20/12/2025 City Streets and St Johns

Went for a bumble up the road  today and found some familiar territory. It also made a lot more  sense to me to go uphill while I was feeling energetic rather than leave it until I was tired and out of spoons !  

It was a  bit overcast this morning but still warm and by the time I was back from my exploring it had warmed up and the sun made its appearance. 

I went for a swim, grateful to have the pool and sauna to myself and wasted two and half hours splashing about and sitting in the sauna. The cannon ball was definitely a 9 today, a few more attempts and I should have it nailed at a solid 10. I escaped the sauna without sitting on the coals so it was already turning into a productive day.  

Midday I booked an uber to Morg’s and once again utilised the hotel next door WiFi to do it.  It was here within minutes and yet again we went a slightly different way out of the city until we got on the coastal road. 

Being a Saturday Mission beach was heaving. There were no available parking spaces and grass areas by the side of the road were full of people.  gazebos, tents and sun shelters had been pitched everywhere and BBQs had been set up. Deck chairs covered every inch of remaining space and kids were climbing trees, playing rugby, and swimming in the ocean. It was quite the contrast from the days in the week i’d gone through there on my way to Morgs. 

Kohimarama was a little less congested but still much busier than it’s been during the week the beach front bars, restaurants and coffee shops were bursting at the seams with people

Who were clearly enjoying the start of the weekend and embracing the warm, if somewhat overcast weather. 

I was greatly relieved when I arrived at St Heliers and saw although it was busier than normal, it wasn’t overly crowded.  There weren’t many people on the beach which I found strange given how many had been on the precious beaches.  My Uber dropped me at Morgs and he was waiting for me outside. I’d applied the safety feature on the app and sent him my route. Check me out being all sensible and that!  We went in as my new New Zealand Sim has arrived

and we needed to set it up on my phone. Morg just added one to his account, unlimited data. And texts and 10 gig of hotspotting. I should be able to get an uber now from outside the apartment without using the hotel next door's wifi.  

Phone activated, we headed out on a shopping trip to get a few essentials for Fiji. Namely water shoes for Morgan as the beach is crushed coral and an absolute bitch to walk on despite looking utterly beautiful. We also wanted snorkels and masks as neither of us fancied using the resort ones after a load of other guests has wrapped their gums around them. From memory, the snorkels were in short supply last time and being Christmas the island is likely to be full so it seemed a sensible option anyway. They do take up a bit of room in the rucksack but to be honest we are only taking swimming gear and 3 outfits with us so it won’t be a problem space or weight wise. Not that my bag has an issue with weight anyway and Morg travels light too.  

St John’s is a really pretty little suburb on the crest of a hill that looks out over the ocean and city. Just above St Helier. It seems a bit more rural with fields, market gardens and more greenery in general. But still with the fantastic views.  

Morgs shopping location of choice was the warehouse. A chain store that sells everything under the sun. Except full face snorkels which had sold out. The Christmas holidays have started and people are all heading off on their summer holidays. This is also why Morg is finding it hard to find a new long term rental property. Once the school holidays are over hopefully something will come up. It’s parking that is the issue as he has a work vehicle that needs a space. 

We managed to get him water shoes which I was pleased about, as the last thing he needs is shredded feet. He’s got enough to put up with at the moment with me without that,  poor kid. 

Shoes bought and a relatively painless shopping experience considering it’s the Saturday before Christmas we located a juice bar for mid afternoon refreshment. The exchange rate for me is really good, so I’m getting a lot for my money. It’s even better than Australia was and that was brilliant.  No complaints here for that.  

As we couldn’t get snorkels we decided to head back to St Heliers and get an early dinner, not being able to face another shopping mall. There is a pick and mix sushi bar in the mall in St Heliers which does an amazing selection. Morgan’s favourite coffee shop and bakery is just next door to the mall it would have been rude to not go and avail ourselves of coffees and one of their delicious homemade cakes.

Josh was super happy to be working his last Saturday until the middle of January. In the bakery all the shelves were lined with gingerbread houses all made in store, some decorated ready to be collected, others left blank for home decoration. like all the other cakes. pies, quiches, the Christmas cakes look simply amazing. Simply decorated with glazed fruits on top and a festive bow around them. I can’t get over how cheap they are compared to the ones I saw in Australia.  I briefly thought a gingerbread house would be a splendid idea but then  I remembered we are away until the new year so it is utterly pointless!

Dinner and dessert sorted, we went back to his house to eat it and chill out for a few hours before catching an uber back to the city. Morg is meeting up with one of his mates tonight for Christmas drinks, he’s not seen him for 3 months because he works on FIFO (fly in fly out) doing something that I can’t remember ! Whilst it’s  a good money job it doesn’t allow for much of a work life balance as you are gone for 3 months at a time. There’s more important things in life than money. 

Morg had to have a word with the Uber driver, on the way as he was texting as he was driving. They have a one strike policy in New Zealand and he'd have lost his licence instantly had we reported him. As we drove through Parnell, Morgan pointed out the navy base and the frigates that were in the harbour. I tried to take a photo of them as we drove along but there were stupid arsed railings in the way of my spectacular photo opportunity. Rude because I’m usually the queen of drive-by photo shots.   

Being back early I decided to go for another swim and sauna, (just as well make use of it while I can) and then chilled out watching Matilda. I checked my emails and deep joy, I've finally heard that probate has been granted which I have to say was a bit of a kicker, despite the fact that I've been waiting on it. I mean it's good everything is almost sorted apart from one more thing with the solicitor that can’t be completed until probate is granted. It's just yet another thing that hammers home that Si has gone and isn't coming back to me. I've emailed the solicitor in the hope that everything can be finalized by the end of the year but  I'm not holding my breath. Note to self do not look at any emails until i return from Fiji, that will be hard enough as it is without that pile of shit too. FFS.

Much love 

Mrs Leonard

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