arangi motel so they can choose. As they are all close to Kohimaram lodge I don't think it matters which one they stay at, they just really love the area, it gives them Margaret River vibes which is most definitely one of their happy places. St Heliers and Kohimarma are both lovely places.

I'm so glad to have seen them and while we were chatting after Morg left we spent a lot of time talking about Si which I really needed and made me feel a little better. They head off tomorrow and their first stop is Rotorua for the thermal hot mud pools, the redwood forest and the hidden village. They are also staying at Ohakune, where Si and I stayed with Morg and Liv over Easter two years ago. They invited us down to join them but we've already made plans for the Easter weekend so we sadly had to decline their kind invitation.

It's much better for me to see people. I'm realizing the apartment is too easy to get comfy in and not set foot outside the door if I'm not feeling the best. Note to self I need to force myself to get out and speak to people even if I'm feeling shit. Probably why I enjoy my coffee in the village so much as there is always someone to talk to. I'm still finding it problematic getting about so I haven't been for a walk and swim for a few days, I’m trying to pace myself! 

A better end to the day than the beginning, but as always a relief to have got to the end of it and be another day closer to joining Si.

Much Love

Mrs Leonard

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