The Wednesday with nothing

Hi,

Wow - what a weird day.  Work was hectic, culminating in a rush out to have a coffee with a client at 3.30.  The cafe they selected had a limited tea and coffee menu and I was stuck for what to choose.  The client knows me well and asked the staff if they make an iced coffee.  They said they would do one.  Choice!  I got one served up and it was pretty good.

Iced coffee at Cafe 1815

But the caffeine kicked in (I never drink coffee, I live on decaffeinated tea at work) and I started bouncing off the walls, talking a mile a minute and one of the people said "Angela, you don't drink coffee much, do you?".

Rode home like I was possessed!  So, that's a benefit, I guess.  It was yucky weather.  Windy and raining.  I rode past the library and collected the car and went back for Toby.  No sense us both being drowned.

I cooked dinner for Toby and some for Mike as he was due to ride home.  But after serving Toby his, I waited, and waited.  Eventually Mike rang and he was past due home and still at work.  Toby had just called out for seconds so Mike lost his meal.

I went back into town and collected Mike and picked up a few groceries.  I packed my stuff for the weekend and Mike worked at home.  It was a relaxing evening.  But I couldn't fall asleep like I usually do.  Midnight before I fell asleep.  Iced coffees?  Bad news at 4pm!

The weather is rather pants and the forecast for our ski weekend is similarly pants.  Galeforce winds.  Nice.  But, if anything opens, I'll be there!

Grandy bought new sneakers for Toby while he was away.  They are size 8 UK.  Two sizes bigger than me!  There is no way I can jam his feet into my old ski boots now.  He's lose more than toenails.  He'd lose toes!

Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing for me

Hi,

I had a bit of a panic yesterday - Toby called me and said he had an exam and had to stay later than usual at school.  I had to ride home, grab the car and drive over to collect him.  Off I rode, furiously, up the hill.  Lucky it was a nice evening, after some earlier rain.  Not too windy (that came later in the evening).  But just as I got home and started to change, Toby texted to say he was getting a lift home from Susan (Jake's mother).  Hooray!  Thanks Susan.

I cooked up spaghetti bolognese for dinner and Toby ate it all up (it is one of his favourites after all).  Mike rode home and was starving, so he also ate spaghetti bolognese for his dinner (I was keeping it for his lunch).

Mike had a lot of prep to do for tramping club things.  But Kara rang in the middle of it and cheered me up no end and decided, spontaneously, to come away skiing with us this weekend.  Woot!  Happy about that.  It's been probably 15 years since we skied together last.

Relaxed for the evening before bed.  I was asleep pretty quick, despite Mike working on the laptop.  I hope Shona and Sharon had a good day yesterday for their birthday.  And it's Karen's birthday on Friday.  Busy week for the Emmerson girls.  :-)

The ride in this morning was a bit wetter.  No rain, but it rained heavily overnight so the roads were wet.

Have a lovely day.
Love,
Angela

The Monday back at school

Hi,

Happy birthday to Shona and Sharon today!  Yay for birthdays!

It was a bit of a shock to have to leave work at the normal time and go and collect Toby.  I guess I have got used to working back.

I rode to the library and collected the car and Toby and headed home.  I had made a lot of butter chicken on Sunday night, so Toby had it again for tea today.  Made it rather easy.  Mike rode home from work and also had his dinner.

We had a relaxing evening, putting off packing for the weekend and cleaning Mike's bike, in favour of lounging around in the bath and reading before bed.

Toby is still feeling the transition to Wellington time.  Poor chap.  He had a tough morning this morning.  Complaining he had no sleep.  Well, he was sleeping when we went to bed.  And he slept through his 4am alarm!  4am!  Crazy time.

I loved my ride in this morning.  The roads were bone dry.  Hurtled down the hill.

I've had a tea already this morning.  Got meetings a lot of the day.  Going to be busy, I think.

Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela

The weekend with my first ski day

Hi,

I had a great weekend!  I drove up to Raetihi (near Ohakune) on Friday night and had a lovely time singing away to myself.  I never got lost, despite the maze of rural roads in the pitch dark I had to navigate.  I got to the farmstay house at 10pm after leaving Wellington at 6pm.  Not too bad.

I shared a room with Barbara (a friend of the organiser - Tim) and she wanted to ski.  So I found a willing accomplice.  The next morning we drove up to Turoa and skied together all day.  It was such fun skiing with her.  I haven't skied with a woman that is better than me before.  I'm usually following men over the mountain.  I quite enjoyed it!  Barbara is German and skis beautifully.  Here's hoping I get to ski more with her, and it rubs off on me!

Barbara and me at the top of the High Noon Express lift

The snow was sheet ice off piste and okay on piste.  Not many rocks poking through.  They must have been making man-made snow overnight.

In the interminable queue

Everyone and their dog (well, I never saw any dogs actually) was up there, so the queue for the High Noon Express lift was long.  But I think the longest I ever timed it was 30 minutes.  It was usually around 20 minutes.  Barbara skis with a flask of tea - that was rather welcome in the lift queue.

Back to Ohakune to buy supplies for the house (more toilet paper was needed) and shopped in New World with half the mountain.  Drove back and got ready for dinner.  The theme was mid winter Christmas and we had turkey and stuffing, and veges.  It was so good.  We retired to the lounge for dessert.  The pumpkin cheesecake was so good!

Dinner Saturday night

In a dress, no less! With high boots.

I even wore a dress.  And here is evidence of it.  Hahahah.  Toby's quote when I sent him the photo was "What a very uncommon sight". Yep.  Sums that up.

I slept well that night.  Up to have breakfast and then headed back to Wellington to see the boys and do all the messages and ironing before school starts.  Got home at 1pm and Mike and I went out grocery shopping and collected my bike from work (remember the locked out incident last week?  Well, I got in out of hours this time!).  Then home to iron.

I got lots of hugs from Toby when he got home from his playdate with Jake.  We sat and watched a documentary on human evolution and then had baths before bed.

What a marvellous weekend.  I can't wait to ski with Barbara again.  And she has a son who is 10 - so a perfect ski companion for Toby too.

Have a fantastic week!  We're off skiing this coming weekend too.  Here's hoping I get two days skiing in!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday where karma bit me

Hi,

For the first time this week, I left work on time!  Yay!  Off to meet Sally and Andrew and see "What we do in the shadows" again.  Sally and I went to Dragonfly and ordered dinner and Andrew arrived just as Sally and I were contemplating finishing the starters and pretending we never ordered any.  We flew through our mains and rushed down to the Embassy.  Sally got the tickets and in we went.

I had another good laugh - although perhaps not quite as much as my first viewing.  However, I noticed I laughed in different places - so it was good fun.

We took the bus back to the other side of town and I jumped off to head to work and grab my bike and ride home.  But weirdly, both doors were locked and my access card wouldn't open them.  Fortunately, I was Terrace side and a bus was coming in 2 minutes to take me home.  Also, fortunately, I had house keys on me.

As a sign of how old I am looking now, I have to say a very nice young man offered me his seat on the bus.  Well, perhaps he is just so polite he'd offer his seat to any woman and not just some lady his mother's age.  I politely declined, but I secretly was pleased that someone had raised a man with such nice manners.

Got home and popped in to get car keys.  I wanted to get my weekend groceries so all I need to do on Friday after work is head up north for my ski weekend.  Jumped in the Corolla.  Wouldn't start.  Oh no!  Could I drive the wee green car up to the mountain, with my gear?  Spoke to Mike.  He suggested I could, but said I should use the green car now to go shopping, then call the AA to get the Corolla fixed.  Plan!

Went back inside the house, grabbed the MX-5 keys and back to the garage.  Oh no!  This car also wouldn't start.  Yep.  I must have really make some godlet grumpy today!  Spoke to Mike again.  Rang the AA.

Sat in the Corolla and waited for the AA.  AA man arrives.  He starts the Corolla after holding the ignition down for a while.  Turns out it was flooded from me driving it out the night before to get ski gear in and then driving it back in - all while it was cold.  What?  Never heard of that.  But the MX-5 really was toast.  Flat battery.  But - back to plan A.  Choice.

Except - I have to buy groceries on the way up tonight now.  Never mind.  At least the car works.

Upon reflection, I think it went rather better than it might have.  The bus came in 1 minute when I was locked out of work.  At that time of night it might easily have been a 60 minute wait.  And if I'd been lazy, and not wanted to go grocery shopping at 9pm, I would have been trying to start the car just before coming into work on Friday morning.  AA would have been flat out.  I would have seen my ski weekend flash before my eyes.

Maybe the godlet took pity on me?

Mike and Toby are back tomorrow night (Saturday) and I am back Sunday night.  Back to school on Monday for Toby.  That'll be tough.

Have a fantastic weekend.  I am hoping for sunny days and fluffy snow.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with no Mike and no Toby

Hi,

I rode home last night and the roads were dry.  It was really rather nice to stay dry for a change.  I got home and rummaged around in the loft for my missing ski socks and scarf.  Found them - and found Mike's missing silk gloves too.  Yay!  All packed for the ski weekend.  By the MetService forecast, it has snowed hard this week and should be quite nice at the weekend.  Here's hoping.  Of course, I can always hang around the gorgeous accommodation that we have booked, reading.  That wouldn't be a hardship either.

Actually, the accommodation is really nice (according to the website) and it is close to an awesome looking mountain bike trail.  I think Mike and I will do it one weekend this coming summer.

Farmstay is here and the mountain bike cycleway is here.  It looks amazing!  I really want to do it.

My ride into work this morning was also dry.  I had a bit of bike maintenance to do - my chain was beyond lubed and into dry squeaking on the way home last night.  I degreased it and lubed it this morning after it dried and my ride in was so peaceful.  Gear changes - quiet.  What was I thinking, neglecting my bike like that?  Poor wee thing.

It is entirely possible I am seeing a movie tonight with Sally and Andrew.  Which is why I am packed already for the weekend.  I do need a few groceries for the weekend though.  Maybe after I get home?

Right.  Time for a tea and to start the day!

Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela

The Tuesday without Mike or Toby

Hi,

Mike's flight to Dunedin went without a hitch yesterday.  However, Toby's flight from Brisbane was delayed for over two hours due to engineering issues.  Apparently a de-icing part was faulty.  Guess they thought they might just need it flying into snow-shrouded Dunedin.  Poor Dad had to wait in the airport until the flight finally took off.  Poor Mike had to sit in Dunedin airport for over 5 hours - with 30 minutes of free slow wi-fi.  Hahah.  It's a shame for him.

I went home and put heaters on all over the house.  It was freezing yesterday.  I was in bed early and reading when the boys rang from their cabin in the campground in Dunedin.  It was freezing in there too!

Had a great sleep though.  Up to ride in - it was at least dry riding in.  I want to ride home the long way tonight.  I have a new front light.  Hoping it lights the way nicely.  I need to finish packing for my weekend skiing, tonight.  Tomorrow night I think I'm off to the movies with Sally and Andrew.

Right.  Time to get stuck in.  I need a tea.

Love,
Angela

The weekend that was long, and without Toby still

Hi,

What a lovely long weekend.  Mike and I took off Monday together and made it a long weekend for us.  He has the rest of the week off in Dunedin with Toby and his parents.

Friday was a treat in that Brent organised a hangi lunch for us at work.  It was a little later arriving than anticipated, but it was sooooo good when it came.  It was Luke's first taste of hangi - and not a bad effort if you ask me.  Some school in Newlands doing some fundraising, or something.  Anyhow, it was good.

Luke enjoying the hangi lunch

A close up of my lunch.  Kumara, pork, chicken, potato, pumpkin, stuffing.  Mmmmmm.

Friday night I went out to Ange's house and caught up with some women from work.  I nipped out to get Indian takeaways and we watched Pitch Perfect.  I was so in the mood for that movie, I was laughing my head off.  But Roanne was falling asleep on Ange's new couch, so I had to take her home.  I think I need to see it again soon - or at least finish it.

Mike was out on the town - checking out the Youth Orchestra. How cultural of him.  I called him as I dropped off Roanne and he wanted a lift from town.  Perfect timing.  We got home and collapsed into bed.

A lazy start to Saturday.  Mike had an interview of a life member to do for the tramping club.  I had some housework to get through.  The day disappeared soon enough.

Sunday was another lazy start to the day.  Quite like lying in bed, reading!  Hahah.  We left the house eventually, to do some messages before the family dinner at Sally and Andrew's house.  But, after doing a few messages (Briscoes, Mitre10 and New World), we couldn't face going back home to a cold house.  So we went early to Sally and Andrew's place.  They were having almost 30 people there.  A massive Bichan gathering.  I finally got to meet cousins I have only heard about (Janet and Allison from the Netherlands).

Mike enjoying pre dinner snacks before everyone arrived

We stayed for a while, chatting away before heading home to bed.

Monday was our couple day together.  It was certainly nice lying in bed on a school day!  Hahah.  We eventually left the house after Mike packed and headed to Joe's Garage for brunch.

Mike at Joe's Garage

 We had a nice meal courtesy of the free vouchers from last time.  Then I went shopping for a dress (shock!) and then we wandered through Te Papa for a while before heading home to relax (ironing too).

We had a lovely day together.

This morning we were up super early and Toby chatted to us on Skype while we got ready.  I drove Mike to the airport and got back to work by 8am.  There is snow forecast here and in Dunedin to the hills.  It is pretty cold here.  Toby will be in for a fright, flying in from Brisbane.  I think he really enjoyed his time there.

Have a lovely week.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dinner out with Christine

Hi,

What a lovely evening, despite the freezing cold and lashing rain.  I had the car in town after Mike drove in and I took a workmate home (Luke - he lives not too far from Christine) and then wandered back to find a car park near Christine's house.  Next to impossible, I might add.

Christine's flat is in a lovely old house and she has the bottom floor.  I chatted to her while she made the most awesome butter chicken and then I went into the lounge to chat to wee Tom and got absorbed in Thunderball.  Sean Connery actually was a pretty good James Bond.

We ate dinner and Mike arrived just as Christine and I finished ours.  He got some as well and then we all got chocolate chip ice cream.  Yum.

Tom went to bed but I couldn't drag myself away from the Thunderball film.  Those sharks got well fed in the end.

Anyhow, eventually it ended (a ridiculous ending, even for James Bond) and Mike and I headed home.

This morning we took the bus in and I have a great weekend to look forward to.  Hangi for lunch today at work (someone is fund raising).  Dinner at Ange's place tonight.  Possibly a tramp tomorrow night for some fun (although it is really cold and wet, so we might pitch the tent in the lounge!).  Dinner with Sally and Andrew.  What else?  Bound to have other things on.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing for me

Hi,

Well, more of this icy rain - I certainly hope it is falling as snow somewhere.  I rode home last night and got quite wet.  The rain was freezing.  But I solved that by hopping in the bath.  Heaven!  Mike was out until all hours and when he forlornly knocked on  the french doors to wake me up, it was hailing!

My ride in this morning was also in heavy, icy rain.  I am soaked.  As I got out of the bathroom at work where I got changed, a colleague said I would have needed that shower.  I didn't dissuade him, but really I was soaking from my ride in.  I took my hair tie out and it was wringing wet.  Hahahah.

Tonight I'm off to visit Christine tonight.  I think we might watch Foyle's War.

Right.  Have a lovely day.  Wellington is lovely - if you're a duck.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like Thursday

Hi,

Mike and I rode home together and managed to stay dry.  We had dinner and then called Toby with Skype.  Toby gave Mike a tour around Grandy and Gramps' house (Mike hasn't been there yet).  The we popped out to do some grocery shopping.  Back home and we watched Time Team.  Well, I think we watched Time Team.  Pretty sure I can't actually remember it even starting.  It might be more accurate to say that Mike watched Time Team.

This morning's ride in was so freezing.  The rain started just before we left the garage and it was cold, wet, heavy rain.  My feet were soaked in seconds and they were so cold.

I got dressed at work after stripping off the outer layers of sodden clothing and discovered I have one navy sock and one black sock.  Hahahah.  I am putting boots on to hide my inadequate sock pairing abilities.

Have a wonderful day.  Stay dry if you're anywhere near Wellington.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with no Toby

Hi,

Toby has been gone a week now.  We chatted to him on the phone last night and he sounds like he is having a good time.  Mum and Dad sound like they are also happy to have him there.

Mike rode home from work for the first time in months and months.  He has a brand new light, like a lighthouse really.  A beacon.  As I waited for him at the top of the hill, I saw his light lighting up the road ahead of him for ages before he popped around the corner.  I want one now.

We had a relaxing evening at home, chatted to Toby, I ignored housework and we watched some television (Foyle's War - season 8 - which is about 2 years old now, and how did we miss it when it was current?) before I fell into a coma.

Mike also rode his bike in this morning.  Wow.  Habit forming yet?  Not quite.

Have a lovely day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with pure hedonism

Hi,

What an amazing weekend.  It's hard to come back to the reality of the working week after a weekend like that.

Friday night we got a lift home from work by Ange and then we got ready for our weekend.

Saturday morning we were up early.  I got ready for my bike ride with Revolve to the Wairarapa.  I rode down to the station and waited for the others to arrive.  It was the first time I had been on the train to the Wairarapa and it was lovely.  Great views.  Easy.  $15 return for the day.

The route

At Masterton station, after the safety briefing.  I'm the one in the fluoro jacket!

Riding along - you can see my back on the left here.  Honest!  You can!

I absolutely loved it.  It was 59km and 17 women.  Such a lot of fun.  So well organised.  I can't wait to get out to another event run by them.  We met at Entice cafe in Masterton after a few hours (it didn't take us as long as we thought to finish the ride) and met Mike there.  Chatted away for a bit before Mike and I headed off to Wharekauhau.

What a place that was.  We should have gone straight there after the ride.  The place is amazing.  I have never been in such luxury.  Mike and I wandered around, completely in awe how the other half lives.  I took a few photos because I can't see myself staying anywhere like this again soon.

All ours - for tonight!

We had a bath before dinner.  Just because.  Well, I needed one after the ride anyway.  The bath was a massive one - the two of us fitted in easily.  There would be no pinning Mike in the bath for serious relationship discussions in that bath.  Our bath at home means we kinda wedge ourselves in.  Hahahah.  This one definitely lets you luxuriate in the space of it all.

Awesome bathroom!

The dinner was wonderful.  Canapes beforehand in the lounge and chatting amicably over drinks and then into the dining area for scrumptious food.  Mike had matched wine to each course.  Yep - lovely.  Braised pork belly.  Minestrone.  Sliced beef.  Orange sorbet.  Apple pudding.  Yep - all rather nice.  Except, perhaps, for the liver.  But I ate it with the other things and tried to imagine it as pate.  The food was all really tasty.  It lasted until 11pm.  Well worth lingering over, believe me.

Back to the rooms and had some cheese with Aidan, Janne, Sally and Andrew in the middle room (we all had adjoining rooms - ours one end, Sally and Andrew's the other, and Aidan and Janne in the middle) before collapsing into bed.  Well, I did wander around in my pyjamas for a while, enjoying the couch and fireplace.  What a heavenly bed too.  Mike had a coffee for dessert and stared at the ceiling until 2am!  I was out like a light.  Maybe he should have also cycled today and the coffee wouldn't have kept him awake.

The feet looking incredible in front of the fire

Up early to have another bath.  Why not?  The view from the bath was stunning.  Right out along the south coast.

We had breakfast (yes, lovely - I had poached eggs, bacon, mushrooms and potato, and lots of fresh sourdough bread and a lovely pot of Rooibos tea) and then played pool while others checked out.  I only just managed to beat Janne but Andrew easily beat me (and then he beat me and Janne!).

Off to Martinborough for lunch.  I convinced our car to take a detour to drive along the beach road - it wasn't hard.  Mike and Andrew were keen to take a look too.  No wind at all.  You might recognise the photos from a bike ride I did with Aidan in March.  We had the most perfect day then too - no wind then either.  Mind you, we had lovely sunshine back then.  It was a little overcast and the sun lacked the warmth that March offered.  But I heard from Leonie (the organiser of the Revolve bike ride on Saturday) that she tried to get down there one time on her bike and it was so windy another cyclist walking her bike had the wind pick up her bike and flap it around!  So they canned the trip down there - sensibly.  This coast must cop a huge lashing from wind.  The trees are all bent over out of shape.  If you were there on the wrong day, you'd know all about it.

Ocean Beach road

It is beautiful along that south coast

Into Martinborough to have lunch.  The Village Cafe (is that its name?) had the best iced coffee.  I might have to put that ahead of Joe's Garage.

Iced coffee at Village cafe in Martinborough and a photo bomb

Sally collapsed into giggles at her brother doing a photo bomb behind my iced coffee pose.  She is so cute!

Great food.  Yes, that is tomato, avocado and grilled haloumi.  Mmmmmmm...

A little wine tasting and then we reluctantly left to head home.  Dropped Sally and Andrew off and admired their garden (their gardeners have been around and the rose garden has had some attention!).  Then home to do the ironing.  Ooooohhh.  Work.  Reality bites.  And hard.

My ride in this morning was wet.  Mike is riding home with me tonight.  Up Ngaio Gorge!  Yeah - the long way (ish).

Have a wonderful week.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with dinner with Christine

Hi,

Mike and I had dinner out with Christine last night.  Her new man also came along (we met him at a board game night at Christine's house a few months back).  We went to Sweet Mother's Kitchen because Christine sold me on their key lime pie.  The waitress was really good.  I had the seafood chowder and it was pretty good.  I think the Green Man pub's version may have been better though.  However, the key lime pie was really good.  The waitress took my order when I was first there for a hot chocolate and asked me if I wanted a chilli hot chocolate.  I said yes and it was really good.  It had chilli flakes sprinkled on top.  If you go there, try that too!

Sealoctopus

The bill came to our table with a sealoctopus.  An unholy alliance of a seal and an octopus.  And the seal had a really dazed look on its face too.

Mike and I caught the bus home - Mike was fading fast from his migraine the day before.  We got home and he had a bit of homework to do.  But it turns out I was the one to fall asleep super fast.  Oops.  Hahahah.

Slept well and had a great ride in this morning.  Dry roads.  I like that in winter.

Our weekend is so exciting.  We're off to Wharekauhau with Sally, Andrew, Aidan and Janne.  I have a cycle ride in the northern Wairarapa in the morning/afternoon.  Mike will drive over and collect me from Masterton before a lovely evening at Wharekauhau.  This is to celebrate Andrew's birthday at the start of July.  Well, I think it's just an excuse.  But, a good excuse!  I can't wait.

Have a great weekend.
Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with no Toby and tramping club

Hi,

Mike got a migraine at midday and went home to sleep it off.  Poor Mike.  I am hoping it wasn't the cycle into town in the morning that pushed him over the edge.

He came into town at 6.30pm for his tramping committee meeting.  I rode my bike to tramping club for the presentation there.  A chap was talking about his book on Molesworth Station (the largest station in New Zealand and as big as Stewart Island) and we bought the book.

What else happened?  We went home via a quick stop at the supermarket and Mike crashed asleep.  He still feels a bit under the weather even this morning.

We walked into work together this morning. Lovely still morning here.  Mike wasn't up for cycling.  And we're going out to dinner tonight with Christine.

Toby is having fun with Mum and Dad.  He played table tennis with Ma's table tennis club yesterday and enjoyed that.  He wants to go back.  Apparently they all loved his manners.  He also ate three schnitzels last night for tea.  His favourite.  And Ma does do them (possibly even better than me, right, Toby?) super well.

Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with no Toby

Hi,

Toby made it happily to the Sunshine Coast.  Yippee!  His plane landed at 11.01 and Dad texted me he had him at 11.32.  That's pretty fast through customs.  Wow.  I hope they all have a great time with Toby's visit.

Mike and I worked late and then Mike went out for a drink and coerced me along too.  We went home and Mike raided the pantry and then we went to bed.  Goodness, the house was quiet without Toby.

I have changed my alarm to 6.30 now I have no need to make lunches or leave at 4pm.  I had a sleep in!  Woot!  And I got Mike all ready for riding in.  We had a great ride down the hill.  The forecast rain has stayed away so far.  I had to slam on my brakes when two cars stopped in front of me going down the hill.  Glad my brakes work ok, despite the racket they make!

Tramping club night tonight and there is a talk on Molesworth Station.  I am looking forward to that!

Have a lovely day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with Toby at Zealandia

Hi,

Toby had the first day of his school holidays at Zealandia.  It was reptile and waterways day.  They got to touch the tuatara and go looking for birds and make boats.  Toby said he loved it.  When I picked him up, the carer said he had lovely manners and was a great help during the day.  How cool.

We went home and I cooked tea and Mike came home and we finished packing for Toby.  This morning we got up early (4.45am) and got to the airport for Toby's 7am flight to Auckland.  It was so cold here overnight that Toby's plane was delayed until 7.45am while it got de-iced.  Yes - they de-iced his plane!  I can't believe it.  I reckon the person that runs the de-icing gear was adamant it was icy enough for him to get out the machine.  Because he hardly ever gets to use it.

The attendant that took him onto the plane saw us standing by the window watching his plane eventually taxiing down the runway and reassured us he'd be fine and wouldn't miss his connection.  What a lovely chap.

Now we're both at work and it is a stunning day out there.  Toby will just have landed in Auckland.  He is so excited!

Have a fantastic day.
Love,
Angela

The weekend where my belief system was thrown into doubt

Hi,

The title of the blog may be subject to Gilberting.  Friday night it was just me and Toby so we watched a fine cheesy romance and it had to be American in light of it being July 4th.  I can now say that Toby has seen Dirty Dancing and he gives it a solid 6 out of 10.  Which is a pretty good rating for a romance from an 11 year old boy.  Hahahah.

During the day I did get to pop out for lunch with Mike, Rex and Jessub.  I ate apple pie!  And Mike commented I was also a Mum, so it was as American as Mum and apple pie.  Groan!

Rex and I enjoying some fine American dining

Saturday was the nicest day in Wellington.  Glorious.  Toby and I had slow start to the day and then went out to collect Sophie.  We admired her knife holder!  I think Toby thought that was the best thing!

Sophie's knife holder

We went out to see Transformers - Age of Extinction.  They may have died off from boredom.  The movie was unnecessarily long and edited by a 3 year old.  It only got vaguely good in the last 50 minutes.  Anyhow, we had a nice lunch with Sophie and caught up with all her news.  We dropped her home afterwards and hurtled out to Queensgate.  Did some shopping before coming back home.

That night we watched Dumb and Dumber (which I had never seen before).  I think Toby is now a Jim Carrey fan.

Toby stayed up after the movie chatting to his mates and playing an online game.  I fell asleep.  This is why I was awake early Sunday morning and Toby slept in!

Toby slept in until 9.45am!

We went to the Children's Bookshop but discovered it was closed on Sundays.  So we went into Joe's Garage for lunch.  This is where the strong belief system I had was shaken to its very core.  I, of course, had to have an iced coffee.  This is , after all, the best place to get them in the universe (as far as I know it).

Iced coffee - note the lack of a straw

Milkshake for Toby

While Toby nipped out to the toilet I grabbed his straw to finish drinking my iced coffee.  As I slurped up my first mouthful and swallowed some weird sugar crystals that hadn't dissolved, I paused.  I never recalled sugar crystals in my iced coffees here.  I experimentally crunched one up only to discover it wouldn't crunch up.

I investigated further and found glass at the bottom of my iced coffee.  Oh!  I called the waitress over and asked her to send the manager.  He came over and was apologetic and immediately said the meal was free.  I thanked him.  Toby  was amazed that our meal was free.  And then the manager came over with vouchers for four people for a free brunch with drinks.  Wow.  I was impressed at their customer service and determination to put things as right as they could.

My belief in the iced coffee may have been momentarily shaken, but Joe's Garage looked after us extremely well.  I might even have one next time I go there.  Maybe.

Toby went off to see How to Train your Dragon 2 with his friend Sam for his birthday party.  Fortunately Jake was going too and Susan (Jake's mother) dropped Toby off home afterwards.  That meant a few hours at home to get some things done.

When I got home it was still a lovely day.  I had heard from Mike and the mountain was lovely as well.  Two kereru landed on our deck so I took a few photos of them enjoying the sunshine too.

Two kereru on our deck

Toby and I watched Ace Venture Pet Detective before bed.  Yeah, I am not the biggest Jim Carrey fan in the world.

Mike got home at a decent hour and we had a bath where I caught up with his exciting, awesome weekend.  Maybe he'll post some photos later.

Toby is off to Zealandia for the day today.  I hope he likes it.  Then tomorrow he is off to Brisbane for two weeks!

Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with nothing but packing for Mike

Hi,

I rode home and it was a lovely evening.  Cold and crisp.  Toby wanted to be picked up from the library so I rode home and grabbed the wee car.  Back home and I started cooking tea.  I made a rice chicken cheesy sloppy meal.  Like baby food.  Yum!  Hahahah.  Well, if I'd have shredded the chicken, then that's what it would most closely resemble.

Mike then helped Toby with some homework and then packed for his weekend away at Ruapehu.  It looks like they have finally had some half decent snow and he should be able to have a fantastic time.  Lucky him.

Toby and I have plans though.  A Friday night movie tucked in bed.  A movie tomorrow afternoon with Sophie (Transformers) and Toby has a birthday party on Sunday where they will go and see How to train your dragon 2.  A movie fest weekend.  Which has become the norm for when Mike is away from us.

Today is July 4 and we've organised a work breakfast.  Our token American has moved to another company, but he is coming and bringing his work colleague with him.  Should be fun.  It does mean I am super hungry now though.

Have a fantastic weekend.
Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with tramping club for Mike

Hi,

Yesterday was so cold - I rode home and got briefly warm during my exertions.  But then I started cooking and I realised the heat pump wasn't keeping the lounge at the 31C Toby had set it to, so I had to go and get changed.  I never get changed out of my bike gear unless I need to go outside and mix with company.  But the cold forced me into layers!

And then it got even colder.  I finally dug around in Toby's wardrobe and found my slippers (he has grown out of them and I never wear them) and put them on.  Mmmmm, toasty warm.

Slippers!  On my feet!

Karen gave them to me for Christmas 18 months ago.  This is the first time I have worn them in anger.  It was actually really rather pleasant.

I cooked tea (spaghetti and meatballs) and as I dished up Toby's plate, Mike rang.  I started chatting to him, asking him if he knew how cold it was.  Telling him about the layers I had on.  About to launch into a detailed description of me finding slippers when he said that he did indeed know how cold it is because he was knocking at our front door pitifully waiting for someone to let him in!  Hahahahah!  He's funny!  I ran to the door and let him in.  He got a huge bowl of piping hot spaghetti and meatballs to tuck into and forgot about my protracted conversation that kept him frozen on the doorstep.

Mike went off to tramping club and Toby and I went to bed to keep warm.  Worked a treat.  I read my book and Toby played a game online with his mates, chatting away to them.

This morning's ride in was fantastic.  There is no wind and blue skies.  The roads were completely dry.  I had a great time coming down the hill.  My hands only numbed at the tips, so it isn't really that cold yet!

Wellington this morning!  As proof.

Have a dynamic day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with dinner out

Hi,

Happy birthday today to Andrew!  Woot!

What a lovely evening.  Mike and I walked up to our old workplace at NZTE and met Roz and Fran and wandered down to The Tasting Room.  The Tasting Room  It was really rather tasty.  We had this massive platter for four people to start with and everything was really nice.  Then I had the Wild Food Challenge (not very wild - it was fish with tagliatelle and mushrooms - but it was also rather tasty) and Mike ordered the two steaks for $25 option.  They gave him one meal - and when he was done, they gave him another meal the same.  His steak was good!  He was full.

Their chocolate fondant dessert easily rivals the chocolate gooey goodness at Capitol.   I was very impressed.  Worth going there just for that!

Roz and I went to get the car from Clifton Terrace and we picked up Mike and Fran on the way past and checked out Fran's new house in Lyall Bay.  She has got herself the most amazing place.  The kitchen lounge area was open plan and had stunning doors and high skylight ceilings.  Yep -  really nice.

We dropped Roz back at her hotel and I dropped Benjamin off at home.  We all slept like the dead.  We think it was because we left the dehumidifier on all night and the white noise was soothing!  Funny.

This morning is cold but dry here.  Lovely morning.

Have a marvellous day!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing

Hi,

Yep - the wintry weather kicked in nicely yesterday.  Well, it is entirely unpleasant.  Heavy, wet rain.  But it isn't too cold - which is bad news for the skifield.  Maybe they will get lucky.  Toby's ski season pass came in the mail yesterday.  Let it snow!

I rode home and grabbed the car.  Toby had hurt his foot in a "running accident".  So I popped back to the library to collect him.  Home again to cook tea and Toby and I ate while Mike worked late.

My ride into work this morning was surprisingly dry - the roads were wet from the overnight rain.  But I missed any rain myself.  Mike and I are catching up with Roz and Fran for dinner tonight.  I can't wait to see them both.  Benjamin is coming to look after Toby.

Not sure what the weather is forecast to do.  I think all this week will be a bit yucky.  First of July already.  The year is flying past.

Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela