Yesterday was the camp fishing contest day, a day the Bonnici Carter’s always come home empty handed – and 2021 did not exceed any expectations!

The stage was set, Dan spent Friday getting the boat ready: fuelled, rods sorted and bait in abundance. Louise was on lunch duties and excelled in her efforts, bacon and egg pie and 24 ham rolls (of which only 5 were left). George on the boat meant food was a high priority – I think the final count was 12-George 7-Trudi, Sue & Dan!

7.30am and the day promised a hot one, sun blocking first activity for the day!

As the year has been filled with building, shifting, renovating and sore backs – it is 12 months since Thelma has been on her boat. Determined to make this happen and ignoring sore back – the crew set out bright and early with a smile on their faces!

Out into the middle of the ocean – drifting around for a while and not much action, apart from opening the lunch bag, we moved into the islands in hunt for Kingfish and some excitement.

First strike for Thelma, but not without a fight – this guy decided to dive for the weeds and rocks on the ocean floor! Patience prevailed and Thelma won the battle, saved the tackle, and hauled the kingi and a basketball of seaweed onto the boat.

A quick measure, 69cm meant he went back (75 is a keeper). Meanwhile on the other side of the boat Louise continued to provide the snapper kindergarten with play lunch.

As we ploughed through our day, our bait, our burley and our lunch, the afternoon was a hive of activity. Kingis teasing us with their games, Diving to the bottom to break off our tackle, baby snappers in and out of the boat, George having a nap, Dan chasing the big one around the boat and finally hooking up a 2 metre Bronze whaler shark! Who came as far as the side of the boat, looked at us, then showed us how sharp those teeth were by biting through the line and diving back down into the ocean.

With the 4.30pm deadline looming, and four hot and tired crew, it was time to head back in with the other 40 boats waiting to use two tractors!

Thelma and Louise relaxed in the breeze on the trip back – a great day had by all! As expected we were not first in line (story of our lives), and it was a frantic hive of activity back at camp. Dan secured a tractor, dumped the bonnici-Carter crew at the boat port (who scrubbed and cleaned the boat), while he proceeded to tow in the other(more successful) punters from the water. A thirty minute working bee and boat was clean and tucked away, and back to the cottage for a cold beer! Jaxon and Steph went out with our mate Aaron, and were somewhat more successful in the fishing stakes…bringing in some nice fish for their dinner.

But for the Thelma and Louise crew, it was sausages(as usual) on the bbq, left over bacon and egg pie, and salad back at the homestead! To be honest, by this time, Thelma nursing a now very sore back, dived in the bath, ate some dinner and slept like the baby snappers(who probably did the same).

So the boat still purrs like a kitten, the fish are still there to play with us and four happy campers felt alive!

Stumbling into 2021 we take the holiday period with a grain of salt! Holiday period for some, work for some, and ongoing trials for some.

UK is battling another lockdown, Australia is keeping its head above water, Malta is waiting for the vaccine, and the US continues its covid pathway! Kiwis are keeping it at the border, filling our hotels with any new arrivals and isolation holidays are the new norm for anyone heading our way! Meanwhile on the home front, kiwis are relishing in the summer backyards with water activities and sunny days! (Unless you chose to explore the wet cold South Island over the holiday period!)

The building project is having a small hiatus as all tradies seem to have disappeared – and I still have Daniel and Floyd as roommates. Hopefully next week will see some action!

Floyd has been spending a fair bit of time with Gran’ma Sue, inside out of the heat, and often in a horizontal position. All the pre Christmas activity catching up with me, and nursing an injured back since new year, has meant 2021 activities have been limited to sitting at computer(working) and lying flat…in a medicated state! While the boat thinks we have abandoned her, visitors to the beach are enjoying the unseasonably warm waters, my week has been littered with trips to the chiropractor and the odd cruise down the road on my bike (the only mode of transport that is bearable with a sore back) Tis gods way of telling me to have a rest!

George has returned from a couple of weeks galavanting around the country with a raft of friends….Jaxon and Steph are back at work (for a short time until their new addition arrives) and Dan is throwing in the odd post and collecting supplies in readiness to get his house finished (making the most of an enforced break)

Dad is settling into his new routine with his favourite carers and popping back and forwards to visit us over the hill! 2020 saw big changes and everyone is becoming resigned to what the world has thrown us! There is still hope…as humans we always have a plan! Trudi will get to Australia, Dan will get his house finished, Sue will get her house finished, and we will take mini road trips to ease the itchy feet!

But for now…it’s time to take some painkillers and get on with work for the day!

When you try to ignore that some thing is going on, like New Year’s Eve celebrations, but it happens anyway, you can surprise yourself with a fun night.

The sun was shining, the beer was chilled, the stage was set for quiet evening with some really good friends. Jill and Jeanne arrived with bells on, and Trudi joined us after work. Dan, Lex and Dans mate cooked a BBQ, which Trudi and I didn’t eat….possibly not a wise move!

A stroll(stumble) to the cottage area to dance the new year in was thwarted in a couple of ways. No action in the hall (where in as long as I can remember has been the party go to)! This meant the pub was pumping with a live band and just swallowed us up in noise and happiness.

A slow start to the first day of 2021, the first swim of the summer(perfect wake up tonic) and in my case a very sore back! Cause unknown! Maybe the trailer load of green waste Dan and I took to the tip or maybe the dance moves got me! Brufen hits meant I was able to walk and ride by the afternoon!

Trudi and Sue heading out to prepare the Riverhaven sports day on the green. Most of our regular helpers absent, the new crew rallied around and the annual event ran like clockwork and fun was had by all the important humans (the kids) as usual!

This gorgeous little girl, upon receiving her post event iceblock said “thank you very much and happy new year” This just made my day and fills our hearts with warmth.

Meanwhile, Dad had been in action and had added the last crown to Trudis bike!

The new toy has a wonderful name (Trudis mums personalised plate) – the finishing touch.

The holiday planting (by Lexi and Sue) is flourishing in the summer sunshine, and hose water, now we are allowed to use our garden hoses.

So we have left 2020 in our wake, forever to be remembered by one and all as the year that changed our lives. We have all fought our own demons, and some are still battling. We have realised that as we walk, ride or limp though 2021, the person next to us may be still struggling and a word of kindness, a friendly hug, or just a smile means the world to our fellow humans!

Today we have woke to raindrops, a kind of message that it is a reading and movie day, outside activities can be abandoned without guilt!

As we wake to the last day of 2020 we try to not reflect on the struggles and throw a positive hat on for the year ahead.

Christmas came and went in tears of joy and tears of sadness. We talked to our loved ones far away, some are battling their covid isolation, some are waiting for operations when the hospitals are free…and some lucky ones are surrounded by family.

And those we lost are looking down at us from maybe a better place.

We are filling our days with tasks to avoid thinking too much about the place we now find ourselves in.

The Bonnici Carter’s had a year without our Dad and hubby – missing Russ every step of the way. We lost mum in February and Sandy in July, leaving Dad in shock and Sue number one caregiver!

Dan has nearly rebuild his house, Sue has nearly renovated, Jaxon got married and is about to become a dad, George has taken on the kiwi lifestyle, gym, music and mates!

And Trudi got a new Bike!

I have become a painter, gardener, carer and mediator! Turning 60 doesn’t seem to bring peace and relaxation, rather a franticness of time not to be wasted!

Well goodbye 2020, as we dream of fishing, love and laughter…baby steps!

Seems to be the story of our lives as we sprint towards Christmas Day 2020! Yes four more sleeps! A thousand emails, a hundred phone calls (at least) cooking cleaning and building, maybe some Christmas shopping (for food) and listen for the sigh of relief on Thursday the 24th!

The kitchens almost finished (tiling and extractor fan needed) … the painting almost done (heat pump needs shifting) …. unpacking almost done (except for the 20 boxes in the garage and another pile at Jaxon’s house) ….. washing machine almost hooked up (can’t quite get past the building supplies) …. boat almost ready for a run (have new jockey wheel – just need to install) ….. cottage spring cleaned ready for summer guests (the spare room) and the dog has found some peace!

Limited seating space but floyd has his sorted!

Anyway Monday morning exhaustion kicks in so I’m ready to sit at the computer… Friday night saw the WAIPORA (Waiwera residents) committee girls hit the road after dark, clipboards in hand and our makita torch(courtesy of Dan) usherette Val lighting the way. The light up Waiwera “Christmas Lights” competition was taken seriously by around 30 residents…so a short still became a two hour marathon as we oohed and aahed at the local kiwi talent! I think everyone deserved a prize….

This one immediately captioned “the gingerbread house”…

And lighting up the waterfront – one of several to display their artistic talent!

The Riverhaven hall also getting into the spirit…

So that was Friday night! Saturday…. Lexi and I collected my third chair from cousin Trish and the sheets day began! Two lots from house and all the beds in cottage…accompanied by vacuum dust, inside and outside cupboards…a quick shop for dinner and a first clean and restoration of my poor old bike, who has been very neglected all winter and left outside to rust! This was all in a balmy humid temperature rising to around 30 degrees at ground zero! Which is where I was most of the day scrubbing and cleaning! Needless to say Saturday night saw a “hit the wall” moment around 8.30pm and crash – into clean sheets!

Sunday brought no less activity, final 2 washes, more work on bike, with the assistance of a kind lad at the bike shop who sold me the right pump (after loading bike into car and taking it for a trip to orewa) another trip to bunnings for some building supplies to fuel the chippies, a visit with Dad and a Roast Lamb dinner! Boom…weekend gone! Now to attack the pages of emails from frantic retailers wanting my carrybags for the Christmas shoppers!

Friday is upon us again, one week from the chimney visiter…and it’s all go at the building site. Actually all go next door to the building site(me) as the obstructions are moved to make way for more building activity.

An 8.30am lift meant 6am work start for me, George popped in for a haircut – and it was all hands on deck (or moving decking timber) for half and hour before the Hiab arrived. The container was moving to my place to rub shoulders with the refuse bin (what a view!) Floyd and I safely on the deck…

And up it went….

Into its resting place until the job is complete! The nice man packed up and came up to the deck with a big smile on his face “hello beautiful”, sadly talking to the dog of course!

We were waiting for a bin empty and replacement but that didn’t happen, maybe today. Meanwhile I continue to sell boxes (which I now have) and bags which I don’t have….this business about the container ships having summer holidays for three weeks on the waitemata harbour before unloading is putting a halt to NZ trading! Many shelves are empty in the shops and there are no bags to put them in anyway – let the summer holidays begin early.

Ok so one week out, I guess it’s time to think about Christmas food shopping and plans….Dad will need to be here, one way or another amid the turmoil, as Steve is off boating from before Christmas until the 5th January! So it me and mine hanging out with Dad!

Well almost, there is breathing space while we watch this space.

I left you all in Silverdale on Saturday morning, and meet you here this morning (Monday) in Waiwera! I have all of what I want (from my four locations) a lot of what I don’t want and left stuff that I can’t even think about right now….but may need to when I have a second.

Friday night Christmas parties depleted my helper workforce for the shift, but the oldies held it together – my friend John and his massive trailer – Dan to load at this end, Jack to load at his end, and George joined the lifting crew for the big unload. Meanwhile back on the (new) home front, Jill and Lexi did a spring floor and bathroom clean before the shifters returned.

Jill worked with me all day and voila….

The never again moveables are in place (old stuff is heavy stuff)

The kitchen is waiting it’s finishing touches – Aaron arrived and managed to install the kitchen tap! The last critical piece of equipment.

Dans BBQ in place saw the first a Saturday night action with a BBQ and drinks for the workers! Except George, he headed north with his mates on a camping expedition.

Sunday brought more activity, a few loads of washing ( at the cottage down the road as can’t quite get to the back of my garage to hook up the washing machine), collecting some kitchen essentials from the cottage cupboards and then a stock up grocery shop! This took me two hours and racing around countdown, nose in list, throwing stuff left, right and centre into my trolley, exhaustion creeping in….oblivious to the fact I had actually stolen someone else’s trolley (and Handbag), of course very kindly leaving them my handbag and trolley. Until down the toilet paper aisle, this very frantic woman came dashing up to me and told me I had taken her trolley! First glance I could see my goodies on top then realised yes…..she was right. She was very upset, as she thought a real thief was at work and had raced her handbag off into the car park ( where she had already been) I Went to collect my trolley and others were standing guard, I think the entire supermarket (apart from me) had been alerted to the crime afoot! Anyway I gathered my trolley and handbag and my toilet paper (and various other bits) off the other lady’s trolley and moved on to the checkout….and as luck would have it I got the lad with trainer wheels just starting his holiday job!

Thankfully by this time George had appeared back from up north and could assist with the unloading of the 2 hour grocery shop!

Meanwhile on the building site in front…

A weekends work was producing rewards decking and inside painting well underway…another cause for BBQ – workers need to be fed!

And finally….

The roses are blooming, the grapevine (which Dan and I cut back to a stump three months ago) is taking over the driveway!

I took a moment….

And threw the Christmas tree together, it was too high for the window hole so cut off it’s trunk reducing it’s height by six inches!

It’s been a frantic weekend interspersed with dad moments, dad visits and me racing back last night as he was not feeling flash, Steve came to stay the night with him around 10pm and I hobbled back to my new home – too tired for the deep bath soak I had promised myself!

The working week begins, with a car service today and working from my new workstation…when I return from dropping car and checking on dad.

As the sun sets on another era with changes afoot – the carer in me is a little apprehensive leaving Dad in the hands of others…but it is time for me and mine to build a new pathway.

Murray’s Bay at dusk after a lovely evening with the kiwi yachting crew ( their Christmas Party) and some of Russell’s long time friends – George and I had one last supermarket shop for dad on the way home and then to try and get some sleep before the big shifting day.

It’s sure been a busy couple of weeks, last weekend saw Thelma and Louise helping our friend Barry on Saturday (all day) set up for his annual Monaco reunion extravaganza (party)- live music and all! Trudi was the life of the party as usual and I was just plain tired (I know boring) as having to drive meant no lubrication!

The week of work has flown by dotted with packing and unpacking and spending half the nights planning (when I should be sleeping).

Last night saw a moment of relaxation (where dinner was cooked not by me)

And for once I was not the driver with George taking the helm! Note the appropriate yachting term!

And here we are..morning coffee moment and ready to get this day underway, all hands on deck. So moving 10kms over a couple of hills, they say easy! But when you have been a gypsy for the last two and a half years and have “Stuff” in four different places, it becomes rather a logistical excercise get in one place. And the fun begins, I’ve unearthed about 10 boxes of Mums and 20 boxes of Russell’s….and the memories bring back memories bring back you!

There they are in Malta! Our happy place with many memories.

It’s been a busy long week, while our American friends are celebrating thanksgiving, Thelma and Louise have been filling up their days (and nights) with activities and adventures!

On the building front, floors are finished and the new kitchen is patiently waiting for its stone bench! Dans tradie boys have been working behind the scenes, plumbing, painting,cleaning and reinforcing! All pitching in to help me make my house a home!

After a couple of weekends we’d rather forget the “All Blacks” redeemed themselves with unstoppable ferocity, and brought home the tri nations championship (almost – one game hinges on Australia or Argentina being able to notch up a huge score to take it off us). This was after a day of organising Louises world, uncluttering and reinventing the wheel in her little bolt hole!

Then the fun began, Louise decided this year it was time to drag Thelma along to her Christmas party! Dragging out the old glad rags(in My case the best of my op shop clothes) and head to the city for a night on the town.

The plans were stymied by the Auckland council deciding to hold its Christmas parade on the same Sunday afternoon. The lunch was flagged as all city roads were closed until later in the afternoon and parking up at our hotel before imbibing would have been impossible. Possibly a saving grace and not sure these girls would have been still standing for the “posh” 8.00pm dinner atop the sky tower!

Needless to say the plans flew into action at 3pm when access was available and the festivities began….

Having collected Louises boss and friend we set off to explore the neighbourhood…in search of a little pre dinner refreshment, pausing for a picture with the city’s landmark….The Auckland Sky tower…and the party destination.

A snack and appetiser was required to provide sustenance for the evening ahead. Nothing like sharing a social time next to the ongoing inner city roadworks and apartment dwellers doing their Sunday shopping, lugging bags of groceries back for the week.

It was then back to the room to change and try and make a couple of party girls out of beach girls. It was a big job, folding ourselves into dresses that hadn’t had an airing for a couple of years, trying to work a bit of make up magic (especially for me who never wears the stuff), and fluff the hair out into something interesting! One can only do so much, we were ready! We collected our suited buddy and teetered to the evening venue.

Lost in space, well almost lost in the middle of the road, Louise decided we should stop and stay in position for a photo opportunity not to be missed.

The weather was slightly overcast as we revolved around the Birdseye view of Auckland city, looking at our harbour bridge in the distance past the America cup village and the Auckland Marina.

The sun broke through as it was setting on the CBD and lightened up the other not so tall buildings.

Thank goodness we ate and did a little preloading, not only were drinks ridiculously expensive (a $9 supermarket bottle of Rose was selling for $46). A fantastic three course meal saw us stuffing down the dessert at 11.30pm…and it was time to party. Louise was on form, Thelma ready for bed! But no don’t be a party pooper…

The colours of a kiwi Christmas were lit up and the casino was close by. We fed the machines $20 ( our gambling limit) and then relaxed above the roulette tables watching others throw away much more than we care to think of. Where do all these people come from at 1.00am on a Monday morning?

This is where the pictures stop (not that there isn’t any) and a short summary follows….Thelma called it quits at 2am and Louise and her partner in crime rolled in around 5am! Thelma feeling very smug that she at least had three hours sleep under her belt….as checkout time was only five hours away!