Tamaki Makaurau for Grandma's Birthday

Thursday 20 November

Up and out with the dawn - Josh kindly dropped us at the airport around 7.15 and we hopped on our flight to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland at 8am and Amy collected us on arrival.

Swung by the Fernandi to drop off our bags, saying hello to Abby & Harley in the process, then went over to Waterview to see Sarah W’s new place where Amy, Beth and Dilligas all live together. Dilligas seems to have settled in well with his new flatmates (and no dog) though he has yet to meet Sarah as she is on holiday in Antarctica still.

Next stop was grandma Helen’s then we scooped her up and met Amy, Beth & Hannah at the Hill House Cafe at Pah Homestead for her birthday lunch. Luckily I had booked a table on the shady balcony as it was absolutely heaving! So lovely, sitting in the shade on a glorious sunny day eating the most delicious brunch. The food was amazing - the usual brunch suspects but with a twist - my creamy mushrooms and Beth's eggs bene came on a fabulous cheese scone and Louis' mince on toast morphed into mince on potato hash. And boy, did the milkshakes look awesome!

Had a quick walk around the garden too - so many funky sculptures, many of which I recognised from previous annual scultpure exhibitions at Fort Takapuna, Waiheke and the Botanical Gardens. I particularly liked "Bean Rock Lighthouse" - which guides shipping in the Waitemata Harbour, but here is imagined sitting astride a giant bean!

It was a wonderful start to the birthday celebrations, but sadly I left Amy in charge of the group selfie! 🤣

Heading home before 2 o'clock, the hospital called - 15 minutes early - to discuss Helen’s surgery for the next day. We all mucked in to make sure all the right questions were asked and information received - it’s been a long time waiting for this op so we need to get it all right! Hannah asking pertinent questions, Louis taking mental notes & getting clarification, me recording it, and then as we pulled up at her flat Amy & Beth came to add their medical expertise! Basically nil by mouth after midnight, don't take all the usual daily drugs and be at the hospital by 8am.

Hung with Helen for a while then had a walk around the block in scorchio sunshine - rather liked the One Tree Hill mural on the comms box round the corner from her place. And the bird of paradise flowers and blooming bamboo along her driveway were looking gorgeous.

After a few chores we all gathered at Helen’s again for her family birthday dinner - fush & chups followed by strawberries & cream and a “Sin in a Bun” birthday cake! It may have been Grandma Helen's birthday, but Albi was the star of the show, as always! It was lovely to have everyone gathered together on the eve of the big surgery - all the Brooks, her sister Jean, and Louis, Amy & me for the Bernstones, plus Beth as she & Sarah W are almost part of the family these days.

Caught up with the gang back at the Fernandi house then fell into bed exhausted from a long day!