DEVONPORT MAN REUNITED WITH LOST JANDAL AFTER FERRY-TERMINAL PRESSER
Left foot's been doing solo work for nine days. The right one's finally got backup.
A Devonport bloke held what he called an "emotional press conference" outside the ferry terminal on Wednesday to announce the return of his missing left jandal.
Owner Brendon Tuilagi, 44, said the jandal was a size 11 Havaiana, blue strap, worn down on the outside edge. It had last been seen near the Cheltenham Beach carpark on the long weekend. "Took it off to get sand out. Put it down. Looked up. Gone. I've been in one jandal since Saturday week, mate."
The jandal was found by a Bayswater woman, Cheryl Donnison, who spotted it wedged under a pōhutukawa root on the coastal walkway. "Recognised the wear pattern from the Facebook post. He'd put a ruler next to it in the photo. Bloody thorough."
Tuilagi called the press conference to thank Cheryl personally. Three neighbours turned up, plus a confused tourist and a bloke waiting for the 2.15 ferry. Tuilagi got briefly choked up. "Slid it on. Fit like it never left. Nine days of limping, done."
A Devonport Business Association spokesperson said the ferry forecourt was "not really our jurisdiction, but good on him."
Tuilagi has since superglued an AirTag to the strap. He's taking both jandals back to Cheltenham on Saturday.
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Reader Letters
Garry (Halswell)
A whole press conference for a jandal? Back in my day, we walked barefoot on rocks and called it character building. Kids these days couldn't manage without their fancy foot bits.
DevonportDave
Well done Brendon! I live in Bayswater and Cheryl's a legend around here. Wish I'd have spotted it myself!
Margaret_F
Speaking of lost things, I spent all morning looking for my reading glasses only to find them on my head.
stearlycup
LOL! Who holds a press conference for a jandal? Next we'll have ribbon-cutting for sneakers!
islandinfo123
@stearlycup it's about the principle, mate. People need these weird little rituals. Better than a mundane Wednesday, eh?