A week in the sun with Callum

After a week at home catching up with sewing, house maintenance and all those chores that owning a home necessitate I was delighted to welcome Callum on the Saturday the 12th January. he flew up and we spent a cosy evening watching a couple of movies - he wanted me to sit with him so we watched Flubber and Pixels!

The next morning we set off in the campervan and went via Ros and Colin in the Waitakere ranges - good to catch up although we interrupted their garden maintenance - Callum and Colin had a nice cool off in the pool.

Then we trundled off up Highway 16 with a detour to Shelley Beach on the Kaipara - very hot by then and Callum was able to cool off again in the sea and we went for a walk and clamber around the rocks to the lovely little bay around the corner. We decided not to stay there the night - they are doing construction repairs on the sea wall but it was a lovely spot in the sunshine and high tide.

Off we went again and ended up at Port Albert domain. The tide was almost out so no fishing off the wharf but it was a nice spot to spend the night. Gradually filled up with the little tourist slide vans - I guess with having a good toilet it was a very suitable free camping spot. Our first night spent in the campervan went well and Callum and I had scrambled eggs and toast for  breakfast

Standing on the old Port Albert wharf.

Yes, he was rescuing his breakfast from tui's eagle eye.

 Up earlyish the next morning and on up to Mangawhai in time for morning tea. Gil and Dot very welcoming and Brenda arrived not long after with Zane and Maia.
Not sure which order we did everything for the next few days but there was

Being towed on the "biscuit behind the tinny and then behind the big boat!

Snorkelling  for hours

Fishing off the wharf for hours

Swimming with boogie boards

Walking the dogs

Games of Uno and knocking down wooden blocks in the garden

Gilbert cooking on the  BBQ and sitting round the outdoor oven

Playing Wordscape on the phone - we got to level 80

Reading David Walliams book The Ice monster

Visit to the chocolate factory

Gil and I went up to bring the tired snorkellers back from Pilot Bay

Here endeth the first day!

He was supposed to shake his head for slow down but his head was nodding with the shaking which meant speed up"

Could we see a smile or a look of terror - he was sure hanging on!

Liz got to swim and even got a 2 hour paddle!! Felt great to be out on the water - what a beautiful place it was - made my heart sing! My arms still worked really well, and it was a real pleasure. even if I did have to fall off the kayak to get off it in the shallow water ( old knees)!

The only hiccup was a call from Bupa to say Peter had been admitted to Middlemore with chest pains and ... didnt sound urgent but I rang Middlemore and confirmed that it was a minor heart attack but also some chest infection and possible urine infection so they were keeping him in. I explained I would be back the next afternoon - I really didnt want to rush back and spoil Callums holiday if it wasnt an emergency. The hospital was good at putting me through to the ward - better info than if I was there in person.

We left Thursday afternoon and had a fast tip home - Callum and Tui slept all the way!

What a great summer break - so many thanks for Gilbert and Dorothy and Brenda - wonderful hospitality - Gilbert I owe you lots of fruit cakes!

Visited Peter in the evening with a change of clothes - he was bright and chirpy. Callum and I had Macdonalds!

He flew back on Friday morning - between my reading to him and his own reading he finished his David Walliams book just before the plane left!

What a great week!

Nana went home and flopped - visited Peter in the afternoon and they kept him in until Saturday. All well. Everyone back at the home gave him a great welcome.