Goodness, we really have had a blogging break! We haven’t posted for seven months, as we’ve had so many other things going on. Our intention has always been to get the remainder of our NZ trip posted, and then keep you up to date with our narrow boating travels. However …

We’d drafted the NZ posts, and Barry had added his amazing photography in a slide show in each one. Since then, WordPress has changed all manner of things, and as we pay for a ‘Business’ website, and consequently have ‘plugins’ in order to have our Greeting Card and Online Jigsaw shop, something has gone awry with them. The photos in the draft posts went askew and Barry spent hours and hours recently attempting to right the craziness – to no avail.

We’ll make some time soon to just re-do those posts and get you all up to date.

In the meantime, we’re heading to Liverpool as we’ve got a passage booked to Albert Docks on Monday 11th April. We’d been booked to do this trip on 13th May 2020, but COVID had other plans for everyone. As it’s been so delayed, we’ve paid for an extra week in the Docks to make up for it.

Here’s a few reasons why we’ve been ‘off-line’ here …

Health & Family The Most Important Treasures

My younger daughter Kim stayed on board with us once again from late August to mid-October when she was finally successful in flying to her new role at an International School in Shanghai, China. It was wonderful to spend time with her again. Thank you COVID!

We’ve had a few health challenges since we last posted. Barry had COVID in October, and then a positive bowel screening test. Thankfully his colonoscopy came back with just a tiny polyp that was removed and benign.

Tragically a dear friend of ours wasn’t so fortunate, and died just over four weeks ago from the effects of bowel cancer, at the young age of 58. We’ve both been devastated by his death. He was one of the kindest, most positive, adventurous people we’ve ever had the fortune to know. He visited us in NZ in January 2009, kept Barry company while I was off the boat on the Llangollen Canal later that year, and has been on board Areandare with his soul-mate Tracey who he met shortly afterwards. They actually bought The Home Brew Boat from us just over two years ago, so were briefly on board again then.

Rest In Peace Tim. The world has lost an incredibly precious, irreplaceable person.

Big Brilliant News!

On another more positive note, Barry’s son Tom’s partner Mir, gave birth to a boy on 10th January. He was only 26+4 weeks gestation at birth, weighing a mere 765g (1lbs 11oz for those who don’t work in kg!). His twin brother sadly died in the womb a few weeks beforehand. So as you can imagine, we’ve been very worried – and feeling quite helpless being so far away.

Thankfully he turned a corner around the time Tim died, and has been improving ever since. I’d like to think Tim had a hand in this – though I know you’ll think I’m insane. He now weighs over 2.3kg (5lbs 7oz), is in a cot, and had his first bath on Sunday. Still in the Neonatal Unit in Hamilton, but doing remarkably well thanks to medical science, his loving parents and possibly a kind-hearted spirit guide.

Here he is in the early days on the left, and just over a week ago on the right:

We’re booked to return to NZ on 28th November 2022, to spend time with Ludo Cave Teutenberg, his parents and auntie – with no return date yet. It’s likely we’ll stay around four months.

Ka Kite Ano – See You Soon

Only a very brief update, and I’ve missed out heaps, but thanks to Ade, a follower, for nudging me into posting again. We’ll get back on track soon for more regular updates and Barry’s fabulous photography …