22/1/2026 wet stuff falling out the sky

First in for breakfast this morning as usual, to indulge in several mugs of the delicious coffee.  It's a lot quieter today. I've noticed the current guests appear to prefer to come in early for their breakfast, despite the restaurant serving until 10.00. 

Having drawn out the coffees as long as I possibly could, I went to select a new book from the  shelf. Torrential rain had put the Kaibosh on my plan of hopping on the bus and exploring the Island. 

On my way out of the restaurant I noticed a lady wearing the most gorgeous linen dress. The cream and pink pattern was just stunning, and so unusual, so I stopped to tell her how much I liked it. The conversation moved on quickly from the dress when she asked how long I'd been here and where I lived. When I told her, she told me that her son had been in Cardiff Uni on a 6 month exchange a few years ago and had loved it. Her daughter is in London working and in the process of applying for her visa extension. The application form requires her to put down all the places she's visited in the last 10 years, and it was at this point her mum realized that she'd misplaced her passport. They are over in Rarotonga for a family funeral and have been visiting relatives  so she thinks it's fallen out of her handbag at one of the houses. From there the conversation went to the state of Welsh and New Zealand Rugby, although I did have to point out that New Zealand Rugby is in a significantly better position than Welsh Rugby with which she was forced to agree.  Her interest and knowledge on Welsh rugby comes from being friendly with the Gatlands (what do you know?) and obviously being a Kiwi and its in their blood. Going back to the Warren Gatland thing we were both in agreement that he should never have gone back to Wales, and she felt he did it as a bit of a favour as he and Trudy ( yeah i actually just name dropped his wife's name) have a great love for Wales and the welsh people. During the Lions Tour, all the Hotels in Hamilton quadrupled their prices which really annoyed the Gatlands  and as a result, Trudy went around all their friends and found hosts for every one of  the Welsh teams families so they didn't have the added expense of extortionate accommodation to go on top of the flights etc. I hadn't heard that before but having met the most amazing Kiwis I am not remotely surprised.  Also, when Morgan and I were out in New Zealand for the Lions tour we were offered free accommodation with complete strangers we met along the way too. They didn't know us from Adam yet they were happy to open their homes to us.  

Inevitably “the question” came and when I answered, she told me then she too was on her own as her husband had died 15 years ago. Because our chat had covered the length of my stay in The Cook Islands, my further travel plans, and when I was returning to New Zealand, she instantly gave me her phone number so I would have someone else to connect with once I was back in NZ. Once more I am amazed at people's kindness and generosity.

Despite my room being located close to the restaurant, I still managed to get soaked to the skin on the short walk back.  The rain continued all day without a reprieve so I spent the time reading my book, wired up to my tens machine and then treated myself to some reflexology,  extravagant but I feel I deserve it

My cat was waiting for me, and I suspect that it was only due to the fact the rain was bouncing back up off the floor that it remained curled up on the chair the whole day. Suzy came and offered to clean the room but I was happy with some more coffee, a carton of milk and a clean flannel. Im easily pleased   

The wet weather has not made my endeavours to be cheerful particularly easy and there was something of a free for all snot tsunami in the room, I make no apologies for the visuals you may be getting from the description. 

Not the most exciting of days but a day nevertheless and I am another one closer to being with Si.

Much Love

Mrs Leonard

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