I am still here!!

Hey!

Well this has been an unexpected start to the travels, sorry for telling the story to those who are already aware of the adventures (or lack of) so far for Kate and Angie and sorry to those who are not aware of what has been happening and that there has been lack of updates on the blog, let me explain.... So that so called flu of mine went on for some time. After spending 2 weeks not being able to get out of bed in the hostel and feeling pretty crap the owner of the hostel, lovely Helen, decided to take me to hospital for a check up, good job really as it turns out I had pneumonia pretty bad and had to be admitted into hospital for 8 days!! What a great start to the travels :-). I've been back now for a week and on the mend, feeling so much better and my little whippet legs are getting stronger by the day! It does mean that Angie and I are not able to travel around at the moment and I'm not able to work for another few weeks.... On the plus side we are in the most beautiful place for r & r in Plimmerton, right by the sea.

We are now staying in a cool studio flat, 5 minutes from the beach, perfect. I'm spending my days reading, walking, eating, eating some more and sleeping-It's so hard, but you know if one must!! Starting to love just doing nothing which is quite surprising for ADHD girl. Found an amazing cafe that serves the most heavenly cakes, it really is helping me get better, especially the walnut and toffee slice!

The people we have met here have been so kind and caring, the owners of the hostel, Helen and John, getting me to hospital and visiting me with food parcels and our new landlords, Chrissy and Jack who visit daily and going out of their way to make sure we are OK. I'm not sure what I would have done without beautiful Angie too over these last few weeks, she has been truly lovely and taken great care of me, I'm very lucky. Despite feeling shitty in hospital I still managed to keep my humour, had to at times particularly when being put on an older persons ward, I brought the average age down by 50 years. For precaution I had to be put in isolation in case I had TB, bonus was I had a room to myself and even better Angie had to wear a mask and apron, she looked so silly, it was brilliant!!

Thanks to all my beautiful friends for their healing thoughts, cards and loveliness.

So I'm not really able to update you much on the wonders of New Zealand and tell you about the crazy adventures we are having as I have not been able to do that much!! My body was probably ready for an enforced detox (no drinking or smoking for over 4 weeks!) and just relaxing in Plimmerton is doing me a lot of good. Angie and I have sadly started to bird watch, the fluffy, winged kind of birds that is, I know I really must be ill. We are loving the Tui, looks a little like a fat black bird with a white neck, makes the most varied and crazy sounds that follows the same pattern and ends with a sound that is just like the moomins!! You still with me or has this finished you off?!

Sorry no photo's to add, my camera has decided to die, there was a mini explosion when I changed the batteries and funnily enough it's not working now!

I will keep you posted, promise. Missing you all. Oh and Sue, have no fear the seagulls here are nothing like the bad boys in Cornwall, there is no need for armour or weapons. They do come close but are timid when it comes to even thinking about stealing the food, they just give you a look. I think we are safe!

Book recommendation: East of the Sun by Julia Gregson-Brilliant.