Farewells before Leaving Auckland

Monday 1 December

Our last day with Helen in Auckland - she’s doing so well we are heading back to Banjo’s Odyssey down south soon. Sara popped in to see her before work then we packed our bags and sorted stuff before heading into town around 11ish. Helen was definitely on the mend - the two of us & Amy spent a while with her and she was able to sit in the chair and was manoeuvring herself about the bed with no assistance. Best of all she was taking the doctor’s advice about eating to build strength and was working her way through a variety of foods - but not the carrots of course!

Louis popped out for a swim during rest hours and I drove the car back up to Quay West, parked it in the carpark, wrestled the cover back on and returned the keys to Jean… only then realising Ian was coming over in 2 days so no need to have struggled with the enormous cover!!

I walked back to the hospital in the scorching sunshine, picking up Vietnamese spring rolls at Commercial Bay and a dessert treat from Amano, then realised my route took me straight past the Business School so popped in to say hello - only Eimear and Al were around, but lovely to see them!

We sat with Helen until early evening then said our fondest of farewells before taking the train to New Lynn where Nickie collected us and took us home for a slap up farewell dinner which their family.

Such wonderful hosts - we have loved staying with them - though we have rather outstayed our welcome!! Came for five nights, stayed for twelve!