So that moment came, the one of sorrowful sad heartbreaking goodbyes. It was a lot harder than we thought it would be, a huge jolt that we are still recovering from now. You count the days, the minutes and the seconds to the arrival, and in the blink of an eye it's gone.
At least we can proudly say it was an amazing blink.
It's difficult at this time of the year to find a beach that you are allowed to take dogs on (or that isn't so packed out with them). So we decided to take Grandma for a drive out around the beautiful Days Bay onwards to Eastbourne. Going as far as you can, the road takes you to a stunning walking track that runs along the side of the beach. Directly opposite is Wellington City and we were also lucky that day to have a gorgeous view of the South Island, seeing the snow capped peaks of the Kaikoura Range in the distance. We had an awesome walk, finally retreating as the intense heat got the better of us.
One day we took the train down to the city which was lovely, a real treat for Bethany (as she loves the train) and a 'something different' for Grandma. 
We headed straight to the Museum of Wellington City & Sea. Always one of our favourites which is free to enter. There is just so much to see, right now they have a 'Welcome to Wellington's Indian Community' were we got to enter a caravan and listen to some Indian music (they also transmit live from here at certain times of the day) and we got to create some spice masterpieces in the kitchen area (which you can take home too!). Bethany also got to dress up and try on different Sari's. A really good exhibition.
Feeling peckish we met Michael for some lunch in a lovely little place called 3C. 
Afterwards we headed up in the cable car to the top and did the big walk back down to the playground, of course stopping off for some Bethany time before heading on again to the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens. Here we enjoyed a cuppa and an extremely expensive cup cake ($5.50 each for a cup cake!!!!). Heading into the Begonia House and finally we made our way down through the Bolton Street Memorial Park and to the train station. 
One night we laughed so hard to find a visitor in Lynn's bed...! 
Michael said to me before Lynn arrived "My mam said she is up for a bike ride". I had this astonished look on my face and said "Really? Did you say whether it was push or motor" thinking she would never be up for that - how wrong was I! They headed off into the sunset together, right up to the Paekakariki hill. Nice one Grandma!!
A popular choice for us all is always the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. We adore this place, it really so very wonderful. We had a lovely walk round and as guaranteed you always get to see something new. This time round it was a first for us to see two Saddlebacks playing happy together in the bush. Numbers of these birds have declined, it is so wonderful to know that the Wildlife Sanctuary was part of creating a successful breeding colony, making it one of the most populated Saddleback areas in New Zealand. 
I would however like to add that something that could do with being less popular are the ducks! We sat and ate our picnic very quickly, we were herded literally by over 20 ducks, and they were vicious! Nipping our toes and jumping up...no amount of orange sauce threatening seemed to work either.
Sadly the end of the two weeks drew near. We were all holding it together the best we could but that sickness feeling and the purposely distracted thoughts were there. Lynn made an amazing roast dinner for our 'last supper'. We were going to cook for Lynn or go out, but as a treat she offered to cook for us which was lovely. Normally we only ever get to see photos of the family sitting around a traditional roast at Lynn's house - now it was our turn! 
Saturday was the big day. But first we had other things we wanted to do. We had such a lovely quiet morning, Bethany and Grandma planted some veggies together, whilst we reminisced of all we had done over the two weeks. We then headed off stopping off first at the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at St. James Theatre. This was an amazing exhibition! There were 60 full size warriors in all, it told the history of where they came from and their purpose, which you can read about here if you want to.
They were very scary looking I must say. It made me laugh as you went along the line. At the front you had the two very big guys, next the not so big but angry looking ones, then the smaller ones, finally leading to the guys at the back. These were the ones with a worried look on their faces and a pot belly - 'the men who were untrained, but were fed on beer for courage!!'
Driving to the airport we realised we had some spare time, so we popped up to Mount Victoria to take in the panoramic Wellington views.
Tick tock, tick tock...
Sadness was looming over us all as we sat at the airport. The goodbye came and we all left that airport crying. We hardly spoke a word other than to comfort a hysterical Bethany. We were devastated at not only Lynn going but to see our baby girl so sad, with no way of being able to explain so she really understands.
We watched the plane take off and we wished Lynn all the love in the world for a safe trip back to her home in the UK. She is one brave lady that's for sure, and we will miss her so very much.
We all stood together in a huddle for one last cry before once again heading home in a devasted silence. I would like to think that it will get easier one day, but I doubt it. Bethany fell asleep on the way home and Michael and I were able to reflect on all that has happened, throwing questions and reasons, but trying to make sense of it all.
We know we now have an amazing life, we love every single second and that we just won't change. The heartache is something we are going to have to learn to cope with, there is no way to ever prepare yourself for the separation.
Thank you Grandma for the most wonderful time. We love you, and miss you so very much already.
"Do not be sad for it is over, smile because it happened"
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