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Life update

A Real Upheaval Indeed

February 2025

Warwick’s reflections on leaving Duck Creek and beginning another chapter in Tairua.

From Warwick’s records

In Warwick’s words

The original document has been retained and reformatted for comfortable reading on modern screens.

The move

On Saturday 15 February 2025 I am moving permanently into a unit at the Tairua Residential Care facility.

James and his wife Sophia are coming up from Palmerston North to move me out and leave the chalet all set for Connie to move into. Viv and Lex have agreed to help too.

There were, of course, various factors involved in this decision.

Eyes

I have both cataracts and glaucoma, which impacts my lifestyle quite significantly. In fact, my eye problem is so significant that I am going into Southern Cross Hospital in Hamilton on 4 March for eye surgery.

Age

I will be 85 later this year and can no longer enjoy what I did some 20 years ago.

Placement

A unit has become available at the rest home, which is really good news. My doctor thinks it is a really good idea to move.

Family

All my children say they will be happier knowing that I am there.

Lex

Although he has been marvellous to me, he is nevertheless a 17-year-old unrelated boy, so just how much longer he is prepared to ‘look after’ a grumpy old man is an unknown quantity.

Duck Creek

Although Steve, Carol and Lex—and, to a lesser degree, Joel in Chalet 11—are really good to me, the place really has ‘gone to the dogs’. Almost all owners are only interested in themselves and I am now quite happy to move on.

A few loose ends

I do have a bit of stuff in the shed, mainly motorsport gear, which it will take me maybe a month to shift.

Another chapter

Start of another chapter!

Warwick Sykes · Wazza