Docked at Dunedin, Feb.19th

Docked at Dunedin, Feb. 19th

After The World Cruise event at the Redwood Forest in Tauranga. NZ, with the strange men in blue, and much too much food, the next item of interest was my visit with Trudy. It was really the first time I dared to go ashore (almost) alone. Jane Haskell helped me get off the ship by taking my wheelchair down the gangplank, while I manipulated myself on my crutches. Trudy met us just outside the dock gates, (at Lytleton), and took us on a lovely sightseeing ride to Christchurch. It was the same one she had attempted two years ago, but then we were completely enclosed by fog, and missed all the beauty of the ride. This time, the weather was clear, and it is a beautiful spot.

Jane got off in town, and Trudy and I went shopping for various personal items, before going to her home for lunch. Her parents also joined us to sit on her quiet peaceful porch, overlooking her beautiful yard. Andrew was in Wellington, but he called to say hello to me. If I have any luck, I will upload some pictures from the house, as well as from the trip back to the ship.

I have been playing bridge with Marty Cohn (he was my partner for one segment last year, also) and we managed to come in first! (once) and second, another time. He has been practicing bridge with his computer since last year, and has become a very good player.

Our dinner table remains very interesting; like last year, we are always the last table to leave the dining room, but we haven’t succeeded yet, to have the table made smaller; we are only six, but the table is large enough for 8, so we all move together, and leave one big gap. That way, we are not so spread out, and it is easier to hear each other.

I have been continuing with my personal trainer every day, plus acupuncture every 4 days, and a back massage once a week. All of this has resulted in a slow, but almost steady recovery, although I still need both crutches and the wheelchair (when I get tired).

I wondered how I would manage when Marlyse left me, but my stewardess helps me in the morning to get my girdle in place, and the night duty person helps me before I go to sleep, so I manage quite well. Ruth takes me home every night from dinner, and my stewardess even did my laundry for me!

I have signed up, again, for next year, and even signed on for an extra segment that will end in New York in May. I am hoping that might make it possible for me to visit Phil and Gayle before returning to Switzerland.

The next couple of days will probably be exciting sailing as we traverse Milford Sound and Dusky and Doubtful Sound, if past experience is any gage. On the 25/26 we will be in port at Melbourne, and on the 28^th, in Sydney. I hope to meet up with friends in both places.

Now the big challenge will be to transfer this report onto my Blog. Hope it works!