A long overdue catchup

Way back in the year 2000, my mum’s cousin’s children’s godfather’s daughter (yes, you read that right – don’t worry, I didn’t work it out until a couple of months ago myself) went on a trip around the world. When my mum heard about this trip, she wrote to Sara, inviting her to visit us and sending brochures for things she could do whilst in New Zealand.

I don’t remember any of that lead up (self-absorbed teenager alert!). All I remember is that Sara and her travelling companion, Louise, came to visit the evening of my brother’s end of year music recital. They came with us to the concert, and to my favourite cafe, Zookeeper’s, and I think we also went to Players, the local pool hall, although I don’t know why. The next morning, we all went down to Bluff for a quick touristy look around, and then Sara and Lou were off on a bus to some other part of the country.

Although I got the travel bug much earlier than that, Sara’s multi-country adventure was an inspiration to me in thinking that such a trip could be possible.

In 2005, the British & Irish Lions toured New Zealand and, being even more rugby mad than I am, Sara came with them. I lived in Dunedin at the time, but the rugby was only bringing her as far south as Christchurch. So we compromised and met in Timaru (a journey of more than 150km each) to have lunch together, at the Speight’s Alehouse if I remember correctly.

Six years after that, the Rugby World Cup was hosted in New Zealand, and Sara came to visit again. Louise and I both lived in Wellington then, so the three of us got together for a girls lunch at a cafe in Days Bay, and then to a pub with Aaron and his mum and sister to watch New Zealand demolish France in their pool match.

So really, it’s been my turn to visit England for quite some time now, and as the time ticked closer to my arrival in the country, our Facebook conversations increased in frequency and in excitement. Because even though, up until 16 May 2014, we had probably spent less than 24 hours combined time in each others’ actual company, we have kept in contact over the years, sending emails and cards, and Facebook messages. When Aaron and I got married, Sara even sent a video message of herself wishing us well from a hotel room in Paris that my brother included in our wedding DVD.

When I arrived at Heathrow, Sara met me at the gate. She had packed a picnic, and we went to Richmond Park to walk and talk, and eat delicious chocolate cupcakes (amongst other healthier things). Over the next couple of days we watched rugby, played Singstar, went to a quiz night, and ate more cupcakes (plus the first roast I have had in months!). And looking at that list, it’s easy to see why we are such good friends.