Hi,
Wow - next time we chat it'll be November. Amazing. The weather is still a bit cold today and the wind is still a bit strong. but my ride in was fun. I saw 50 km/h on my bike computer coming down the hill as I tucked in behind the handlebars (it was a southerly I was flying down the hill into).
I think the Kittos return from Fiji today. They'll be very relaxed after their break and I hope I hear all about it.
Toby and I have started a new Thursday evening routine where we go to the Wadestown Library. Hopefully we can catch up with wee Tom and Christine regularly then too. That'd be nice. Christine has a new horse called Victor and he is lovely to ride (unlike Georgia who was very skittery - apparently). Perhaps Toby and I might try one day. Or, just feed him carrots!
The weekend is looming (although not fast enough despite the 4 day week) and we have all sorts of plans. Swimming, walking, computer-building, parties, sleepovers, Halloween and National Kea Birthday on Sunday. Phew. I'll need Monday to recover. I must fit in a big grocery shop too as we're plum out of everything! I had to do an emergency dash to Woolies last night to get bread and milk.
We're all good - Toby slept well and only woke when I went to kiss him goodbye this morning. He did shout out during the night but I am not sure why.
Tennis club night tonight. Toby and I will put in an appearance (and maybe grab a sausage from the sausage sizzle).
Love,
Angela
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Good afternoon on Thurs, Oct 29
Hi,
Well, it is now way past lunchtime and I remembered I haven't done any of my usual morning things - blogging, checking syncing is working at work. I had Toby drop-off duty and obviously my routine has all gone to ruin. So, blogging in the afternoon now. But I am worried about syncing. If it's broken I'd rather not know at this late stage. Heheheheh.
We had a good evening last night. Mum and Dad collected wee Toby from school and got him ready for karate. Mum cooked up a lovely dinner and we ate (after a wee delay) when Dad and I got back from watching Toby learning some complicated sequence of moves. Phew! If he gets the hang of it, it'll look very cool.
The delay was due to my mother being crippled by her walk in the gardens with Vivienne and Ramble. Heheheheh. She is out of practise so it was very good for her. I hope they go for regular "coffee" walks in the future! Hopefully Mum has stopped hobbling today. Time to get her out again!
Mike came home after tramping club and we fell into a coma. Mike had to be at work by 6am this morning so when the alarm went off at 5am I was very confused. Still, at least I could keep sleeping.
The weather is still cold and windy today. But hopefully we will be getting better weather tomorrow and for the weekend. Bring it on. My garden is a shambles.
Have a great afternoon and evening.
Love,
Angela
Well, it is now way past lunchtime and I remembered I haven't done any of my usual morning things - blogging, checking syncing is working at work. I had Toby drop-off duty and obviously my routine has all gone to ruin. So, blogging in the afternoon now. But I am worried about syncing. If it's broken I'd rather not know at this late stage. Heheheheh.
We had a good evening last night. Mum and Dad collected wee Toby from school and got him ready for karate. Mum cooked up a lovely dinner and we ate (after a wee delay) when Dad and I got back from watching Toby learning some complicated sequence of moves. Phew! If he gets the hang of it, it'll look very cool.
The delay was due to my mother being crippled by her walk in the gardens with Vivienne and Ramble. Heheheheh. She is out of practise so it was very good for her. I hope they go for regular "coffee" walks in the future! Hopefully Mum has stopped hobbling today. Time to get her out again!
Mike came home after tramping club and we fell into a coma. Mike had to be at work by 6am this morning so when the alarm went off at 5am I was very confused. Still, at least I could keep sleeping.
The weather is still cold and windy today. But hopefully we will be getting better weather tomorrow and for the weekend. Bring it on. My garden is a shambles.
Have a great afternoon and evening.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Oct 28
Hi,
What a glorious morning in Wellington - sandwiched between two cold southerly blasts as tomorrow's forecast is bad. The ride in was perfection itself - no wind, sunny, dry. I wore my sunnies! Hooray!
Last night was fun. Toby was collected by Gramps and taken to the Formula One exhibition at Te Papa. Unfortunately Toby zoomed through the exhibits at Schumacher times and poor Gramps hardly saw a thing. They spent the next few hours at other parts of Te Papa. We found them at closing time and went for dinner at Hogs Breath Cafe. Toby enjoyed his chicken schnitzel (although I do have to say the Blue Bridge ferry chicken schnitzel meal was better and cheaper!) and we all had a great time. Dad drove us all home.
Tonight is karate night. Then Mike is off to tramping club night. Not much else happening. I'll try and sort out the Kea activity for this Sunday.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
What a glorious morning in Wellington - sandwiched between two cold southerly blasts as tomorrow's forecast is bad. The ride in was perfection itself - no wind, sunny, dry. I wore my sunnies! Hooray!
Last night was fun. Toby was collected by Gramps and taken to the Formula One exhibition at Te Papa. Unfortunately Toby zoomed through the exhibits at Schumacher times and poor Gramps hardly saw a thing. They spent the next few hours at other parts of Te Papa. We found them at closing time and went for dinner at Hogs Breath Cafe. Toby enjoyed his chicken schnitzel (although I do have to say the Blue Bridge ferry chicken schnitzel meal was better and cheaper!) and we all had a great time. Dad drove us all home.
Tonight is karate night. Then Mike is off to tramping club night. Not much else happening. I'll try and sort out the Kea activity for this Sunday.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Oct 27
Hi,
A wonderful extra long Labour Day weekend. Mike, Toby and I left on the 9pm ferry on Thursday evening and had the ferry to ourselves (apart from some commercial drivers - there were hardly any normal passengers). We got ourselves a cabin and I read and went to sleep. Great fun! The best way to cross Cook Strait! Mike and Toby watched a movie before coming to sleep. I heard some incoherent story about talking dogs in Hollywood getting dognapped to Mexico. But - I could be wrong.
We drove straight to St Arnaud and Mike slept in the day shelter under the "No overnight camping in this shelter" sign. Apparently sleeping from 1.30am to 7am is not overnighting according to Mike. Toby and I slept in the car. Toby slept well and woke at about 8am. We had breakfast and mucked around chasing ducks (saw a nosey weka too) and sculpting logs of wood before we set off to Lakehead - DOC said it would take us about 3 hours.
We stayed on schedule for the first 30 minutes and then I have no idea where the time went. Toby had a ball poking into every boggy swamp we crossed, and running around on any beach we came to - so I guess that is why it took us the best part of 6 hours to walk there.
We pitched the tent not far from the hut under some trees in a perfect spot - apart from a lot of sandflies. Mike cooked up a storm in our billy - rice with tuna and coconut cream with fresh broccoli and carrots infused with sun-dried tomato oil. Gourmet or what??!! We ate everything.
Our exertions meant we were all asleep by 7.30pm. Then, around 8pm Mike woke saying "Who's that?". Scared me silly. We waited and listened and heard some voices approaching and I thought Mike must have heard that. But - no! It was a cheeky kea that had found our rubbish and was checking out our stuff under our tent fly. I ended up getting up and chasing him around the campsite in the rain with my headtorch on. I am sure I saw a kiwi scuttle away at the edge of the campsite. We could hear kiwi calling during the night. To stop the kea's antics, we had to pull both our packs into the tent and I ended up sleeping scrunched up sideways at the bottom of Mike and Toby. A little uncomfortable.
The next morning was beautiful. We packed a day pack and Toby polished off 6 Weetbix and we walked further up the valley to a swing bridge where we crossed and had lunch. Toby loved the tramping and kept up a constant commentary about anything and everything. When Mike pulled out the chocolate he could see that the kea had got in and nibbled two squares off our block. I groaned because the chocolate had been buried deep in my almost new backpack.
Back to the hut and we saw some families had taken it over and Toby was chuffed. He ran around in bare feet (he never does that) chasing after the other children and had a ball. So much so, that he chose to sleep in the hut with everyone else. I immediately checked out my pack expecting to see ribbons shredded down one side. But the cheeky kea had surgically removed the chocolate using precision pinhole surgery. I have a wee hole halfway down the side. It must have amazing smell to find chocolate under pack and two layers of plastic! Back to Macpac for some mending.
The kea turned up at the same time this evening too but this time our packs were in the hut. He poked his head under the tent flap and I said "Nothing here for you" and he took off. The families all took photos of him when he checked out the new arrivals at the hut and they called him Charlie the Hopper, the Cheeky Chocolate Eater.
Next morning dawned misty but warm after more night rain. But by the time we prised Toby away from the other children (well, they left to tramp out so it made it slightly easier for us) we left and headed back to St Arnaud. We had decided to camp in Nelson for that night so we kept up a good pace (a good Toby pace) and got distracted by hot beaches and clear blue lakes once or twice. Toby stripped down to swim at one beach but the cold water kept him dry! He
sunbathed instead. We got back to St Arnaud at 1pm and ate a pie at the general store after checking out the MX-5 rally cars meeting at the lake and then headed off to Nelson.
The road there was gorgeous and Mike enjoyed the drive. We created Digimon monsters most of the way. Heheheh. Toby likes to create new ones with great powers and cool names. Mike and I have to rack our brains for ideas whereas Toby's monsters seem to flow freely from the depths of his brain.
We found the Tahunanui campground eventually and picked our tent site. We found some food and playground equipment and had a good relaxing evening. Toby slept in his own wee tent and Mike and I slept in ours. Toby did very well.
Next morning we went into town for Maccas and to buy Toby some tramping boots like Josh had on (a boy from the hut - they were all from Nelson so they told us where to buy them). Then we headed off to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive and caught the ferry back home.
The cat was pleased to see us and we got lots of smooches. Thank you to Vivienne for keeping her bowl full and closing our window we had left open. Ooops.
Back at work int he rain this morning. Toby has a great afternoon with Gramps planned. Gramps has tickets to the Formula One show in Te Papa and will collect Toby at 3pm from the meeting tree at school. Then we'll see everyone for dinner afterwards in town.
Have a great day! I hope your weekend was as good as ours.
Love,
Angela
A wonderful extra long Labour Day weekend. Mike, Toby and I left on the 9pm ferry on Thursday evening and had the ferry to ourselves (apart from some commercial drivers - there were hardly any normal passengers). We got ourselves a cabin and I read and went to sleep. Great fun! The best way to cross Cook Strait! Mike and Toby watched a movie before coming to sleep. I heard some incoherent story about talking dogs in Hollywood getting dognapped to Mexico. But - I could be wrong.
We drove straight to St Arnaud and Mike slept in the day shelter under the "No overnight camping in this shelter" sign. Apparently sleeping from 1.30am to 7am is not overnighting according to Mike. Toby and I slept in the car. Toby slept well and woke at about 8am. We had breakfast and mucked around chasing ducks (saw a nosey weka too) and sculpting logs of wood before we set off to Lakehead - DOC said it would take us about 3 hours.
We stayed on schedule for the first 30 minutes and then I have no idea where the time went. Toby had a ball poking into every boggy swamp we crossed, and running around on any beach we came to - so I guess that is why it took us the best part of 6 hours to walk there.
We pitched the tent not far from the hut under some trees in a perfect spot - apart from a lot of sandflies. Mike cooked up a storm in our billy - rice with tuna and coconut cream with fresh broccoli and carrots infused with sun-dried tomato oil. Gourmet or what??!! We ate everything.
Our exertions meant we were all asleep by 7.30pm. Then, around 8pm Mike woke saying "Who's that?". Scared me silly. We waited and listened and heard some voices approaching and I thought Mike must have heard that. But - no! It was a cheeky kea that had found our rubbish and was checking out our stuff under our tent fly. I ended up getting up and chasing him around the campsite in the rain with my headtorch on. I am sure I saw a kiwi scuttle away at the edge of the campsite. We could hear kiwi calling during the night. To stop the kea's antics, we had to pull both our packs into the tent and I ended up sleeping scrunched up sideways at the bottom of Mike and Toby. A little uncomfortable.
The next morning was beautiful. We packed a day pack and Toby polished off 6 Weetbix and we walked further up the valley to a swing bridge where we crossed and had lunch. Toby loved the tramping and kept up a constant commentary about anything and everything. When Mike pulled out the chocolate he could see that the kea had got in and nibbled two squares off our block. I groaned because the chocolate had been buried deep in my almost new backpack.
Back to the hut and we saw some families had taken it over and Toby was chuffed. He ran around in bare feet (he never does that) chasing after the other children and had a ball. So much so, that he chose to sleep in the hut with everyone else. I immediately checked out my pack expecting to see ribbons shredded down one side. But the cheeky kea had surgically removed the chocolate using precision pinhole surgery. I have a wee hole halfway down the side. It must have amazing smell to find chocolate under pack and two layers of plastic! Back to Macpac for some mending.
The kea turned up at the same time this evening too but this time our packs were in the hut. He poked his head under the tent flap and I said "Nothing here for you" and he took off. The families all took photos of him when he checked out the new arrivals at the hut and they called him Charlie the Hopper, the Cheeky Chocolate Eater.
Next morning dawned misty but warm after more night rain. But by the time we prised Toby away from the other children (well, they left to tramp out so it made it slightly easier for us) we left and headed back to St Arnaud. We had decided to camp in Nelson for that night so we kept up a good pace (a good Toby pace) and got distracted by hot beaches and clear blue lakes once or twice. Toby stripped down to swim at one beach but the cold water kept him dry! He
sunbathed instead. We got back to St Arnaud at 1pm and ate a pie at the general store after checking out the MX-5 rally cars meeting at the lake and then headed off to Nelson.
The road there was gorgeous and Mike enjoyed the drive. We created Digimon monsters most of the way. Heheheh. Toby likes to create new ones with great powers and cool names. Mike and I have to rack our brains for ideas whereas Toby's monsters seem to flow freely from the depths of his brain.
We found the Tahunanui campground eventually and picked our tent site. We found some food and playground equipment and had a good relaxing evening. Toby slept in his own wee tent and Mike and I slept in ours. Toby did very well.
Next morning we went into town for Maccas and to buy Toby some tramping boots like Josh had on (a boy from the hut - they were all from Nelson so they told us where to buy them). Then we headed off to Picton via Queen Charlotte Drive and caught the ferry back home.
The cat was pleased to see us and we got lots of smooches. Thank you to Vivienne for keeping her bowl full and closing our window we had left open. Ooops.
Back at work int he rain this morning. Toby has a great afternoon with Gramps planned. Gramps has tickets to the Formula One show in Te Papa and will collect Toby at 3pm from the meeting tree at school. Then we'll see everyone for dinner afterwards in town.
Have a great day! I hope your weekend was as good as ours.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, Oct 22
Hi,
I think we may be lucky with our tramping weather.
Nelson Lakes National Park
Thu Oct 22
Morning rain clearing then fine spells for a time. However, rain or showers developing about the ranges late afternoon, sometimes heavy. Snow lowering to 1000 metres at night.Wind at 1000 meters: Southwest 50 km/h, dying away in the morning.Wind at 2000 meters: Severe westerly gale 90 km/h, dying away in the afternoon.Free air freezing Level: Gradually lowering to 1400 metres.
Fri Oct 23
Mostly sunny.Wind at 1000 meters: Light.Wind at 2000 meters: Southwesterlies.Free air freezing Level: Rising to 1800 metres.
Sat Oct 24
Mostly sunny. Light winds.
Sun Oct 25
Cloudy periods increasing, late showers possible. Northwesterlies.
Mon Oct 26
Rain or showers. Northwesterlies, dying away.
We had a pleasant evening. Mum and Dad had dinner sorted and Toby sorted. The karate went well - Dad enjoys coming along to watch. We both live in hope that Toby will learn all the moves and astound everyone. He is actually very good with the moves he already knows.
We got packed up after Mum and Dad left us to our mass of belongings strewn all around in preparation. Phew. The architect is coming to chat to us after work today so we're heading off at 1600 to meet him. Then we're driving to the ferry to catch the 9pm sailing. Yawn!
It's going to be great fun. Mum will feed Merlot two days and Sally will intervene on the other days to save Merlot from starvation. She has a basket to sleep in in the laundry and her food is there too (and more in the laundry cupboard). I hope she's ok. No neighbours are home this weekend so she might end up sleeping in the laundry.
Merlot slept all night on Toby's bed last night. Very cute.
Have a great weekend - especially if it's a long one!
Love,
Angela
I think we may be lucky with our tramping weather.
Nelson Lakes National Park
Thu Oct 22
Morning rain clearing then fine spells for a time. However, rain or showers developing about the ranges late afternoon, sometimes heavy. Snow lowering to 1000 metres at night.Wind at 1000 meters: Southwest 50 km/h, dying away in the morning.Wind at 2000 meters: Severe westerly gale 90 km/h, dying away in the afternoon.Free air freezing Level: Gradually lowering to 1400 metres.
Fri Oct 23
Mostly sunny.Wind at 1000 meters: Light.Wind at 2000 meters: Southwesterlies.Free air freezing Level: Rising to 1800 metres.
Sat Oct 24
Mostly sunny. Light winds.
Sun Oct 25
Cloudy periods increasing, late showers possible. Northwesterlies.
Mon Oct 26
Rain or showers. Northwesterlies, dying away.
We had a pleasant evening. Mum and Dad had dinner sorted and Toby sorted. The karate went well - Dad enjoys coming along to watch. We both live in hope that Toby will learn all the moves and astound everyone. He is actually very good with the moves he already knows.
We got packed up after Mum and Dad left us to our mass of belongings strewn all around in preparation. Phew. The architect is coming to chat to us after work today so we're heading off at 1600 to meet him. Then we're driving to the ferry to catch the 9pm sailing. Yawn!
It's going to be great fun. Mum will feed Merlot two days and Sally will intervene on the other days to save Merlot from starvation. She has a basket to sleep in in the laundry and her food is there too (and more in the laundry cupboard). I hope she's ok. No neighbours are home this weekend so she might end up sleeping in the laundry.
Merlot slept all night on Toby's bed last night. Very cute.
Have a great weekend - especially if it's a long one!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Oct 21
Hi,
We've moved to a northerly after yesterday's cold southerly but it has left cold air still. The ride in was dry but cold this morning and I could see my Dragon Breath in the air.
Yesterday evening was both horrible and fun. I rushed home to take Toby to buy a replacement fish at Animates for his wee black fish that gave up the ghost. But there were no similar fish in the store. Toby fell in love with a puppy and immediately put on a display that was embarrassing - crying for the puppy and not wanting a fish. Mike rode home and we drove home from there and when Mike got home he punished Toby for his bad behaviour. So, there was no fish, no TV and no computer games. Toby knew he had gone past the boundary of acceptable behaviour.
Mike and Toby bounced on the trampoline and we had dinner and then a small brazier evening where we toasted marshmallows. It was a lot of fun without TV. I think Mike is now going to declare Tuesday evenings TV free. I like that!
We need to pack for the weekend away tonight and sort out the cat food situation. Someone has to feed the cat while we're away on Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon morning. We should be home for Monday evening ok.
Ok. Time to start the day in earnest.
Love,
Angela
We've moved to a northerly after yesterday's cold southerly but it has left cold air still. The ride in was dry but cold this morning and I could see my Dragon Breath in the air.
Yesterday evening was both horrible and fun. I rushed home to take Toby to buy a replacement fish at Animates for his wee black fish that gave up the ghost. But there were no similar fish in the store. Toby fell in love with a puppy and immediately put on a display that was embarrassing - crying for the puppy and not wanting a fish. Mike rode home and we drove home from there and when Mike got home he punished Toby for his bad behaviour. So, there was no fish, no TV and no computer games. Toby knew he had gone past the boundary of acceptable behaviour.
Mike and Toby bounced on the trampoline and we had dinner and then a small brazier evening where we toasted marshmallows. It was a lot of fun without TV. I think Mike is now going to declare Tuesday evenings TV free. I like that!
We need to pack for the weekend away tonight and sort out the cat food situation. Someone has to feed the cat while we're away on Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon morning. We should be home for Monday evening ok.
Ok. Time to start the day in earnest.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Oct 20
Hi there,
Another shabby day in Wellington - how much water can possibly fall from a sky continuously? I was so slack - I really should have hopped on my bike as there was no wind. But I caved in and took the bus.
Kea night was great fun - only Toby and Ryan turned up (one was sick and two were away). We tried to make fog but only ended up making rain. Nothing new there for Wellington!
Tonight I'm off to collect wee Toby and head to Animates to replace Toby's dead fish. Poor wee thing. Never mind.
We also need to pack for the weekend tonight. We're off on Thursday for 4 days (Toby's school has a teacher-only day on Friday and it is Labour Weekend here this weekend so Monday is a public holiday) down to Nelson Lakes to go tramping. I hope the weather improves -a lot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Another shabby day in Wellington - how much water can possibly fall from a sky continuously? I was so slack - I really should have hopped on my bike as there was no wind. But I caved in and took the bus.
Kea night was great fun - only Toby and Ryan turned up (one was sick and two were away). We tried to make fog but only ended up making rain. Nothing new there for Wellington!
Tonight I'm off to collect wee Toby and head to Animates to replace Toby's dead fish. Poor wee thing. Never mind.
We also need to pack for the weekend tonight. We're off on Thursday for 4 days (Toby's school has a teacher-only day on Friday and it is Labour Weekend here this weekend so Monday is a public holiday) down to Nelson Lakes to go tramping. I hope the weather improves -a lot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, October 19, 2009
Good morning on Monday, Oct 19
Hi,
It is an exceptional morning here in Wellington. Hardly any wind and beautiful, clear blue skies. It's superb. The ride in was lovely.
The weekend was good fun. Friday was the first Wadestown tennis club night and it had stopped raining - miraculously. Mike and I also attended a Parent Association night by accident as it was also on at the school. So we learned heaps about the new principal and his goals. Toby play some half-hearted tennis but enjoyed playing with other kids. it's on every Friday evening now and I am helping on Fri, Dec 18 (last day of term).
Saturday morning was swim day and Toby played up during his class and even had to sit on the side for a bit. He needs to listen to his instructor. We've decided to start swimming with him regularly as well so he can play then, and concentrate during his lesson.
Saturday afternoon he wasn't allowed to go swimming with the Tabors because of his poor showing at his lesson (it was a condition of entry so he got what he deserved) but we had fun at Sally and Andrew's place for lunch and we headed home to go to Greg and Nic's place for the evening. Toby and I played charades with Nic's niece (15) and nephew(13) also staying the evening. It was loads of fun!
Sunday was a lazy day because the weather was rubbish. We were going to walk somewhere but it wasn't nice enough. So we stayed at home. Toby got to go swimming with the Tabors (on condition he listens well at his next lesson) and had a great time. The Tabors are now off to Auckland to get passports sorted. What a pleasant day trip for them. The embassy queuing system. Nice. Shame about the perfectly good embassy here in Wellington. Apparently they only do politics here. Whatever!
We did pop over to see Mike's mother and give her the re-built laptop. Benjamin's parents were due back so I imagine they had a good time away - despite the weather.
That was about it. My sister and her family took off for Fiji and will have spent their first night there already. I wish I could hear about it all.
We're off on Thursday night on the ferry for four days tramping in Nelson Lakes National Park. We decided Toby would cope with the river flats near the lake. I hope the weather is like today and not like the weekend! We need to pack this week.
The week ahead looms. Have loads of fun (especially if you're in Fiji!).
Love,
Angela
It is an exceptional morning here in Wellington. Hardly any wind and beautiful, clear blue skies. It's superb. The ride in was lovely.
The weekend was good fun. Friday was the first Wadestown tennis club night and it had stopped raining - miraculously. Mike and I also attended a Parent Association night by accident as it was also on at the school. So we learned heaps about the new principal and his goals. Toby play some half-hearted tennis but enjoyed playing with other kids. it's on every Friday evening now and I am helping on Fri, Dec 18 (last day of term).
Saturday morning was swim day and Toby played up during his class and even had to sit on the side for a bit. He needs to listen to his instructor. We've decided to start swimming with him regularly as well so he can play then, and concentrate during his lesson.
Saturday afternoon he wasn't allowed to go swimming with the Tabors because of his poor showing at his lesson (it was a condition of entry so he got what he deserved) but we had fun at Sally and Andrew's place for lunch and we headed home to go to Greg and Nic's place for the evening. Toby and I played charades with Nic's niece (15) and nephew(13) also staying the evening. It was loads of fun!
Sunday was a lazy day because the weather was rubbish. We were going to walk somewhere but it wasn't nice enough. So we stayed at home. Toby got to go swimming with the Tabors (on condition he listens well at his next lesson) and had a great time. The Tabors are now off to Auckland to get passports sorted. What a pleasant day trip for them. The embassy queuing system. Nice. Shame about the perfectly good embassy here in Wellington. Apparently they only do politics here. Whatever!
We did pop over to see Mike's mother and give her the re-built laptop. Benjamin's parents were due back so I imagine they had a good time away - despite the weather.
That was about it. My sister and her family took off for Fiji and will have spent their first night there already. I wish I could hear about it all.
We're off on Thursday night on the ferry for four days tramping in Nelson Lakes National Park. We decided Toby would cope with the river flats near the lake. I hope the weather is like today and not like the weekend! We need to pack this week.
The week ahead looms. Have loads of fun (especially if you're in Fiji!).
Love,
Angela
Friday, October 16, 2009
Good morning on Fri, Oct 16
Hi,
Ok - it is officially scary how fast the months are rushing past. Halfway through October already and it feels like it was the 1st only a few days back.
Bit wet out there today - but not cold. I'm off to the morning session of the seminar today to hear what the expert panel has to say.
Toby starts his swimming again tomorrow morning. Not much else on for the weekend though.
I'm looking forward to the weekend. We need to replace Toby's black fish which decided to give up the ghost yesterday after swimming erratically for a few days. If the weather is nice, we'll try a day walk with Mum somewhere.
Have a marvellous weekend everyone.
Love,
Angela
Ok - it is officially scary how fast the months are rushing past. Halfway through October already and it feels like it was the 1st only a few days back.
Bit wet out there today - but not cold. I'm off to the morning session of the seminar today to hear what the expert panel has to say.
Toby starts his swimming again tomorrow morning. Not much else on for the weekend though.
I'm looking forward to the weekend. We need to replace Toby's black fish which decided to give up the ghost yesterday after swimming erratically for a few days. If the weather is nice, we'll try a day walk with Mum somewhere.
Have a marvellous weekend everyone.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Oct 14
Hi,
What a lovely ride in this morning - the roads are still dry ahead of the thundery downpours the weather forecasters are predicting. What do they know? Although, admittedly, they may have poked their heads out the window this morning because I have to say, it looks pretty threatening out there. Ominous clouds all around.
Last night was fun. I rode home and collected wee Toby and dinner (slow cooker sausage casserole) and drove to Ngaio to have dinner with Benjamin and Nana (but not Ramble as he was banished during dinner due to his nose being at plate height). Mike was a little late as he had work commitments but after he had eaten we went home. Toby was asleep quite quickly again.
The cat seems to be settling in even more. She was waiting for me and Toby when we got home last night - that was nice.
Karate tonight. First one back since the school holiday break. I think Ma and Dad will come and collect wee Toby and prepare him for karate. Dad enjoys coming along to watch. I hope they stay for dinner too. That'd be nice.
Ok. Time to get stuck in.
Love,
Angela
What a lovely ride in this morning - the roads are still dry ahead of the thundery downpours the weather forecasters are predicting. What do they know? Although, admittedly, they may have poked their heads out the window this morning because I have to say, it looks pretty threatening out there. Ominous clouds all around.
Last night was fun. I rode home and collected wee Toby and dinner (slow cooker sausage casserole) and drove to Ngaio to have dinner with Benjamin and Nana (but not Ramble as he was banished during dinner due to his nose being at plate height). Mike was a little late as he had work commitments but after he had eaten we went home. Toby was asleep quite quickly again.
The cat seems to be settling in even more. She was waiting for me and Toby when we got home last night - that was nice.
Karate tonight. First one back since the school holiday break. I think Ma and Dad will come and collect wee Toby and prepare him for karate. Dad enjoys coming along to watch. I hope they stay for dinner too. That'd be nice.
Ok. Time to get stuck in.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Oct 13
hi,
A beautiful, if a little fresh with that northerly, morning here in Wellington. I got up to 50km/h down the hill this morning - I love dry roads!
Keas was a little fraught last night - Toby seemed to be fragile. I think his first day back at school drained him and no one could do anything right. Well, no one except me. He was all over me the whole time. I got lots of kisses. I think he'll be better today. He was asleep quickly and woke by himself this morning nice and early. So, I think he has caught up on his sleep now.
We're off to Ngaio to have dinner with Benjamin and Nana this evening. I hope Mike remembers to tell his Mum not to cook as I have the slow cooker on already. This morning I had to get poor Mike out of bed as I cooked dinner, made sandwiches and tried to get the recycling out the door. I also had to have breakfast before riding in because our work is still in the middle of renovations so our shower and kitchen is unavailable. Back to normal next week.
I'm away from work on Thursday and half of Friday this week. There's a seminar I'm attending that promises to be very good.
I hope Vivienne and John are having a ball up at Poor Knights. I hope Vivienne's cold has cleared up. That'd be stink if she couldn't dive at all. I can't wait to see photos of it.
That's about it really. Not much on as we all get back into routine. Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
A beautiful, if a little fresh with that northerly, morning here in Wellington. I got up to 50km/h down the hill this morning - I love dry roads!
Keas was a little fraught last night - Toby seemed to be fragile. I think his first day back at school drained him and no one could do anything right. Well, no one except me. He was all over me the whole time. I got lots of kisses. I think he'll be better today. He was asleep quickly and woke by himself this morning nice and early. So, I think he has caught up on his sleep now.
We're off to Ngaio to have dinner with Benjamin and Nana this evening. I hope Mike remembers to tell his Mum not to cook as I have the slow cooker on already. This morning I had to get poor Mike out of bed as I cooked dinner, made sandwiches and tried to get the recycling out the door. I also had to have breakfast before riding in because our work is still in the middle of renovations so our shower and kitchen is unavailable. Back to normal next week.
I'm away from work on Thursday and half of Friday this week. There's a seminar I'm attending that promises to be very good.
I hope Vivienne and John are having a ball up at Poor Knights. I hope Vivienne's cold has cleared up. That'd be stink if she couldn't dive at all. I can't wait to see photos of it.
That's about it really. Not much on as we all get back into routine. Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, October 12, 2009
Good morning on Mon, Oct 12
Hi,
How horrible is it that on Monday morning I am already looking forward to next weekend? Heheheheh. We had a good weekend kicking off with going to Swan Lake with Dad to celebrate his birthday. The weather was atrocious but we had a nice meal, wandered through Whitcoulls to kill time and enjoyed the production. The only disappointing thing was the CD soundtrack. Shame. Mike collected us at the end as it was chucking down rain, along with the wind.
Saturday was great - we got up and headed out to Sally and Andrew's collecting Macca's brekkie along the way. Then we drove over to the Wairarapa to look at the block of land that might be an option for the Gilbert/Bichan whanau to purchase and build a crib. Sally and Andrew (and Aidan and Janne) looked at it a year ago and it is still for sale. It is huge, but it meets the things we want in a crib - apart from the fact that my parents would not be attracted to it much. No beach, and no power. :-) But if we did buy it, then perhaps they would visit us there.
Oddly enough, we managed a visit to the French bakery in Greytown on the way up and on the way back! Cheeky, eh? Yum!
Then we decided to see a movie in town. So off we all went to the Reading cinemas to see In the Loop. I enjoyed it but Mike wasn't enamoured. We ate at the satay house beforehand and Sally and I felt an earthquake while ordering. Yet the girl on the other side of the counter felt nothing.
After the movie we dropped off Sally and Andrew and went to collect Toby and Mum from the airport. Apart from Toby excitedly running through customs to see us and leaving Mum to manage two big suitcases, it seems to have gone well. Toby has recovered from the holiday after a good long sleep last night. From what we can gather from his comments, he had a great time. We think it was just the right amount of time. He is sad at leaving Sydney, and happy to see us.
We went around to see Nana and Benjamin for dinner and Mike cooked up a good BBQ for us. Yummo. We'll try to see them again during the week. They both seemed absolutely fine. Including Ramble!
The cat seems to have settled in a bit more. She woke us up last night making some choking sound. But it passed and she decided to have more food to help whatever it was... Toby also had a restless night - he went to bed really well but woke up around 1.30am a few times. Mike sorted him out.
Keas tonight. Hooray. No idea what I am going to do.
Love,
Angela
How horrible is it that on Monday morning I am already looking forward to next weekend? Heheheheh. We had a good weekend kicking off with going to Swan Lake with Dad to celebrate his birthday. The weather was atrocious but we had a nice meal, wandered through Whitcoulls to kill time and enjoyed the production. The only disappointing thing was the CD soundtrack. Shame. Mike collected us at the end as it was chucking down rain, along with the wind.
Saturday was great - we got up and headed out to Sally and Andrew's collecting Macca's brekkie along the way. Then we drove over to the Wairarapa to look at the block of land that might be an option for the Gilbert/Bichan whanau to purchase and build a crib. Sally and Andrew (and Aidan and Janne) looked at it a year ago and it is still for sale. It is huge, but it meets the things we want in a crib - apart from the fact that my parents would not be attracted to it much. No beach, and no power. :-) But if we did buy it, then perhaps they would visit us there.
Oddly enough, we managed a visit to the French bakery in Greytown on the way up and on the way back! Cheeky, eh? Yum!
Then we decided to see a movie in town. So off we all went to the Reading cinemas to see In the Loop. I enjoyed it but Mike wasn't enamoured. We ate at the satay house beforehand and Sally and I felt an earthquake while ordering. Yet the girl on the other side of the counter felt nothing.
After the movie we dropped off Sally and Andrew and went to collect Toby and Mum from the airport. Apart from Toby excitedly running through customs to see us and leaving Mum to manage two big suitcases, it seems to have gone well. Toby has recovered from the holiday after a good long sleep last night. From what we can gather from his comments, he had a great time. We think it was just the right amount of time. He is sad at leaving Sydney, and happy to see us.
We went around to see Nana and Benjamin for dinner and Mike cooked up a good BBQ for us. Yummo. We'll try to see them again during the week. They both seemed absolutely fine. Including Ramble!
The cat seems to have settled in a bit more. She woke us up last night making some choking sound. But it passed and she decided to have more food to help whatever it was... Toby also had a restless night - he went to bed really well but woke up around 1.30am a few times. Mike sorted him out.
Keas tonight. Hooray. No idea what I am going to do.
Love,
Angela
Friday, October 9, 2009
Good morning on Fri (hooray), Oct 9
Hi,
Pretty average weather out there today, I can assure you. Drizzle for Africa! We got a lift home last night after the release so we took the bus in today. Mike gets to collect the car this afternoon and I think we'll meet Dad for dinner before Dad and I go to Swan Lake.
I read about Swan Lake last night so I know the story. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl because boy gets another girl. Boy realises mistake but they are too stupid to do anything about it so boy and girl die together. Tragic. But Darwinian, so it's ok.
Off to have a brekkie before work now. Should be nice. I am starving now.
Have a great weekend. Wee Toby and Mum come home tomorrow night. What fun!
Love,
Angela
Pretty average weather out there today, I can assure you. Drizzle for Africa! We got a lift home last night after the release so we took the bus in today. Mike gets to collect the car this afternoon and I think we'll meet Dad for dinner before Dad and I go to Swan Lake.
I read about Swan Lake last night so I know the story. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl because boy gets another girl. Boy realises mistake but they are too stupid to do anything about it so boy and girl die together. Tragic. But Darwinian, so it's ok.
Off to have a brekkie before work now. Should be nice. I am starving now.
Have a great weekend. Wee Toby and Mum come home tomorrow night. What fun!
Love,
Angela
Thursday, October 8, 2009
It's not *that* complicated tonight...
I'm going to bike out to the panelbeaters, get the car and put my bike on the back, drive it back to work for Angela to drive home in, and then ride home.
Our colleague Andy, on the other hand, is busy ringing around Macpac outlets in Christchurch, so that his wife can buy a baby backpack like our old one while she is changing flights between Wellington and Queenstown. All because in the weekend they looked at it, decided on it, but then decided to sleep on it before buying one...
Our colleague Andy, on the other hand, is busy ringing around Macpac outlets in Christchurch, so that his wife can buy a baby backpack like our old one while she is changing flights between Wellington and Queenstown. All because in the weekend they looked at it, decided on it, but then decided to sleep on it before buying one...
Good morning on Thurs, Oct 8
Hi,
Thursday, eh? The week is going fast and slow all at once. I am now counting down till I see wee Toby again.
Last night was good fun - we went to Dad's place for cottage pie. It was very good (Ma - he even put veges in it!!) and I had two helpings and so did Mike. We just left enough for tonight's dinner for him.
After that we shot off to tramping club and watched a slide show with some alpine climbing photos. The presenter was a great laugh. Very caustic humour. Great to listen to.
Merlot eventually came home after I was asleep. She has a dirt box in the downstairs toilet now.
I have a release tonight so will be working late. Mike will collect the car from the panelbeaters and hopefully take me home in some convoluted plan that shows me Toby is not the source of our planning complications. Perhaps the plan is this. Mike rides his bike to the panelbeaters. Drives back to work. Parks car in basement. Rides home. I put my bike on the car and drive home after the release. It's something like that.
Tomorrow night is Swan Lake night with the Russian ballet company. It's Dad's birthday present. So we'll have dinner beforehand and go to the ballet. I'd best read about Swan Lake.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Thursday, eh? The week is going fast and slow all at once. I am now counting down till I see wee Toby again.
Last night was good fun - we went to Dad's place for cottage pie. It was very good (Ma - he even put veges in it!!) and I had two helpings and so did Mike. We just left enough for tonight's dinner for him.
After that we shot off to tramping club and watched a slide show with some alpine climbing photos. The presenter was a great laugh. Very caustic humour. Great to listen to.
Merlot eventually came home after I was asleep. She has a dirt box in the downstairs toilet now.
I have a release tonight so will be working late. Mike will collect the car from the panelbeaters and hopefully take me home in some convoluted plan that shows me Toby is not the source of our planning complications. Perhaps the plan is this. Mike rides his bike to the panelbeaters. Drives back to work. Parks car in basement. Rides home. I put my bike on the car and drive home after the release. It's something like that.
Tomorrow night is Swan Lake night with the Russian ballet company. It's Dad's birthday present. So we'll have dinner beforehand and go to the ballet. I'd best read about Swan Lake.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Good morning on Wed, Oct 7
Hi,
Ok - it was a poor showing at the pub quiz last night but we had loads of fun. Some nights the questions just don't suit the team. However, the laugh of the night was had with one question. Lesley is always careful about answers so no one else can cheat from us. Towards the end (when it was apparent we were not vying for the lead), a question came up: What creature came back to Noah with an olive branch? Well, we all knew that one. Then we started being silly. One of us said it was an Osprey. Then someone said it was a vulture. Then Mike, with his booming voice and a giggle, said it was a vulture carrying a dove. The whole pub went silent as they realised Mike had shouted out the answer and we dissolved into fits of laughter!
We... ummmm... forgot about our new responsibilities and left our cat out to roam around for food and warmth last night while we were out at the pub. We got a text from the previous owners saying if we neglect the cat they'll take it back. So I have no tramping club tonight as I have to come home to cat-sit. Oops. Heheheheh.
That's about it. Have a great day. Weather still cold. Toby having so much fun he's forgotten me. Busy at work. Never mind.
Love,
Angela
Ok - it was a poor showing at the pub quiz last night but we had loads of fun. Some nights the questions just don't suit the team. However, the laugh of the night was had with one question. Lesley is always careful about answers so no one else can cheat from us. Towards the end (when it was apparent we were not vying for the lead), a question came up: What creature came back to Noah with an olive branch? Well, we all knew that one. Then we started being silly. One of us said it was an Osprey. Then someone said it was a vulture. Then Mike, with his booming voice and a giggle, said it was a vulture carrying a dove. The whole pub went silent as they realised Mike had shouted out the answer and we dissolved into fits of laughter!
We... ummmm... forgot about our new responsibilities and left our cat out to roam around for food and warmth last night while we were out at the pub. We got a text from the previous owners saying if we neglect the cat they'll take it back. So I have no tramping club tonight as I have to come home to cat-sit. Oops. Heheheheh.
That's about it. Have a great day. Weather still cold. Toby having so much fun he's forgotten me. Busy at work. Never mind.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Good morning on Tues, Oct 6
Hi,
The weather is very odd - snow all over hills, roads closed. And it is very cold. See what minimum temperature Google thinks it'll be on Friday this week? Heheheheh.
Last night Mike rode home and I took the bus. He got home just before me and took off to get dinner supplies. We ate a lovely chicken Caesar salad and we'll have more of the same later this week.
We took Merlot over last night with the changing of the food bowl. Her bowl is now outside our house. We have to go to Animates at lunch time today to buy a dirt box and some kitty litter. And Mike thinks Sally and Andrew should keep their cat flap as it'd be a hassle filling in the hole. So we may have to buy one for ourselves. She slept on our bed all last night - under a blanket.
Tonight is fun! We will have a quiz night out. Hopefully John and Vivienne will meet us at The Quiet Lady (if for dinner - then at 6.30pm, otherwise at 7pm when the quiz starts!). Dad will come too. So, if he wants to stay for the quiz, we can drive him. But if he just wants dinner he can drive there himself. But, currently, we're going to Karori and collecting Wally and Lesley and heading to the pub.
So, call me if you want to arrange anything special for tonight's quiz. I can collect Dad from Ngaio if he wants to stay for the whole thing. :-)
If you're in Wellington, stay warm today! If you're in Sydney - you're lucky. I saw some cool photos from the weekend where Toby got to do some exciting stuff (bungy swinging - his face is beaming in every shot!), not the least is spending time with his cousins!
Oh - and last night we spent time discussing crib options with Sally on the phone. Perhaps going shares with Sally and Andrew is a very good option for us. What fun!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, October 5, 2009
Good morning on Mon, Oct 5
Hi,
I had a three day weekend and I am wondering where it went. Friday was great fun as I spent the morning with Toby. We went for breakfast at The Wadestown Kitchen as a treat. Then we went to collect Mum, have some lunch and then wander out to the airport. I saw them off into the customs area and went home.
Saturday Mike and I watched documentaries until lunch time. Heaven! Breakfast in bed and I think lunch in bed too. Heheheheheh.
We started a DS Lite rebuilding project that now has Toby's old DS Lite in pieces over the kitchen table. Phew!
Saturday evening we went out to the rugby with the Tabors. Wellington slaughtered Manawatu. Mike and I decided to walk home to the car at Crofton Downs train station. It took us 1.25 hours. I was amazed how long it took to walk to the bottom of Ngaio Gorge.
Sunday I decided we should drive up the coast to check out Foxton Beach. It started raining within 10 minutes of home. When we reached the 50km/h zone Mike decided we needed the top up on the car. So we drove through rain for the rest of the day. But Foxton Beach looks great and we had a nice lunch at Bulls at the Mothered Goose cafe. Very nice day.
We will take over Merlot tonight. The swap is on!
I heard from Mum and Toby on Saturday. They had a good flight and were off to visit Scott's Mum for the weekend. Scott will be sad as his team lost the Grand Final. We know how that feels. I got a text from Karen yesterday and they are back at home and having fun. We will try and ring them tonight.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
I had a three day weekend and I am wondering where it went. Friday was great fun as I spent the morning with Toby. We went for breakfast at The Wadestown Kitchen as a treat. Then we went to collect Mum, have some lunch and then wander out to the airport. I saw them off into the customs area and went home.
Saturday Mike and I watched documentaries until lunch time. Heaven! Breakfast in bed and I think lunch in bed too. Heheheheheh.
We started a DS Lite rebuilding project that now has Toby's old DS Lite in pieces over the kitchen table. Phew!
Saturday evening we went out to the rugby with the Tabors. Wellington slaughtered Manawatu. Mike and I decided to walk home to the car at Crofton Downs train station. It took us 1.25 hours. I was amazed how long it took to walk to the bottom of Ngaio Gorge.
Sunday I decided we should drive up the coast to check out Foxton Beach. It started raining within 10 minutes of home. When we reached the 50km/h zone Mike decided we needed the top up on the car. So we drove through rain for the rest of the day. But Foxton Beach looks great and we had a nice lunch at Bulls at the Mothered Goose cafe. Very nice day.
We will take over Merlot tonight. The swap is on!
I heard from Mum and Toby on Saturday. They had a good flight and were off to visit Scott's Mum for the weekend. Scott will be sad as his team lost the Grand Final. We know how that feels. I got a text from Karen yesterday and they are back at home and having fun. We will try and ring them tonight.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Good morning on Thurs, Oct 1
Hi,
Happy birthday to Dad! We're off to dinner tonight at The Quiet Lady to celebrate. Hooray!
Of course, as always, it means a bit of a logistics exercise for the Gilberts. This is the plan (although hardly anyone else knows it so some of the logistics involves getting this message to everyone): Mike drives in to work and drops the car off to get its door panel beating assessed; We pick up the car and 1700-1730 and then collect Dad from his work; Mum drives to collect wee Toby and goes to our house; we drive past our house and collect Mum and Toby; we eat, drink and be merry; we all drive back to our house and Mike (who has only been merry on juice) drives my parents car back to their house with us following; I drive all the Gilberts back home.
Ta dah! A very proud Gilbert exercise in complications, permutations and open to all sorts of misinterpretations. Heheheheheh. I love it!
So, there you have it. Mike is the walking undead because he went out after tramping club socialising with some other members and then read until 4am. Those Lee Child books will be the death of us. Or, just the cause of sleep deprivation.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Happy birthday to Dad! We're off to dinner tonight at The Quiet Lady to celebrate. Hooray!
Of course, as always, it means a bit of a logistics exercise for the Gilberts. This is the plan (although hardly anyone else knows it so some of the logistics involves getting this message to everyone): Mike drives in to work and drops the car off to get its door panel beating assessed; We pick up the car and 1700-1730 and then collect Dad from his work; Mum drives to collect wee Toby and goes to our house; we drive past our house and collect Mum and Toby; we eat, drink and be merry; we all drive back to our house and Mike (who has only been merry on juice) drives my parents car back to their house with us following; I drive all the Gilberts back home.
Ta dah! A very proud Gilbert exercise in complications, permutations and open to all sorts of misinterpretations. Heheheheheh. I love it!
So, there you have it. Mike is the walking undead because he went out after tramping club socialising with some other members and then read until 4am. Those Lee Child books will be the death of us. Or, just the cause of sleep deprivation.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
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