The weekend with spring challenge training in Blenheim

 Hi,

What a mighty weekend down in Blenheim for our first team training of 2026 for the Spring Challenge. The weather was amazing - 28 and 29C while I was there. Super nice. Mike was also down in Marlborough with his friends doing a 4wD trip down the Molesworth and up the Rainbow. I hope he tells you about that too.

I flew really early Thursday morning to Blenheim - Mike kindly dropped me at the airport at 6am for my early flight. Iona picked me up at the other end and after a quick supermarket stop, I was set up in their back room for my working day. I met Suzie from California who was visiting with some friends of Iona and Col's from Ireland - Lou and Sarah. They were packing up to leave after staying a day or two. And I was taking over their space.

Yes, busy times in Blenheim.

I did get out for a run at lunch time with Nicola. She came and got me and took me to the mountain bike track at the foot of the Wither Hills. We did 3km and it was mostly in shade, so a good option from Nic. 

Lunch run with Nic

Got back to work and finished my long day with meetings. Then got ready for the real event - our Friday spring challenge training day.

Packed and ready Iona and I went out to quiz night. We picked up Victoria on the way. They have a new quiz now - out in Renwick. We came square in the middle (we briefly peaked at #1 during the rounds).

Back for a good sleep. Then up for the training day. Iona and I took her bike with us in the ute to Onamalutu and waited all of 2 minutes for Nicola to arrive. In a brainwave from her, we had her pedal bike and her eBike. 

We left the cars at about 8.50am and headed up the gravel road to the top of a saddle. It was still a little cool especially in the shade. But after the first gate, it got warmer. We lifted the pedal bikes over the gates, but the eBike had to go through the middle. Worked ok.

Friday training day

There was a fair bit of height gained in this part of our day. The road only went up. We surprised a herd of about 15 - 20 goats at one point. Iona and I were shepherding them up the road until they decided to veer off to avoid us. The billy was stinky!

A lot of up

A few gates to negotiate

Last gate before the top

At the top we went up a last wee steep bit to the start of the walk. We tackled the Wakamarina track and it was a beautiful walk. The bush was lovely and the elevation was a gentle sloping ridge for about 6 or 7 km. So nice. Well graded path too. I did lose my sunglasses off my cap at one point, and couldn't see them on the ground behind me. Asked Iona to check behind my on my backpack. Nothing. Then she said we did pass an overhanging branch. So I looked up - and my sunglasses were hanging on this really slender branch over the track at head height. Funny.

Top of our bike ride

Locked the bikes up for the walking part

Discussion at the start of the walk

I also got a  face full of bush lawyer on the way up. Iona took it off carefully and I only bled a little from the bridge of my nose. I also collected some on my arm near the top and got a more spectacular looking blood display there.

Drink pause

Bush was stunning

At Fosters Clearing

Decent climb

We stopped at Fosters Clearing at the top saddle and had some food. Then headed back down to our bikes. The ride down to the cars was amazing. 1 hour 48 to get up. 32 mins to get back. Wheeeeee.

Saturday saw Iona up with me to do Park Run. #31 in the bag. I did a combo of run/walk. Bit slow.

Park run

I look silly when I run

Col's peach tree

Big crop this season

We wandered over to Pollard Park to enjoy the Marlborough multicultural festival. Lots of good food and music. I got a boba tea and veg Indian food. Panipuri. Mmmm. Well - Iona and Col had to pay. it was all cash only.

Multi cultural event in Pollard Park

Boba tea for me

At Barb's quince tree

Then it was time to head to the Bat BBQ in Rai Valley. We picked up Malcolm and Marion too. And stopped at Barb's place to see if there was any fruit or veg to harvest (she had told us to do so).

At the Bat BBQ

The Bat BBQ was great. This is the trapline that Iona and Col do at Pelorus. Lucie from F&B runs the programme. So it was a chance to meet others and chat about the future work.

Back home and a big tea for Col and her sister Jack and her partner Kim that were visiting in their campervan. So nice to meet them. Iona cooked a great dinner after her huge day. Thank you.

Up for brekkie Sunday - oaty pancakes. And watched the Rugby Sevens in Vancouver. Jack and Kim arrived too.

At lunch time they headed off to a winery to meet a friend for lunch and Iona and I went to Whites Bay to meet Claire, John, Jacob and Ashley (and their friend George and wee Jean) and have a go in the kayak and SUP. Good to see Claire again. They had been camping for a few days.

Carrying the yellow kayak to the beach from the ute was hard work. My arms are now 2cm longer than they were.

Had fun lounging around in the water on the SUP and kayak. I managed to stand up and tootle around a bit.

Going home after SUP fun

Then back home to shower and order food. And then off to the airport. Nicola met us there and gave me some venison from Tony's successful hunt over the weekend. Thank you.  Nice flight home - we left early. It was full. 13 of us all up.

Got an uber from the airport for $45 and threw myself into bed. I was fast asleep when Mike got home at 11.45pm. I barely woke up.

And this morning he was off to town for gym and work. So I need to hear all about his adventures tonight.

Have a great week. I will not. It is Shane's last week and I am sad.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with just us

 Hi,

What a huge day and it is only 8.30am. Hahah. Yesterday I worked from home. Busy day too. The cats were happy I was there.

Moxley in her skull

Sourdough

After work I made bread - first one in ages. Mike got home and we had some bao buns for tea with leftover salad from Polly's party and some tofu for me and chicken for Mike.

This morning Mike dropped me at the airport for my 6.45am flight to Blenheim. Yes, it is a training weekend. Lucky I am ignorant of the work in front of me.

Sounds Air to Blenheim

Lovely flight. And a busy house when Iona picked me up and took me home. Suzie from California, Lou and Sarah from Ireland. All staying. Then I turned up and just set up shop. Hahahah.

Working from home today. Ensconced in the back room to avoid all the comings and goings.

Hope your day is a good one and the weekend is lots of fun.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with Mum going home

 Hi,

After getting Mum to the airport and going to gym, it was a busy day at work. And the weather was crazy cold. Freezing rain off and on all day.

Work iced latte

I spotted Laura in at work with her wee Poppy. Flo was nowhere to be seen (I guess she was at day care). Poppy is so cute!

Visit from wee Poppy

I caught the #13 bus home at 4.57pm and managed to time it perfectly. The walk from the bus stop was dry and I could see the rain just coming down the valley. As I got to the front door, it started lashing down.

Admiring my card from Iona and Col

Mike and I had a light tea (omelette and cheese and crackers) and Mike had a late meeting. Then bed. Up for garage PT session for me. Dead lifts 70kg 4 x 4 

Mike is off to work in town today.

I am off to Blenheim tomorrow for a Spring Challenge training weekend involving cycling and tramping. And maybe some SUP? If I am lucky?

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela

The Monday with Toby going home and lunch with Ed

 Hi,

Monday morning saw me and Mike head to the airport nice and early to drop Toby off. Then Mike went to the gym and I drove home.

I worked from home and tidied away Toby's bed. The cats were not happy to lose Toby. They were hanging around his bed all morning.

Toby is gone

The cats are sad

At lunch time I drove Mum to Ngaio to meet Ed at the cafe there. While Mum enjoyed meeting Ed and having a good chat, she was in so much pain that I could tell she was not her usual self. Her neck pain was more manageable but her lower back was agony. At one stage she had to stand up to stop a spasm and she knocked her water all over Ed's seat. She was mortified. Ed didn't care much. Heck - the weather was so bad, anyone would have wet pants in 2 minutes.

Ed suggested we visit the chemist next door. Good idea because Mum got some ibuprofen and when we got home, she sat and watched TV with a hottie on her back. And within a few hours she had far less pain.

We called Air NZ and got her assistance at Brisbane airport sorted. I had tea while she watched some TV. Mike got home and I made his tea. Then Mum packed up.

Went to bed and slept well until the alarm at 2.45am. Mum was already up. I got dressed and we got her to the car. Her back was still feeling much better. Got to the airport at 4am only to find broken kiosks and a huge bag drop queue.

I left her there, in the queue. She was sure she would manage. And I imagine that by now she is halfway across the Tasman. Dad will be driving to Brisbane to see her.

It has been so nice to have her here. Shame her back pain meant her last week was impacted a lot. But I hope she can manage it much better in her own home. And get the doctor to help if needs be.

I went back home and was in bed again at 4.30am. I reckon I slept for an hour, which was good. Up for my bus in for my PT session with Quentin. Bench. 42.5kg 3 reps x 4 sets. Then accessories.

The weather is so bad. Freezing cold rain. Southerlies. Brrrr. Stay dry and warm if you are in NZ.

Love,

Angela

Tuesday gym session

The weekend with birthday parties

 Hi,

Another big weekend. This one saw us celebrate Polly's 90th. Woot! Let's see how the weekend all unfolded.

Data brekkie Thursday morning

Te Papa - cool look at Britten bike

Friday I went with Mum into town and we parked near Te Papa and met Polly for lunch around 11.30am. Poked into some exhibits before going over the road to Te Tākina for lunch at the cafe. The food was a bit average - iced latte was good. The service was less than stellar with our main server being a bit impatient with us. Main issue being they made assumptions and did not realise that old people can't hear well when there is such loud ambient noise. They need to check their patrons and note the age of them is really quite high on average. So best be more considerate with your main customer base. In saying that - they had some very nice staff on that perhaps have already understood that. Maybe our server just didn't want to be there.

The experience doesn't make me want to rush back there.

Te Tākina cafe - was average

Walked a bit back to my work and got ready for dragon boating. Yes. I got a call up for a Friday evening race. Woot!

Mum models

Friday afternoon fun

I was in the second last row and seated next to Florrie and behind Emma. Great fun. We got on the water around 6.40pm and had our race. I think we came last in that heat. Strategic, obviously. I know the team did well on Saturday in the main races and came second in the Corporate C final. Good on them!

Waterfront

Stunning now

Walking back to the car

After the race we walked back to the car and headed to Kara's for a quick hello there. Mum has a really sore neck and back and Kara checked it out. I got some bath bombs and flowers from Kara. Awwww. Thank you Kara.

Saturday saw us up to get ready for Polly's party. Mike, Toby and I went to Maccas in Petone to set us up for success with terrible coffee and reasonable McMuffins and hot cakes. It worked.

Maccas yucky iced latte

Polly's cake

The food was looking great from Bella Italia - as was the cake. We put up the marquee that Sally and Andrew have in the shed. Our practise with Aidan's borrowed one for my birthday meant we got it up really fast. So I headed off to collect my mum and Helen and bring them back - with Toby along for the ride. We also had to stop off to get some beer and wine; we fitted that in and we were back 10 mins before kick off.

Sunny backyard

Bella Italia food looks so good

Under the marquee

Other end of the table

There it is

Toby chilling

It all went very well. Photos were shared after lunch. We saw Pop Kelly in one with Mike and Polly and Ron and Sophie. So nice. Oh - and Mike was holding Fred the cat. That pic was at Dunback. Awwww. Other photos were a perfect summary of Polly's main life highlights. Her nursing. Her marriage. Her kids. Her house and garden. And her fun times.

Cake and speeches

Flowers from Kara

Sunday was lovely to start with - but the weather slowly changed through the day.

Sunday stunner

Smudge models for us

At Seashore Cabaret

Mum and Toby and I went to Petone and had brunch at Seashore Cabaret while Mike did Callan's trapline.

Mum waits for her turmeric chai

Food is here

At Capitol

In the afternoon we went to Capitol for dinner. Polly was there already. Mike got out of the bush and came in with Sally and Andrew courtesy of Callan's personal uber service.

We had such a lovely meal. Capitol is owned by the parents of  Toby in Year 9 that meant our Toby changed his name to Roland at high school. So nice to meet them. The food was so good. The service was absolutely lovely. Thank you Polly and Mum for paying for a delightful meal and all your company.

Reading menus

Watching La La Land

Back home to watch La La Land. It was an ok movie. Went to bed quite late given we were up at 5am to take Toby to the airport for his 6am flight to chc.

Mike went to the gym and I drove home.

WFH today. Lunch with Ed and my mother at Ngaio today.

Hope your week is a good one.

Love,

Angela