Ok my 3 months at Goodman Fielder are not quite on par with the French Revolution.  But there has been despair, an extreme use of colourful language, and a profound wish to overthrow the existing order.  As well as meeting and interacting with some fabulous people, spending time in places I had never been before – Mangere Pak n Save chiller anyone?  And more up close and personal moments with Camembert and Brie than I ever had the right to.

But like bottles of gin in the McFred household, it all had to come to an end.  Ultimately it doesn’t matter how good the people are around you, if you are expected to be on call 7 days a week, something has got to give.  And that something was me.  So I’ve said enough already and in 6 weeks time I will start a new adventure.

But I have learned so much, it has really blown my mind

• when you wear a high viz, you become part of a special group of people the high viz people.  We often get ignored or disregarded by better dressed people but we are awesome
• the happiest Pak n Save is Manukau.  I love that store
• best wine deals are at Pak n Save Pukekohe – don’t ask me how I know this.  Pak n Save Ormiston is pretty good too
• Half Moon Bay Fresh Choice has the most amazing views and cheese selection.  For a small store it has an incredible range of products
• New World Howick has the best custard slices – don’t ask me how I know this
• Mangere Shopping Centre is not open on Sundays
• it is amazing how helpful people are when you ring them crying on a Sunday afternoon – thanks Nath team
• I know who the best bread contractors are in South Auckland – my interpretation of best is people who will help me when I ring crying on a Sunday afternoon
• Vogels thick slice fruit toast is the bomb
• everyone is happy to see their supervisor when she turns up with chocolate bars. Unless when you are not where you should be…
• My friend Kerrie’s dog Pippa also likes my chocolate bars, but when she sneaks into my bag and eats 3 she doesn’t feel so good
• I no longer require my extensive photo collection of store displays, Pak n Save ladders and safety hazards

• team lunches are essential – actually Team Intuto taught me that one
• I can work hard, I might not be quite as slack as I make out
• I love working with people, all sorts of people and that is what I need to keep doing
• my husband, family and friends are amazing
• my fellow supervisor and boss are super cool hard working women who deserve medals and wine and gin and chocolate
• make the people you work with feel happy and valued and it will take you a long way, but ultimately if your senior leadership team does not value or even know what you do, you are just putting lipstick on a pig.  And I have got no time for that.  I am 50 and Fabulous Dammit. Vive la Revolution