When Kiwi screen legend Lisa Harrow and her husband, acclaimed marine biologist Roger Payne, touched down in New Zealand in December 2019, it was supposed to be a three-month stay.
The couple planned to avoid winter in America, where they live in “the middle of the woods” in Vermont, and soak up a Kiwi summer with Lisa’s son Tim, his wife and their three young children.
But just before they were due to fly back in early March, Lisa decided she wanted to stay a bit longer to celebrate family birthdays in April and that Roger should go ahead without her.
Then Covid hit and the country closed before she could leave. It’s now been 15 months since she’s seen him and admittedly, while there have been times of loneliness, the 77-year-old can also see the blessings in disguise.
“It’s been an unexpectedly long stay, but I haven’t minded. I love being home,” says Lisa, chatting to the Weekly from her apartment in West Auckland.
“It’s wonderful that I’ve got to spend a lot of time with my grandchildren and also my older brother, who has Parkinson’s disease and isn’t well.
“I have type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, which means a certain immune problem, plus my age makes me vulnerable, so my husband said, ‘You’re not flying back to America until you’re vaccinated and it’s safe to travel.’”
Lisa and Roger, 86, talk three times a day via FaceTime and she finds it amusing they spend more time talking to each other now than ever before.
Esta historia es de la edición July 19, 2021 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición July 19, 2021 de New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK