The reason for this trip was Derek's check up in Invercargill before his op on 19th May and work in Dunedin. We went through Queenstown, Kingston and south for the journey down as we haven't been that way for a long time and it is the shortest route in a choice of 3 by 5 minutes! We were both wide awake at 3 am so got off by 6 am no problem and it is surprisingly nice to get up so early sometimes.
The hospital check up was fine, the nurse a little strict but funny and the anaesthetist was from the Isle of Man originally - loves Invercargill. So I hope they just take good care of him.
Also Mum had her operation on her wedding anniversary 16th May and all went well though she admits to having trouble getting up the stairs. There may not be as much of you to love now Mum but love you even more for being brave and making that tough decision. At least you will walk better now and wear proper shoes.
Bye bye toe!!!!
It was a glorious morning so instead of eating at the hotel and as Derek wasn't meeting Andrew until 1pm we drove to the coast. I'm so glad we did, it was one of those wow mornings.
We had breakfast here -
Second beach was nice, more of a cosy bay really and lots of surfers there where the swell was even bigger and very close to some prominent rocks.
It did thank goodness - it is Sunday now and we are getting ready to go back down to Invercargill for our overnight stay as Derek has to be at the hospital for 7.30am on Monday. He is only bothered about the fact he can't have a cup of tea and his breakfast!! We were going to go down early but have listened to the forecast and it is raining down there so will leave after lunch instead. It is going to be 19 deg here and should be more like 10 deg.
One last photo at PC.
Thursday it was time for Derek and I to part company, he up to Nelson by plane with Andrew and me by car home. It was a lovely day again and after a poodle round some of the shops I left around 10 and got home at 1.30pm.
It was so lovely through the Teviot Valley and the Blue Mountains or Tapuaeuenuku in Maori (footprints of the rainbow), the highest peak being just over 1,000 metres. Lawrence, Ettrick, Millers Flat and on Roxburgh. I stopped briefly in Lawrence to go to a lovely shop but it was a bit pricey, one of those shops where they turn all the price tickets round so you go oooooh then nahhhhh!
I love this little church in Roxburgh so stopped to take photo it.
Anyway that's enough for now, must pack a bag and get a picnic packed.
Take care everyone, especially Mum and Julie recovering from their operations. Big hugs and lots of love
TTFN xxx