The five days off with Christmas!

Hi,

After five days off I can barely remember what happened.  It was such a nice break although the weather in Wellington has been a bit wet.  Apart from Christmas Day itself.  So, I shouldn't complain at all.  If you ever want a nice day, Christmas Day is it.

Christmas Eve was lovely, if wet.   I was working and had to do a full day.  None of this part time lark for me.  I met Aidan and went grocery shopping at Thorndon New World around 11am (her work let her do a part day).  She had to get her Christmas Day stuff and although I had done 95% of mine the night before, I also grabbed a few things.  Aidan found the whole experience stressful.  I loved it!  I like grocery shopping - it's not really a chore for me.  Well, look at the alternative chores.  Ironing?  Boring!  Laundry?  Tedious.  Luxing?  Yawn.  At least with grocery shopping I get to drive there and back and walk around while I'm there!  The rest of the shoppers were also on a mission.  I got a box of cherries, so Christmas Day could dawn and we'd be sorted.  Josh rang while Aidan was shopping and almost done and Aidan's response to Josh was that she could be put out of her misery there and then.  Fortunately, this conversation was occurring in the wine aisle, so Aidan perked up a bit selecting the wine for Christmas.  Well, perked up enough to get her through the checkout without a complete meltdown.  She's rather well restrained - you'd hardly know she wasn't having fun.  Honest!  She probably smiles at the dentist when he approaches with a massive needle.

Anyhow, Aidan eventually got her shopping in the car and went home to drop off my things and collect Duncan and Emerson from their sleepover.  I took the chance to stock her pantry with the tea I like and a jar of Marmite (for emergencies).  I think the Marmite has found its way into our pantry.  Never mind.

Toby was very excited Christmas Eve.  Santa was biding his time for the right moment to visit and fill his stocking.  Mrs Claus was dead to the world.  Pretty sure the boys put a Christmas movie on and it sent me into an instant coma.  Mike and Toby made sure Santa was watered and fed and Toby left a note out.  I really did not know anything about this.  I was dead to the world.  Working Christmas Eve must do that.

Toby's letter to Santa with carrots nearby

Christmas Day was lovely and Toby was up at 5.30am.  Oooohhh.  A bit early even for me.  We convinced him to sleep in for a bit longer, snuggled up with us.  But he kept waking up and mumbling Merry Christmas.  So excited.  I got up to make a coffee for Mike and when I got back to the bedroom, Toby had found his stocking and opened his presents from Santa.


We went upstairs and opened presents and had a good time.  I got two new wheels for my road bike and some tyres and tubes and a bike stand to use to work on the bike.  And a bike bag for my 160km races so I can eat continuously.  Mike thinks I shouldn't stop!  Hahahah.  I also got a CD from Toby of my favourite songs (with one of his favourites on it).  It's great!  I even took the Christmas carols off and put  that on, it was that good!

Mike and I made the starters for lunch and we piled into the car and headed out to Sally and Andrew's house.  The day was lovely.

So sunny!

Toby and Benjamin got their own table.  Not too sure what Benjamin thinks of that now.

Desserts were amazing!

Caught up with loads of family.  The food was scrumptious and I sat for hours eating constantly.  Didn't realise until I finally got up to move.  Mmmmm.  Yum!

We stayed for a while and eventually had to wander home, completely stuffed with yummy food.  The boys decided to try out Toby's new sleeping bag by sleeping on the deck.  It was all going well until 2am when it started raining.  So the boys crept into the lounge and Toby slept on the couch and Mike snuggled up next to me (yes, I was sleeping on a Therm-a-rest on the floor inside - no deck for me!).

Boxing Day was a lazy affair.  The weather came right after lunch and stayed nice for the rest of the day.  Mike and I tried to put the new wheels on my road bike but unfortunately our enthusiasm was greater than our knowledge.  I am now waiting for two new parts to replace the ones we have accidentally bonded to each other and now cannot come off the existing wheel.  In the meantime, I can ride my commuting mountain bike as usual.  My new bike stand is doing sterling service holding my wheel-less road bike.

Friday I took off work and that was also pretty lazy.  The weather didn't help as we have had almost constant drizzle.  It's warm though.  Sticky.  Yes, I recall next to nothing of this day.  Hahahah.

Saturday we went into town and visited Te Papa.  We went to see the Aztec exhibition and I was very happy immersed in all things archaeological.  Toby loved it too.  Managed to get a trip to Joe's Garage in there too.

Photo bomb from the Tobster

First Joe's Garage iced coffee for a while and it reminded me of how good it is.

We used the new barbecue in anger this evening.  Cooked a leg of lamb and it was the most wonderful leg of lamb I have had in a long time.  Moist.  Perfect.  Mike loves his charcoal BBQ.

Needs more attention at the start than the old gas BBQ.  But worth it, declares Mike

Sunday saw us going to the Embassy to watch Gravity in 3D.  What an awesome movie.  Loved it.  I was squirming in my seat willing Sandra Bullock and George Clooney to just grab onto anything!  George didn't listen to me.

Off to Bella Italia with Sally and Andrew for some lunch and then we picked up Sally's treadmill.  What a cool Christmas present.  She test drove it and it's perfect for some Kindle reading while walking.  Choice!  Wonder if I can read the Kindle while using Andrew's static bike trainer?  Hahahah.

In the evening we met Jackie and Aidan and had tea with them while Benjamin looked after Toby and William (the two boys had been the see Hunger Games Catching Fire, but Toby disliked the cliffhanger ending).  Capitol was as good as ever (I enjoyed the zucchini risotto a lot).  Then we went off to see The Hobbit in 2D for a change from the 3D version we saw a few weeks back.  Liked the 2D one too - saw different things.  Amazing what a difference that makes.

Monday saw me back at work.  Nice ride in and looking forward to the ride home.

We're off to Ruapehu for New Years, leaving tomorrow morning.  We have two cars, as I need to come back on Thursday for work on Friday.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with Christmas madness

Hi,

Yesterday was such a lovely day here in Wellington.  Wonderful weather.  Today, it has turned to pants and is apparently going to stay that way for Christmas Day.  Oh well.

I managed to get some last minutes presents for Toby and panic was averted.  I also got an iced coffee at Rahzoo.  Ange (work colleague) was taken aback by my request for a photo.  And wasn't sure how to use the camera.  So my photos below show me posing, then asking if she was ok, then posing while laughing and then finally telling her to stop taking photos!

Iced coffee fun and games

I followed this up with an iced coffee with Andrew.  Well, it was obviously the day for it.

Mixed Business 8.5

Mixed Business's iced coffee was actually really good.  Andrew enjoyed his too!

Mike came and collected me and we had Burger Wisconsin for dinner.  Duncan and Emerson stayed the night.  It was fun!

This morning the rain started.  Mike is on a DIY mission and got two loads of gravel this morning.  I was shovelling gravel after his first trailer load landed on the footpath.  Hahah.  In the rain.  In my bike shorts.

Can't wait for 5 days off!  Bring it on, 5pm!

Have a wonderful Christmas.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with garden madness

Hi,

Friday night had a lovely ride to the Tabors new place with pizza dinner.  I thought I might be a wee bit faster the second time, but it was the same time.  The route to their house is actually far better than my normal one because it is so gradual compared to my steep one.

Saturday we tackled the house and garden for a rather late spring clean.  Mike was a machine and now any visitors can get to the front door without being issued a machete to hack away the vegetation.  I really should have taken a before and after photo.

In other news, our cat from two years ago has come back.  We suspect her current "owners" (I use that term loosely) are away on holiday.  So after a week of having her around, we have relented and bought cat food.  Mike and Toby were in the garden on Sunday afternoon and watched her pounce on a lizard and eat the whole thing.  I am horrified and amazed.  Amazed because I am sure she is half blind.  And horrified that if she can inflict damage on wildlife, what are fully functioning cats doing to the creatures around them?

Monday morning is lovely here in Wellington.  My ride in was wonderful.  I left Toby sleeping soundly and Mike surfing the internet.  Almost not any different from a normal day, except they won't be rushing around like mad things for the last 30 mins trying to get out the door.

Duncan and Emerson are coming to play today - and have a sleepover.  Should be fun for Toby.

Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dinner

Hi,

Another crazy day at work - we think Christmas panic brings them out of the woodwork.  Certainly makes the days go fast - the week on the other hand seems to have taken an age to get to Friday!  But, thank goodness.  Mike's last day at work for two weeks.  I have a list of tasks at home as long as my arm!  Poor chap!

Yesterday I had breakfast out (which was an odd thing.  The cafe's two chefs both called in sick and the manager donned the chef's outfit and tried her hand.  Fortunately, as she informed us that she was missing several ingredients, she used to be a chef.  The brekkie was good!) and then lunch out (phew - Nadine and Merran from my favourite client - I managed to fit some in).  Then I forgot I had said yes to a team BBQ in the afternoon.  And we had said yes to dinner with the Tabors.

This Christmas might kill me with food!

Toby spent the day with Duncan and Emerson (ta Jackie) and they invited him to stay another day.  They have a great park not far from their house, and kakas nest close by.  It really is a lovely place.  And dinner was fantastic.

I rode to the their new house last night after work and it took me 23 minutes.  I think if I rode that way often, it'd get much faster.  Glenmore is less steep than my usual route and you can get faster and faster.  I also found a shortcut from Glenmore up to Raroa.  Pretty pleased with myself for that!

I rode home as well - hooning along Mairangi.  That is such a lovely road to ride.  Once you get over the tipping point, you can sit on 45 km easy all the way home, around the sweeping bends.

This weekend is tidy the house weekend (and buy the presents I have not bought yet).  I need a lot of Round Up.

Have a lovely day!  I am working through the Christmas break, so you should see some blog entries.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with less chaos and madness

Hi,

Wednesday was lovely.  Busy and just the tiniest bit chaotic.  I did catch up with Aidan for lunch which was a bit of calm in the day.  Actually, I think lunch might have provided the same respite from her chaos too.

After work Mike had a romantic dinner planned because Toby was having a sleepover.  But my manager suggested drinks at the local pub and one became two, became three.  But we did get some food.  Then we walked to tramping club and only just got there in time to collect the laptop for Mike to work on over the summer break.  Lucky!  Hopped on the bus and came home.

We watched a movie and fell asleep.  I am wondering if I am getting a wee bit sick.  Scratchy throat and not exactly bounding with wellness.  I'm going to deny it a bit longer.

Mike is collecting Toby from his sleepover this morning (Thurs) and dropping him off at another playdate before coming into work.  It has finally started raining - they have been forecasting this for days.  I thought they were dreaming.

I have a breakfast with colleagues this morning and then a lunch with clients.  I am going to avoid dinner I think!  Hahahah.  Tis the season!

Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with madness and chaos

Hi,

Tuesday was a mad, crazy day at work.  My new manager has said that Christmas time brings out the crazy people, and yesterday I think I glimpsed her sentiment.  Hahahah.  But after all the madness, I rode home like a woman possessed and by the time I got home, I was as mellow as a mallowpuff.  That was what Mike said.  Aidan has said being that relaxed is like being a soft noodle.  I think I like the mallowpuff word.  Because I like mallowpuffs.  Mellow as a mallowpuff.

Today is another day!  The sun is shining - I had a great ride in.  I need a cup of tea, but apart from that, it's all good.  Toby has a playdate today and a sleepover.  Mike has plans to take me out for dinner.  Tomorrow Toby goes for another playdate.  Today I have plans to see Aidan for lunch.  Yep - today is all goodness.  Although it might be because I haven't read all my emails yet.  Hahahah!  Just kidding.

Have a lovely, lovely day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

Despite the poor weather forecast, it remained quite nice yesterday.  I enjoyed my ride home and Mike and Toby were well into the evening routine by the time I got in.  We had dinner (yummy falafels) and then pretty much retired for the evening.  Mike was a bit shattered.

Goodness, there really wasn't much happening yesterday.  This morning I had a good ride into work.  It is so warm and sticky, even at this time of the day.  But again, it is supposed to be rainy at some stage today.

Not much on today either.  Will ride home, hopefully the long way.

Have a great day!
Love,
Angela

The weekend with loads on

Hi,

What a wonderful weekend.  Busy though.  Friday night was lovely - Toby, Mike and I had a BBQ at work before the weekend kicked off.  The weather was cooler than it had been, but still nice for being outside.  Home to watch a movie for Friday night family time.  I fell asleep!  The Mask, with Jim Carrey.  I think the boys loved it.

The next day we had the laziest day ever.  We knew we should be Christmas shopping.  We knew it!  But my book called to me.  And the entire Internet called to Mike.  And Toby only answered to computer games.  Eventually we did get enough energy to leave the house (well, I managed it twice).  I went grocery shopping in the morning and popped to the beach to eat some strawberries.  The day had something special about it.

Something is missing though

Then in the afternoon we sat on the deck and enjoyed the sunshine.  I read for ages and may have got a bit of sun before I piled on the sunscreen and grabbed a hat.  We tried to gather some energy and motivation and we did finally leave to find a BBQ.  But the BBQ shop was closed, out of business.  Mike popped into Queensgate to get some things for his costume then we went home to get ready and drop Toby off  at Yingting's house having run out of time for any shopping.  Hopeless!

Anyone spot my foot?

Mike and I attended a work BBQ and it was scrumptious.  Then off to Shed 6 for the Christmas party.  That was a lot of fun.  The theme was "What did you want to be when you grew up?".

Anyone say they needed a paleontologist?

How about a nerdy scientist?  Need one of them?

Home early enough and a good sleep.  Picked up Toby the next day and off to La Boca Loca for brunch.  Met Sally and Andrew there nice and early and had coffees.  Then the Tabors arrived just as we settled into the table.  Had a great meal with them, catching up with Jackie.  We had time to spare before The Hobbit at 1.30pm so we nipped into the Weta cave.  First time I have been there.

Emerson and Toby trying out for a scene with Gandalf

 I posed with a troll.

Pose!

Toby has a much better feel for the dramatic than I do!

Bite me!

The Hobbit movie was great fun!  I loved it.  I think everyone loved it although some complained about the cliffhanger ending.  It was marvellous!

The iced coffee at the Roxy was superb!

I give it a 9/10.

Mike and Andrew went tramping (don't think they were being virtuous - it was a craft brewery tramp around town) and I went home to do the ironing.  Done!  Ooosshh!

Time for the week to begin.

Have a lovely week - the week before Christmas!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with Toby's birthday

Hi,

Toby said (when I collected him from the school holiday programme) that he had the best birthday ever.  And to think he was asking why he had to attend the holiday programme on his birthday.  Hahah.  The chap that runs it has his birthday today (13th) so he had a cake to celebrate both their birthdays yesterday.  That was very nice of him.  It made Toby's day.

Lunch at Rahzoo with Hayley

Mike and I caught up with Hayley before she leaves for the UK for Christmas.  She has settled in nicely and work has already kicked off.  We've made tentative plans for the week Toby is away with my mother for some nights out on the town.

I do like Rahzoo's iced coffee.  A consistent performer.

I went to collect him after my busy afternoon stopped being busy at around 4pm (yes, the problem got solved - nothing like a reboot to sort things out).  Mike was shattered by the end of the day so he took Toby home on the bus and I rode home.

Mike got Burger Wisconsin in and then Christine and Tom came for a sleepover, so we added to the order and Christine picked it up on the way over.  Toby and Tom had a great time together before bed, and Mike introduced Christine to the wonders of awful YouTube videos.  Hmmmm.  Not sure that was a great step forward.

I absolutely slept like a log.  Possibly even before the light went out.  In fact, I think I may have woken up when Mike gently prised my Kindle out of my hands.  But it was merely a blip in the coma.

Nice ride in this morning.  Dry roads - the wind has got up a bit though and it is supposed to rain later.  No longer Toby's birthday.  But still birthday week!

We have a work social club BBQ tonight.  Should be fun - especially if the weather holds off.

The weekend is chock full of exciting things.  Lunch at the new Tabor house tomorrow (will check that is still needed), drop Toby off there, get back home and get into our elaborate costumes and attend the work Christmas party.  Sunday we have brunch at a Mexican place at 11am, followed by The Hobbit.  I've read this movie is better than the first.  Can't wait to see it.  Mike is then going on a special tramp with Andrew.  A tramp involving fit, medium and easy trampers.  You join it when you think the pace will match you.  It involves a few craft breweries around Wellington.  I am highly dubious.  Hence I am happy they get a big lunch at La Boca Loca before the movie.

Have a fantastic weekend.  I will!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday before Toby's birthday

Hi,

Happy birthday today for Toby!!!  Eleven years old.

It was another warm day yesterday in Wellington - a cruise ship was in port but I don't think they'll be flocking to immigrate here just yet.  It was nice, but not spectacular.

I had two lunches yesterday.  Awesome when that happens.  The second lunch was fortunately reduced to a coffee.  Hahahah.  Met up with Aidan for a quick first lunch.  First time I have caught up with her since her thesis defence on Monday.  She has recovered from that ordeal (it wasn't so arduous for her anyway - after three years or more of dreading it, it was anti climatic in its final form - all that hard work obviously paid off) and could talk in sentences of more than three words and some words even had multiple syllables.  Well done to her.  Not sure when she gets her degree actually conferred and can be called Dr. Aidan.

Also saw Christine as I was waiting for Aidan.  She happened to park her car right in front of where I was sitting.

The second lunch didn't start quite so well.  My lunch date had forgotten and I didn't have her cellphone number.  I emailed her and she got that and came running.  But I was unaware she had got the email and was wondering when I should wander off when she arrived.  This is a woman from a client that I got to know over the course of a project.  We had a good chat - mainly about bicycles.  She wants to buy one.

Rahzoo iced coffee with Kimberley

Then back to work and not long after that off to collect Toby.  Then a bit more work and then on the bus home.  We sat next to Andy, my old manager from my last work.  So, I did a lot of brief socialising today.

Home to cook tea for me and Toby.  Mike eventually got home but Toby and I were fast asleep.

This morning is Toby's birthday!  He got up at 5.30am.  Excited, much?  I stumbled out of bed and found the presents and left him contented in bed.

Present detritus surrounds Toby

Time to start the day!

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday WFH

Hi,

WFH = Working From Home in our office.  I came in early on my bike and did a release into a production environment before office hours for a client.  Then Mike drove in and we swapped and I went home to look after Toby.

I set myself up on the dining table, with two cushions on the chair to bring me up to typing height and worked.  The day was lovely and the doors to the deck were open all day.  Even got some washing done.

Another benefit of WFH.  Home made iced coffees!

Mike had a tramping club BBQ on after work so I drove in to get him and he came home (worked a bit!) and then headed off.  Toby and I had dinner (chicken korma - yum!) and relaxed before bed.

A leisurely evening.  Very nice.  Today sees a big cruise ship coming into port.  And the weather is windy and overcast.  But it is supposed to improve.

Have a marvellous day.



Love,
Angela

The Monday with Aidan hooning through her defence

Hi,

Had a good day yesterday, despite Toby being at my work all day.  He was so good - just sat there and played on his iPad, or on my spare laptop.  Turns out he has a limit to the amount of YouTube videos he can watch in a day.  Hahahah.  I bet he thought it was unlimited.  No, it's not.  It's quite capacious.  But not limitless. The receptionist messaged me to say a parcel was in reception for me and would I come down or would my minion come down for me.  He went.  Great delivery service.

Toby hiding at the Backbencher

After work we went to The Backbencher for dinner.  Sally and Andrew joined us and we ate and chatted.  Toby had cabin fever from being inside at my work all day so he ran around Parliament and climbed John Key's trees.  Eventually we left there after a nice meal (even Andrew wasn't too scathing).  Sally and Andrew left for the station and Mike and I collected Toby from Seddon's statue.

We walked back to work as I had left some stuff there and I wanted to ride my bike home.  As we crossed the lights at the corner of The Terrace and Bowen, the taxi waiting for the lights started tooting at us.  By this stage it was about 7.25pm and there weren't a lot of people around.  Turns out it was Aidan and Jackie in the taxi heading to the train station to go home.  Aidan had finished her defence and it had gone well.  And everyone had come in to support her when it was done.  She was awfully excited!  Good on her.

Wellington is a funny wee place.  You bump into people.  Who would have said that we would time our exit from the pub, with an amble across parliament to the intersection on Bowen with Aidan coming back from her house after showing Jackie it?  Fluke.  Nice though.

Back to work and Mike grabbed some stuff for me and Toby and Mike caught a taxi home.  I rode home and really enjoyed it.  No traffic.  Lots of fun.

This morning it is lovely.  Warm here.  And I loved the bike ride in.  Pedalled like mad.  I needed to get a release done before work.  But with the school holiday programme not kicking in until tomorrow (despite advertising 9th to 13th), I am working from home today.  Mike will come collect me soon and swap.

Have a lovely day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend that was great

Hi,

Our weekend started off with a bit of despair. We'd thought Toby was having a sleepover and packed accordingly. We were at the pub after work with some colleagues that were leaving when we both got texts from Yingting saying Toby was at her place.

So we quickly went home and collected Toby. Turns out he had sensibly gone there after being deposited at an empty house. And he was happy playing with the boys.

Back home and an early night. Next morning Mike was off to a river cruising course quite early. Toby and I went into town to start Christmas shopping. The first shop I went into had a broken computer and I couldn't buy the items. Aarrggghh. Fared better at the next place.

Met Aidan in town. She purchased my present from the shop with no computer as she walked past it. Still no computer but they had found a manual zip zap. We had brunch at Thunderbird cafe. Yum.

Dropped Aidan off at her new house and got a look around. They have a lovely new house. Great views. Very comfortable. It feels nice.

Toby and I left Aidan and went to find a tree.  Toby selected the tree in 10 seconds time.  The woman was astonished at our tree selecting speed.  Back home to decorate it.  As I sawed off the last ten centimetres, Toby said "That isn't something mothers do!".  This one does!

Decorating

Left to do some more messages. Then off into town to collect a wardrobe for Aidan and Josh. Right. Aidan said a flat packed wardrobe. I had visions of a nice package for the boot of the car. I found a massive wardrobe, completely the opposite of flat packed.

Mike reminded me we had an Allen key in the car when the existing owner couldn't find one. I got a nice cup of tea from her. Then we dismantled her wardrobe and I carted it to the car.

This was where 3d puzzles came in handy. The pieces were odd shapes and not much smaller than the inside of our car. I eventually figured out a configuration that let me drive with all the doors closed. I went to the train station to collect Mike.

Here we had to swap sides because the passenger seat was actually inside the wardrobe. No way could Mike fit in there. I had to contort myself to fit in under a piece of wardrobe and had my knees jammed into the glove box.

Mike took the wardrobe to the new house while I got to do tramping laundry. Oooo. I'm so lucky.

Making sushi

When Mike got back, the house was mostly tidy and we started dinner. Our first sushi. And it was yummy. Toby ate twelve pieces. It's now a firm favourite meal.

Sushi - homemade!

To bed and Mike and I watched a movie and slept like logs.

I got breakfast in bed. Thanks Mike.  And then headed off to do grocery shopping for family lunch. Mike outsourced the cake collection to Sally (thank you so much) giving us time to get everything ready. Mike made a bacon weave that everyone loved.

Minecraft cake

Cutting the cake

The cake was superb! My work colleague Jo can ice to perfection. Not at all like my gingerbread Santas.

An afternoon reading was lovely. 

Family party

Family party 

Eating

Time for the week to start soon. Today is a big day for Aidan. She defends her PhD thesis this afternoon. She'll romp in and be Doctor Aidan before we know it. 

Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with nothing. Oh, wait. There was something...

Hi,

Such a sticky day in Wellington yesterday - I needed my desk fan on (I have one that runs off my computer USB port).  I heard that Tyler's birthday was very exciting, with a great evening at the Taylor Swift concert.  What a special tenth birthday.

Of course, I was oblivious to what Dec 5th meant in our household and when Karen texted (and emailed) me to remind me what day it was, I was convinced Mike had also forgotten our wedding anniversary.  Shucks.  He didn't, did he?  He had arranged Benjamin to come over to look after Toby and we went out to a fabulous meal at the Boulcott St Bistro.  I like that place.  My steak was perfection.

Cheese board was pretty good too!

Mike loves profiteroles.  Can you tell?

Such a lovely surprise.  It's 14 years!  Wow.  And 21 years we've been going out together.  It's now half Mike's life.  Yes, there are still a few more years before it is half my life.  Hahahah.

Back home and I dropped Benjamin off and caught up with Vivienne for the first time in a wee while.  Had a good chat, saw her Meetup Photography group photos, played with Ramble.  Loads of fun.

Toby's last day of school today.  I hope he has a great day.  He has a sleepover at Isaac's house.  So Mike and I have the evening to ourselves.  Nice.

Oh - and by popular demand, here is photographic proof of my gingerbread Santas.

Iced to perfection!

Pick yourself up off the floor, Karen!  Hahahah.  Yes, I see where one of them got a black armpit by mistake.  And yes, one Santa does have one blue eye and one green eye.  And Mike commented on a demented Santa with angry red eyes!  And their white beards have all gone pink and melted into their chests.  But I'm sure they taste okay.

Nope - Mike didn't marry a domestic goddess.  But I must be doing something right, eh?

Have a wonderful weekend.  We're having Toby's family party on Sunday at our place for lunch (I know this is going to be a surprise for some people when they read this, because we haven't actually told anyone yet).  But there will be an awesome cake.  Not iced by me!  And I need to do some birthday ad Christmas shopping.  Urgently!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Christine for tea

Hi,

Mike had the car in town so I cadged a lift home with him, with grocery shopping on the way (it was getting urgent).  Christine came around for tea and we had a good chat.  I ate far too much yummy cheese after tea though.  Yum!

After she left to collect Tom from his karate, I made gingerbread men for Toby's secret Santa for a boy in his class.  This morning I iced them.  Ummm.  I should have taken a photo for Karen's amusement.  Mike said "If you put a white dob of icing on the top of his head where it is red, it'll look more like Santa".  I said "It had it.  It's just so runny it slid off".  Hahahah.  Hope the kid likes taste over looks.

Now I have fingers stained with food colouring.  Narrowly avoided getting any on my white shirt sleeves.

Have a marvellous day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing much

Hi,

It's Tyler's birthday today!  Happy birthday wee girl.  Wow - she's ten!

It was a lovely day in Wellington yesterday.  So warm (I'm sure it got past 20C) that we went for a quencher break at 3pm.  Just to get some relief from and sapping heat, you understand.  Hahahah.

Rode home and collected Toby and cooked dinner for us.  Mike had a work function on and was supposed to go grocery shopping to provide supplies to the meager offerings for lunchboxes.  But the work function went on, and on, and on.  Into dinner.  So, we didn't get any groceries.

Fortunately, I rummaged around in the pantry and found a carton of UHT milk so Mike and Toby had their Weetbix this morning.  I dislike UHT milk in large quantities (can tolerate it in my tea if I need to while tramping) so I had some toast.

And I did find some stuff for Toby's lunchbox which hopefully means he won't be too disappointed when he opens it today.

The ride in was lovely - so mild.  But it is supposed to rain by evening.  What do they know, anyway?

Have a wonderful day!
Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

Well, I did manage to double book my lunch.  Oops.  Met Aidan and had a spontaneous shoe shopping expedition.  Well, spontaneous for me; I suspect she never told me about her intentions just in case I decided to avoid shoe shopping at all costs!  Hahahah.  Aidan is a mystery to me when she shops.  She goes into a shoe shop (okay, this is where it starts getting less likely that I can mimic the Aidan shoe shopping method as I am loathe to enter shoe shops to begin with), the staff somehow immediately see her (how does she do that??), she says something like "I want a shoe, size 38.5, in black, with a 1 inch heel and a strap across the top" and the staff scurry to show her anything remotely like it and she says "yes" or (more usually) "no" as soon as she sees the shoe.

My method usually involves a lot of psyching up to drum up the willpower to enter a shoe shop.  This could be two or three weeks in the making.  Then, once I enter, if staff even notice me and ask if I need anything my response is automatically "Just looking" even if I really, really want to say something like "I want a black shoe, size 38.5, with a 2 cm heel and no strap".  I wander around aimlessly wondering what on earth gene I am missing in my genetic makeup that says I hate shoe shopping.  I thought it came welded to the X chromosome somewhere.

Anyhow, I bought a pair of shoes.  Yes, it was unexpected.  Aidan also bought a pair of shoes.  They looked nothing like each other.  Aidan's shoes made her tower over me and I am sure I'd fall if I tried to wear them.  My shoes were perfect for summer.  Look!

New shoes on the deck after dinner

Aidan went back to work and I popped into the other lunch booking.  No, I didn't eat a second lunch.  But it was nice to see Matt before he leaves for his OE.  Lucky chap.  A whole bunch of us were there.  It was nice.

I rode home after work and collected Toby and started tea.  Vegetarian Monday.  I made spaghetti with tomato sauce.  It was yummy.

Relaxed in the evening and Mike got home and we went to bed.  Slept like a log.  Unlike Mike.  I gave him the new Jack Reacher book Aidan lent me and Mike read it until he finished at 3am!  Oh no!  Don't ask him anything tricky today.

This morning is glorious and a cruise ship is in town.  They will love this place.  Have a fantastic day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with the Taupo challenge - 160 km

Hi,

I had Friday off to get away early to Taupo. Trouble with my cunning plan was that Mike never got that memo despite a conversation about him coming up later so Toby got to go to school. So I left home at 8 am in the Corolla and Mike left at 4.30 with Toby in the MX-5.

I had a lovely drive up. Music on. Just me in the car. Great fun. I sing so much better when there's just me in the car. Ha ha.

I got to Taihape a few minutes after Sally and Andrew in their wee white car. Had a coffee with them and then bought some bananas and Rooibos from the New World before continuing to Taupo.

I found the house eventually. 16a Tui St. Awesome house. Mike and I got the double bed with the single bed in there. It had an ensuite too. Choice. Richard and Suzie arrived not long after.

Mike and Toby were stuck in the worst traffic ever.  It took three hours to get to Levin. Crazy. Turns out there was a car accident. It meant Mike and Toby didn't get in until 11.30.  Meanwhile Andrew and Sally and I registered for the event and found some lunch at Replete (nice cafe - good iced coffee).  When I finished I remembered I had parked in the 30 minute zone and that was about 90 minutes ago so I took off.  Car was okay.  Phew!

Iced coffee at Replete

Iona came to visit and she kindly said I could ride with her. I was so pleased to be with someone that knew what they were doing. She likely would stop off at licorice cafe on the way (forty kms from the end) and she suggested we start in the 6am group. Sounded perfect.

Number on my bike

Meanwhile Sally cooked up scrumptious macaroni cheese with bacon (and another lot with red onion for Suzie who is vegetarian). We ate tea and I put some aside for breakfast. Carbo loading.

I had a restless sleep because I was so excited. I did doze okay though. I woke easily when Mike and Toby got in. Back to sleep quickly though. But awake well before my alarm at 4.30.  I wanted to eat early so my stomach was settled before the 6am start time. Worked a treat. Ate macaroni cheese and a banana. Drank water. All good.

Had my electrolyte bottle and my water bottle. Two bananas. One OSM (which I didn't eat) and two Lemon Zippys. Two Gus (which I also didn't suck down - they taste so yucky I couldn't face them).

It was before dawn when the race began. Iona and I were in the front row. 160 in our wave. They counted down and we were off.  This was a special wave for slow people that they were trying for the first time. They took us on the relay route so it was different to the route I did with Andrew six weekends back. But I quite liked it. More of an up and up rather than up and down.

Iona was faster than me on the first half. I haven't had a lot of experience with races and figuring out how much energy I can put in to get around at maximum speed. Got a lot to learn. She would let me catch her up.

About twenty minutes into the race I had my first helpful suggestion from a passing cyclist about my noisy bike. But he was the first of many, many comments. Some people got to recognise my bike approaching. Oh, 1270 is coming again, one woman said. I played tag with a few people off and on.

The support stations were amazing. The volunteers were so friendly and filled bottles and offered water or electrolyte and took away rubbish. Even had bananas at one or two places.

Iona and I stopped a few times. Toilet stops. A spot of food here and there. Mike was watching me on Glympse (a GPS app that my phone sends him so he can watch where I am on a map) and he texted me that I hadn't moved for minutes and minutes and to get going! Cheeky thing!

At one point here a wee bunch passed me and I heard one chap tell his mate about asking her if she had a beer in there. And how she'd replied yes and he could have one if the price was right. When Iona got to me next I asked and she said sure enough, he'd asked her that.

After about ninety kms I started to feel pretty good and started trying to go faster. I didn't touch my brakes going down the awesome hill into Tokaanu. Had a ball. Got passed by someone wearing Intergen gear on the downhill near the bottom.

I made it into Turangi forty minutes faster than when I rode with Andrew those weeks back. So happy.  As a huge surprise Mike and Toby were waiting here and shouted encouragement at me (and Iona).  Lucky I felt okay here because the wind started to make its presence felt after Turangi. We started riding into a strong headwind. It is flat on this bit and I was actually quite enjoying it.

Only about 30 km to go!

Iona wanted to stop at the cafe and it was tempting to stay and drink an iced coffee. But I munched my last banana and left her there, waiting for Col. She also had my jacket but the light drizzle from the morning was well and truly gone. So she kept it (and sensibly handed it to Col).

I stopped a kilometre from Hatepe hill and had water, electrolyte and my last lemon zippy. I got up the hill, filled my water bottles at the top at the last support station and started the last twenty kms into Taupo.

By this stage I was keen to finish before eight hours. The wind was strong now though and I had to pedal even on downhill sections. Buffeted around a bit.

Mike and Toby shouted encouragement again about one km out from the finish line. I was so happy when I crossed the line. It felt really good.  I stopped my stopwatch at 7 hours and 49 minutes.  Pretty happy to get under  8 hours for my first time.  I hopped off my bike and rang Mike. We found each other and we walked home.  My barefeet were getting blisters on the hot footpath, so I eventually hopped back on my bike and rode to Tui house.  Caught up with Andrew and his massive day (he went around twice.  Yes, twice!!  320km).  Richard did it in under 5 hours for his first time.  Wow!

160 km

7 hours 49 minutes

My front sprocket gave me a nice greasy mark on the back of my calf.  When Andrew saw it, he suggested I get it as a tattoo (yes, he was joking, Ma, don't panic).  Mike took it a step further and had a design blended in with a silver fern.  Nothing would ever possess me to get a tattoo in a hundred million years.

Tattooed with a sprocket

We popped around to see Iona and Col and chatted to their friends as well.  Then back and Suzie cooked tea and it was beautiful.  Marinated chicken with couscous and salads.  Then I admit to falling asleep around 7.30pm.  And I woke at 7.30am.  Hahahah.  Yes, my body needed a bit of sleep.

On Sunday morning Mike got a migraine.  It meant he didn't want to drive home and we had two cars.  So Andrew kindly volunteered to drive the wee green car home.  Toby and I stayed in Taupo and had breakfast and did some shopping.  Toby loves Taupo.  Wants to live there now.  We left there at about 11am and joined the many cars driving back into Wellington.  Long drive.

Hot chocolate came with a shot of chocolate sauce

Vine eatery iced coffee was okay

Toby waiting for his hot chocolate

Yes, the sun is shining.  Yes, it is a bit cold but I'm staunch

Toby went swimming with Will when we got back.  And I did my ironing for the week.  All good.  Mike is okay after his migraine.  Poor chap.

I absolutely loved the race and I can't wait for next year.  I am already planning my attack now.  It involves a lot more training and some bunch riding so I can draft off a group of riders all the way around instead of working for every kilometre myself.  Especially if it's that windy again.

Can't wait!  Can't wait!  Thanks to everyone for helping.  Mike and Toby for driving through hundreds of cyclists to shout at me halfway along.  Sally for supporting us all with great food and Andrew for supporting me with hours of slow training.  Richard and Suzie for their support at the weekend.  Iona for riding with me and giving me a lot of confidence.  And loads of friends that let me know they were thinking of me.  How kind.

My ride in this morning was good - nice and dry here.  But I did notice I was lacking a bit of energy on some of the wee hills.  Maybe I did do something at the weekend?  Hahahah.

Have a great week!
Love,
Angela