The Monday with Shut up and dance with Karin

 Hi,

Wellington was turning it on for Karin's visit. Gorgeous start to the day - bit of fog in the valley. But it all burned off quickly.

Monday morning

Smudge looking very demure

Lunch with AJ

I caught up with AJ at Cafe Villa for lunch. So good to chat to him and share our news too. He is busy looking after the kids but now he's done the projects around the house, is looking for work. Good luck to him.

Smudge found Mike's PC to sit on

Late in the day the cats like to remind me of their presence

Here, let me lean on your arm!

Shut up and dance with Karin

Karin came up to our place on the #4 and settled in while I was in my afternoon meetings. She had lunch with a few of the people we know (Shane and Lynn - the others all had issues crop up) before heading to us.

When I finished work we drove into town and I parked in Lombards and we walked up to 60 Dixon where the new central location for Shut Up and Dance is located. Jessie arrived and we found a spot in the studio tucked out of the way so my flailing didn't disrupt too many people.

We had a great time. Hairspray was the main song. But we had Taylor and Aha along the way. 

Finished at 6:50pm and headed to 1154 for tea. Jessie had commitments for a play - she's doing props for it! How cool.

Mike joined us as our food arrived but wasn't super hungry. He ate a sad sandwich at 5pm between his meetings. But he was happy to finish off the last of my pasta. Karin paid for me as a thank you for staying with us. But really, she shouldn't have. To me, having her here to catch up was so good. It has been ages since we last saw each other. She is loving retirement life.

1154 afterwards

Mike got a sore eye at 1154, but it wasn't until we were in bed that I had a good look. There was a small stick in there!

He went to the mirror and fished it out. It broke in two as he touched it on his thumb. But it was huge! No wonder his eye was sore.

This was in Mike's eye

Off to bed. Up for PT session in the garage for me (WFH today). I chatted to Karin over brekkie when I finished. She caught the number 4 bus because Tim lives at the other end of the route. How cool. And it is right by the airport for her flight home at midday. Perfect.

Got quiz after work tonight. Woot! We have the bar tab from our win to use up too.

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with Wellington Spring Challenge Training

 Hi,

We had such a hectic weekend. I need a holiday to recover from my weekend. Hahah. Thursday saw us catch up for data brekkie and Shane came to chat to us. So good to see him.

Kris at Smith the Grocer with me

Hey Shane! Woot!

Cats lounging around

I made two sourdoughs Thursday night. One for Nic (she got the baby one) and one for Mike for his tramp. First time using wholemeal flour. Added wholegrains again. Mike said it was good.

Two sourdoughs. And wholemeal and wholegrains

Thursday evening Iona arrived on the ferry. Picked her up from the Interislander at 7.45pm and managed to collect Mike from work then too.

Up Friday to a gorgeous looking day. Nic arrived on her early flight and found Tom in town for brekkie. We had brekkie at home then Iona and I drove into town to pick Nic up from Victoria St. Well, Abel Smith St. That went smoothly.

Friday morning

We were parked at the Kapakapanui road end and away walking by 9:05am. This is the end of the road and a few farmhouse driveways head off in all directions. But you follow the signs and go through gates and over stiles.

We decided to do the loop anticlockwise. It means a steep grunt up for 3 hours or more. But a less steep descent on the other side.

You cross the river a few times to get to the junction. We hadn't had much rain so I was hopeful the river would be fine. It was. Clear and swift. Maybe 4 crossings to get to the junction before the huge climb up. The ascent is mighty. Steep. 

Kapakapanui starts

Steep going

I think it was 2 hours 25 to the overhanging tree that marked the unmarked route off to the left of the track to the hidden possum hut. We didn't have a look.

We saw one couple coming down as we got close to the top. Along the top we got no views. There was a chap walking on his own and was cheerfully telling us the mud would get better soon.

It didn't really. We were under DoC time to the trig, but the 1 hour from the trig to the hut took us over 1 hour. The mud. I lost my shoe several times. Managed to get my foot back in every time.

Trig

Mud

No views

Iona and Nic - and my thumb

The hut

We had our lunches at the hut. Didn't go in. Good to shove some carbs in - thank you for making them Iona.

The descent was brutal on our old knees. But we made good time. When you reach the river from this side you have more crossings to do before you reach the junction. So we were very wet again. But it did clean off a lot of mud. We were at the car by 4pm easily. And after a bit of cleaning and changing into warm dry socks and trousers, we were off.

Nic got into fancy clothes because she was meeting Tom for tea in town before her flight.

Down, down, down

It was not to be. Around 17:30 we came past the Porirua exit from Transmission Gully and ended up at the back of a very stationary queue. Brake lights as far as we could see. Probably about 100m from joining the old highway.

And - after a quick online check, it appears nothing would move for a long time. After 30 mins of going nowhere, Nic and Iona decided to walk off the motorway and up the on-ramp just behind us. They managed to catch the eye of a motorist at the roundabout and Fiona asked them if they wanted a lift. They then crawled through Tawa with her until Redwood station where they caught a train. Nic was so late she ended up Ubering to the airport from the train station in town. Awwww.

Meanwhile, my queue was not moving. I was in the fast lane - on the shoulder because we had to move over to let an emergency car through earlier on. Then I saw quite a few cars making u turns and driving back up the motorway the wrong way - and up the on-ramp. So I decided I should also do this. When else would I get the chance to drive on the motorway the wrong way?

I joined the slow queue of cars going back up the on-ramp the wrong way. When the car in front of me got to the roundabout, a car decided to drive down the on-ramp and onto the motorway. Why they thought this would be good is beyond me. A steady line of cars leaving the motorway the wrong way, and you decide to get on?

Anyway, we dribbled through Tawa. It wasn't until I got to Johnsonville that the traffic eased back to normal. I got home at 8pm. Iona caught the 14 bus to our place. And we relayed each other's exciting adventures. Nic got back to Blenheim fine. Phew. Just no dinner with Tom. :-(

Cats in direct line of the heat pump

Saturday was a bit yucky. Iona grabbed her mother's car and drove to Palmerston North to see her sick friend. I joined her. I read in the car park. And then we drove back home.

Kāpiti Island is invisible

Shannon - The Horseman cafe

Present from Col and Iona. They know me

Sunday we were up early to meet Maureen for coffee at the local petrol station. Maureen used her reward points to get us all coffees.

Coffee Sunday

I dropped Iona at the ferry and went back home to tidy. Then met Maureen at 8.45am to climb to the top of Mt Kaukau. She set a fierce pace. Phew! No views.

No views top of Mt Kaukau. But Blenheim is that way!

Chasing Maureen made me fast!

Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt.

Mike got home at 1pm and I dropped him back at 40WLW before I went to the rugby with Elly. She convinced me to talk to Krystal Murray (who was in a moon boot so I hope she gets better soon) and I got a selfie. So happy!

Poua lost to Matatū. But it was close. And the conditions were tricky. Good fun - ta Elly. Then to Sally and Andrew's place for dinner with Barry and Kath. So nice. They are well.

Wow! Krystal Murray.

Monday morning

Back home and straight to bed. Up for gym for Mike and treadmill run for me. Then back home for me.

What a lovely day out there.

Enjoy your week.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with Mike's birthday

 Hi,

Had a good day at work working next to Shoshana - and she went and got me an iced latte from the work cafe when my meetings were stopping me from getting one.

Work iced latte from Shoshana

After work we walked to The Embassy and got there in time to settle in and watch Disclosure Day. 5.15pm. Danita and Nick were also seeing it (happy birthday Danita for today!) so we said hello to them.

Movie tickets

The movie was interesting. A bit of a Spielberg indulgence from my point of view. Good plot. Emily Blunt was amazing as always and carried the movie through the more hamfisted parts. But it did need more focus on execution in places. It felt like similarly with George Lucas's later movies, there was nobody there willing to challenge the Great Mr Spielberg's screenplay and suggest how it could be tightened and improved.

But I was entertained.

It finished at 7.50pm so we had to hop it to Koji Restaurant. Toby called to wish Mike a happy birthday too. 

The dinner was superb. We both got the 9 course chef's meal - all plant-based for me, carnivore version for Mike. And it was so good. Creative, but well thought out. Very little in common between mine and Mike's which meant we got to see and taste a huge range of dishes.  Mike got a couple of glasses of a fascinating and delicious chilled red from Alexia Urban Winery in Greytown. All up, $226 - what a bargain for one of the best degustation meals we've ever had! So that was an excellent birthday night out. 

Fave ones for me? The lettuce cups with mushroom and other deliciousness. The miso eggplant. The charred broccoli. Mmmm.

Dinner at Koji

What a menu! We'll try a la carte next time (and there will be a next time)

Ubered home and chatted to the driver a lot about his hybrid Haval. Fed the cats. And fell asleep with a very full stomach.

Up for a bus in with Mike. He had the session with Quentin while I ran on the treadmill. Coffee at Margies on the way to work.

Margies for Wed iced latte

Have a brilliant day.

Love,

Angela

The Monday with dinner out

 Hi,

Happy birthday to Mike. Woot! He got coffee in bed. He is so lucky.

Parents are in Norway

Gym Tuesday morning

Monday saw me WFH and drive in to pick up Mike and Shoshana. And as I got closer to town, it started bucketing down rain.

Reminded us of the last time Shoshana was in Wellington with me driving an EV. Debbie and Shoshana and me had a giggle fest in a huge downpour with me driving a Tesla for the first time. In the dark. We went to pick up Mike from work and couldn't open the doors. And he got soaked waiting for us to figure it out.

At least I knew how to work this EV given it was our car. But it really rained.

Dinner at The Botanist. Good chat and most of the food was good. My miso eggplant was a bit average - but Shoshana's banana blossom salad was a huge miss.

Dropped Shoshana back at her hotel and off home to get to bed. Moxley woke us by puking all over Mike's side of the duvet. Mike sleeps with headphones in and didn't hear her being sick. I was up and asking Alexa to turn on the lights and that was what woke Mike. He was so confused at what I was doing.

I cleaned it up and went back to bed.

Up to get a coffee for Mike for his birthday this morning. And a goodbye kiss. Ran for the early bus. Ran on the treadmill. Bench 45kg 2 reps x 3 sets. Then 32.5kg 10 reps x 3 sets. Switch to squats. 67.5kg 3 reps x 3 sets.

Now I am destroyed.

Tuesday beckons. Work first. Then a movie with Mike. Disclosure Day. Then Kijo for a late dinner. Then home for Mike to get his present.

Yippee!

Hope you have a good day just like Mike.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with a trip to field day in Mystery Creek

 Hi,

What a big weekend. Andrew came to collect me just after 4pm when I finished work. He packed the car like a boss and we were on the road up SH1 by 4.20pm.

Brekkie Thursday

It was an easy drive in good conditions. We drove through to Sanson where we filled up with fuel. By the time we got to Waiouru we were hungry for a spot of dinner. Toasted sandwiches was our mission. We went into the takeaways opposite the Z petrol station and surprised the owner luxing with her wee child squealing with excitement that there was a customer.

We ordered. And then the woman said a sentence to us that made Andrew's ears prick up.  "We have got a notice that we can't use the water. Can we even boil it?"

And on the counter was a huge explanation and a big sign saying "Do not use the water". Andrew read it. Turns out some Aluminium snuck into the water supply and no amount of boiling would fix that. But the issue was fixed and everyone needed to not use the water until it all flushed through.

Andrew explained that. And I reckon she understood because the customer behind us asked for a black coffee and she explained she couldn't do that.

And we're off - 4.20pm

Cheese toasties in hand we were off again. And as we passed the northern outskirts of town, both our cellphones pinged with the emergency text sound. I grabbed my phone wondering what on earth was happening. Turns out they were telling us not to drink the water.

We got to Mangakino super fast - just before 10pm. We were the only cars in the car park. We got in the main doors and found the key and room 17 was ready for us. Curtains shut and heater on. Nice and toasty warm.

Into bed. And up at 6am for a quick shower and brekkie and off before 7am. Mystery Creek was already buzzing when we arrived into the same Blue carpark as last year. Within metres of the same location. Parked there around 8.15 or so I guess.

With our tickets on Andrew's phone, we went straight through the gates and got our bands. And then the world was our oyster.

Friday morning and we're in

Vast

Drones spraying

Pole saw length envy

Andrew asking all the questions

Andrew had a list of things he was interested in. One of them was finding a good deal to finally join a tribe for power tools. We approached the Ryobi stall when I noticed Jordan from HowToDad outside on his phone. Before I knew it, I was approaching him to ask for a selfie.

He was kind enough to oblige. I told him our son got a selfie about 10 years ago with him. And he said he had a few more grey hairs in his beard now. Thank you HowToDad. You made my day.

Look who I met!!!

Hey!

We also found Peter at his stall. And Aidan was there too. So we got a pic with them all together. Awww.

What is the collective noun for this?

Tractors!

We got ready to buy all the things Andrew decided on around 3.30pm and finally left the grounds and got back to the car with all the Ryobi gear we could carry. Great fun. So much busier than last year. 

We drove to Peter and Glenys's house and waited for them to arrive. It was hectic at their place because they had just seen the arrival a new wee grand-daughter. Emma Kate. Wee George (big bro) was staying and a source of great entertainment. What a clever wee boy.

We enjoyed takeaways and then watched the rugby. Chiefs v Crusaders in the semi. Chiefs smashed them!

Then off back to Maraetai Lodge for the night.

Saturday - time for sleeping

Slightly lazier start to the day on Saturday. Brekkie and shower and then into the car for a foggy drive to Kinloch.

We got the bikes ready and headed off around 11.15am for a 32km loop. I made it 6.5km before I called it. But what an awesome trail. We did the Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay. Grade 3 (but probably more like 2.5). Slowly uphill to this lookout over the bay. I was a bit shaky so I decided to ride back. Andrew kept going around the full loop.

I had great fun riding back. And I sat in the car, drank ginger beer and felt much better after scoffing crackers and hummus.

View over Kawakawa Bay

Stunning

Andrew got back around 2pm - super fast. We popped into Taupō to see Mark at his place. Good chat to him.

Then away around 4pm to head home. Andrew was a machine driving the entire way up and back. I felt like I was on tour!

Sunset peeking around Ruapehu

Andrew driving

We met Mike at 40WLW and moved all my gear over to the MG. And he whisked me home as I was so ready for bed by that stage.

Thank you Andrew. Another fantastic trip to Mystery Creek.

Mike was up early Sunday to make me brekkie in bed. Mmmm. And he started working with Claude to code some file transfers he's been meaning to do for ages. He loves Claude.

Cats Sunday morning

Chain all clean

I cleaned my bike. We had to ride through soft sand on the trails so time for a good degrease and lube. Shiny chain!

Then off to the Hutt for a few jobs. Sally and Andrew were busy. I read my book. Andrew visited his mother. 

At 5pm we then went to Sreejith and Anjali's place for tea. Anamika is now at uni in Auckland! What? Wow. Leanne and Matt came for tea too. What a lovely meal Anjali put on. And Matt made cake. Mmmmm. Good to catch up on all the news from everyone.

Back home and I was asleep in seconds.

Monday - Shoshana is up from Dunedin so we're going out tonight. And it is birthday week for Mike. Woot!

Have a great week ahead.

Love,

Angela