Friday October 25 - Monday 28 (Port Orchard and the flight home)

Friday
It was cool and damp again today but I did not worry as it was a day for clothes washing and packing. I sorted some items and packed them before going downstairs to put my washing in. 

After breakfast, once my washing was dry, I headed back upstairs and finished packing all I could at that time.

The girls were very chilled out today, lol!

My face looked a wee bit better today and I was not feelng too bad!


Cheryl and Jim took me to our last dinner out at the Airport Diner, I had booked a window table yesterday. 

It will be my final dinner there as it is closing down in November! Of course, I just had to have the Prime Rib and Au Jus!

When we returned home, I showered and then packed my final items in my suitcase. The rest would travel home i my carry on bag, which was not to heavy!

Saturday to Monday
It was an early start today as I had to be at the airport by just after 10 am. 

On the way to SeaTac airport. we stopped at the Black Bear for breakfast, as it only 20 minutes from SeaTac! 

I could not believe that he monstrosity on Cheryl’s plate was a biscuit, lol! 

Mine was the Bear’s Choice with French toast. They serve big meals and they are well priced?

It was fascinating to see how much the fall colours had come in since my arrival, there were some spectacular colours, so very beautiful.

After a very pleasant breakfast as well as some photos, we arrived at the airport on time. I had checked in but needed them to print my boarding passes. 

My case weighed 41 lbs (18.5 kgs), I was very pleased as I had to take home things I had left in Michigan.

I had contacted Air Canada yesterday to organise a wheelchair at both ends of my flight, it had not been put in the system! Finally, the lady understood I needed one to meet the aircraft, lol! 

Cheryl waited with me, she had helped me in with my luggage while Jim parked in the Cell phone area. 

After over half an hour Cheryl went over to the desk, the lady was not amused and the wheelchair finally turned up! I made my sad farewell to Cheryl!

I must thank Cheryl and Jim for their great hospitality, it seems as if I have another home away from home. Cheryl looked after me so well, I was really spoiled rotten! I feel like they, and the three girls (dogs) are family.

I was dumped at the gate and told someone would come, they never did. The gate agent contacted someone and then another guy turned up to meet an incoming so he helped me. Only problem, we had to get on a bus as our plane was at a remote gate! The nice guy rang on and came on the bus with me. He passed my bag to one of the cabin crew and I was aboard, phew! It was not a full flight and we took off on time.

The flight only lasted 30 minutes and as it was a gorgeous day by now, I got some nice photos as we approached Vancouver. 

We pulled up at our gate but could not deplane as there was no gate agent! 

Finally, she arrived, after the co pilot went looking for her but then there was no wheelchair, lol. The co pilot carried my bag off and waited with me.

After a while, he went looking for the wheelchair, and had to do this twice! The pilot then chatted to me and finally my ride arrived, lol! I can honestly say I have never known air crew do that before, well beyond the call of duty! 

 I was taken to the Maple Leaf lounge as I had four hours before boarding. The lovely lady who took me would not accept a tip. I wonder if my face had something to do with all that, lol! 

The Air NZ plane was parked up not far from my window and I saw the food loaded onI There was a gorgeous sunset over the plane. 

I was driven to the gate in one of the electric carts and then escorted to the plane. It was a different plane from the original, a brand new Dreamliner that was only received from Boeing four days previously. 

It was a full flight but we waited for a while to take off as the flight would take one hour less and Auckland airport closes for three hours until 4.30 am every Monday for a major clean so we did not want to arrive too early, lol!

One of the pilots came through and asked me what the other person looked like! My face looked a wee bit better again! The cabin crew were very helpful as well as pleasant. I chose the salmon for tea and it was delicious!

I watched two films before attempting to sleep, The Art of Racing in the Rain, what a tear jerker but a lovely film! Kevin Costner was brilliant as the dog’s voice! This was followed by the Lion King! They must have used a lot of special effects and I would love to know exactly how some of the scenes were put together..

I managed about 3 hours sleep, in between a few bouts of turbulence. We flew directly over Hawaii where the first bout occurred. Then as per usual we experienced some over the equator, finally, about four hours out of Auckland, the worst and longest bout. Sunday disappeared over the Pacific as per usual!

I watched a third film, Yesterday, once I was awake and I really enjoyed it. After breakfast it was time to prepare for landing, we arrived 15 minutes early. Ine of the cabin crew took my bag out and there was a wheelchair waiting for me. 

I was taken to the bus that travels between both terminals, I was met off the bus and taken to the Regional Lounge, the new one should be open next month. our Prime Minister, Jacinda Adhern, happened to call in to the lounge while waiting for a flight, lol!

My friend met me at the airport and dropped me home. both she and my flatmate were a bit shoked at my appearance, lol! Grant said I could do Halloween without any make up, lol! 

Later in the day I caught my toe on the step going to my fridge and managed to fall on my face again!! I am OK, but feel stupid. I re-opened a couple of abrasions from the first fall and may have bruised my left wrist a wee bit, thank goodness wood is a bit more forgiving than concrete! 

Wednesday October 23 - Thursday October 24 (Port Orchard)

Wednesday
Today was my birthday and it ws a very pleasant day. The weather was cool morning nd evening but warmed up during the day with a mix of cloud and sunshine. 

We took all three dogs for a walk, I was lucky, I just had Maggie, poor Cheryl had Serenity and Gracie to contend with!

 We went out for dinner, heading for the airport diner and met Jamie and Alan. It was pretty full so we decided to head elsewhere. 

We ended up at Golden Grill on the Bay. It overlooked the water and the food was delicious as well as plentiful. 

The fortune cookie held an interesting statement, lol

I was very lucky, Jamie and Alan gave me a Starbucks Card, to go with the one Cheryl gave me earlier, they also paid for my dinner, so lovely of them. Cheryl gave me a jar of unsweetened Lingonberry Jam and a Sudoku book, I am so very spoiled!

We sat and chatted for a while and had photos taken before heading home via Starbucks where I bought a coffee. A truly lovely birthday one to remember!

Thursday

Today was a day I will not forget in a hurry! The weather was sunny although cool and Cheryl took me out to brunch at the Pancake House via a couple of stops. I enjoyed the Swedes, crepe with lingonberry butter and compote, they were absolutely delicious! We popped into Walmarts on the way home.

We collected Maggie to take her for a walk at the Port Orchard Marina. We saw a huge seal but it did not resurface. We then started our walked alongside the sound. 

The scenery was spectacular, the fall colours were spectacular and my fall was also spectacular. 

I was walking along with Maggie and four people were walking towards us spread across the path. 

They did not move to make space for us so Maggie and I got tangled up with them and I completed my first ever nose dive onto the path! My nose was squashed and I thought I had broken it but it does not appear to be so.

A lady who was there rang for help while Cheryl went to her car to get something to stop the bleeding so Maggie went after her. A young lady from the Oasis Coffee shop was also helpful. 

Lots of people walked past and offered their concern. Not too long after I fell two firemen from the South Kitsap station turned up in their fire engine. They were really nice guys and checked me out. It seemed my neck and back were fine and they did not really feel it was necessary to take me to the ER by ambulance. 

Finally, one of them helped me up and walked with me to a bench. I felt OK and once they had taken my particulars and I signed off, they returned to base.

I was determined to carry on walking so we wandered along, myself with great care, to take some photos and enjoy the afternoon. A number of people checked that I was OK and we chatted to a young couple with a gorgeous golden retriever. A lady who happened to be a nurse offered me some advice on cleaning myself up!

We took our photos then walked back to the car, a couple of young guys asked me if I was OK and if I needed help, I was lagging behind Cheryl a wee bit, lol! We returned home via Walmarts, where Cheryl bought me various gauze pads, Vaseline and some non stinging antiseptic. We stopped at a Starbucks for a coffee for myself on the way home.

I used the antiseptic to clean up some minor grazes on knees, fingers etc then started in my face. Somewhat later I washed my face in warm water. Cheryl heated up my leftovers from last night’s tea as I was feeling a bit peckish! I then used some vaseline and covered my forehead and nose up so I could go to bed and protect my face, lol!

I figured I might be a bit sore tomorrow and may end up with two black eyes, I hope not! I will probably visit my doctor next week once I return home. I fly out of SeaTac via Vancouver on Saturday.

Fortunately for me I have been wearing my splint on my left wrist when I go out just in case, thank goodness! It has some scratches on it as I hit the deck with my arms in front of my body!

I just have to say that it was so heartwarming to see the number of people who showed their concern and/or offered to help. I sure restores ones faith in humanity!

Friday October 18 - Tuesday October 22 (Port Orchard)

Friday
The weather continued to be cool and damp.

I chilled out and watched a wee bit of TV before Cheryl had some friends over for a quilting session after lunch. I also updated the blog to include the Lady Washington tall ship.

Saturday
The Rugby World Cup is taking place in Japan so I stayed awake and caught the All Blacks (New Zealand) quarter final against Ireland, the game started at 3.15 am! I listened to Radio Sport from new Zealand and also followed a text commentary on one of the websites.


 It sounds as if the ABs played superbly in the first half. It did sound as if they lost their structure a wee bit when the inevitable replacements were made. However, they won easily enough, 46 - 14!

I managed a few hours sleep before getting up to another cool damp day so there was nothing to do but chill out again and watch some TV. The fall colours are appearing in the tress above the house.

Sunday
I overslept but managed to be ready by the time Cheryl and Jim came back to collect me for lunch. 

We went to the local Applebee’s for lunch. where they know one particular waitress, who also runs the bar, very well.  

We had a lovely meal, I had some French Onion soup followed by a BLT in a brioche roll. 

We then sat and chatted and watched the Seahawks v the Ravens. It was raining in a Seattle as well as the area we were in, it was widespread!

It was great to see the fall colours and the change since I arrived was very noticeable. 

On the way home, the sun started to break through and Cheryl spotted a streak of sunlight on an island across the water. There was also a faint rainbow that disappeared very quickly.

We then went to Walmarts and I grabbed a coffee at a nearby Starbucks. 

It was getting dark as we drove home but there were some deer along a nearby road so we went quietly along for some photos. 

The mother was on the opposite side to those in the photo and appeared to have three youngsters. One of them jumped the fence very neatly from a standing start!

It was quite late when we arrived home, the girls were hqppy to see everyone! Cheryl usually checks on them as we are drving down the drive, she has a camera she can access remotely, at the same time it acts as a security camera as it is motion activated. 

Monday

We woke to yet nothre cool damp day and I chilled out and watched some TV again. i am enjoying some of the Hallmark movies! I have still been watching the new season shows although i am not sure if some of the new ones will come to New Zealand.

Meanwhile, back In New Zealand, there was a serious fire in a convention centre under construction in Auckland. It started some hours ago and was still burning, the thick black smoke was causing major issues. The fire started on the roof and was difficult to put out there so the firemen were working on the fifth floor and damping down any debris. The fire is right in the centre of the city. One person was taken to hospital with serious injuries, thank goodness there were not more people hurt or worse.

Tuesday

The weather was supposed to clear today and the sun did come out briefly late this morning. However, it was still cloudy and coolish!

In Auckland the fire was still burning although finally under some control. A lot of the water from fighting the fire was finding its way into the harbour and it contains toxic material. There is a lot of toxic smoke still pouring out over the city.

I watched some TV again and was hoping the the weather would improve tomorrow so we can go out. 

After tea, Jim was sitting on the sofa and the three girls were around him, a wonderful photo opportunity, or so I thought, lol! the second I grabbed my  IPad, Maggie came toward me and the others then moved around. 

Cheryl came to help but we just could not recapture the mood! She tried her very best but they would not co-operate, lol!

Tuesday October 15bh - Thursday October 17th (Port Orchard)

Tuesday
We spent a quiet morning and then Cheryl noticed a post about the Lady Washington, the tall ship of Washington State, that she was in port and preparing to depart. 

After some thought i suggested we go and see if she was still in port. So I grabbed my camera and we took Maggie with us so she could have another walk.

Just a note about the Lady Washington, she is a historic replica ship that appeared in Pirates of the Carribean portraying the HMS interceptor. 

The public can pay to tour the ship as well as go an two hour cruises, she spends her summers in various Washington ports. 

When we arrived at our usual parking place in downtown Port Orchard, she was still tied up! 

As we walked between two blocks of shops we noticed there were some great murals on both sides. 

There was also a lone seagull sitting on top of the totem pole.

We then walked down to one of the pontoons just across from the ship and took some photos. 

We also took some photos of the trees wearing their fall foliage, they were very pretty. 

Maggie had to negotiate a ramp that had the non slip metal grate and she did so with difficulty, when we came to a strip of it, she jumped over it, lol!

As we started to walk along the waterside, it started ro rain, quite large spots, but it did not last long. 

We were able to take more photos along the way and went down the wooden steps to the sandy beach.

Maggie was quite at ease although did not seem interested in testing the water out. Maybe in the summer when it is a bit warmer, lol! 

There were a few very light showers along the way. We also saw a lone juvenile seagull perched on a post, lol!

We returned to the car and went to Walmarts, where I popped in and bought my few last supplies, and then on to a neaarby Starbucks for a cup of coffee.

Wednesday
I chilled out today and watched some TV before we went out for tea with Jamie and Alan again. We met them at Shari's restaurant as Wednesday is free pie day, everyone can order a slice of their favourite pie for free!! 

I had the small fish and chip meal, a cup of roast tomato bisque soup and the a slice of Montana cherry pie to go! i also took home the french fried I had not eaten as a treat for the four leggeds!

It was a cloudy day with some rain on and off as well as quite cool.

Thursday
Today was another cloudy day although a weak sun tried to burn through the clouds, there was some rain again.

I stripped my bed again and did my washing in between chilling out, Cheryl helped me make my bed up again after tea.