Martin & Sarah: Break means finding babysitter

Sarah and Martin.

Greetings from the south! I am taking an extended Easter break and having a great time with my family at my parents' bach in the Marlborough Sounds.

If you've not made it down this way yet, you should definitely put it on your bucket list! With its beautiful views, green hills full of natural bush, waters fit for fishing swimming or boating and plenty of lovely walking tracks, it's not quite Hawke's Bay but a very close second.

And thank goodness for the walking tracks; My bag has significantly less chocolate than it did when I arrived and my pants are significantly tighter. It's lovely to catch up with my family, who I don't get to see that often, and if the walking doesn't compensate for the chocolate, then chasing after my very active almost 2-year-old niece should do the trick. That girl has two speeds; 100 miles an hour and sleep.

It can be quite a mission to go away for a week when there are three fur babies that need taking care of. There's the most recent addition to my family; a slightly insane kitten that must have learnt the two speeds of life from her niece.

Leroy, the big cat, is most displeased about the arrival of the kitten and is a giant sook. His favourite pastime is snuggling up on my tummy and dribbling all over me.

Then there's my baby, Ella the dog, who starts sulking as soon as she sees the suitcases come out. Last time I went away, Ella parked herself in the back on the car and absolutely refused to get out.

So, who to trust with the responsibility of these three very needy animals? Good old Hena. I was a little worried about leaving young Hena in charge of the four-legged children - not because I was concerned Hena wasn't up to it but I was worried the animals might drive her to drink.

She assured me her Mum brought home every waif and stray she could when she was growing up, so she was well up to the task.

The first update I received was a picture of Ella lying on Hena's lap (she's quite a large dog but seems to think she's a chihuahua). I thought it was super cute.

The next update involved the kitten and her attempt to poop in the litter box ... which she missed by 10cm.

Good luck, Hena! I will be thinking of you ... but not too much. - Sarah

Catch Martin and Sarah on Breakfast with Martin & Sarah on THE HITS 89.5 every weekday morning.