This Week……..

I’m still the designated driver in the household while Robin is recovering from his knee replacement operation and we have been going on a few small trips around town this last week.  We were pleased that our local strawberries from “Shirley’s” are now available so drove down on Saturday to get some, the first of the season.  Two large punnets, one to eat now, and the other one Robin hulled, halved, and froze.  Shirley’s now has a “real fruit ice-cream” cart, so I’m sure we will buy one of these each next time we come calling.  So far we have enjoyed strawberries for breakfast with our cereal, and strawberries for dessert with jelly and whipped cream, and there are still plenty left in the punnet.

Strawberries from Shirley’s

On the way home we called in to check out a newly opened café for a coffee.  The place was buzzing, which was good to see and the owner was very happy with the support he was getting from the locals.  We tried coffee and a cake each, and looked through the menus for later – they serve breakfasts and lunch, so I’m sure we will be back.

Robin was the BBQ king on Saturday night, and cooked a rolled stuffed lamb shoulder, it was a good size so I’m guessing it was actually a hogget.  All that tasty stuffing was trying to escape!  There's nothing like a roast on the BBQ,  it smelt and tasted delicious. 

Mmm, roast lamb for dinner

The weekly physio sessions are ongoing, and Robin’s knee is continuing to show small gains each time with flexibility.  Then on Tuesday we attended out monthly Probus meeting, it’s been a while since we were last here with all the hospital/medical appointments.  The guest speaker was Simon Manning who talked about his role in managing the Funeral Disaster Response Team for the NZ Funeral Industry.  When natural or man-made disaster strikes, sometimes there are more fatalities than local resources can manage. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORTs) support local mortuary services on location, working to quickly and accurately identify victims and reunite victims with their loved ones in a dignified, respectful manner.

Simon Manning

Following the 1979 Erebus air disaster in Antarctica which claimed 257 lives, Simon Manning helped establish a more structured disaster response for future fatal events.  This team was called in to help in disasters such as the Cave Creek disaster, the Christchurch Earthquake, the Mosque attacks, .and the White Island Eruption.

Simon Manning was made a Companion of the Queen's Service Order in the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours list this year for services to funeral services and disaster victim identification.  This was such an interesting talk, and I’m sure non of us were aware of this very important group and the services they provide for the country when disaster strikes. 

Just Visiting

There was no caravan club rally for us over the long Labour Day weekend as Robin hasn't yet been cleared for driving following his knee replacement surgery.  Instead, we did a day trip as visitors to the rally, held at Woodville Race Course.  As the designated driver while Robin is recovering, I was tasked with driving up and over the Saddle Road on Saturday.  Although I have travelled this hilly windy road many times as a passenger, this was the first time I had actually driven over it myself.

We arrived in time for arriving for Morning Tea, and had brought up cream sponges to share with our caravan buddies, a little treat to celebrate my birthday the next day.  President Owen had a duty to perform, welcoming our newest members Maureen and Russell into our club.

Welcome to Russell and Maureen

One of the reasons we drove up to this rally was for Robin to attend the committee meeting.  Those not on the committee left them to it, set up our folding chairs outside and enjoyed the lovely warm sunshine.  As usual, there was plenty to chat about, this and that, always an interesting range of subjects to discuss.  The committee meeting finished at lunch time, so out came our packed lunch, something I prepared earlier, as the saying goes.  This was also enjoyed outside.

We said our goodbyes at about 2.30pm and headed for home, leaving them to enjoy their rally weekend.  I certainly had something to take away from our visit, a sunburnt nose and face after the few hours I spent sitting outside.  It’s easy to forget just how fierce our New Zealand sun can be.

Little Treat…….

Robin was starting to suffer from Cabin Fever with staying home recuperating from his knee replacement operation.  So I suggested a drive up the road to Lewis Farms.  Asparagus season had just started so we were keen to get some.  After all, there is nothing nicer than fresh asparagus, is there.  As well, they grow strawberries, raspberries, make jam and ice-cream with their fruit, serve coffee, and also sell a range of other local products.  We hadn't been to the shop since last season, and what a difference we noticed.  The shop fittings have been moved around and rearranged, and it all seems so much more roomy.

Inside the shop

In the pack-house the machines were moving through their paces and the staff were hard at work.  The asparagus season started just a few weeks ago, I was told.

It’s all happening here

With our purchases made, asparagus, local keto crackers, and locally produced ham, we went and sat outside to sit and eat our goodies.  Ice-cream for Robin and a coffee for me.  It was nice and warm in the sunshine, but once the sun went behind the clouds, definitely a little chilly.  Our Spring weather is rather like that, always rather temperamental, Mother Nature just can’t seem to make up her mind.

That ice-cream is almost finished

That was a nice little treat for us both, a little drive, buying fresh local produce, and Robin really enjoyed his mixed berry ice-cream in the fresh air.  Then it was home for lunch.  And……. we will be enjoying asparagus and cheese sauce tonight with our dinner.

Gidday, Tom

It was great to welcome our old friend Tom Jones to our home on Friday.  We “met” Tom and his lovely wife Jan through their very interesting blog Waiouru some years ago, when they were canal boating their way around England.  What adventures they had!  After a period of time, the canal boat found new owners, and Tom and Jan moved to Perth.  This is where we finally met them in person, during our trip to Perth while waiting to board the Indian Pacific train for our rail adventure across the bottom of Australia.  We were invited to their home for an Aussie BBQ.

Tom is currently tripping around New Zealand meeting up with family and friends, and ticking off the four day around the mountain trek off his bucket list.  He had a spare night to see us, so stayed in our home town overnight, and came around for dinner.  He kindly bought us some biscuits – Tim Tams because Aussies always take this variety when visiting, he informed us, and Gingernuts, because he is a Kiwi!  Our friends Derek and Dot had also met up with Tom and Jan in UK when they had their own narrowboat Gypsy Rover, so they popped down too for a reunion.  There was such a lot of catching up between us all.

Tom, Dot and Derek

Tom had often lamented on the fact that he missed a good old Kiwi saveloy while living in Australia, so saveloys were on the dinner menu, along with bacon and egg pie.  Not just any old savs, mind you, but good ones made with love  from the local butcher.  I thought that was decent NZ tucker for a relocated Kiwi.

Are the savs ready yet?

After dinner we took Tom around the corner so he could check out our Leisureline caravan.  He has his own small van back home and often goes on fishing trips and further afield with his mate.

We had a lovely evening talking about all sorts of things, the differences between New Zealand and Australia, a little politics, and we were surprised to learn the Winnie from NZ First often appears on Oz TV, who would have known?  It was a great evening, and we are so pleased Tom managed to spare a day on his busy schedule to fit in a visit to us.

Robin and Tom

Off to see Anna

It was a big morning for Robin today, the start of his physio sessions down at the local Health Centre.  He was a little apprehensive, as at the initial meeting last week, Anna the physio told him that he would be getting quite a strong work out on his knee.  This is a weekly class for knee replacement patients.

We were the first ones to arrive at the class, so I took the opportunity to take a photo of some of the equipment.  Instructions were on the wall by each piece of apparatus, reminding the patients of what to do, and how many repeats were needed.  As this was his first day, Robin was guided through each exercise by Anna to make sure he was doing them correctly.

A peek inside

As other men were also attending the class, I made my way to the café and let everyone get on with it.  The coffee was lovely and hot, and I savoured every sip.  Then I made my way back to the Physio waiting room for the session to finish.  One by one the other men completed their exercises and departed.  Robin was the last one there, as I peeked around the corner, walking up and down the wooden steps.  Then he climbed onto the small trampoline and walked on the spot – this was to mimic walking on uneven ground, we were told.

Last exercise of the morning

Anna was pleased with how things went on Robin’s first session, and the advice was to go home, put an ice pack on the knee, have a hot drink and relax.  Do the exercises during the week, he was told, and come back next Monday morning!  Fair enough, he can do that.  It may well be a bit painful, but it’s all for a good cause, to make that knee stronger and more flexible.

How many Staples?

Two weeks after Robin’s knee replacement, we drove to Aorangi Orthopedic Centre to get his stitches removed, or maybe they were staples, we weren't too sure what was hiding away under the bandage. 

Aorangi Orthopedic Centre

We were ushered into a treatment room, and the nurse helped Robin up on the bed.  Then the bandage and tape was peeled away.  It was staples securing the incision, I counted 30 of them.  Everything has healed well, no redness or, heaven forbid, infection, so that’s good to know.

Look at all those staples

The nurse set to with a handy little gadget and snip,snip, each staple was soon removed.  She didn't mind me taking photos, and I assured her she would remain incognito.  Then she sprayed the scar with some sort of artificial skin, which would help keep things clean and aid healing.

Snip, snip, soon done

The surgeon then arrived, confirmed that he was very pleased with how things were going, and we will be back to see him in six weeks time.  In the meantime he will be attending a six week exercise programme set up at the local medical centre and run  by physios.  Hopefully Robin’s mobility will be much improved the next time we return for the follow up appointment.  He certainly will be working hard to get better so that he can drive again, tow the caravan, and continue with our caravan adventures.

Happy 80th Birthday

It was so nice to be part of Selwyn 80th birthday party recently.  Family and friends gathered at Anzil Hungarian Café for Afternoon Tea.  Caravanning was a big part of Selwyn and Kath’s life, so our caravan club was invited along too, on this special day.  Plates of sandwiches were on the tables, and the staff carried around plates of interesting savouries,  “Money bags” and “Hungarian Meatballs”  to mention a couple on offer.

Selwyn, with Kath at his side, thanked us all for coming.

Then it was time for the Birthday Cakes, after all, why just have one when two sounds better.  Selwyn's grandson helped with the all important candle blowing ceremony.

Cutting the cakes

It was a lovely afternoon, nibbling tasty food, chatting away to friends.  The staff offered glasses of bubbly to one and all, but not for us.  This was Robin’s first social outing since his knee op and was not allowed alcohol with his medication.  And I was the driver so none for me either, a shame, because I’m rather partial to a glass of bubbles, but I don't drink and drive.

Caravan Club buddies

Robin did very well, sitting a while, then standing with his crutches, catching up with everyone.  But then his knee was getting rather sore, and we said our goodbyes and it was time to head for home.  It was a wonderful afternoon indeed, thanks so much, Selwyn and Kath for such a lovely time.