The One Ring

It has been a busy five weeks.  In the school holidays we took a mini break for three nights in Turangi.  At Whakapapa Village we rode the Sky waka to Knoll Ridge chalet at 2,020m.  We watched thee skiers and snowboarders in the snow and ice.  We managed to walk half way round Lake Rotopounamu with Rory on the Terrain Hopper before we encountered steps.  There were lots of Popokatea whitehead and we also heard a Kaka.  At the end of the day we relaxed with a soak in the Tokaanu Thermal Pools.  We spent a day wandering in Taupo; the Market, the lake, Lava Glass, and Craters of the Moon.  On the last day we drove north to Matamata.  We are all fans of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, Rory especially.  Hobbiton has always been on Rory’s bucket list and we finally made it!  Colt and I did the walking tour and Sean and Rory accompanied us on a golf cart.  It was a thrill to walk through the Shire amongst the Hobbit houses.  You are able to walk through and exploring a Hobbit home and the detail was impressive.  We finished with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.  The tour was better than we anticipated.  Rory bought a replica of The One Ring.  It was one of the most powerful artefacts created in Middle Earth by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fire of Mount Doom.  Sauron was going to use the ring to enhance his own power and gain lordship over all who lived in Middle Earth.  Rory wears it around his neck.

Rory attended the annual Endocrine clinic appointment.  The blood tests show his hormones are stable, so there is no change to his medication.  The annual check and service for his cochlear implants at the Southern Cochlear Implant programme required an overnight trip to Lower Hut with Sean.  The Audiologist made alterations to the programming for his left implant.  It was the first time his hearing had been re-assessed since the implant was replaced last year.  This will enable Rory to ‘hear’ better.  We have had a visit from ACC OT Dianne and Architect Craig who are helping develop a plan to create a wheelchair accessible bathroom for Rory.  Any housing modifications need to be future proofed so Rory will have the space and facilities to be as independent as possible with his personal care.  It has also been time for the annual head, neck and chest CT scan at Taranaki Base Hospital.  The purpose of the scan is to look for secondary cancer and any other abnormalities which are late effects caused by the treatment he has received.  We are nervously awaiting for the results.

During a couple of weekends Rory has spent the day with Support Carer Anthea, enjoying a morning of activities in New Plymouth and then cooking at home in the afternoon.  Sean, Colt and I have used the time wisely to be with Taranaki maunga; up the Mangorei track to see the new Pouakai Hut and the boardwalk around the Tarn, and up the Davies track to Goat rock and the Kaitake high point.  A breather is good for everyone.

Caitlyn is starting to show with her pregnancy.  We have heard the heartbeat of our little grand-daughter which was lovely.  She and Sam celebrated with a night away for their two year wedding anniversary.

A huge Happy birthday to Nana Honnor who turned 80.  We love you to the moon and back.