While New Zealand is a wonderful place, the only downside – or at least the only one that could bring me back to Europe – is that it is a long way from family (& friends!). It is made easier what with mum & dad being in Uganda, but they’ll be back soon enough and I know I’ll be missing out on Sunday lunches!
But then here I can go climbing & biking & caving & kayaking etc. Hard to know. Last night though I went out with 3 friends (Isla, Brian&Mindy;) to see Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. It is a beautiful story and one I would recommend (if you have a heart ;). It is a simple story of an elderly lady who takes up residence in a hotel and is pretty much entirely neglected by her family. She is a wonderful person of course, and quite full of life. And it made me (makes me) miss my pretty amazing aging grandparents. What brought it into sharp relief was my Great Uncle Michael passing away this week.
He had a pretty interesting life! and one I only got to see a little of really. When I lived in Dublin I would make the effort every 3 or so months to hop across the water to see my grandparents – and it would be nice to have the cash to do that from here! So yes, there certainly are some drawbacks to living here…. It’s a hard one really. I am fortunate enough to have an Aunt & family living on the North Island – that does make quite a difference.
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