16/12/2025 Arrival Auckland New Zealand

I finally landed in Auckland at 0445 hours, bang on time. I was last off and really tired as I hadn't slept at all on the flight. The guys from special assistance came to collect me and I was removed from the aircraft without a hitch. The wheelchairs in Auckland are my absolute favorite of any we've come across, they're pink and they always make me smile when I see them. I think Si was pleased he didn't have to push me in one and happily handed that responsibility over to the assistance team. Me on the other hand i was in my element …. It was a pink wheelchair, what's not to love. Some of the previous enthusiasm is definitely missing, but then so is my person. 

The trip through the familiar airport with its beautiful Maori carvings was really really hard, all I could think about was Si's reaction to it all when he saw it all for the first time.

Once again I am finding myself questioning the wisdom of this trip and realising I don't think I have the mental strength I thought I did. Is it such a good thing to immerse myself so totally in something which despite being amazing is so incredibly difficult and painful to deal with and remember. I can see Si’s face so clearly at times it takes my breath away and there's just the most awful physical pain in my chest that feels like it's crushing and suffocating me. Sometimes I wish it would do just that, because it would be so much better than the current situation.

In my cute pink wheel chair, I was hustled through passport control.I took a photo of the wheelchairs, and they offered to take a photo of me in mine, sod that for a game of marbles, no one wants to see that!

I completed my New Zealand entrance declaration paperwork online, which sped things up significantly. The immigration guys are really hot on not bringing any foodstuffs into the country, this includes packaged food from the aircraft, one lady forgot she had an apple in her bag and was fined $400 on the spot. One of the questions on the declaration form is if you've spent any time in the last 30 days on a farm and with animals or crops. This was another reason for me washing my trainers at julies before i left. My trainers were covered with honey from the harvest, and as its a food stuff its a big no. as it was i had nothing to worry about because my trainers had been boilt to within an inch of their life and I had nothing else that was prohibited. To be fair i dont blame them for being so strict as it is the country is pretty pest free and that's the way they want to keep it. 

My hand luggage was scanned again, and I was free to proceed to passport control. I finally had my new passport stamped, I was gutted that Australian immigration hadn't stamped it when i entered there. It just means i will have to go back again for them to do it next time, ill be sure to ask them to do it! Passport control was very quick and smooth as the Perth flight was the only one in and there were plenty of immigration officers working. 

The luggage was a lot slower coming through, but Mildred was off the carousel and waiting for me.  I transferred in to her, just to be sure I wouldn't leave without her again! The Sturdy one was really slow coming around but eventually was safely on my lap and I was being wheeled out to the arrivals lounge. Morg was there waiting and unfortunately the tears I'd struggled to hold in check were running down my face, poor Morg,the last thing he needs is a broken mamma bless him, and yet that's what he's lumbered with for the next few months.

We left the airport and the sun was rising and just starting to paint the skies the most beautiful pinks, oranges and purples. By the time we got to Morgs' truck, it was utterly breathtaking, and I felt Si was with me in it. He would have loved it and it was a really special welcome to New Zealand. 

The trip to Morg's house went pretty quickly and traffic was light. He lives about half an hour away (on a good run) out of Auckland in St Heliers, and the views from his window are just phenomenal.

He has two chairs in the window looking out over the bay and over to the city.

He made me a cup of tea, showed me where everything was and left for work. I had a shower to get rid of the travel grime and fell into bed. I can't book into my apartment until after 1400hrs so going to Morgs was the obvious solution. I didnt think I'd sleep, but with my dog eared photo clutched in my sweaty little mitts I slept for a few hours. 

Morg rang to check I was ok and told me the best place to go for some lunch. We’d been out for food with Morg and Liv in St Heliers last time we were here, but I hadn't seen that much of it then. Today I was able to take it all in, and I can see why he loves living there.

The bakery he sent me to for lunch is where he goes for a coffee every day, he told me to ask for Josh and tell him who I was. There was only one lad working but he was serving someone else, so I didn't have the opportunity when I ordered to introduce myself. I went and sat at a table outside to wait for my sandwich and coffee and he came out to clear the table so I introduced myself, he referred to Morg as Morgan the tradie, and said I love morgan he's really good to me. I melted, there is nothing nicer than hearing your child spoken about in such a lovely manner. 

Josh returned a few minutes later with my sandwich and on the tray was a mini mince pie, which he told me was from him,” because we gotta look after our mums” which was so lovely of him. 

I read the newspaper as I ate my sandwich and watched the world go by. The whole thing was full of the Bondi shootings unsurprisingly. While I sat there, three tradies sat down to eat their pies. Pies are New Zealand's national dish. Anyway, there were two older guys and a younger one. The eldest bloke started telling dad jokes, and the young lad with them was groaning. They were so bad, it made me chuckle, because it reminded me of how everyone used to groan out loud at Si’s dad jokes, not that it stopped him telling them. And I may have encouraged him slightly by buying him dad joke books …

The dad jokes were coming thick and fast and a lady sat down at the table next to me. Natalie, lives in Alaska and is a pilot, over in New Zealand to escape the harsh Alaskan winter, she's not going home until June because it doesn't start to warm up til then. A girl after my own heart. She's dog sitting for a lady for a few months and in return is staying in the house for free, a really good way to save on accommodation costs. I looked into it but it's not really practical for me despite the obvious appeal of the free accommodation for looking after someone's pooch. We discussed everything under the sun in the hour we were sitting there, and I was again reminded why Si and  I love New Zealand so much. It's such a friendly place and people will take the time to have a conversation with you and pass the time of day. . This opinion was reinforced when Ros who works in the bakery with Josh, came out and welcomed me to New Zealand, telling me if I needed anything at all when Morgan was at work then to just ask. I was blown away by the kindness they showed to a complete stranger, but because they've taken Morgan under their wing, it seems I'm included too which is so lovely. Although to be fair, it's not something you experience in the Auckland CBD, everyone is in too much of a rush , and I suspect its another reason Morg loves living in St Helier so much. He was hoping to have moved into his own flat by the time I arrived, but at the moment, rental properties are like rocking horse poop. He is in a houseshare with three others but he really wants his own space, and a bit more than a bedroom to live in. Even though he's at work all day, it's hard just living in one room despite the magnificent views. I was worried he was just looking to move on my account and really don't want him rushing to leave somewhere he's so happy and that has such a strong community feel to it. 

I had a little wander around St Helier, after another coffee, and walked back along the beach . I dipped my toe in the ocean and that was more than enough.

It was freezing but at least I can say I've done it! The beach was pretty quiet and when big fat spots of rain started to fall I guessed that may be the reason behind it! I was a bit damp by the time I got back to Morgs and then couldn't get into the house. When I left, Rebekah, his landlady, was there taking yoga classes, but she'd gone home by the time I got back. I found a chair around the back and sat down under the porch watching the rain. It was warm so not a problem at all. I already knew Morg was on his way home as he'd rung to say he was picking up snacks from the shop. 

If I had checked the kitchen door I would have found it open, but I didn't even think about doing that being a bit dull like!

Morg made another brew and cracked open a pack of gingernuts, followed by a choice of either a kit kat or a small bar of whittakers almond crunch chocolate .  I'll take one of those bad boys any day of the week. NZ chocolate is the absolute mutts nutt, proper milky, rich and creamy…. Nomnomnom.

Once he'd had a shower, and sorted his work tools away, we sat chatting and then loaded his truck up again with my stuff and went to the Spanish Tapas bar in St Helier for dinner. OMG the food was stunning and so light, we had one entree and one main dish with two extra plates so we could share them. A good move, it was simply the perfect amount and I was nicely full without feeling absolutely stuffed. We didn't linger,  as I was falling asleep in my dinner, so Morg and I drove into the city to check into my apartment. The drive along the coast is so pretty even in the evening. Unfortunately there is no parking with the accommodation so we pulled up on the pavement and abandoned the truck while we checked in. It was a self check in which is so easy, and was just a case of unlocking the key safe getting the fob out and letting yourself in. 

My apartment is on the 12th floor, and has a nice balcony that looks out over the city, has a fully equipped kitchen including dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. A compact fridge freezer, and plenty of storage space. The gym, pool and sauna are downstairs on the ground floor. I will investigate them tomorrow. Morg only stayed long enough to put my bags on the table before going home.

I made a cup of hot chocolate for myself and fell into bed. It's been a long  assed emotional day, pain is through the roof and the anxiety levels have crept up since being at the apartment. I'm very safe, the door is locked, and no one can get in without a fob but it's just that niggle that I need to get a grip of.   Tomorrow is another day and hopefully it will bring a different perspective on things.

Much Love

Mrs Leonard

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