weekn20

Sunday 2nd April. Finally, in the afternoon, I got Rob to go down the beach with us! Not brilliant weather but still warm and plenty people on the beach and in the sea. The three of us strolled along but then I decided to walk back and have a sit down. Rob and N walked a fair bit further. Monday 3rd April. Down to the beach again in the afternoon. The tide was well in and we sat close to the ramp down from the surf beach. Definitely getting cooler now. Suddenly the hills seem to be covered in Pampas grass which has come into flower. Stunning. Tuesday 4th April. Weather warning for heavy rain. Seems we are in the path of cyclone Debbie which hit Queensland a few days ago Goat Islamd Goat Islamd Story! . The rain started after lunch heavy and torrential. Was very pleased to see Rob get back home from work. Wednesday 5th April More heavy rain overnight. I had physio appointment at 11am and it wasn't raining when I left. Good session today after I had explained to her that I couldn't lie on my front. I sat on the couch and she applied pressure to my bones when I moved sideways. Can definitely feel some improvement at last! Heavy rain on the way back home. By teatime the worst of the rain was over. Waybe valley road is flooded so Rob had to round via Wellsford. The rain and flooding has been much worse south of Auckland. Thursday 6th April. Our last day out! Checked that Matakana Valley Road was open after the rain before we left. There had been several landslips on the north side but they had been cleared. Very efficient! First stop was Goat Island where I had hoped we could walk along the beach. Once again the tide was in and we couldn't even get to the beach as the little river was in full flow. Still glad we went to say goodbye for this trip. We were pleased to see that there were several shags nesting in the trees there. Memories of our last trip when we spent a lot of time watching the young ones. Next stop was back in to Leigh to have snapper and chips. Always good fish from there due to their proximity to Leigh fisheries and harbour Goat Island Goat Island Story! . Then on to Mathesons Bay where we stayed a while getting out the chairs out for the last time. Final stop was back to visit Jill and John at Omaha River Retreat which was our home for five months on our last trip. Felt very nostalgic . So many memories of our time there and many visits from Danni and Jonny. Friday 7th April. Our last full day. I had physio appointment at 10am. Another successful session. Back home to clean, tidy up and pack. Busy day. When Rob got home he put our cases in his car ready for tomorrow. After tea we had FaceTime call with Steve who is in hospital following knee surgery. Rob was there as well so we had a good laugh. Saturday 8th April. Up quite early again. Seem not to have adjusted yet to the change of clocks yet. Still with all the hours change over the next few days it's not a problem! Final tidy up and packing of hand luggage Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay . John (landlord) and Kay arrived 11.15 to do a house check. We left them there and said goodbye to our beautiful little house. Drove to Rob's work, United Autos in Warkworth. Was pleased to know that was our last drive down the Dome. There was yet another fatal crash there last night. Such stupid drivers. Left car with Rob and went to cafe over the road for a quick snack. Left 1pm when Rob closed the garage. Good drive to airport but busy as usual. Arrived 2.20 well early for flight . Found special assistance seating area and now airing there until check in opens at 4 pm. Told Rob not to hang around so said goodbye as soon as we were seated, needed to get the goodbyes said over and done with quickly. So very sad! Checked in when it opened and back to seating area to wait for my wheelchair to arrive and then whisked off through security and immigration. We were soon boarded and off we went after another amazing stay in this wonderful country Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay . Arrived Melbourne as scheduled and was met by wheelchair assistance. Told him our bags were going straight through to Dubai but he said that wasn't possible as our flight out wasn't for another 24 hours. So, went to baggage controller to check. He said bags would be on carousel. Bags weren't on carousel, we watched it go round many times! Wheelchair man (boy) went off and came back to say that bags had been retained as they didn't know what to do with them so they would now deliver them down the oversized baggage shute. So, finally reunited with our bags. Had we not had the airport assistance goodness knows when we would have found them as we would have gone off to our hotel thinking the bags were going straight through. Into taxi and off to our hotel, Alexander Motor Inn, for the night. Checked in and found we were in upstairs room and no lift. Could have been a problem with the bags but very kind German guy was a tremendous help. Very pleased to get to bed at long last.

Week 19

Sunday March 26th We all had a lie in! I was up first and had breakfast on the deck. Nice and peaceful!. Rob cooked big brunch 11.30ish. Danni and I had been booked to ride at 3.30 pm but Heather had rung, on Friday, to cancel as she said it would be too wet. I couldn't have ridden anyway but Danni had been looking forward to it. Rob and Jonny left to go back to Auckland. Unfortunately Dans car is only a two seater so they couldn't take him back. We sat on the deck and chatted with Danni and Dan. Danni told us about her time on the Spirit of New Zealand sailing ship. What a great experience it was for her. It had been raining but weather cleared so we thought we'd go down to the beach with them before they left Surf Beach after the storm Surf Beach after the storm . Unfortunately I couldn't find my car keys, looked everywhere then texted Rob and he had them. So, that was that. We said our goodbyes, sad as probably won't see Danni again this trip. An couple of hours or so after they had left the rain started. Heather was right! Torrential stuff! Rob got back just as it was starting, he'd had a slow journey due to heavy traffic. He said he had passed them on the way back. I said that was strange as they had intended to go back via Matakana and Snells Beach where a relative of Dans lives. I texted Danni and asked if they were home, if they had got lost. Apparently soon after they left here Dan was stung by a bee and as he has previously had a bad allergic reaction Danni had called for an ambulance. Don't know much else will find out more later. The rain continued till about 9pm and terminated with a thunderstorm. That was quite a downpour! Monday March 27th. Housework morning! Wen to library in the afternoon. Bridge in the evening. Tuesday March 28th. Went into The Heads in the morning to make appointment to see doc. Back is improving slowly but just need to confirm the problem and best way to manage it. Beach pm. N went for walk and I sat in shade. So easy to just sit and do nothing watching the sea and the sky. Such big, beautiful skies here with amazing clouds Surf be Surf be . No jet trails either. Quite unusual in this day and age. Wednesday March 29th. Bit of a tidy up this morning as John, our landlord, is calling in this evening. Cards pm. Played with Margaret vs Aileen and Tony. Had a good laugh! Heavy rain started as we left. John arrived 5.30, rain almost stopped. He wanted to drain the small water tank by the sleepout and to check the rat poison in the roof space. Apparently they have had a rat problem up there the last couple of winters. He used one of the dining chairs to get up there and unfortunately it collapsed and he landed in a heap on the floor! Thankfully he wasn't hurt. I commented that they are unstable and uncomfortable and he said he would replace them. Rob home and he and John had chat about Rob taking over the rental when we leave. Both of them happy with the outcome. Rob will take over on a residential lease until the end of October Riverside Warkworth Riverside Warkworth . Gives him time to sort things out. Thursday March 30th. Appointment with Dr Tot 10.45. Had to wait a half hour. Pleasant young lady from Holland. Pleased,to have my mind set at rest that no serious damage done. She said it would be good idea to see physio. So over the road to make appointment with physio for tomorrow. N was with me and we then drove into Warkworth. Stopped at Sheep World to get a few things then on to Riverside for lunch. Then last shop at New World before driving back home. Friday March 31st. Back definitely on the mend. Physio at 11.30. Another pleasant young woman this time from Aberdeen! We had a good chat about how I had done the damage and how it had been. The. I laid on the table and she poked and prodded my back. No pain and it felt good until I had to get up! Owwwww, it really hurt! Staggered into reception and made two more appointments for next week Riverside Warkworth Riverside Warkworth . Will I be brave enough to go? Hopefully no gain without pain. We shall see. Beach pm. N went for long walk and I had to sit and watch the world go by. Missing my walking and paddling. Saturday April 1st. Rob's birthday! 46 today. I remember it well. Very apprehensive when I woke up as to how the pain would be but, thankfully, it does seem quite a bit improved. N and I went into market and library in Mangawhai for the last time this trip. In the evening the three of us sat on the deck and celebrated, with a glass or two, Rob's birthday.

Week 18

Sunday 19th March. Back painful. Not up to doing much apart from take it easy. Rob back from Pahia. Thinking of something to write! How about Possums! They were introduced into The country back in the 1800's. Someone thought it a good idea to breed them for their fur. Not a good idea! Unlike their "home", in Australia, New Zealand has no natural predators. They were declared a pest in the 1940's and in the 80's there were about 50 million, yes 50 million of the little critters. The population is now down to 30 million. They eat leaves and buds always going for the freshest new growth. They take over the habitats of birds. They can decimate large areas of forest Cullen Street sunset Cullen Street sunset . They can also carry bovine TB. A lot of damage caused by these cute looking marsupials. As they are nocturnal they are rarely seen apart from road kill of which there are many. We don't have to drive very far before we see one lying at the side of the road. Monday 20th March Foggy autumnal morning. Another resting day! Monday morning is generally house keeping day. I was able to do my jobs and N got the vac out as usual. Being a nice, compact little abode it's easy to keep clean and tidy. Had thought of going to the beach in the afternoon but really didn't feel up to it. Tuesday 21st March First day of Spring/ Autumn depending on which hemisphere one is in. Windy day. Had visit in the afternoon from Jill and John. Our friends from Matakana who exchanged houses with on our last trip. Good to catch up with them, spent a pleasant afternoon chatting Town Basin, Whangerei Town Basin, Whangerei . Back improving slightly. Wednesday 22nd March. Rain overnight. Still quite windy. Cards pm. I took chair and pillow so was able to sit pretty comfortably. I partnered Margaret and N was partnered with Len. Len valiantly tried to impress the "three fundamentals" of the game into N but afraid he was on a lost cause ! Lots of laughs. Thursday 23rd March. Day out to Whangerai. Rather cloudy and showery but eventually weather improved. Parked at the Town Basin. Strolled around there and looked at shops. Had lunch at the Serenity restaurant which Margaret had recommended to us. Very nice portion of snapper with chips. Looked in the information centre and then into adjoining ceramic gallery. An exhibition of lighting work which was very impressive. Back to the car and did a shop at New World before leaving for the journey home. Stopped for a short break at Langs Beach. Beautiful, no wonder it is an expensive area to live. Friday March 24th. I went into the library in the afternoon. I'm really going to miss having all these books. Back to downloading onto the Kindle when we leave! Rob back with Jonny about 7.30. Sat out on the deck and chatted. Still mosquitos about so long trousers and sleeves. Saturday March 25th Town Basin, Whangerei Town Basin, Whangerei . Rob to work. I heard him in the showers and then went back to sleep until 9.30am! Jonny still asleep, sat out on deck and had breakfast. Jonny woke at 10.15. Jonny and I went into the Heads to see if he could have a haircut but they were booked up. Shame as he really does need a cut! Then into Mangawhai to the weekly market. Back home played cards. Rob back 1.30. More cards. Jonny and watched programme about super yachts. Rob and Jonny went to shops. Rob started preparing for evening meal. We are expecting Danni and Dan so doing roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Watched programme about shark fishing. Meat in and veg prepared we sat on the deck and had aperos. Danni and Dan expected 7-7.30 and they arrived 8.45! Rob did a sterling job getting the timing right for the meal. Brought table in as it started to rain. Good to see Danni again. Yorkshire puds went down well!

Week 17

Sunday 12th March. Back to more rain and wind. Rob said thunder storm during the night but we didn't hear it. Rain cleared after lunch. Went down to the beach late pm. Not too windy. A lot of surfers, sea quite rough. Surprising number of people on the beach and in the sea. Suspect everyone pleased to get out after all the rain. Low tide, first time we have been there when it's so low. Seemed to be a vast expanse of beach. Tide had been in quite a way during the stormy weather and a large tree trunk was lying in the middle of the beach where it had been washed up. We walked right along the beach to where the footpath goes up and back over the Heads to the car park Surf Beach Mangawhai Surf Beach Mangawhai . Too far and too hilly for us to attempt, sadly, suspect the views are spectacular. There is house under construction close to the beach and just a bit further along, by the footpath, is a beautiful house with striking Aeolian sculpture for sale. €3.500000+ apparently! A nice little summer house! I wondered how it was accessed and when we got back I looked on Google and access is from the road to Waipu, Cove Road. Quite a way out. Back to our more modest, but most acceptable accommodation, for the evening. Monday 13th March. Weather clearing at last. Got washing done and dried. Walked on beach in the afternoon. We left about 5pm and remarked how few people were on the beach. First time we have seen it so quiet. Quite windy but warm. Bridge in the evening. Ten there this week, a bit better than last week. Tuesday 14th March. Weather definitely on the up again. Beach in the afternoon. N walked a bit further than I did. Very clear. Wednesday. 15th March Cards in the afternoon. Only nine there this week. We were on table for five, different way of playing took a while to get used to. Thursday. 16th March Left about 11am and drove to Matakana. Had lunch at the Black Dog. Then to Martin's Bay Surf Beach Surf Beach . A bit cooler and breezier than our last visit. Sat in shade of Pohutakawa and read. Breeze dropped and I got changed and went in the sea which is still nice and warm. Had a break and then Nigel braved the waves! Not warm enough for him though so he wasn't in for long. Lovely relaxing afternoon. Back home, just before Rob, at 5.45. Friday 17th March. Riding today!!! Up and away at 10am. We were on 11.30 ride at Warkworth. N was given Terminator to ride! Scary name for a very docile horse. I had asked to ride Zoe who I rode many times on our last trip here. She's a nice, forward going horse so don't have to work hard and push her along. Just us and 2 Japanese boys who, it seemed, hadn't ridden before. We were escorted by Heather, Alisha and a German girl. Heather asked if I wanted to go the long way round with Alisha and have a few canters. Didn't think twice, perhaps I should have, but it was too tempting. I did say to Alisha that I didn't want to set off until we had got round the tight bend that I knew was further up the track. Memories of hurtling round there in the past! So,off we went , standing up in the stirrups and holding on to the neck rein. No worries about stopping as I knew Zoe would stop at the top. A bit further on and another fast canter up to the top of the farm and the boundary fence. As we looked down into the neighbouring property Alisha showed me where the route of the proposed motorway, from Warkworth to Wellsford will go Surf Beach Surf Beach . Difficult to imagine looking down on the beautiful countryside and at the hill which will be tunnelled through. Back down to the water trough where we gave the horses a break. Then on to the next hill and the last canter. As we set off I felt a sharp pain in my back, oh dear. Walked back down the hill and met up with the others in the field at the bottom. Back was OK whilst walking so just mooched around with Nigel and then had photos taken before returning to the yard. Said our farewells, got changed and went in to Warkworth for lunch at our usual place, The Riverside. Then shopped at New World before returning home. Rob away until Sunday, up in Paihia. Saturday 18th March. Slept OK but back quite painful. Suspect may have pulled a muscle. Went into library and market. Beautiful day. After lunch we went to visit Margaret, friend from cards, who lives just down the road. Had a pleasant afternoon chatting with her Surf Beach Surf Beach . She and her husband came over to NZ in 1972 and he died some time ago. She is a keen gardener and we had a look round her garden and then she took us to see her absent neighbours garden. There was a flourishing veg garden there so I picked a few tomatoes and some parsley. First decent tomatoes we have had since our arrival. Also got a couple of feijoa, an unusual fruit that I had not seen before we came to this country.

Week 16

Sunday 5th March At home. Rob home mid afternoon. Monday 6th March Morning at home. Went to the beach in the afternoon. Sat in our usual spot. Less people about but it gets busier once school is out. I think how wonderful to live here and be able to come down to the beach after school. Bridge in the evening. Only seven of us there. Think they are considering what to do as so few people attending. Bridget, I discovered, is on an extended holiday and is from Leeds! They return about the same time as we do. I'm very much enjoying playing again. Find bidding a bit difficult but quite pleased,with my card play! Tuesday 7th March Rain Rain . The Day that the Rains Came Down! Heavy rain forecast for later. Debating whether or not to go into Warkworth . Would not be a good drive in heavy rain. Contractors came to cut the grass and she said no rain until about 4pm so we decided to risk it. Good drive there and shopped in New World. Lunch at the Riverside as usual. A couple of heavy showers whilst we were there. Left at 2pm, filled up with fuel and home by about 3 .15 just as the rain started. Rob a bit late home. A crash on SH1 at Wellsford so traffic diverted to Mangawhai then back to SH1 at Kaiwaka. Rain continued all night. Wednesday 8th March. Rain stopped late pm but still showery. Apparently we had a months rain in 24 hours. Cards pm. N and I were partnered with Brian and Warren. Very windy and raining again. Thursday 9th March. Rain, rain and more rain! Friday 10th March. And still it rains! We were going to have a BBQ for a few friends tomorrow evening but have decided to postpone as no sign of let up in the weather. Still, we have books, jigsaw, playing cards, some wifi, food and wine so can't complain! Didn't sleep very well and heard torrential rain about 1am. A lot of wind too. Saturday. A slight let up in the rain today. Went to library and market. Market was depleted but fresh veg still was there. Went for walk down by the boat ramp mid afternoon but had to cut it short when rain arrived again.

Week 15

Sunday 26th February. Lazy morning. Played cards with Jonny. Left at 12pm to go for lunch at Mangawhai Tavern. Not too impressed with the food or the service this time. Shame as its a nice setting and close to home. Then time to take Jonny back home. I went with them, to keep Rob company. A lot of traffic. Back home at 4.30pm. It will be easier and less driving when Rob gets settled nearer Warkworth. It's quite a hail, there and back from here. Monday 27th February. Went down to the beach in the afternoon and sat round the corner from the surf beach by the estuary. Finally I went into the water! Played bridge in the evening Cullen Street Cullen Street . Gail, who I have played with for the last two weeks hopes to visit Weston Super Mare next year! Small world!. Tuesday 28th February. Set off, after lunch, to go to the lake near the campsite where we stayed in 2011. Beautiful day so hoping to have a swim there. Gravel road so a slow journey. Went to Te Arai point and beach first. Memories of being there with Rob and the children. There is a rock pool there, empty this time as low tide, where we sat and swam several times. Such a beautiful, unspoilt beach. No signs of housing or shops. Just a beautiful sandy beach. Set off to the lake but we couldn't find it! Ah well, another day! Wednesday 1st March. Another beautiful day. Played cards in the afternoon. I was partnered with Ray husband of Aileen who was partnered with Jill and were our opponents. Another afternoon of fun and laughs. I asked if anyone knew what the fireworks had been for last Thursday Sunset at Cullen Street Sunset at Cullen Street . Apparently they were to celebrate the marriage, at the weekend, of the daughter of an American billionaire. They were set off from a boat off shore. Jill told us that two horses had had to be put down afterwards. The very loud noises must have panicked them. Because of this another display programmed for Saturday night was cancelled. I did a bit of digging, on Google, to find out more. The American billionaire is Rick Kayne who has an interest in a golf course, Tara Iti, and development in the Mangawhai forest and Pacific Beach at the northern end of Te Arai beach. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11675923 There has been a lot of local opposition to this development which is understandable given the beauty and seclusion of the area. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11749267 Thursday 2nd March I was unable to get to sleep last night Snells Beach Snells Beach Story! . Got up and finished my book before retiring at 3am! Consequently wasn't on my best form! Slept for a couple of hours in the afternoon. There have been some beautiful sunsets these last few evenings. Friday 3rd March. Rob going up to Pahia this afternoon for the weekend. We were up quite early and decided to have a day out. Weather looking good. Clear blue skies. Drove to Matakana via the Matakana Valley Road, not a road I have used before. Apparently it has only recently been sealed, quite glad about that as it is very steep in places with hairpin bends. We parked in Matakana and had a look in the op shop before going over to the Black Dog for a coffee. Then onto Snells Beach. Had a looked round The Warehouse but nothing took my eye. Spent a lot of hours in there on previous trips and there are often bargains to be had so a bit disappointed this time. Then down to the beach where we parked up and got the chairs out to sit in the shade of a tree by the beach. It was high tide. There was a large group of pre- school children escorted by several adults and they were picking up litter! Each child had a plastic glove on one hand and carried a large carrier bag in which to put the litter. Thankfully there wasn't too much for them to pick up but so good to see them learning this at such a young age. Also it was good to see that all of them were wearing hats to protect them from the sun Litter Pickers Litter Pickers . Back to the shopping centre where we had lunch at Chairs cafe. Can't remember what it was called previously but I have visited it many times in the past. We sat and watched the world go by whilst we waited and waited and waited for out order to appear! It must have taken a good half hour, and the place wasn't that busy, but it was worth it in the end! A short drive then to what is my favourite beach (I think, so many of them), Martins Bay. Although there is a camp site at one end of the beach the other end is quiet and lined with Pohutakawa trees. I have spent many hours there, swimming, walking along the beach looking for shells and just generally enjoying the beauty of the place. I wasn't disappointed, the sun was shining, the sea was blue and all was perfect. Installing ourselves again in the shade of a tree we read and let our large lunch settle. After an hour or so I went into the sea which was warm and walked out until I got to a depth where I could swim Martin's Bay Martin's Bay . Bliss! I went in twice during the afternoon but couldn't persuade Nigel to go in. At one point we saw a large, motor yacht sail out from Kawau island and go out to sea. I suspect it belongs to the wealthy American, Ric Kayne as we saw it anchored off Te Arai last week. We finally managed to drag ourselves away from this little corner of paradise but we shall return! Stopped on the way back for an ice cream at Charlie's gelato garden, http://www.charliesgelato.co.nz The best ice cream ever! Saturday 4th March A bit cloudy and blustery today but still warm. Went into market in the morning. Still battling with the latest jigsaw. It's proving to be quite a difficult one.

Week 14

Sunday 19th February. At home! I went into Four Square with Rob. Still humid. The cicadas are very vocal and some of them make a clicking noise. I love sitting out on the deck and hearing them. Monday 20th February. I've had a painful couple of spots close to my left armpit. They were quite inflamed so I decided to go into the medical centre and try to get an appointment with the nurse. Coast to Coast medical centre is the group I saw last trip, in Matakana, and they had me on their computer ! No need to make appointment, nurse saw me after a short wait. She was baffled and said should see the doc. Made appointment for me half an hour later! Good service Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay . Saw doc, said bacterial infection and gave me prescription for antibiotics. Very efficient. By then it was going on for 1pm so I bought fish and chips to take home for lunch. Hot day. I went to bridge 6.30-8.30 at the club, pleasant evening. Tuesday 21st February. Day out day! Realised we have been here all this time and not been back to some of our old haunts. So we set off at 10.30 am. Stopped off at the library in Mangawhai first then drive to Matakana via Pakiri and Leigh. Road up from Pakiri to top of the hill is still gravel and and partly single track. An " interesting" drive! I remember the first time I drove it, quite a few years ago now, I was terrified! Had lunch at the Black Dog in Matakana. Matakana hasn't changed a lot, still very touristy and busy. We have stayed near there on our last two trips so must have spent about nine months there in all. Drove back to Mathesons Bay where we got the chairs out and sat in the shade reading and watching the waves from time to time Mathesons Bay Mathesons Bay Story! . I had taken swimming togs with me but it was far too rough for me to attempt to go in. Strange as it's usually a very calm place. I had to content myself with just a paddle today. I felt quite sad and nostalgic thinking of the many times we had been there with Danni and Jonny when they were younger. Memories of them playing in the little river that runs into the sea and is such a safe spot for little ones. Then on to Goat Island one,of my very favourite beaches. Not today though! The tide was in so not a lot of beach and far too many people! Last time we were here it was midwinter and we had the beach to ourselves apart from the cormorants and seagulls that is. We shall go back at the end of March when it will be quieter. Back down the gravel road and on through Pakiri and some beautiful countryside. Driving here there is always a stunning view around each corner. So much greener now after last weeks rain. Unfortunately I missed the turn off to Mangawhai and ended up in Wellsford! Oops. Had to go back down SH1 and turn off to Mangawhai a few kms later. A good day out and good weather, less humid thankfully. Wednesday 22nd February. Cards in the afternoon. It starts at 1pm so mornings always seem a bit of a rush! Had a very good afternoon, I was partnered with Margaret and we had a really good laugh! Thursday 23rd February Goat Island Goat Island . We were hoping to see Danni on Sunday but had a message this morning to say that she couldn't come. She has been selected for a 10 day voyage on the youth training ship "Spirit of New Zealand" and sails on Sunday. Disappointed we won't be seeing her but for the best of reasons. It will be a fascinating and challenging 10 days for her. We left at 11 am to go to Warkworth. Traffic lights and queue on the Dome due to reselling the road. Met Rob for lunch at Ginger. Then N and I went to the Riverside for coffee. Did shop at New World. Called at Warkworth Riding, stables where I have ridden and spent many hours over the times I have been here. A quiet afternoon for them so we were able to stay and chat with Roger and Heather for a good hour. They encouraged me to go for a ride and offered me one free of charge. How could I refuse!? I'll go when it cools down, too hot and humid for me to ride at the moment. It will be good to ride Zoe again and go for a gentle hack round the beautiful countryside. Got chip on windscreen driving back up the Dome. Lots of loose chippings. Later in the evening Rob came up to say that he will be picking Jonny up tomorrow evening and bringing him back for the weekend. As we were chatting we could here bangs and when we looked out we could see fireworks. We stood on the deck and watched a magnificent display, it seemed to be from a boat out at sea, which lasted a good five to ten minutes. Longer and more spectacular than the fireworks we saw at Pahia on NYE. Friday 24th February. Wen to the library after lunch, another jigsaw! Then to the beach. I had hoped to go in the water but there were a lot of waves, too many for me. I did sit at the waters edge though and let the waves wash over me. Rob and Jonny home about 7.30pm. Jonny and I played cards. Saturday 25th February. Rob to work. Jonny slept till 10am. Went down the beach. I walked and paddled. N read. Jonny bored! Bacon sandwich for lunch cheered him up! Played cards again. Rob home. Rob and Jonny went down the beach for Jonny to do some rock fishing. He had a few bites but no catch. I cooked roast pork and we sat out on the deck until dusk.