residing at Papamoa

We are set up in Papamoa for about 8 weeks while Eddie is recuperating from his operation which he had 2 weeks ago. 

When he was discharged I took him down to the parking area and left him in his wheel chair while I got the truck. I loaded in his gear and then said you get in while I put the wheel chair away. When I got back guess who was in the driving seat. He was so exhausted when we got back to Papamoa. Apart from that he has been good patient.

The district nurse came a couple of times to change the dressing. It came off in the night a couple of nights ago. The wound is almost healed, so we won't need to put it back on.

He has done a bit of fishing and fed the crabs, so they will be a good size soon. We went to Otamarakau earlier in the week to try our luck there, but the result was the same. It was a lovely day out in the fresh air though. The wind was cool and we were glad that we had our swandris with us to keep the wind out. They are a most marvellous garment. 

Otamarakau Beach is very long. It is south of Pukehina going towards Whakatane. Looking northward we could see the seaward side of the Motiti Island. From Papamoa we can see the land ward side. In front of us was White Island, steaming away in the distance. To the south we could see Whale Island, which is just off the coast of Whakatane. When we first arrived we could see the hills that go to East cape, but the disappeared in the haze that developed over the morning. 

Waiting for a fish

Otamarakau looking northwards

Where are they?

Tramping on Mt Maungatautari

This week is our last week of work for a few weeks. We just wish there wasn't an operation soon.

I have had a sore foot, so I took it too the doctor to find I have plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is on the sole of the foot and are the weight bearing part. If they get damaged in some way, they cause quite a lot of pain. I  have been to physio and have been given some exercises and I was taught how to strap it properly. It is getting better slowly. The physio thought my walk on Sunday would be ok with strapping and my new boots.

For our walk, we went up Mt Maungatautari near Cambridge. It is a fenced off area, so that the pests that destroy the native flora and fauna can't get in and do harm. We decided not to go up to the top. Partly because it was our first big walk since lock down and we haven't done a lot of hill work and also, there is no view at the top because the trees are growing with out interference from possums and now the view is blocked by trees. Which is a good thing, but a bit frustrating after all the work getting up to the top and there is no view. 

There is a corner with a view not too far from the top and that was our goal. From it, on a clear day you can see all the way to Mt Ruapehu. Two ladies gave up about ¾ of the way and another lady and I decided to stop not long after. My foot was needing a rest. The other 4 went on and did get to the corner with the view, unfortunately the clouds had come down and they didn't see the volcanoes.

After my lunch and a bit of a rest, my foot was feeling better, so we set off back down again. It was sore near the bottom, but all in all I was happy that I was able to do the tramp. It feels ok this morning too, but my thighs are feeling a bit tight.