Hi,
I rode to karate last night and was warm enough when I got there so I stayed watching while still in my bike shorts. We saw Toby get his grading certificate and his new yellow belt. He was very proud - as we were too. However I was so chilled by the end of 90 minutes that it took ages to warm up when I got home.
This morning is lovely - my ride in was very pleasant. I am at the Intergen office today - so up the railway end of town. I have a haircut booked and I need to do some banking and attend a meeting in person for a change. Back to Te Papa end tomorrow. My work colleague has arranged Yum Cha for lunch tomorrow at 12.30 not too far from the client's office down the other end. Perfect.
Busy times. Bring on a three day weekend! Yay.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
The Tuesday with Cubs
Hi,
What a great night at Cubs. It started with me riding my bike to Intergen and walking back to Wagamama with Mike. We ordered for ourselves and Toby and waited for the arrival of food and the boys (Jack was with Toby). Kevin was going to drop them into town for us. Cubs was at the Fergs climbing wall. All good. A great Gilbert plan in action.
However, time past and Mike and I finished our meal. We waited for the boys. Nothing. Mike left to get to Fergs at 6pm when other Cubs might start arriving. I stayed at Wagamama. And waited. And waited. Eventually I texted another Cub leader (Mike had left his phone at home) to find out what was happening and Mike rang me back immediately on her phone.
Turns out Kevin had dropped Toby and Jack straight off at Fergs. And the bedlam of getting 25 Cubs sorted with payment and climbing gear was proving tricky for Mike to get word to me. So I enjoyed a quiet time at Wagamama staring at Toby's meal and wondering how much food I could possibly get through on my own until I was summoned to Fergs. When I got there, there was no bedlam at all. Choice!
Home to bed - and Mike might be getting a wee bit sick. We shall see. He is super busy at work so he might need to recharge batteries. Lucky he has a super long weekend this weekend. Queens Birthday plus two teacher only days for Toby. Mike has a 5 day weekend!
I will ride to karate tonight after work. And probably ask Mike to take me home before I freeze in the draughty hall. We're expecting Toby to get his certificate tonight for passing his last grading! Ooooo.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
What a great night at Cubs. It started with me riding my bike to Intergen and walking back to Wagamama with Mike. We ordered for ourselves and Toby and waited for the arrival of food and the boys (Jack was with Toby). Kevin was going to drop them into town for us. Cubs was at the Fergs climbing wall. All good. A great Gilbert plan in action.
However, time past and Mike and I finished our meal. We waited for the boys. Nothing. Mike left to get to Fergs at 6pm when other Cubs might start arriving. I stayed at Wagamama. And waited. And waited. Eventually I texted another Cub leader (Mike had left his phone at home) to find out what was happening and Mike rang me back immediately on her phone.
Turns out Kevin had dropped Toby and Jack straight off at Fergs. And the bedlam of getting 25 Cubs sorted with payment and climbing gear was proving tricky for Mike to get word to me. So I enjoyed a quiet time at Wagamama staring at Toby's meal and wondering how much food I could possibly get through on my own until I was summoned to Fergs. When I got there, there was no bedlam at all. Choice!
Home to bed - and Mike might be getting a wee bit sick. We shall see. He is super busy at work so he might need to recharge batteries. Lucky he has a super long weekend this weekend. Queens Birthday plus two teacher only days for Toby. Mike has a 5 day weekend!
I will ride to karate tonight after work. And probably ask Mike to take me home before I freeze in the draughty hall. We're expecting Toby to get his certificate tonight for passing his last grading! Ooooo.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The Monday with nothing for me and Toby
Hi,
I rode home with Mike and enjoyed an evening with him and Toby before he headed out to another dinner for the tramping club website work. As I said, he is busy.
Unfortunately for him I was fast asleep when he got home and try as I might to speak when I did realise he was back, the words just wouldn't emerge coherently. My brain was asking questions, but my mouth wasn't connected. Hahahah.
Needless to say, it was a great sleep! And it turns out that Mike slept too, despite the three cups of coffee he had over his protracted dinner.
Tonight is Cubs night and we're climbing at Fergs. Come and help us if you're in town. We need lots of belayers - children under 12 can't belay. 6pm to 8pm.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I rode home with Mike and enjoyed an evening with him and Toby before he headed out to another dinner for the tramping club website work. As I said, he is busy.
Unfortunately for him I was fast asleep when he got home and try as I might to speak when I did realise he was back, the words just wouldn't emerge coherently. My brain was asking questions, but my mouth wasn't connected. Hahahah.
Needless to say, it was a great sleep! And it turns out that Mike slept too, despite the three cups of coffee he had over his protracted dinner.
Tonight is Cubs night and we're climbing at Fergs. Come and help us if you're in town. We need lots of belayers - children under 12 can't belay. 6pm to 8pm.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, May 28, 2012
The weekend with a conference and a lazy Sunday
Hi,
A weekend of contrasts for sure. Saturday morning I was up early and I think that definitely woke Mike up earlier than he was anticipating for a Saturday morning. He had been up late too - poor chap. Anyhow, Mike drove me into town to the train station where I met Aidan T and Christine for breakfast. Christine and I were attending a Womens Conference, along with Vivienne. Aidan had her own conference agenda at Te Papa - more aligned to her studies than her gender.
We met Vivienne at the conference and we all seemed to enjoy ourselves. The highlight of my day was the session called "How to look good with your clothes on" because the woman running it (Lisa O'Neill) was hilarious. Laughed a lot during that 45 minutes! She has a one day workshop on in June and I am tempted to go along for nothing other than a good laugh. And if I learn more about clothes, that would merely be a bonus! Funny!
Other sessions were about communication with your partner, how to win, how to be healthier (Vivienne and I thought he was a bit too flakey for us but Christine seemed keen to try) and how to declutter. All good stuff.
Mike collected me and Christine and we wandered back home.
Sunday saw Mike hacking at ivy in the back yard before heading into work for the day. He's a busy boy. I stayed at home with Toby and tidied the house. Toby wanted to head up to Waikanae to play with Duncan and Emerson but they were busy. In the end, we found William available for a playdate and Toby's disappointment subsided somewhat. Well, I got the house clean and tidy - always a good thing for the weekend. Especially as we're away for a lot of it next weekend.
The ride in this morning was windy! Wow. But it was a northerly so it didn't cause me too much concern. And the rain had stopped - it rained a lot of yesterday.
Have a fantastic week.
Love,
Angela
A weekend of contrasts for sure. Saturday morning I was up early and I think that definitely woke Mike up earlier than he was anticipating for a Saturday morning. He had been up late too - poor chap. Anyhow, Mike drove me into town to the train station where I met Aidan T and Christine for breakfast. Christine and I were attending a Womens Conference, along with Vivienne. Aidan had her own conference agenda at Te Papa - more aligned to her studies than her gender.
We met Vivienne at the conference and we all seemed to enjoy ourselves. The highlight of my day was the session called "How to look good with your clothes on" because the woman running it (Lisa O'Neill) was hilarious. Laughed a lot during that 45 minutes! She has a one day workshop on in June and I am tempted to go along for nothing other than a good laugh. And if I learn more about clothes, that would merely be a bonus! Funny!
Other sessions were about communication with your partner, how to win, how to be healthier (Vivienne and I thought he was a bit too flakey for us but Christine seemed keen to try) and how to declutter. All good stuff.
Mike collected me and Christine and we wandered back home.
Sunday saw Mike hacking at ivy in the back yard before heading into work for the day. He's a busy boy. I stayed at home with Toby and tidied the house. Toby wanted to head up to Waikanae to play with Duncan and Emerson but they were busy. In the end, we found William available for a playdate and Toby's disappointment subsided somewhat. Well, I got the house clean and tidy - always a good thing for the weekend. Especially as we're away for a lot of it next weekend.
The ride in this morning was windy! Wow. But it was a northerly so it didn't cause me too much concern. And the rain had stopped - it rained a lot of yesterday.
Have a fantastic week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, May 25, 2012
The Thursday with dinner at the neighbours
Hi,
I rode home with Mike - and left him for dead. It may have had something to do with his ten kilo backpack full of presentation packs for a presentation he has in Hastings today (Friday). But I will take the win.
We got changed at home and walked over to Brendan and Fiona's place for dinner. Fish n chips. Yum. Had a good chat and then back home to bed.
Friday morning saw Mike off to the airport nice and early for the exotic destination of Hastings. He has a presentation to give and I am sure he will be great!
I saw that Tyler ran really well int he Zone cross country race yesterday. 16th out of over 50 kids. Wow! She's amazing. Toby said she would beat him for sure.
Have a wonderful weekend. I am at a conference on Saturday with Vivienne and Christine (learning how to be a real woman) and then Mike says he has to work on Sunday. Oh dear.
Love,
Angela
I rode home with Mike - and left him for dead. It may have had something to do with his ten kilo backpack full of presentation packs for a presentation he has in Hastings today (Friday). But I will take the win.
We got changed at home and walked over to Brendan and Fiona's place for dinner. Fish n chips. Yum. Had a good chat and then back home to bed.
Friday morning saw Mike off to the airport nice and early for the exotic destination of Hastings. He has a presentation to give and I am sure he will be great!
I saw that Tyler ran really well int he Zone cross country race yesterday. 16th out of over 50 kids. Wow! She's amazing. Toby said she would beat him for sure.
Have a wonderful weekend. I am at a conference on Saturday with Vivienne and Christine (learning how to be a real woman) and then Mike says he has to work on Sunday. Oh dear.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Wednesday with karate and Toby pick up duties
Hi,
I love autumnal weather - the cool, crisp mornings. My ride in this morning (Thursday) was wonderful.
Anyhow, I was on Toby pick up duties yesterday and left work at 3.40pm to drive to the Wadestown library. The boys were already inside when I got there at 3.55pm. They were playing on the computers.
We drove home and they played for a bit while I cooked dinner and then Toby did his homework. We ate and then went to karate. Karate was great fun - I read for a lot of it. Aidan T said the new moon looked great to the west but it was obscured by clouds or the hills for me. Toby did well.
Home to get ready for bed - supper first while Toby completed his homework. Mike came home after working late.
Jack was dropped off this morning at our house at 6.30am. I had neglected to mention that to Mike. Whoops. His parents are both busy today with flights elsewhere.
Okay. Time to sort out a few things as well as a cup of tea.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I love autumnal weather - the cool, crisp mornings. My ride in this morning (Thursday) was wonderful.
Anyhow, I was on Toby pick up duties yesterday and left work at 3.40pm to drive to the Wadestown library. The boys were already inside when I got there at 3.55pm. They were playing on the computers.
We drove home and they played for a bit while I cooked dinner and then Toby did his homework. We ate and then went to karate. Karate was great fun - I read for a lot of it. Aidan T said the new moon looked great to the west but it was obscured by clouds or the hills for me. Toby did well.
Home to get ready for bed - supper first while Toby completed his homework. Mike came home after working late.
Jack was dropped off this morning at our house at 6.30am. I had neglected to mention that to Mike. Whoops. His parents are both busy today with flights elsewhere.
Okay. Time to sort out a few things as well as a cup of tea.
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The Tuesday with Cubs
Hi,
After a slightly manic day at work, Cubs wasn't exactly the relief I was looking for. I think every parent in Karori fed their Cub fizzy drink or coffee for their dinner last night. They were all over exuberant. Such happiness in children should be stamped out. Obviously. Hahahah. The climbing talk was very successful even if we did extract one Cubs to sit in the back room for 10 minutes. Can't wait for next week at Fergs climbing wall. Good fun.
Mike dropped me and Toby off and took Jack home and then headed to work to get some stuff done. Poor Mike. He got home and Toby and I were fast asleep. In fact, Mike says he ate dinner and watched TV right next to me. Really? Gee. I didn't notice a thing. But then, perhaps his snoring over the years has deafened me to noise while I sleep. Heheheh. Mike pretended to snore the other night and I laughed. Then he said he hoped he wasn't that loud usually. I said sometimes he is louder. He then proposed to stick a hot poker up his nose. Not necessary, I said. I never hear it anyway. Then he worried about other trampers in huts. What? For one night with Mike he should stick pokers up his nose? Hardly! Mike has nothing to worry about.
Tonight is karate night and I am on Toby and Alex pick up duties from the library at 4pm. Cool. Haven't done that before.
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
After a slightly manic day at work, Cubs wasn't exactly the relief I was looking for. I think every parent in Karori fed their Cub fizzy drink or coffee for their dinner last night. They were all over exuberant. Such happiness in children should be stamped out. Obviously. Hahahah. The climbing talk was very successful even if we did extract one Cubs to sit in the back room for 10 minutes. Can't wait for next week at Fergs climbing wall. Good fun.
Mike dropped me and Toby off and took Jack home and then headed to work to get some stuff done. Poor Mike. He got home and Toby and I were fast asleep. In fact, Mike says he ate dinner and watched TV right next to me. Really? Gee. I didn't notice a thing. But then, perhaps his snoring over the years has deafened me to noise while I sleep. Heheheh. Mike pretended to snore the other night and I laughed. Then he said he hoped he wasn't that loud usually. I said sometimes he is louder. He then proposed to stick a hot poker up his nose. Not necessary, I said. I never hear it anyway. Then he worried about other trampers in huts. What? For one night with Mike he should stick pokers up his nose? Hardly! Mike has nothing to worry about.
Tonight is karate night and I am on Toby and Alex pick up duties from the library at 4pm. Cool. Haven't done that before.
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Monday with nothingness
Hi,
I rode home on Monday evening with my knobblies on from the mountain biking and it was a lot harder going than usual. The knobblies consume a lot more energy than my normal road tyres. I really need to switch back to my road tyres.
I cooked dinner and served it up just as Mike got home. In his bike gear - but by car. He was riding to work yesterday morning when he got a call from Jack's Dad saying the boys' bus had broken down. So Mike went back to get the car, stopped at the bus stop to collect four boys and drove them to school! What a great Dad, eh? Jack's Dad did the same thing.
Busy at work yet again. Phew! But at least the sun is shining outside. The ride down was very pleasant this morning. The harbour was very still.
Cubs tonight - we have Sharron from tramping club coming to talk to the Cubs about climbing. And next week is the practical at Fergs! Should be a lot of fun!
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
I rode home on Monday evening with my knobblies on from the mountain biking and it was a lot harder going than usual. The knobblies consume a lot more energy than my normal road tyres. I really need to switch back to my road tyres.
I cooked dinner and served it up just as Mike got home. In his bike gear - but by car. He was riding to work yesterday morning when he got a call from Jack's Dad saying the boys' bus had broken down. So Mike went back to get the car, stopped at the bus stop to collect four boys and drove them to school! What a great Dad, eh? Jack's Dad did the same thing.
Busy at work yet again. Phew! But at least the sun is shining outside. The ride down was very pleasant this morning. The harbour was very still.
Cubs tonight - we have Sharron from tramping club coming to talk to the Cubs about climbing. And next week is the practical at Fergs! Should be a lot of fun!
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Monday, May 21, 2012
The weekend with packed excitement
Hi,
I got home nice and early on Friday evening and grabbed Toby and some sparkling grape juice and we were off to Waikanae for dinner. The traffic was okay - nothing worse than I was expecting and we were at our destination in 70 minutes. Not too shabby. I did sing a lot but Toby has been training himself to drown it out so he didn't care! Hahahah.
Dinner was scrumptious as ever - spaghetti bolognese with lovely salad and bread. Thank you Aidan and Josh. And I caught up with a friend of theirs (Trav) as well. We heard about his adventures living in Italy the past two years!
Toby and I drove back and Toby fell asleep on the way. I suspect the cross country event that day at school had more to do with his tiredness. He told me he did okay!
A slow lazy morning was followed by a frenetic rush to get the car to Abtec in Lower Hutt by 10am. But we did it with minutes to spare. The news that it would take about two hours to fix wasn't great. So Toby and I wandered over to Lollipops playland (renamed Play!). We looked down at his sandals with no socks and wondered if he would get in as you need socks to play. Then Toby said I could use my socks - perfect solution. I was proud of him and he said he wouldn't mind the pink socks! Hahahah. But then we found Lollipops/Play gutted and out of business. Toby was disappointed. But then he came up with another great idea. The Lower Hutt library. We used to go there a lot when we lived with Sally and Andrew.
We walked there in the freezing cold (and bought Mike's birthday present on the way) - Toby in his shorts and sandals. Me in a t-shirt and hoody. Brrrr. But the library was warm and we read for a while. Then we walked in the freezing cold, again, to Sally and Andrew's house where Toby lived on hot chocolate until he was warm. Or possibly, for a little longer. ;-)
We stayed for lunch and then Andrew dropped us back to collect the car. We then drove to Miramar where Toby had a playdate with Sam from his class. I had a cup of tea with Katy - Sam's mother and Helen - Sam's grandmother. Then home to read for - oh - only 30 minutes. Where had the time gone? Back to Miramar to collect Toby for the Carter Observatory night.
We had tea (hotdogs) in the Wadestown Presbyterian church and then Brendan (neighbour) drove us to the observatory with Amelia. The show in the planetarium was great! The Dawn of the Space Age. Marvellous. Then we popped up to the telescope and saw Saturn high int he night sky.
Brendan dropped us home and I got out my old telescope and finally saw Saturn through there. Not as crisp and clear as the big Cook telescope at the observatory. But pretty happy. Had a look at Mars then a bit of the coal sack area.
Brought the telescope inside and walked away from it and its tripod legs fell out from under it and it smashed onto our wooden floor. Yikes! Springs and all sorts fell out. It may be irretrievably broken now. The viewfinder definitely. Time to buy a new one!
To bed to watch a movie with Toby (Pirates of the Caribbean 4) and sleep. Sunday morning was lazy again - I made pancakes and bacon for our breakfast. Then off to Sally and Andrew's for lunch, followed by mountain biking at Makara. Andrew was very kind - even when I rode so slow I made him fall off! His front tyre also blew out at one point - that was amazing! We rode up Koru, up Sally Alley and down Swigg. Good fun and I want to go again. Thanks Andrew!
Back to collect Toby and home to find Mike there from his weekend away! What a nice surprise.
The week begins! The day is gorgeousness itself. Cold though - I rode past parked cars covered in frost and my toes were cold and fingers throbbing when the blood came back.
Mike is driving Toby to school as the bus was broken! Poor service there. Not from Mike - from the bus company.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
I got home nice and early on Friday evening and grabbed Toby and some sparkling grape juice and we were off to Waikanae for dinner. The traffic was okay - nothing worse than I was expecting and we were at our destination in 70 minutes. Not too shabby. I did sing a lot but Toby has been training himself to drown it out so he didn't care! Hahahah.
Dinner was scrumptious as ever - spaghetti bolognese with lovely salad and bread. Thank you Aidan and Josh. And I caught up with a friend of theirs (Trav) as well. We heard about his adventures living in Italy the past two years!
Toby and I drove back and Toby fell asleep on the way. I suspect the cross country event that day at school had more to do with his tiredness. He told me he did okay!
A slow lazy morning was followed by a frenetic rush to get the car to Abtec in Lower Hutt by 10am. But we did it with minutes to spare. The news that it would take about two hours to fix wasn't great. So Toby and I wandered over to Lollipops playland (renamed Play!). We looked down at his sandals with no socks and wondered if he would get in as you need socks to play. Then Toby said I could use my socks - perfect solution. I was proud of him and he said he wouldn't mind the pink socks! Hahahah. But then we found Lollipops/Play gutted and out of business. Toby was disappointed. But then he came up with another great idea. The Lower Hutt library. We used to go there a lot when we lived with Sally and Andrew.
We walked there in the freezing cold (and bought Mike's birthday present on the way) - Toby in his shorts and sandals. Me in a t-shirt and hoody. Brrrr. But the library was warm and we read for a while. Then we walked in the freezing cold, again, to Sally and Andrew's house where Toby lived on hot chocolate until he was warm. Or possibly, for a little longer. ;-)
We stayed for lunch and then Andrew dropped us back to collect the car. We then drove to Miramar where Toby had a playdate with Sam from his class. I had a cup of tea with Katy - Sam's mother and Helen - Sam's grandmother. Then home to read for - oh - only 30 minutes. Where had the time gone? Back to Miramar to collect Toby for the Carter Observatory night.
We had tea (hotdogs) in the Wadestown Presbyterian church and then Brendan (neighbour) drove us to the observatory with Amelia. The show in the planetarium was great! The Dawn of the Space Age. Marvellous. Then we popped up to the telescope and saw Saturn high int he night sky.
Brendan dropped us home and I got out my old telescope and finally saw Saturn through there. Not as crisp and clear as the big Cook telescope at the observatory. But pretty happy. Had a look at Mars then a bit of the coal sack area.
Brought the telescope inside and walked away from it and its tripod legs fell out from under it and it smashed onto our wooden floor. Yikes! Springs and all sorts fell out. It may be irretrievably broken now. The viewfinder definitely. Time to buy a new one!
To bed to watch a movie with Toby (Pirates of the Caribbean 4) and sleep. Sunday morning was lazy again - I made pancakes and bacon for our breakfast. Then off to Sally and Andrew's for lunch, followed by mountain biking at Makara. Andrew was very kind - even when I rode so slow I made him fall off! His front tyre also blew out at one point - that was amazing! We rode up Koru, up Sally Alley and down Swigg. Good fun and I want to go again. Thanks Andrew!
Back to collect Toby and home to find Mike there from his weekend away! What a nice surprise.
The week begins! The day is gorgeousness itself. Cold though - I rode past parked cars covered in frost and my toes were cold and fingers throbbing when the blood came back.
Mike is driving Toby to school as the bus was broken! Poor service there. Not from Mike - from the bus company.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Thursday with the circus!
Hi,
I rode home last night after ordering Burger Wisconsin for me, Mike and Toby. Mike was already home due to a migraine - has he been running on excitement and coffee for the last few days? I think so! We got changed and Christine arrived with the burgers and we ate dinner before heading off to the circus!
Circus Aotearoa was in Ian Galloway Park (there until Sunday) and it was a lot of fun! We got ringside seats and Yingjie and Alex also came. It went quite a bit later than I anticipated (finished at 9pm rather than 8.30) but the boys all loved it. Tom was audience participation too and did very well. I ate candy floss just because!
If you live near Levin head off next week to see the circus! Then it is off to Palmerston North. But it was a lot of fun. I especially liked the acrobatic women swinging from trapezes and hoops. Toby liked the acrobatic man the best!
We got home and Mike was in bed already. I think he feels okay. He has a big weekend ahead of him - he is off to a work camp (that is, working is holding a conference camp thing) and will bounce ideas around and consume a lot of liquid refreshment (if his head is up to it) no doubt. We will see him late Sunday.
Toby and I have a great weekend lined up! Sunday looks like it might hold some promise of some downtime. Maybe.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Angela
I rode home last night after ordering Burger Wisconsin for me, Mike and Toby. Mike was already home due to a migraine - has he been running on excitement and coffee for the last few days? I think so! We got changed and Christine arrived with the burgers and we ate dinner before heading off to the circus!
Circus Aotearoa was in Ian Galloway Park (there until Sunday) and it was a lot of fun! We got ringside seats and Yingjie and Alex also came. It went quite a bit later than I anticipated (finished at 9pm rather than 8.30) but the boys all loved it. Tom was audience participation too and did very well. I ate candy floss just because!
If you live near Levin head off next week to see the circus! Then it is off to Palmerston North. But it was a lot of fun. I especially liked the acrobatic women swinging from trapezes and hoops. Toby liked the acrobatic man the best!
We got home and Mike was in bed already. I think he feels okay. He has a big weekend ahead of him - he is off to a work camp (that is, working is holding a conference camp thing) and will bounce ideas around and consume a lot of liquid refreshment (if his head is up to it) no doubt. We will see him late Sunday.
Toby and I have a great weekend lined up! Sunday looks like it might hold some promise of some downtime. Maybe.
Have a great weekend.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Wednesday with karate
Hi,
I rode directly home last night expecting to get home just around the time Mike got back after dropping Toby off at karate. Mike had a meeting with the Perth office arranged for 6.15pm to 7.15pm and I didn't look forward to the prospect of sitting in the dojo hall in my bike shorts for 90 minutes. So I rode home to get changed.
But just as I rode into the garage, Mike and Toby arrived after Mike collected Toby from Yingjie's place. We both got changed and I drove Toby straight to karate. Usually it starts at 6pm on the dot, but we were 5 minutes late - yet they started late. So Toby walked straight into the class as it was lining up.
Guess what? Toby has passed his first grading in the Dragons class. Mike and I are very proud of him (we didn't even realise it was a grading last week so he hadn't practised anything!) - he now has a Yellow belt (Dragons have a different class of belts to Tigers).
I chatted to another mother while I was there - she is a French citizen, from Geneva that has been here for nine years. We watched her son get graded on his own because he wasn't there last week! Nerve wracking.
Here is a photo of my finger and its great bruising. I got it while using the axe to chop wood on Sunday. Next time we have a girly weekend away, we're going somewhere where I don't need to wield an axe for warmth! Hahahah. But I have to say, I did feel virtuous at preparing large piles of wood for the next guests.
My weekend is looking fantastic! Circus tonight with Toby (the circus is in town!), dinner at Waikanae tomorrow, Saturday morning at Play! in Petone while the wee car gets sorted, maybe a lunch with Sally and Andrew, playdate for Toby in Miramar, mountain biking with Andrew for me, Carter Observatory in the evening and Sunday family lunch. Choice! Can it be 5pm Friday already? Please?
The ride in this morning was gorgeous. The day is clear and cold (I even heard there was snow on the Tararuas) - my hands certainly attested to the freezing air temperature. They were getting well on the way to completely numb. A scooter popped up behind me on a steep uphill bit this morning but I stayed in front as we approached the downhill and I left the rider well behind me. Couldn't even hear the scooter anymore. Then my chain popped off. So I had to stop and put it back on and the scooter rider probably had a grin on their face as they rode past me... Pants! Hahahah. The roads were almost completely dry - my ride was great fun.
Have a marvellous day! I am off to find some tea.
Love,
Angela
I rode directly home last night expecting to get home just around the time Mike got back after dropping Toby off at karate. Mike had a meeting with the Perth office arranged for 6.15pm to 7.15pm and I didn't look forward to the prospect of sitting in the dojo hall in my bike shorts for 90 minutes. So I rode home to get changed.
But just as I rode into the garage, Mike and Toby arrived after Mike collected Toby from Yingjie's place. We both got changed and I drove Toby straight to karate. Usually it starts at 6pm on the dot, but we were 5 minutes late - yet they started late. So Toby walked straight into the class as it was lining up.
Guess what? Toby has passed his first grading in the Dragons class. Mike and I are very proud of him (we didn't even realise it was a grading last week so he hadn't practised anything!) - he now has a Yellow belt (Dragons have a different class of belts to Tigers).
I chatted to another mother while I was there - she is a French citizen, from Geneva that has been here for nine years. We watched her son get graded on his own because he wasn't there last week! Nerve wracking.
My weekend is looking fantastic! Circus tonight with Toby (the circus is in town!), dinner at Waikanae tomorrow, Saturday morning at Play! in Petone while the wee car gets sorted, maybe a lunch with Sally and Andrew, playdate for Toby in Miramar, mountain biking with Andrew for me, Carter Observatory in the evening and Sunday family lunch. Choice! Can it be 5pm Friday already? Please?
The ride in this morning was gorgeous. The day is clear and cold (I even heard there was snow on the Tararuas) - my hands certainly attested to the freezing air temperature. They were getting well on the way to completely numb. A scooter popped up behind me on a steep uphill bit this morning but I stayed in front as we approached the downhill and I left the rider well behind me. Couldn't even hear the scooter anymore. Then my chain popped off. So I had to stop and put it back on and the scooter rider probably had a grin on their face as they rode past me... Pants! Hahahah. The roads were almost completely dry - my ride was great fun.
Have a marvellous day! I am off to find some tea.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Tuesday with Cubs - first aid
Hi,
My Tuesday was significantly better than my Monday - imagine how great Friday will be at this rate! Hahahah. I worked at the office and was close to the railway station for when Aidan T got in and we had a nice afternoon tea. She was lecturing again for the evening in town.
Mike and I rode home together - we left work looking to the north into blue skies. We got pelted with heavy raindrops from the black clouds hovering just to the south of us. We remained on the cusp of the cloudburst all the way home, getting a little wet but avoiding the main storm that seemed to be heading down the harbour to the Hutt Valley!
We ate quickly and headed off to Cubs. What a great night - Jo (and her cousin's husband, Rob) ran a First Aid night for all the Cubs and they all listened eagerly. As a result, they have all achieved their First Aid badge. Yes - I have ordered 23 of them! They should be here for next week.
Home to bed. Up this morning to rain and the forecast of hail. Nice. The ride in was a little wet and the southerly was quite fierce. It should blow me home though - right? Right! My legs got quite chilled and my bike gear is a bit wet. Never mind. All in a days riding.
Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela
My Tuesday was significantly better than my Monday - imagine how great Friday will be at this rate! Hahahah. I worked at the office and was close to the railway station for when Aidan T got in and we had a nice afternoon tea. She was lecturing again for the evening in town.
Mike and I rode home together - we left work looking to the north into blue skies. We got pelted with heavy raindrops from the black clouds hovering just to the south of us. We remained on the cusp of the cloudburst all the way home, getting a little wet but avoiding the main storm that seemed to be heading down the harbour to the Hutt Valley!
We ate quickly and headed off to Cubs. What a great night - Jo (and her cousin's husband, Rob) ran a First Aid night for all the Cubs and they all listened eagerly. As a result, they have all achieved their First Aid badge. Yes - I have ordered 23 of them! They should be here for next week.
Home to bed. Up this morning to rain and the forecast of hail. Nice. The ride in was a little wet and the southerly was quite fierce. It should blow me home though - right? Right! My legs got quite chilled and my bike gear is a bit wet. Never mind. All in a days riding.
Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The Monday with a Mother's Day special
Hi,
The weather was pretty bad on Monday - lucky I was driving in. At lunchtime I left work and drove to Scots (with Yingjie) to a special Mother's Day afternoon with the Year 5 and 6 classes. It was really nice - I made a card with Toby (we were done in ten minutes flat - why it took 45 minutes for some mothers I am unsure) and then Toby read four books to me from their bookshelf.
After that all the mothers went for a cup of tea and some scones to Chartres Hall (where the boarders have their meals). I chatted to Katy (Sam's mother) and we have arranged a playdate with Sam for Saturday.
I drove back to work and worked late to make up the time. Home to do nothing and collapse into bed.
I rode in this morning in lovely conditions - the roads were mostly dry. Mike rode in with me. Cubs tonight so we have to get away on time.
Mike's parents head south again today - it has been great having them up here when they can step in and help us out when we need them. Thanks!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
The weather was pretty bad on Monday - lucky I was driving in. At lunchtime I left work and drove to Scots (with Yingjie) to a special Mother's Day afternoon with the Year 5 and 6 classes. It was really nice - I made a card with Toby (we were done in ten minutes flat - why it took 45 minutes for some mothers I am unsure) and then Toby read four books to me from their bookshelf.
After that all the mothers went for a cup of tea and some scones to Chartres Hall (where the boarders have their meals). I chatted to Katy (Sam's mother) and we have arranged a playdate with Sam for Saturday.
I drove back to work and worked late to make up the time. Home to do nothing and collapse into bed.
I rode in this morning in lovely conditions - the roads were mostly dry. Mike rode in with me. Cubs tonight so we have to get away on time.
Mike's parents head south again today - it has been great having them up here when they can step in and help us out when we need them. Thanks!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, May 14, 2012
The weekend with a girl's trip away
Hi,
Well, I went straight from work at 1630 on Friday to the ferry terminal (Interislander for the first time in about 5 years) after collecting Christine. The wee green car was chock-a-block but it seemed to be just enough room. We got on board and settled into reading. Reading was pretty close to the main thing for the weekend - reading, and driving.
We ate dinner on board (I had lasagne) and then drove off to a petrol station once we got to Picton. It was a self serve station with no humans at all and you swiped your EFTPos card and got petrol. Well, that was how it was supposed to work. Christine swiped as she had a deficit budget to recover (I paid for the ferry) and I never got any petrol. But it came up with 300l of petrol used for some huge amount of money (close to 600 dollars) and Christine panicked and rang the 0800 help line. Meanwhile I drove us to Blenheim for some petrol from a human-controlled machine.
Soon we were off to St Arnaud. My singing and the dark roads made Christine comatose by the time we got there. A wee blip in finding the place was hardly noticeable and we unpacked into Dik's Place (13 Baxter Road, St Arnaud) and Christine had a roaring fire going in no time. Tea and bed (it was 1am by this stage). We slept on the mezzanine - up the vertical ladder. Just because it is more fun!
Slept in to 10am. Well, that's what happens when you go to bed at 1am! Had breakfast and was looking forward to an afternoon of inactivity (reading!) when Christine decided to replace all the curtains in the lounge and dining room. This meant a drive to Nelson to find a Spotlight store. Which we did. More singing from e but Christine ignored me and concentrated on reading the Hunger Games.
We got fabric at Spotlight (well, ready made curtains as it was cheaper than just getting thermal lining as Christine intended) and had lunch and drove back. Consumed most of the day. Made the curtains up when we got back and I cooked dinner.
We ate chocolate and toasted marshmallows as we chatted to Mike over the phone. Then off to bed to read - lots.
Up late again. Bliss. Lunch. Packed up and drove back to Picton in a timely fashion. Ate a a cafe while Christine surfed the free internet and back on the ferry.
Meanwhile, Mike and Toby had a great weekend! I might leave it to them to tell you all about it. It involved movies, eating and parties. Toby also worked hard on a project he had to hand in today.
I am off to his school for a Mothers Day special this afternoon. Great! Looking forward to it.
Have a great week!
Love,
Angela
Well, I went straight from work at 1630 on Friday to the ferry terminal (Interislander for the first time in about 5 years) after collecting Christine. The wee green car was chock-a-block but it seemed to be just enough room. We got on board and settled into reading. Reading was pretty close to the main thing for the weekend - reading, and driving.
We ate dinner on board (I had lasagne) and then drove off to a petrol station once we got to Picton. It was a self serve station with no humans at all and you swiped your EFTPos card and got petrol. Well, that was how it was supposed to work. Christine swiped as she had a deficit budget to recover (I paid for the ferry) and I never got any petrol. But it came up with 300l of petrol used for some huge amount of money (close to 600 dollars) and Christine panicked and rang the 0800 help line. Meanwhile I drove us to Blenheim for some petrol from a human-controlled machine.
Soon we were off to St Arnaud. My singing and the dark roads made Christine comatose by the time we got there. A wee blip in finding the place was hardly noticeable and we unpacked into Dik's Place (13 Baxter Road, St Arnaud) and Christine had a roaring fire going in no time. Tea and bed (it was 1am by this stage). We slept on the mezzanine - up the vertical ladder. Just because it is more fun!
Slept in to 10am. Well, that's what happens when you go to bed at 1am! Had breakfast and was looking forward to an afternoon of inactivity (reading!) when Christine decided to replace all the curtains in the lounge and dining room. This meant a drive to Nelson to find a Spotlight store. Which we did. More singing from e but Christine ignored me and concentrated on reading the Hunger Games.
We got fabric at Spotlight (well, ready made curtains as it was cheaper than just getting thermal lining as Christine intended) and had lunch and drove back. Consumed most of the day. Made the curtains up when we got back and I cooked dinner.
We ate chocolate and toasted marshmallows as we chatted to Mike over the phone. Then off to bed to read - lots.
Up late again. Bliss. Lunch. Packed up and drove back to Picton in a timely fashion. Ate a a cafe while Christine surfed the free internet and back on the ferry.
Meanwhile, Mike and Toby had a great weekend! I might leave it to them to tell you all about it. It involved movies, eating and parties. Toby also worked hard on a project he had to hand in today.
I am off to his school for a Mothers Day special this afternoon. Great! Looking forward to it.
Have a great week!
Love,
Angela
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Thursday with user group
Hi,
The weather was awful as I left work (client site) to go to the user group session. So much so, that I left my bike there and caught the bus with a colleague that I convinced to come along. When I got to the user group, I intended to text Mike to plead for a ride home when it finished at 1900. But I found a text already from Mike saying it was hardly biking weather and he would come and get me. Isn't he good?
User group was very good - and at such short notice too. Well done. We dropped my work colleague off at his house afterwards and went home to pack for my weekend and Toby to work on his project homework. The wee green car is now packed and here at work ready for a quick getaway at 1615 today.
The weather is still not the best, but the forecast is for improvement over the weekend. We shall see. Mike and Toby have a busy weekend lined up without me. Social engagements as well as the usual housework tasks that magically get done over the weekend (cleaning, washing, ironing - hahahah). I'm not sure why I am laughing - I might not have any clean clothes for work on Monday!
Benjamin's birthday party (family) is on Sunday evening but I will miss it. He turns 17 on Tuesday! Wow! That's amazing, eh? Happy birthday to him. I liked 17! Hmmm. I think I like every birthday!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
The weather was awful as I left work (client site) to go to the user group session. So much so, that I left my bike there and caught the bus with a colleague that I convinced to come along. When I got to the user group, I intended to text Mike to plead for a ride home when it finished at 1900. But I found a text already from Mike saying it was hardly biking weather and he would come and get me. Isn't he good?
User group was very good - and at such short notice too. Well done. We dropped my work colleague off at his house afterwards and went home to pack for my weekend and Toby to work on his project homework. The wee green car is now packed and here at work ready for a quick getaway at 1615 today.
The weather is still not the best, but the forecast is for improvement over the weekend. We shall see. Mike and Toby have a busy weekend lined up without me. Social engagements as well as the usual housework tasks that magically get done over the weekend (cleaning, washing, ironing - hahahah). I'm not sure why I am laughing - I might not have any clean clothes for work on Monday!
Benjamin's birthday party (family) is on Sunday evening but I will miss it. He turns 17 on Tuesday! Wow! That's amazing, eh? Happy birthday to him. I liked 17! Hmmm. I think I like every birthday!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 10, 2012
The Wednesday with karate
Hi,
I worked a bit later than usual yesterday and went shopping at New World right beside the client office and Mike collected me and my bike. He had deposited Toby and his mother at karate and nipped in to get me. The weather was quite foul, with lashing rain. We went back to karate and we watched Toby finish his lessons.
I drove Mike's mother home while Mike got stuck into the evening routine. The weather had eased a little for my drive fortunately.
I fell asleep while Mike was reading - he was still thinking hard after working on Cubs stuff till quite late and needed to unwind. I unwound in two seconds flat!
This morning's ride in was wet, but not from rain. Just surface water from overnight rain. I stayed quite dry really. But the skies are leaden and the harbour was a churning gun-metal grey. The churning came from the driving southerly which buffeted me quite bit. Yes - it is a typical Wellington winter's day. Yet not too cold. My legs and fingers are still perfectly warm.
Tonight is user group night and I have asked Mike to come and collect me afterwards. I may be a little soft. Toby needs to finish a homework project off and I need to pack for the weekend.
I am off with a friend (Christine) to St Arnaud for the weekend. We have a ferry crossing tomorrow at 6pm. This will make for a late night by the time we get to St Arnaud. I intend to have the radio on loudly. This may not be favourable for Christine. Oops. We'll manage. If the weather clears, perhaps some walking down there. Otherwise I will read - a lot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I worked a bit later than usual yesterday and went shopping at New World right beside the client office and Mike collected me and my bike. He had deposited Toby and his mother at karate and nipped in to get me. The weather was quite foul, with lashing rain. We went back to karate and we watched Toby finish his lessons.
I drove Mike's mother home while Mike got stuck into the evening routine. The weather had eased a little for my drive fortunately.
I fell asleep while Mike was reading - he was still thinking hard after working on Cubs stuff till quite late and needed to unwind. I unwound in two seconds flat!
This morning's ride in was wet, but not from rain. Just surface water from overnight rain. I stayed quite dry really. But the skies are leaden and the harbour was a churning gun-metal grey. The churning came from the driving southerly which buffeted me quite bit. Yes - it is a typical Wellington winter's day. Yet not too cold. My legs and fingers are still perfectly warm.
Tonight is user group night and I have asked Mike to come and collect me afterwards. I may be a little soft. Toby needs to finish a homework project off and I need to pack for the weekend.
I am off with a friend (Christine) to St Arnaud for the weekend. We have a ferry crossing tomorrow at 6pm. This will make for a late night by the time we get to St Arnaud. I intend to have the radio on loudly. This may not be favourable for Christine. Oops. We'll manage. If the weather clears, perhaps some walking down there. Otherwise I will read - a lot!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The Tuesday with Andy Griffiths
Hi,
What a difference a day makes here in Wellington. Yesterday the roads were as dry as toast and I could pedal furiously and get a new top speed. This morning the rain got in my eyes, the roads flicked up all manner of road juice into my face, the wind impeded rather than helped and I got to work absolutely soaked. But, yet, somehow I enjoyed it. Go figure that out. And once you understand, enlighten me.
Last night we had a wonderful Cubs evening. We met at the end of Karori and walked into Sam's Gully for a campfire. We left the road end at 6.50pm so by the time we had a good fire going and Cubs were standing up to tell jokes, it was 7.40pm already! Time for a quick toasting marshmallows and damper and I rushed back to the road end to assure parents that their Cubs were on their way - just delayed a little. The weather was so warm I only wore my Cub shirt.
Anyhow, we were tucked up in bed when it started to rain - so the timing was perfection itself. Of course, I don't think it stopped raining at all, hence the wet ride in this morning.
Toby listened to Andy Griffiths at school yesterday and really enjoyed it. He has a new book signed by him, and is very chuffed.
Did I tell you Toby stayed up until 1am on Sunday night reading the second Harry Potter book? Cheeky monkey that he is! Mike and I wonder where he gets that trait from. Heheheh. So long as he lives with the (tired) consequences, it is fine by us. No moaning about lack of sleep. So now we have to sneak in after lights out to see if we can catch him reading sneakily.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
What a difference a day makes here in Wellington. Yesterday the roads were as dry as toast and I could pedal furiously and get a new top speed. This morning the rain got in my eyes, the roads flicked up all manner of road juice into my face, the wind impeded rather than helped and I got to work absolutely soaked. But, yet, somehow I enjoyed it. Go figure that out. And once you understand, enlighten me.
Last night we had a wonderful Cubs evening. We met at the end of Karori and walked into Sam's Gully for a campfire. We left the road end at 6.50pm so by the time we had a good fire going and Cubs were standing up to tell jokes, it was 7.40pm already! Time for a quick toasting marshmallows and damper and I rushed back to the road end to assure parents that their Cubs were on their way - just delayed a little. The weather was so warm I only wore my Cub shirt.
Anyhow, we were tucked up in bed when it started to rain - so the timing was perfection itself. Of course, I don't think it stopped raining at all, hence the wet ride in this morning.
Toby listened to Andy Griffiths at school yesterday and really enjoyed it. He has a new book signed by him, and is very chuffed.
Did I tell you Toby stayed up until 1am on Sunday night reading the second Harry Potter book? Cheeky monkey that he is! Mike and I wonder where he gets that trait from. Heheheh. So long as he lives with the (tired) consequences, it is fine by us. No moaning about lack of sleep. So now we have to sneak in after lights out to see if we can catch him reading sneakily.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Monday with nothing
Hi,
I loved my ride down the hill this morning - the day is windy but dry and there are no clouds to speak of. I pedalled furiously down the hill, with little in the way of braking to keep speed up, and got a new top speed - 62.5. Nice! I think that might just do me on that road. Maybe I now have to aim at a new top speed on say, the Ngauranga Gorge! That has an 80 k limit.
I rode home with Mike last night after work. He gave me all his things to carry, and I had my groceries! Hence he did beat me up the hill. But it is all conditioning me even more, is it not? And when he gets a load to carry up, and I have little, I'll shoot past him to a glorious finish! Hahahahah. I think the tramping and the running with Toby is doing him some good! Toby has Mike out every night running. I am not terribly sure why they are doing that.
Toby is very excited because today (Tuesday) is the day with the author, Andy Griffiths, visits Scots College. Toby has a book for him to sign and money to buy a new book of his.
Mike took cartons to the Scout Hall last night just in case tonight is cancelled again. At the moment the weather looks great for our walk into the bush for a (very small, well-contained) bonfire (that is really just a wee campfire). But if not, our emergency fallback plan is box building in the Scout Hall.
Have a fabulous day!
Love,
Angela
I loved my ride down the hill this morning - the day is windy but dry and there are no clouds to speak of. I pedalled furiously down the hill, with little in the way of braking to keep speed up, and got a new top speed - 62.5. Nice! I think that might just do me on that road. Maybe I now have to aim at a new top speed on say, the Ngauranga Gorge! That has an 80 k limit.
I rode home with Mike last night after work. He gave me all his things to carry, and I had my groceries! Hence he did beat me up the hill. But it is all conditioning me even more, is it not? And when he gets a load to carry up, and I have little, I'll shoot past him to a glorious finish! Hahahahah. I think the tramping and the running with Toby is doing him some good! Toby has Mike out every night running. I am not terribly sure why they are doing that.
Toby is very excited because today (Tuesday) is the day with the author, Andy Griffiths, visits Scots College. Toby has a book for him to sign and money to buy a new book of his.
Mike took cartons to the Scout Hall last night just in case tonight is cancelled again. At the moment the weather looks great for our walk into the bush for a (very small, well-contained) bonfire (that is really just a wee campfire). But if not, our emergency fallback plan is box building in the Scout Hall.
Have a fabulous day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, May 7, 2012
The weekend with no Mike
Hi,
What a great weekend. I started by winning the draw at work at 5pm for movie tickets and then I drove to Rex and Charm's house for a nice cup of tea. This was followed by a cook book fundraising launch at their local school where I ate yummy samples from the book and won another draw prize. Choice! Thanks for the invitation, Charm!
When I got home, it was quite late. Say, around 10pm. I fluffed around upstairs getting ready for bed. Eventually I crept down to the bed expecting to try to get in and find a space (Friday is the night Toby sleeps with us after watching a movie) and was astonished to see no one in the bed. I looked around. Signs of previous life (empty pizza boxes, and full ones). What has happened? My mind was just beginning to envisage Toby rushed to casualty after choking on pizzas or something when I heard Mike cough. Are they hiding from me???
Nope - Mike had just dropped Toby off for a sleepover at Alex's house (Alex had stayed after school to watch a movie and eat pizza - what kid wouldn't?). Ah. We went to sleep and got up early to get Mike away on an impromptu tramp with Andrew into the Orongaronga Valley and over into the Wairarapa. Toby arrived not long after and we drove out to Sally's place. We left Toby there and I dropped Andrew and Mike off at the Catchpool carpark.
Back to Sally's to check up on him. Sally was home to sort him out so I went to my day spa appointment and had a good time relaxing there. Back to collect Toby and into town for Johnny's playdate at our place. However, they must have forgotten so we had a pleasant afternoon and evening. I made chicken schnitzels for tea (Toby's favourite) and we watched The Wilderness Family (Toby knows how to choose a movie his mother likes).
Next morning was glorious so we collected William for his playdate early and drove to Maccas at Paraparaumu for breakfast. I sang all the way and Toby and William chatted excitedly in the back seat. They ate everything and played in the playground before we went to Waikanae Beach for a while. They ate ice creams and I read whilst contemplating life and nature. It was lovely.
The view was great at the end of my legs! I could see Kapiti Island and the sea was so calm. The boys chased huhu grubs in the sand and I enjoyed my book and watching the people walk past.
A wee diversion to the Tabor household turned into a long diversion when it turned out they were home after all. We chatted for a bit and the boys played a Nerf war when Josh and Duncan got back from their walk with Lulu. Aidan got her birthday present (a wee bit early, but who knows when I'll see her before then with her frantic schedule) and we drove back via Lower Hutt to collect Mike.
Mike had a wonderful tramp and I heard about it as we went back to collect Johnny for his re-arranged playdate. All three boys played and wandered down to the park at the bottom of the street. So I read while they played. Great fun! T-shirt weather still! Until the sun dipped behind the hill at 4.30pm and I pulled my Icebreaker jersey on (and plucked out Lulu hairs from the recent visit).
Back up home to find Mike working hard and the boys all got collected and we ate dinner. After dinner Mike and Toby went for a run! Mad fools. And I ironed. Mad fool!
The weather is so wonderful again today. The ride in was very nice, thank you very much. The moon set was lovely. It was a perigee moon (closest in the elliptical orbit to us) and looked great low down on the horizon.
Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Angela
What a great weekend. I started by winning the draw at work at 5pm for movie tickets and then I drove to Rex and Charm's house for a nice cup of tea. This was followed by a cook book fundraising launch at their local school where I ate yummy samples from the book and won another draw prize. Choice! Thanks for the invitation, Charm!
When I got home, it was quite late. Say, around 10pm. I fluffed around upstairs getting ready for bed. Eventually I crept down to the bed expecting to try to get in and find a space (Friday is the night Toby sleeps with us after watching a movie) and was astonished to see no one in the bed. I looked around. Signs of previous life (empty pizza boxes, and full ones). What has happened? My mind was just beginning to envisage Toby rushed to casualty after choking on pizzas or something when I heard Mike cough. Are they hiding from me???
Nope - Mike had just dropped Toby off for a sleepover at Alex's house (Alex had stayed after school to watch a movie and eat pizza - what kid wouldn't?). Ah. We went to sleep and got up early to get Mike away on an impromptu tramp with Andrew into the Orongaronga Valley and over into the Wairarapa. Toby arrived not long after and we drove out to Sally's place. We left Toby there and I dropped Andrew and Mike off at the Catchpool carpark.
Back to Sally's to check up on him. Sally was home to sort him out so I went to my day spa appointment and had a good time relaxing there. Back to collect Toby and into town for Johnny's playdate at our place. However, they must have forgotten so we had a pleasant afternoon and evening. I made chicken schnitzels for tea (Toby's favourite) and we watched The Wilderness Family (Toby knows how to choose a movie his mother likes).
Next morning was glorious so we collected William for his playdate early and drove to Maccas at Paraparaumu for breakfast. I sang all the way and Toby and William chatted excitedly in the back seat. They ate everything and played in the playground before we went to Waikanae Beach for a while. They ate ice creams and I read whilst contemplating life and nature. It was lovely.
The view was great at the end of my legs! I could see Kapiti Island and the sea was so calm. The boys chased huhu grubs in the sand and I enjoyed my book and watching the people walk past.
A wee diversion to the Tabor household turned into a long diversion when it turned out they were home after all. We chatted for a bit and the boys played a Nerf war when Josh and Duncan got back from their walk with Lulu. Aidan got her birthday present (a wee bit early, but who knows when I'll see her before then with her frantic schedule) and we drove back via Lower Hutt to collect Mike.
Mike had a wonderful tramp and I heard about it as we went back to collect Johnny for his re-arranged playdate. All three boys played and wandered down to the park at the bottom of the street. So I read while they played. Great fun! T-shirt weather still! Until the sun dipped behind the hill at 4.30pm and I pulled my Icebreaker jersey on (and plucked out Lulu hairs from the recent visit).
Back up home to find Mike working hard and the boys all got collected and we ate dinner. After dinner Mike and Toby went for a run! Mad fools. And I ironed. Mad fool!
The weather is so wonderful again today. The ride in was very nice, thank you very much. The moon set was lovely. It was a perigee moon (closest in the elliptical orbit to us) and looked great low down on the horizon.
Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Angela
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Papatahi Crossing: Catchpool to Wairarapa
I've always wondered about that lonely
meandering track from the Orongorongo valley, that finishes in the unfashionable backwaters of the South-West
Wairarapa. And I see that Kate Cushing must feel that way too, since she's leading a trip here on 29 June. Two of us took a look last month on the spur of the moment and it is well worth it. Here's a sneak preview of why you should sign up for this trip.
When:
Saturday 5 May, Sunday 6 May 2012
Who:
Mike Gilbert and Andrew Bichan (scribe)
Weather:
Cloud at about 800m with light South-Easterlies both days. Scattered showers predicted but none
eventuating.
Access
See “Driving Instructions” below.
The trip starts as a Friday morning inkling. The forecast is settled and at least one of
us has always intended, but never quite got around to knocking off this
Rimutaka Range crossing.
We leave Catchpool at 10am on Saturday and it is easy going over the
Orongorongo track and up the river to Papatahi Hut (about 3hrs). The hut is new and in fantastic condition but
locked with bookings essential (link below).
From here, you need some map reading skills. About a kilometre upstream from the hut the
track heads up North Boulder creek then into the first tributary (true left) before
launching itself up a steep 500m ridge climb (some kindly soul has left a rope
in one particularly gruesome spot). It
eases for the last 100m before topping out at just over 900m.
The view expands as we climb until, just as we identify the Makara wind
farm, we ascend into mist. The mossy
condition of the forest shows that the clouds scrape along these hills a fair
proportion of the time. We reach a small
clearing with a survey pin at the top about 3pm and just manage to send a text
to our driver. We’re in cloud and it’s a
bit chilly so we don’t stick around. The
track drops gently to about 700m then plummets to 300m, before easing us down
to 200m. The descent is fairly tricky in
places; the track is not always easy to find and it’s loose or slippery
underfoot.
Wharepapa hut is on the other side of Wharepapa stream (true left) but sign
posted: “Joe’s Hut.” At 5pm it’s already
quite dim and we light candles as soon as the door shuts. The hut is well looked after and the log book
indicates relatively light use with a lot of hunters.
The next morning we follow the track from the door of the hut (not quite
what the map shows) about 140m up to a saddle which drops us into the Battery
Stream catchment. The track from here is
fairly rough in places and easily lost but we don’t have too much trouble
working our way out into gently shelving beech forest which fades away for a
last 2km walk along a farm drainage ditch to the road; about 3hrs after leaving
the hut.
All up it took us about 10 hours; we aren’t super fit and weren’t
pushing it, but I suspect a bigger party will be slower. Track conditions are variable and a little
challenging in places. I thoroughly
enjoyed this impromptu trip; tested some new gear and didn’t waste the weekend
mowing the lawns; definitely one for the bucket list.
Useful
Information
More photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108814469832492095035/2012_05PapatahiCrossing?authkey=Gv1sRgCKvS2Mvb1PPIuQE
https://picasaweb.google.com/108814469832492095035/2012_05PapatahiCrossing?authkey=Gv1sRgCKvS2Mvb1PPIuQE
Map:
DoC track description:
Papatahi Hut:
Wharepapa Hut:
Driving
instructions
West end: Catchpool stream off
the Coast Road from Wainuiomata.
East end: From Featherston, turn
South onto the Western Lake Road (also the way to Cross Creek). Follow this for ages until you leave the lake
behind and see the “East West Access Road” coming in from your left. About 2.5Km past this there is a barely
visible pull off on the right with a faded DoC sign. There is a farm entrance labelled “Devon”
about 200m earlier. If you go around a
sharpish right bend and a bridge you have gone 500m too far.
Cellphone
coverage
Mostly none. Some patchy cover at
the top of Papatahi; intermittent coming down to the farm land and at Western
Lake Road. I wouldn’t rely on it.
Friday, May 4, 2012
The Thursday with nothingness
Hi,
I rode home with Mike again which was very nice. I let him win. It's good for him. Hahahahah. We had dinner and went to bed. So easy - I like nothingness.
Today is clear and sunny this morning but with promised southerly change around lunchtime. We drove in because I am off to Maungaraki (in Lower Hutt) in the evening for a friend's school fundraising evening.
The weekend stretches ahead of us from this evening with nothing on. I don't think so anyway. That seems a very nice prospect too. Andrew has hinted at a tramp that Mike may do - maybe Toby and I will eat chips and chocolate and watch movies.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
I rode home with Mike again which was very nice. I let him win. It's good for him. Hahahahah. We had dinner and went to bed. So easy - I like nothingness.
Today is clear and sunny this morning but with promised southerly change around lunchtime. We drove in because I am off to Maungaraki (in Lower Hutt) in the evening for a friend's school fundraising evening.
The weekend stretches ahead of us from this evening with nothing on. I don't think so anyway. That seems a very nice prospect too. Andrew has hinted at a tramp that Mike may do - maybe Toby and I will eat chips and chocolate and watch movies.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The Wednesday with karate
Hi,
Perhaps driving in and out means I don't get rid of work frustrations in the same way - I was a bit grumpy by the time I got home yesterday in the car. A long day at work with a lack of traction on some work meant I wasn't in the mood for a rush to karate. But by the time I got to karate and relaxed at the back of the dojo, I started to unwind and come right. Toby went very well at karate. He excelled at pushups and situps (perhaps not so much the leg squats). It's a lot for him to do to keep up with 16 year old boys and he managed it really well.
Home to finish homework and off to bed! And I slept well - better than I have been lately. I didn't wake up at 5.30am (I have pushed it back to 6am with the arrival of the nanny meaning I don't have to leave work at 4pm - which never happened anyway).
This morning I got my work bag ready in the dark. Hmmm. Lucky Mike noticed my phone on the couch and handed it to me. I was mystified that I had left it out as my routine is to put it in my handbag every morning. But when I got to work I found out why. In the dark I had put Toby's iPod into my handbag. Yep - I can play Plants versus Zombies all day now!
I am booked onto the ferry for a weekend away with Christine next weekend. And we're staying in St Arnaud, in the cold crib that the Scouts use. Hahahah. Don't tell Christine it was so cold in early January. I dread to think what it will be like in mid May with the ski season starting to kick in! Brrrrr. I am packing hotties!
Okay - time to have a cup of tea and get stuck in!
Enjoy the day!
Love,
Angela
Perhaps driving in and out means I don't get rid of work frustrations in the same way - I was a bit grumpy by the time I got home yesterday in the car. A long day at work with a lack of traction on some work meant I wasn't in the mood for a rush to karate. But by the time I got to karate and relaxed at the back of the dojo, I started to unwind and come right. Toby went very well at karate. He excelled at pushups and situps (perhaps not so much the leg squats). It's a lot for him to do to keep up with 16 year old boys and he managed it really well.
Home to finish homework and off to bed! And I slept well - better than I have been lately. I didn't wake up at 5.30am (I have pushed it back to 6am with the arrival of the nanny meaning I don't have to leave work at 4pm - which never happened anyway).
This morning I got my work bag ready in the dark. Hmmm. Lucky Mike noticed my phone on the couch and handed it to me. I was mystified that I had left it out as my routine is to put it in my handbag every morning. But when I got to work I found out why. In the dark I had put Toby's iPod into my handbag. Yep - I can play Plants versus Zombies all day now!
I am booked onto the ferry for a weekend away with Christine next weekend. And we're staying in St Arnaud, in the cold crib that the Scouts use. Hahahah. Don't tell Christine it was so cold in early January. I dread to think what it will be like in mid May with the ski season starting to kick in! Brrrrr. I am packing hotties!
Okay - time to have a cup of tea and get stuck in!
Enjoy the day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Tuesday with Cubs
Hi,
Well, our Cub excursion did get called off. And it looked like a bad call for most of the day as it was sunny (but not too warm) from about 10am to about 5pm. Then it changed. And it would have been unpleasant in the bush with twenty kids. So instead we did an environmental night (the sixes loved it - they designed posters and games with an environmental message - EnviroMonopoly looked great!) and a Wild Food Challenge. Who knew that 9 and 10 year olds would eat kidneys and brains and pigs ears and chicken feet? Well, not my 9 year old of course. But others did!
Mike got a migraine just at the end of cubs, and we had a lot of clean-up afterwards (amazing how hard it is to get the smell of boiled sheeps brains out of a pot!) so he couldn't get to his drugs until it was well and truly started. It's a shame for him. But it didn't sound like too bad a one, we just went to bed early and he seemed to come out of it okay.
At work early as it is Wednesday and karate night and the only night our nanny doesn't work. So one of us (me, Mike or Yingjie) have to meet the boys off the bus at 4pm. It was going to be me, but we managed to get Mike's mum to do it instead. Yay!
And I need to ask the sensei to come and talk at Cubs in the last week of term. Right. Better get stuck in. A cup of tea first.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Well, our Cub excursion did get called off. And it looked like a bad call for most of the day as it was sunny (but not too warm) from about 10am to about 5pm. Then it changed. And it would have been unpleasant in the bush with twenty kids. So instead we did an environmental night (the sixes loved it - they designed posters and games with an environmental message - EnviroMonopoly looked great!) and a Wild Food Challenge. Who knew that 9 and 10 year olds would eat kidneys and brains and pigs ears and chicken feet? Well, not my 9 year old of course. But others did!
Mike got a migraine just at the end of cubs, and we had a lot of clean-up afterwards (amazing how hard it is to get the smell of boiled sheeps brains out of a pot!) so he couldn't get to his drugs until it was well and truly started. It's a shame for him. But it didn't sound like too bad a one, we just went to bed early and he seemed to come out of it okay.
At work early as it is Wednesday and karate night and the only night our nanny doesn't work. So one of us (me, Mike or Yingjie) have to meet the boys off the bus at 4pm. It was going to be me, but we managed to get Mike's mum to do it instead. Yay!
And I need to ask the sensei to come and talk at Cubs in the last week of term. Right. Better get stuck in. A cup of tea first.
Have a marvellous day!
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Monday with blissful nothing
Hi,
Mike and I rode home together on Monday evening which was nice. I took it easier on him and he finally managed to pass me on the last stretch. Lucky for him I wasn't trying. Hahahah.
Home to cook dinner and do maths homework with Toby. He is finally making some headway! Good on him!
Off to bed for a good sleep to awake to drizzly rain. But I convinced Mike to ride in and we rode in together. He said my disc brakes are far better than his old ones and when I put them on, he has to really brake hard to avoid me. Oops. I'm not too wet here at my desk! Well, I can't see my wet hair, so what does it matter?
Cubs tonight and it is a bit damp for our excursion. Oh dear. I wonder if we'll call it off?
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Mike and I rode home together on Monday evening which was nice. I took it easier on him and he finally managed to pass me on the last stretch. Lucky for him I wasn't trying. Hahahah.
Home to cook dinner and do maths homework with Toby. He is finally making some headway! Good on him!
Off to bed for a good sleep to awake to drizzly rain. But I convinced Mike to ride in and we rode in together. He said my disc brakes are far better than his old ones and when I put them on, he has to really brake hard to avoid me. Oops. I'm not too wet here at my desk! Well, I can't see my wet hair, so what does it matter?
Cubs tonight and it is a bit damp for our excursion. Oh dear. I wonder if we'll call it off?
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
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