24/12/2025 Perfect Cannonballs, and mince pies … not at the same

My last day in the apartment, which also means the last day for an early morning swim. I took advantage of the facilities and this morning's 0600hours cannonball can only be described as epic. Indeed, a perfect 10. So impressed was I that I hauled my fat arse out of the pool and did another … yet again a perfect 10. To be honest I don’t know how I do it. 

When I returned to the apartment after showering I thought it might be a good idea to pack my sturdy rucksack for the next leg of the adventure.  I seem to have acquired a few extra bits along the way, mainly food from Uber eats, but with that stashed in a reusable bag I was all packed. I did a Simon sweep of the apartment to check nothing had been left behind, and in what can only be described as a Christmas miracle I had got everything that was mine.  

Resembling the little donkey from the Christmas story all laden down without the pregnant bird,  I trudged down the corridor grateful the lift was relatively close to the apartment and rose down to the lobby’s the biggest sofa awaited me and I sunk into with the sturdy one on my back and my hand luggage ruck sack on the front with my crutches jammed down the side of the waist strap. All was going splendidly until I moved causing my crutch to fly up and smack me in the nose. Merry fukin Christmas you twat, here’s a nose bleed. I know for sure Si would be laughing his arse off at this turn of events. Although I bloody hope he feels bad for putting me in the situation where I have to carry my own bags and shit. With my eyes still watering Morg knocked on the lobby door and we were off. In the pouring rain, about sums up my mood. His truck is empty of his work tools now so we were able to throw my kit in the lock box in the back.

When I got in the front he handed me a box of Mince pies. He’d been to the bakery this morning for a coffee on the way to pick me up and take them a Christmas tip. They came out with a bottle of rum for him and a box of mince pies for me. The kindness and thoughtfulness of people who are complete strangers to me was utterly overwhelming.  The box of mince pies reduced me to tears.  Next up, Morg's customer had given him and his boss a bottle of gin for Xmas, unfortunately neither of them like gin so that's coming my way too! Given the hiccup in the form of the crutches incident the day was certainly turning around. I’m going to get shitfaced. 

As we drove around the coast in the dismal weather the beaches were still relatively busy, particularly with open water swimmers. Id much rather them than me, especially as the waves were boisterous to say the least. It seemed to take them an awful long time to go what seemed very a short distance. (Listen to me the now expert swimmer after week of swimming in the pool and perfecting my canon balls) to be fair to them, I was impressed as the water isn’t what I’d describe as warm!!

We dropped my stuff at Morgs and headed to St John’s for a nice Christmas Eve brunch with a view. The traffic was utter chaos and we wondered if we’d actually find a parking spot. Then Morg worked out people were cutting through the car park to get to the supermarket. There were loads of spaces just by the restaurant which was called Melba’s, we pulled into one and went in. The menu was pretty impressive and if the food was coming out to other tables was anything to go by it was looking bloody good.

Morg went for a full breakfast which was top notch, and I had an open chicken schnitzel sandwich with chips. It was huge!

OMG I was stuffed and failed to finish my sandwich, which wasn’t really a sandwich the way I know sandwiches, it was a full on meal with a slice of sour dough bread. I’ll learn eventually. After we’d finished, we went around to the warehouse and Morg got me a hard backed notebook to journal in and also for me to work out my plans for my next adventure.  

Unfortunately his air buds went on a blind date with the washing machine and strangely it wasn’t what could be described as a success. Who would have thunk it? So he went to buy some more, he’s gone old school this time and for plug in ones as he gets fed up with his going flat on him.  Also I believe they’re better for you than the wireless variety.  

The traffic hadn't improved any when we left but thankfully it was much lighter going in the direction we wanted to go in. As we drove down the hill to St Helier the sun came out and the ocean was glittering like a diamond. Still choppy as hell from the cool wind but pretty nevertheless. The queue outside the bakery was mental, I’m guessing people picking up their finger bread houses, Christmas cakes, mince pies and other delightful festive goodies. Bah humbug.  

Morg put his laundry on, his airbuds avoiding the date this time and I tried to decide what I’m taking to Fiji with me. As it’s only a week and we’re not planning on doing  a massive amount other than lie in hammocks and snorkel you would think it’s an easy pack. For some reason my light packing ability had deserted me and I was in a right flap not wanting to over pack in an even smaller backpack than the sturdy one. 

Finally having given myself a stern talking to over the packing situation I got my shit together and made a decision, shortly after, Morgans washing was finished and he could throw his stuff in the bag with mine.

The weather has changed dramatically from this morning, the rain has been blown away and the sun has been out most of the afternoon. It’s been a balmy 25 degrees all afternoon which has been perfect. 

We booked an Uber to the airport hotel where the address is 2 Leonard Isnit street…. I shit you not! All checked in Morg went to check what time the restaurant next door closes so we could have some dinner to start the holiday off. As it shut at 20.00 we went straight round and got a table. The menu was a really good selection and Morg had steak and I had fish and chips. Which I regretted… It was enormous. Thankfully Morg was able to help me out with the chips. 

Mine and morgs drinking straws had bees on them, I’ll take that as a sign from Si, (Thankyou very much babe, I love you.) particularly as no one else in our vicinity had the same straws as us.  

There was a couple next to us and oh my goodness I don’t think we’ve ever seen anyone eat so much food in one sitting, they were there before us and were already eating a large pasta dish each when’s we arrived with sides, before that was finished they had a steak in mash with chips bought out and finally a plate of lamb shank. It was like a car crash ! I have no idea how they managed to eat it all. I don’t know if they had desserts but we left and they were still sitting there. 

A quick walk to Woolworths to get a large bottle of water each as I’m very thirsty and we were ready to get back to the hotel. 

The room is impressive, two single beds and a bunk over the top of them, a little desk TV kettle and fridge, oh and a shower room obviously. It’s Surprisingly roomy considering. 

Have managed to keep emotions more or less in check for the most part of today but it’s been a struggle this evening to hold my shit together. I hadn’t thought to check with the resort if they will be celebrating the festivities, I have a sinking feeling they will be, I have come up with a contingency plan to get as far away from people as I can and get in the ocean so I can ignore them. I will be prune like on my return from Fiji the amount of time I intend to be in the water. Although there was an item on the Perth news today, a man got pinned down on the sea bed while diving by a great white shark. He managed to get himself under a shelf of Coral but the shark circled above him for 10 minutes as his air began to run out.  That’s a bit off putting really, Although that little bugger is a fair way from Fiji. Hopefully  there won’t be others lurking in the island waters because if I get eaten it will be a bit shit for poor Morg! 

I had the best FaceTime with my little Ella and her mammy  tonight, dressed in matching Christmas jarmies, complete with Rudolf the red nosed Reindeer earrings. She's all VERY excited for Christmas, and apparently is definitely on the good list.  I mean are we even surprised about that? Absolutely not, she's a little angel like her flairey … do not even smirk!!! Their mission for today is to colour in a Christmas tablecloth which appeared to be enormous, and eat Christmas cookies. Sounds like quite the plan to me!  The face time was a life saver it really was. 

Morg and I have located our bus pick up place for

The morning ride to the airport and we will be straight in the lounge for breakfast.  

Much Love

Mrs Leonard 

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