Most of my fondest memories of Granny are of her in Akaroa running Windemere House with Grandpa. Granny kept several warm and inviting rooms for the many travellers that came through to see the beautiful bay surrounded by its great rolling hills. Every day I stayed there in the bunk room upstairs, I would wake to the unmistakably delicious scent of her baking fresh bread in the kitchen below. Granny did not just provide "breakfast" but in her own way a whole experience personal to her and our family. Toast, cereals, fresh homemade yogurt and most impressively a veritable buffet of preserved fruits and jams.. all made by clever Granny, served with sparkling trays and silverware.. not to mention adorable hand paddled, scored round little butter balls. After a breakfast like this where Granny (and Grandpa if he wasnt too engrossed in the newspapers sudoku) would share in the history of Windemere equally listening to the many tales and experiences of the guests. We would clean up after breakfast, and Granny would never forget to take the breadcrumbs out the back patio to feed the birds.. "Oh I can't stand waste" - something that has stuck with me to this day. Granny had a great love and remarkable patience for all people, animals and plants. We would often then wander through Akaroa’s many little shops, sometimes picking up a treat, sometimes down to the pier for fresh fish for dinner.. sometimes up and down the beach looking for cats-eyes.. most times wandering just to wander. We would wander and wonder at anything big or small, grand or humble we came across, she found interest and joy in everything around her, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Granny's uncanny ability to recognised flora wherever we went like a naturalist, regale history like university historian and cook like walking cookbook will always be one of my greatest awes. I watched a gloriously kind and patient woman move through her life offering her warmth to everyone, Granny didn't rouse, she didnt yell.. if anything she might have lightly scolded you and if she did.. you likely deserved it. I wish to be as kind, patient as Granny, find the joy in each day just as she did.. and to love with a love as warm and all encompassing as hers. A mother, a grandmother, a teacher, a pilot, a gardener, a grocer and a dairy farmer. Many incredible things was Elizabeth RIma Sunckell.. but best of all.. she was my Granny. You will always be OUR Granny.
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