Back home again

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Auckland was cold and wet on our return. For the first time my feet and legs had swelled up quite a bit. I thought this was interesting as also for the first time I had been able to stretch my legs out comfortably under the seat in front on me. However, I didn't walk around as much as I had done on the other long flights, and it was the longest at 14 hours. 

I think it was about 6am on Friday morning when Claire delivered us back home. Stella was already up ready to greet us, and Katie and Tim surfaced a little while later to get ready for school. We had second breakfasts and general chats and unpacking (especially of clothes in need of a wash). Claire departed between 8 & 9 and I had a shower and went to bed. I slept for 3 hours and felt much better. Nicky also showered and went to bed but couldn't get to sleep so got up and went to have a look at a open home with Stella.

The afternoon was taken up with more laundry as the rain eased off, and a trip to the bank for me and the library (work) for Nicky. Stella cooked us pasta for dinner and we had an early night.

I woke up on Saturday morning with a really bad headache, which I suspect was due to dehydration. My legs and feet were almost back to normal, but I had a quiet morning doing money admin. Nicky started sorting out the pantry as with all five of us living here for awhile it needs to hold more than it does usually. Just before lunchtime she went up to church for Elaine's funeral. We had received an email while in Vancouver airport that she had finally succumbed to ovarian cancer. I went to have a look at the house which Stella and Nicky had seen yesterday and was impressed. I helped with the laundry as the weather was dry and did some food shopping. Stella prepared dinner again as I was still suffering with my headache and Nicky was making my birthday cake. We spent the evening watching the tellybox.

Today, my birthday, didn't dawn as brightly as the weather forecast had suggested, but it got there later on. Nicky and I went up to The Block to have a birthday breakfast which Stella & Katie & Tim had very kindly put some money "behind the bar" for. The servers were not on top form and our order took a long time to arrive so Nicky missed going to Church. Nicky did the same to the fridge as she had done to the pantry yesterday, before she and I went to Bethalls Beach for a walk. By the time we got there the sun was out and there was hardly any wind, so it was very pleasant. We walked up and down the beach and I had a paddle before we secured ourselves a bench for our lunchtime picnic of fruit and cheese & onion bread.

Not long after we got back home Steve and Ros came over for Scrabble. Nicky made loads of sandwiches and prepared a sumptuous spread for my birthday tea. Claire and Ryan came over and we had a very good evening with all the food and cake and conversation. All in all, it's been another good birthday.

Take care,
Rick

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