Easter is a couple of months away, but - having looked at a couple of holiday accommodation websites - it seems that a lot of well-organised folk have already decided where they are going for the long Easter weekend.
At first it was looking quite desperate (bringing to mind our last-ditch attempt to book a weekend by the beach last summer, only to end up in a place absolutely miles away and with a terribly uncomfortable bed - though everything else about the place was fine).
But then I realised that it's just the places on one particular website which are all going fast. If I picked a less popular site there seemed to be more availability. So there is hope for fun in the sun with our favourite family-to-holiday-with.
The other thing I've been busy thinking about is the retirement village which my mum wants to move into. She's probably got in mind one of those one-two bedroom independent apartments which pretty much leave the resident up to their own devices (possibly even cooking odorous foods). She was looking at those a couple of years ago and very nearly went ahead (until a chance remark by a total stranger put her off).
What my brother and I have in mind is a serviced bedsit or smaller one-bedroom place which provides main meals and some housework, and is much closer to the communal areas. But they are much, much smaller ( and because they only have a kitchenette, there's no overhead thingy to whisk away the scent of salted fish and other "interesting" smells.)
It doesn't take much, but my mind is all full up with the above...
5 comments:
Parents! Who would have them?
We were looking at accommodation (admittedly, in Queenstown, so not exactly say Waikane Beach) for easter in about September last year on wotif and it was all super booked out! I think the Peppers Resort had space available at over $1K a night... perhaps it's not a bad thing that we're not going after all (just to Christchurch).
whoar thats a lotta money! I'd pay that much for a week in a really nice unit, maybe...
Yah I can't imagine what would justify that price... Maybe a free Thai massage lady on 24 hour call? And gold plated everything.... Actually that would probably cost more.
I am not sure if you've had a look at some of the homes yet? Your mum sounds like she is still very active and would probably appreciate one of the flats on a home complex. As they become older and less capable of caring for themselves, they are moved to the smaller units with more care. Obviously, I don't know you mother but having seen several older family members go into homes, it seems that the more independence they have, the better for them. Hope you don't mind me offering advice.
On the Easter front - good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine. I am starting to think about that too. We'll be checking out a new town we want to move to - I suspect accommodation won't be a problem. :-)
Kiwiyarns - We haven't looked at other retirement villages because she wants to go that one particular one, where people she knows have moved to. A couple of years ago we'd have agreed with you but lately she has slowed down a lot. The serviced apartments still allow for some independence, she's still be able to cook things like rice and stir fry - just no five course meals (which would be too much work for her now anyway). we just feel it would give her the atmosphere of being on holiday a bit. The common areas are pretty nice.
We have found a place at Waitarere so it's just a matter of waiting until Easter!
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