As your children turn into adults and their relationships mature, a parent's greatest hope is that your kids will be happy. Sailing around the world What's app and technology are great but it's not until you get to spend physical time with folk that a mum gets a true feeling for what's really going on with them. A brilliant benefit of your kids developing strong relationships is that eventually, you get to meet their partner's parents, – this was a major feature of my March, and what a fantastic pleasure it brought me.
With Joline safely anchored in Simpson Bay lagoon, and John thoroughly enjoying himself immersed in his marine work, it was an ideal time to pop to New Zealand and Australia to spend time with Luke and Emma. WOW – a brilliant trip.
The journey from Sint Maarten to New Zealand is a 48 hour slog but thanks to a good sailing friend who lives in Key Biscayne a stopover in Maima broke it up and it turned out to be a real treat. Thanks Lori! A great catch-up, fab midnight snacks, with good walking and sightseeing before embarking on the long haul to NZ.
Luke and his friend David were at Wellington airport to welcome me, (a bit of a surprise as never once did Luke enquire as to when I was arriving!). Lukes's very conveniently placed apartment looked in tip top order with his cat; Luffy loyally attached to him. That cat was always within few feet of Luke, certainly a very dedicated cat and he got most put out if Luke went for a shower without him!. Luke and Nao ( Lukes partner), had organized a trip to Nelson, which would give me the opportunity to meet Naos family.
We were blessed with the weather and had a brilliant few days hiking along the Able Tasmin and a morning mountain biking ( no electrical bikes for us, we huffed and puffed on the manual kind!). We had a brilliant few evenings with Noa's family at their lovely house which nestles in the foothills of Nelson. Her mum cooked the most enjoyable Japanese meal – which provided a very very tasty backdrop to evenings spent getting to know a wonderful family.
Learning about how they met, about her Dads expeditions across China in a Landrover, and their experience in alternative medicines, especially bee products. It was also beautiful to hear Nao, her grandma, mum, dad and Luke playing the piano and guitar, such a talented family and they made me so welcome, - thank you.
The week in NZ flew by and it was time to head to Sydney.
After an easy three-hour flight I was greeted by Emma's beaming smile. We had a beautiful night time trip back to Brents and Emma's apartment in Manly with the iconic panoramic night skyline opening up as we pulled away from the dock on the Manly ferry.
Emma & Brent live in a lovely apartment in one of the most gorgeous parts of the city. It feels like you are out in the country, as you are surrounded by woodlands, awake to bird song and within a few minutes walk of a different beach in every direction. To cap it off downtown Sydney is just 20 min ferry ride away - no traffic jam to contend with at all.
Emma & Brent moved back to Sydney last November, facing the mountain of visa applications, accommodation and job hunting etc. Now they were beaming from ear to ear, engaged, visas sorted, jobs sorted, and living in a brilliant place. They are a bundle of happy togetherness.
Emma and I explored the local paths and walkways, sometimes running them to make sure we fitted in as much as possible,..... chip of the old block!.
With engagement comes a wedding to plan (tentatively planned for May 2024). Anyone who knows Emma will not be surprised ...Emma has done lot of research!! We had a great time going through her very extensive spreadsheet, (with links!), and examining possibilities. It also resulted in a fabulous day out – wedding dress shopping. It was beautiful to share this with Brent's Mum and later in the day with one of her very good friends Jen. Emma looked beautiful in everything she tried on and I am very pleased she has to choose!
I met Brents's mum Cheryl for the first time at the wedding dress lunch a very lovely lady. Fortunately, Emma had also arranged a fantastic weekend family trip to the Hunter Valley with Brents's Mum, Dad and brothers Garth and Criag and Craigs girlfriend Donna, a superb weekend transpired.
What a fabulous family they are, so welcoming, kind, full of interesting experiences and fun. Marty orchestrated a tasty BBQ and hilarious quiz, followed the next day by Emma's brilliantly executed wine tour. The wine tour was rounded off by a Celebration Engagement dinner organized by Brents's mum, with beautiful food and an engagement cake!
I woke the following morning having to pinch myself as the scene out my window was like a film set. The occasional strange-sounding bird hollowed but mainly stillness with ballons emerging out of the morning dew, kangaroos in the orchard and the hills rolling out into the distance. What a sight, so peaceful.
A brilliant weekend, and I am now really looking forward to the two families joining together for a fun wedding - it was such a pleasure to be with the Mckendrick Clan.
The week was rounded off with a bit of culture; – Madam Butterfly on the water, with the backdrop of the Sydney opera house.
Emma dropped me off at the airport after a tremendous week. Yes, I was sad our time together had come to end for now , but inwardly radient as the kids were happy, and our family is growing in a gorgeous way - I felt very blessed.
Sounds like a wonder trip.