Friday, Saturday

SATURDAY

Although we had air con in the room it was still hot and I woke through the night and I was so thirsty but had no water to drink. The mini bars have all been removed from the rooms due to a fault and they are waiting for replacements so there was nothing I could drink and I don't fancy hotel tap water.

I was more than ready to go for breakfast after a quick shower we went across to the airport and I had a nice orange juice, tea and muesli and rhubarb compote. Jon had the usual bacon and eggs.

We checked on Facebook and could see that Heather had landed at Sydney and taken off again and was on her way to Dubai.

We checked out of the hotel and on our way home we pass the sign for Auckland Botanical Gardens and I have always wanted to stop there and today we had the time so we went in. They are really lovely and free with a lovely cafe.

We walked around the grounds but it was just so hot we could only stand an hour. I felt very sorry for the bride and the bridal party who were getting married at the time we were there. I didn't see the bride but I hope she didn't have a big white dress on it would have been so hot for her.

We went and had an iced coffee and a cool down in the cafe. We left to go home and hopefully we can go in another day and spend more time there as there is so much to see.

We made good time and got back to Tauranga about 2.00. We stopped for lunch at a bar just outside of Tauranga. It is owned by a couple from Yorkshire and they do really good food and have a lovely shaded courtyard to eat in with a little stream flowing though and lunch was very good.

We stopped at the supermarket to get some food for dinner and then got home. I hate walking back into the house when we have been to see someone off and it is so quiet and no dog either. I get a funny ache in my tummy and chest. It will be OK tomorrow but it doesn't get any easier saying good bye to the girls when they go.

We went to get Totty at 4.00 and she was happy to see us and the man said she had been fine so I think we will put her in there when we go away next month.

We got home and didn't do much. I did manage to get some washing on and hung out as it was still so hot it will dry by the morning.

We had a bbq which was very good and we say outside at the side of the house as the back deck was just too hot still at 7.00 pm.

I didn't do my blog as I was tired, emotional and had one glass to many of wine.

Since Jon has had his dose reduced to four tablets at night Bertie seems to have settled down so hopefully that is how he will be now.

WEATHER
Hot and sunny 29 degrees.

FRIDAY

We were all up at a sensible time and after a shower Jon and I took Tot to the kennels after Heather said goodbye to her.

Totty seems to be quite happy to go into this kennels which is nice for me.

We got back and Heather was ready and we all went down to the Mount for breakfast and were able to sit outside. Jon and Heather both had eggs Benedict and I went for the healthier option of muesli and fruit and yogurt.

We got back home and finished Heather's packing which took a long time as we had to unpack and weigh and re pack and weigh again. We left it that if we had to take stuff out we knew exactly what to take out and in which case. It is just as well Emirates are so generous with the weight allowance - 30kgs - as Heather could not manage on the usual 25kgs that most airlines have!!

We finally set off on that long boring drive and stopped for lunch at a nice place we know and we had pies and Heather a sausage roll and a huge piece of chocolate cake - she should be the size of a house!!!

We got to the airport in good time and parked the car and went over to check in. Unfortunately, the check in lady said she was 2kgs over and so we had to take stuff out which we will bring back in May along with all the other things she had had to leave at the house!!

We went to get a drink and sat in the bar waiting. That is the part I hate most the waiting for her to go through. She finally did and it was another tearful goodbye. We are so proud of her the way she copes with the long flight on her own.

We went across to the car and got our bags out and then checked into the hotel. We could have made it back to Tauranga but the drive would have been too much for Jon to do in one day.

We could see the tail of her flight from our hotel window so we knew exactly when she was leaving which was nice to see.

We had a read and then went over to the airport pub for dinner later on. They are not good with puddings though so we went back to the Novotel for pudding and coffee and then to bed.

WEATHER
Friday Hot and humid 27 degrees