Hello G.C

Welcome to the Gold Coast

This adventure is all about extremes.  Being able to adapt to our surroundings regardless of what they may throw at us.  Well we are coping quite well with the challenges we are facing since arriving on the G.C. 

Our final week at home was full of farewells which of course meant that my bladder was constantly too close to my eyeballs.  It was emotionally exhausting saying goodbye to family and friends.  I was fighting the overwhelming feelings of abandonment and guilt.  There was the added emotional  turmoil of finding out that we will becoming grandparents for the first time later in the year.  Our daughter is a strong and independent young woman and we have no doubt that her and Chris will make great parents and take it all in their stride – however there is also the guarantee that we will be home at the ‘drop of the hat’ if she ever needed us.

Saying goodbye to my elderly dementia ridden father in his Rest Home also tugged viciously at the heart strings.  Sitting there, feeding him his lunch for the last time, surrounded by residence who are just waiting to check out on their final boarding call, only strengthens my resolve that we are doing the right thing.  You wonder what goes through their minds and I would hate to think that we could be sitting there one day wondering ‘we should have……we could have……..why didn’t we.

The stars may never align, it may never be the right time – but when you see a small window of opportunity – you just have to take it.

The Open Arms of Family

So after such a harrowing week, it was so nice to be greeted at the G.C airport with our own personal welcoming committee, welcome clipboard in hand (must run in the family) and it was such a feeling of release.  It was like being set free from the burdens of the week leading up to this very moment.

My brother Steve and his partner Alan has made us feel so welcome and we have been languishing in our luxurious surroundings.  I feel that I am able to breath again.  Of course it does help that we have had full use of the gym, pool, sauna, spa, steam room and not too forget the uninterrupted views of Main Beach Marina and watching the comings and goings of life on the Nerang River.

Life on the G.C

Life on the G.C is not only so far removed from where we are heading to but also from our life in Pukekohe. We clocked up 19km one day, just walking and taking in the spectacular sights and stunning coastline.  We certainly wouldn’t have done that in Pukekohe.  There’s only so many house lined streets you can walk around!

We are situated not far from Tedder Ave which I call the mini Ponsonby in Auckland.  Walking down the avenue you are immersed into a world of Botox, Porches, Mercedes and designer dogs.  Strip back the layer though and you have a very chilled out, village like atmosphere with amazing restaurants and bars.  The streets are clean and gardens immaculate.  It’s very easy to fall in love with Tedder Ave.

I hope you enjoy my short video of our antics so far – Life is Good on the GC.