18/3/2026 new gaff day

Moving day, I woke early and went for my swim. I’m trying to make it a regular thing whilst I have a free and warm ocean at my disposal, and also people to swim with. A different crowd again this morning, they were all very friendly and welcoming though.  

Once I was done I returned to the unit, showered and stripped the bed.  I figured I’d help Cheryl as much as I could as her back is bad.  I cleaned the kitchen as best as I could with the limited cleaning supplies and wiped the fridge out. Unfortunately there isn't a huge amount of cleaning stuff for the worktop and shower etc.  I guess they just like to do it themselves.  I finished off the contents of the fridge for breakfast, a bit random, red pepper, leftover camembert cheese, an orange and some salami. I’d forgotten to give Morg the butter last night so I had stuck it in the freezer to freeze it so it would hopefully last the day in my rucksack.  I got it out and wrapped it in cling film before wrapping it in a pair of socks and two flannels to try to keep it cool in the bottom of the bag.  

Before I left the unit I put the dishwasher on, I completely forgot to do it last night which I feel a bit bad about. Hopefully they won’t mind too much having to put away the clean dishes. I dropped the key through the letterbox as there was no one around, I’ll be back again in a few weeks so that will be nice. I’m hoping I’ll be back in Hanoi then. It’s a bit bigger, and it’s got bees on the cushions. 

I turned left at the end of the road and walked down to mission bay, I didn’t bother with a coffee, they’re disappointing to say the least and I sat on one of the benches watching the world go by.  People of all ages walking their dogs, their kids and running. The outdoor calisthenics park (I found out that’s what it’s called, not the outdoor gym) was chocca too,  although a different clientele this morning,  lots of young mums with their babies parked up in their prams cheering their mummies on.  I did consider lying on the beach in Mission Bay for a bit but in the end decided against it,  it was too peopley. 

The walk back didn’t seem to take so long, and when I arrived back in Kohi beach it too was really busy, how rude. I looked up to where my now regular spot is and saw it was pretty clear so made my way to it. As I went down the wooden steps onto the beach there was a toddler sitting on the bottom step. She was beaming at me and waved. I stopped and waved back at her (any excuse for a rest) and she patted the step next to her for me to join her. Her grandmother was looking on and laughing so I asked her if it was ok to sit down which she said yes to. I sat next to the little girl whose name was Sophia who promptly handed me her little yellow shovel and had me digging holes for her. The kids a goddamn slave driver! I stayed and chatted with granny and Sophia for 10 minutes as Sophia’s mummy was having a swim. I’ve seen them at the beach most days and granny said it was a daily thing.  I decided I’d better make a move as I didn’t want to outstay my welcome!  Also after Sophia had checked out my jewellery, watch backpack and crutches she’d wandered off back to her sandcastles.  It was a bit weird to be still sitting on the step looking up at an elderly woman chatting to her.  

At my selected spot I laid out my sarong towel and lay down for today’s vitamin D injection.  A little black dog came and started sniffing around my bag so I kept a close eye on it as I didn’t want it taking a pee on it. That’s just rude. Its owner was miles down the beach but to be fair it scooted when called.  

I stayed a few hours before deciding to make my way to St Heliers for a brew.  Check-in was at 1600 hours so I had an hour to kill by the time I got there. I went to the other cafe bakery today and had an iced coffee because I was boiled. The lady who owns it is lovely, and asked if I minded if she put her tables and chairs in from outside.  I offered to leave and she said no stay where I was she was only clearing early as she had a Parents evening at her daughters school so wanted to get as much done as possible so she could close on time.  We talked about her kids and how much her eldest doesn’t enjoy school, and in particular Maths. I can relate! so I think there was mixed feelings about by tonight’s meeting.  Last year her daughters teacher was ‘fluffy’ and everything was lovely and wonderful, this year the teacher is a different kettle of fish so she’s interested to see what she’s got to say about her daughter 

As we were talking Morg rang to see where I was and I told him. He had just pulled into St Helier so walked down to meet me.  I rushed to finish my drink so as not to keep him waiting but he arrived before I’d got halfway through it. No one wants a brain freeze!!  The lady recognised him instantly and knew his coffee order too, Morg didn’t want one today, but said he’d see her tomorrow. He likes to share his custom out between the two coffee shops! 

He slung my bag onto his back and we went up the street to the truck.  My new radish tops have arrived. They’re currently at the post office as there was no one at home to take them off the postie. We need to collect them in the next day or so. As usual we had to unload all his work tools from the front seat and back into the back of the  truck before I could get in. It’s a safety thing, although St Heliers is safe, the kit is too expensive to leave in the open!  Once he’d done that I jumped in and we took off. The new gaff is almost right behind the house he’s working on. It is up a small hill but it’s only a very short one and more than manageable.

We located it and Morg said we’d go and pick up the big bags from his place which was less than 5 mins away, before dropping me off. He went in to get them and I waited in the truck. 2 minutes and we were back around the one way system and dropping down the hill to my gaff.

It’s a self check -in annex on a large house.  All on one level with. Decking and a bit of garden in the front. The patio doors open up into the living room with a kitchenette that is fully equipped. I have a nice comfy sofa and chair, lots of books to read in the bookcase, and every cooking utensil and implement you could imagine. For the first time I’m looking forward to cooking, it’s nice to be cooking for someone again.  On through the living area is a single bedroom and on through that is the double bedroom toilet and shower. The washing machine and tumble dryer are in the shower room. And I’m mighty pleased to see them!  I’ve a lot of laundry to do. White and light coloured clothing is starting to look vaguely disgusting and I’ve already decided it’s not coming back with me, I may treat myself to a new cream top to go with my skirt with lemons all over it before I come home. 

I’m here now for just over three weeks, it’s handy for Morgan, and really homely. I wish it had been available for the duration of my trip, however nice it’s been to be in other places.  Morg left to have a shower and came back down later with dinner.  Cottage Pie tonight. We’re going food shopping on the weekend and will get ingredients for some nice dinners for next week. Like I said I’m looking forward to being able to cook for Morg.

We ate our dinner and watched a film as the sun shone through the patio doors. It clearly gets the evening sun which is nice, it means it’s quite shaded for most of the day so won’t get too hot.  No sunset tonight, disappointing for sure, but there’s always tomorrow!  Once we’d eaten dinner we cleared up and Morg walked home, it’s slightly uphill but I think he enjoyed not having to get the truck out to drive down to me.  

Oooo, quick update on the infected bite, I think the combination of seawater, copious amounts of tea tree oil, salon and bepanthen are doing the trick, it’s much better and I don’t think I need to see the pharmacist.  Hurrah For that.  Still need a dentist and optician though.  Next week there are thunder storms forecast so that being the case I’ll go shopping and get sorted.  I’m not wasting the sunshine!  

And that’s today done, I’m a day closer to joining Si, and that can only be good. 

Much Love 

Mrs Leonard

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