Wanna go back in?

Sorry for my month long absence. I have been busy improving every day.

I have decided to do stuff that makes me happy while I recover from the toll surgery, chemo, radiation and hormone treatment has had on my poor body.

This month I did a Stand Up Paddleboarding course for cancer survivors. I did not tell my Radiation Oncologist because, according to my lovely physio Megan (who co-runs the course) she would not approve. That is about as rebellious as I get.

I love the sea and have very fond memories of childhood holidays spent at our family bach at Orewa Beach. If I need to clear my head I usually drive out to Bethell‘s Beach (Te Henga) near my house, to walk and have any cobwebs blown away. Since January my visits to Te Henga have been tinged with sadness though because my dog Molly, who loved it there too, has passed and it is still a bit raw.

My paddle boarding course was on the opposite side of the Auckland isthmus from my home but thankfully the isthmus is narrow. The contrast is great between the two coasts. My coast is wild, windy, with black sand and big waves. The other coast is calmer, often glassy with golden sand. I love them both, like you love two very different children, but I will only swim on the glassy, golden side…the side of my childhood holidays.

I enjoyed learning to stand up paddle (SUP). I love the feeling of being out on the water early in the morning. The peace, the smell of salt, the breathtaking beauty of the sun on the water. Some of the girls went in for a swim after our paddle. I’d have been keen if I wasn’t conscious of keeping my radiation burnt skin safe.

After one of my SUP lessons Don McGlashan‘s new song came on the car radio as I drove to my next appointment. How fitting and fabulous is this song https://youtu.be/Thv3rqpdAkg? It felt like the universe was in synch with me. This lyrics, combined with the activity on the east coast, took me right back to my childhood holidays at Orewa. Hearing Don McGlashan‘s voice took me right back to when I lived in London.

I know this will sound odd but the Mutton Birds (with lead singer Don McGlashan) regularly played live in London in the 90s. Young Kiwis, away from home, craving a familiar voice, flocked (see what I did there?) to see the band play. I think I saw them play live three times in the four years I was in London.

The last time I saw Don McGlashan live was at an Insurance conference in Wellington about 7 years ago. I can hand on heart say I wasn’t expecting to see him playing there. It was so unexpected I had to text video of it to my London flatmates.

Those who know me well, know I am an uncoordinated disaster, who has trouble staying upright at the best of times. Paddle boarding was always gong to be a challenge. I fell into Castor Bay before I managed to stand up on the board. I also had a spectacular spill on Lake Pupuke. The thing is, once you’ve fallen in (and not been attacked by swans) there really isn’t anything else to be afraid of. It is so beautiful and the water is warm, so I didn’t mind the thought of going back in.

Do what makes you happy.