The Wednesday with Toby sick

Hi,

Mike stayed at home with Toby but I tag teamed him at 3.30pm to take Toby to the doctor.  Toby has a bit of a cold and has another day off school today.  I am working from home today.  Listening to the sounds of the neighbours mowing their lawn.  Weirdly like a weekend, really.

Anyhow, I got home with Toby yesterday evening and we successfully bought a costume for Halloween this Friday.

Looking sinister

Toby likes his costume

After we sorted out his costume, I made dinner.  Despite Mike not being available, I cooked up the lamb for Southern Man Lamb Salad (it's from Mike's recipe book for Southern Men - apparently this meal goes well with Speights - who'd have guessed???).

Looks quite a lot like the recipe picture

And dished up on my plate

So, it was a yummy meal - Toby said he liked it.  After that we went to bed and I was virtually asleep by the time Mike got home.

He was busy with the new members night at the tramping club.

Right.  Lovely day here in Wellington.  Maybe later I can sit in the lounge and open the doors to the deck.  That'll make working from home quite pleasant.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like a Monday

Hi,

Wow - work was saving up a few crises from the Monday holiday for me yesterday.  I was busy all day fixing things.  Madness.  Hahahah.  But it turned out okay - I rode home and was all relaxed and jelly-like by the time I fought the headwind home.  Toby got home and after a bit of commotion we settled into our evening.  He did a lot of homework and I cooked tea.  Macaroni cheese - just like my mother makes.  :-)

Toby loved it and ate every last morsel on his plate.  I may have had seconds myself.  Love macaroni cheese.

Mike got back from Christchurch (he was there for the day) quite late and landed into the howling gale winds and driving rain.   Christchurch, apparently, was quite nice.

Mike was all keyed up still, but I was comatose.  I fell asleep pretty quickly, after rolling over and thinking I'd never get to sleep with Mike awake and reading.  Zzzzzzz.  It must have been seconds.

I went for my run this morning in a strong northerly.  So strong it was actually blowing me along.  And when I turned back for home, it was a tough slog into the wind.  My bike ride into work was less hassle than I thought.  Maybe the wind was more nor'wester than northerly and the hill protected me for a lot of my ride.

Toby is getting sick and having a day off school today.  Mike is working from home with a few meetings in town to attend.  Poor Mike.  Poor Toby.

Right.  Time to kick off the day.  My day is frantic.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with an awesome Labour weekend

Hi,

What an amazing weekend.  It had huge highs, but it also had some low, slightly worrying moments.  But that's what makes life so exciting, right?

Friday night I left work and rode up to Aidan and Josh's house to look after all three boys while Aidan got back from work and Mike picked up Burger Wisconsin for everyone.  It worked out well.  Any night where I don't need to cook is a great night.  Aidan and I organised plans for the bike ride to Pencarrow lighthouse the next morning and then we left them to it for the night.  Well, quite late (9.30pm - I was so sleepy).

Aidan before breakfast at Chocolate Dayz

I made breakfast for the boys and waited for Aidan to arrive after her exercise class.  She'd also held off eating breakfast so we were both famished.  I had both bikes already on the car and ready for her arrival.  Said goodbye to my boys, and her boys settled in for the day.  Mike had a massive list of tasks to do (and got through a lot of them - good on him!).  Then we were off.  First stop - breakfast at Days Bay.  Yummy it was too.  I washed it down with an iced coffee.

I give it a solid 8.  Quite good.

Then we drove to the end of the road and unpacked the bikes and headed off.  Aidan used Toby's bike and it worked well for her, once we adjusted the seat height.  Large knobbly tyres made the ride much easier for her.  We had a good system at gates too - Aidan would go over, and I'd lift each bike over to her.  Aidan got a bit miffed with some young fellow who asked us twice if we needed help at one gate.  I think Aidan would have lifted 10 bikes over at that point, just to prove the point.  I thought he was lovely asking again.  But, we didn't need him.

The Eggs Benedict worked wonders and we only stopped for a bit of chocolate once.  Drank plenty of water though.  The weather was lovely - Aidan wore a t-shirt.  That is a good indication of the warmth in that sun and the absence of any wind of note.


We rode past the lighthouse to some lakes behind.  I'd never been there before and enjoyed the swans with cygnets and a heron fishing.

Aidan enjoying the view

 On the way back we stopped and took our shoes off to enjoy the sun on our feet.  Wow - my feet looked good against that backdrop.

The feet look good!

Are you sure there's a lighthouse behind me?

And Aidan asked someone to take one too

The timer worked great to let us take photos of ourselves

 We left the car park and drove past one of Aidan's favourite second hand clothing stores so we stopped so she could check it out.  Nothing grabbed her attention much this time.  Back home and relieved Mike of boy duties and Aidan took hers home.

Sunday night was dinner at our place and so during the day I went grocery shopping and bumped into Aidan shopping for the dessert.  Mmmmmm.  Went back home and cooked tea and then relaxed until Aidan turned up.  Mike took Aidan through his photos of Nepal and they had a long chat before I put dinner on.

But at about 5.30pm Aidan got a call that Josh's tramping party had pulled their emergency beacon.  We knew nothing else for the rest of the night.  The Masterton police asked Aidan about texts she had received from the party (last one was the previous morning at 11.20am).

This was the start of a long wait for Aidan to find out what had happened to Josh and his companions.  She did remarkably well.  Duncan and Emerson stayed the night at our place (that was the plan all along) and the next morning I took them to H20Xtream.  Got back home for home-made pizzas and then Aidan called with word that Josh was fine and evacuated out to Masterton.  So she drove over to collect him.

Selfie time - I see Duncan peeking over the seat too

We all went to see James Cameron's Deepsea Challenger movie in 3D playing at the Embassy.  It was the most amazing movie!  We all loved it.  Then there was a Skype session with James Cameron after it projected onto the big screen.  Emerson and Duncan jumped up and asked him a question.  Emerson was the first in the queue!

James Cameron on the big screen

Kaka visitor

Toby at the formal dinner

He looks gorgeous

We dropped the boys back home and caught up with Josh, to see he was all in one piece for ourselves.  Thank goodness he was fine - and he said he'll talk to the tramping club about his experience.  It is why he prepares as well as he does - for circumstances just like that!  Good on him.

Mike sprayed weed killer when he got home and a kaka came down to the deck to watch him carefully.  I was standing watching Mike too and got some awesome photos of the curious wee thing.

And I have added some photos of Toby from the other night.  Turns out I have sorted out my phone and the photos and now available to my blog once more.  Yay!

Have a wonderful week.  Mike and I are off to Queenstown this weekend with a work function.  Woot!  Haven't been there for years.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with nothing much

Hi,

I rode home and found no Toby.  I tried to ring him, but his phone was next to me on the couch so that was no good at all.  Mike said he'd come home via the library (he had the car in town) so I settled down to make dinner.  But Toby must have got the memo (that is, no one turning up to collect him at the library) because he came in not long after that.

We had a nice dinner and then I coerced Mike into the bath with me.  Not!  I found my last bath bomb (I need another trip to Lush with Aidan) and we soaked in something that made the bath water bright red.  Mike thought it looked a wee bit gory.  Hahahah.

I was so tired I don't think I was awake for very long.  I think Mike and Toby had an exchange of words later in the evening but it seemed to be resolved and I fell back to sleep.

This morning I had a good run.  Apparently I was faster than normal.  Really?  Didn't feel like it at the time.  And my ride in started off in nice dry conditions.  But about 800m down the road, it started a light rain.  I went faster, hoping to get down the hill part while the roads were still dry.  I managed that!  Woot.  I am a bit damp now though - my bike shorts are drying on my pannier.  Hopefully they won't be too soggy by the time I pull them on at the other end of the day.

Long weekend for us.  Yippee.  I am going for a bike ride with Aidan tomorrow.  We're hoping to ride out to the lighthouse south of Eastbourne.  Possibly more of a picnic on bikes than a ride with some snacks.  But, if that is what it takes to get out on a bike ride with Aidan, I am all for that!  I am looking forward to it.

Mike and Toby have got plans for tramping Saturday night and coming back late Sunday.  And Emerson and Duncan are coming around on Monday.  So the weekend looks like fun.

Have a marvellous weekend.  I need a cup of tea.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with a school dinner

Hi,

Toby got off the school bus in town and came to see us there.  He finished his homework and then we got changed and headed to Scots.  Unfortunately all of Wellington was driving in their car at that stage and a normal 20 minute drive took 45 minutes.  Traffic jam, Wellington style.

We weren't late.  In fact, we were some of the first sitting at any table.  The food was good - nice meat and weirdly, a shrimp concoction of sorts that you ended up having to lie on top of your salad and roast meat.  But it was good.

The evening went quite late, with toasts and speeches and prize givings.  I enjoyed one teacher's speech in particular - she was the only one to speak in Maori.  And the only one not from New Zealand.  Interesting, eh?  But the small choir was the highlight.  Four boys, singing Money,Money, Money from Abba.  They did ok but when it came time to the bit where you sing "Aaahhhhhiiiiiii" the boy trying it could not hit any of the notes and he cracked up - as did the entire hall.  Good naturedly.

We snuck out at 9.15pm when there can't have been too much more to go.

I had to ride a bus to work this morning.  Never mind.  Hahahah.  Roll on 5pm Friday!  Long weekend for us this weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with nothing

Hi,

Tuesday was redeemed by its glorious weather.  The sort of day in Wellington that almost makes up for the other days in the year that are pants.  Hahahah.  It was a "fish n chips on Petone beach" evening.  But we had the next best thing.  Mike fired up the BBQ for the first time this season and we ate scrumptious hamburgers.  Thanks Mike!  I went grocery shopping after tea - and went to stupid Countdown because they stock the big boxes of Rooibos I like.  But the big boxes were on special and all gone.  I also noticed they no longer stock canned pumpkin.  Oh - I was hoping Aidan would make me a pumpkin pie one day.  Stink for me.  So I went to Countdown for no reason in the end.  But I bought a small box of Rooibos to see me through.

Mike and I had an appointment in Khandallah at 2pm, so we drove there, attended that and then I dropped Mike home for a 3pm meeting.  I went back into town to get some work done.  I also caught up with Ange for a decent chat.  We're plotting to go to the Auckland office together soon.  She has a new starter there, and we want the staff to buddy up.

Driving home was amazing - the weather was absolutely beautiful.  And this morning, for my run, I couldn't believe it.  There was not a breath of wind and the birds were all chirping as loudly as I have ever heard them.  Happy birds.  It was such a nice run.  I ran well.

Busy day today.  And it is a formal dinner at Toby's school after work today.  Toby has a shirt and tie to wear.

Have the most amazing day ever!  The weather here makes it really easy to have a great day.  And I remembered my Rooibos tea so I can drink tea and make everything even better!

Love,
Angela

The Monday with quiz night

Hi,

What a busy day.  Work was flat out (well, that is hardly different to normal).  I left at the normal time and went to Future In Tech training.  That went really well.  I quite enjoy the sessions I have done and I hope I can make my presentations a little more interesting for them after this session.

After the training, I walked to the Green Man pub quiz and joined up with Mike, Ange, Sharron and Pete (from tramping club) and we came second!  Woot!  After we crashed and burned in our joker round and another round (5/10 for both).  Amazing feat!  Best answer of the night from me?  I knew Santa Fe was the state capital of New Mexico.

Ange dropped us at the car and we went home.  I dropped Benjamin off at home and then went back into town to collect my bike.  It meant I had an awesome ride into work this morning instead of a boring bus ride.  I also bumped into Aidan on her way to work, so it was doubly good.

Right.  Time to get stuck in.

Have a fabulous day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Mike back

Hi,

What a weird weekend.  Toby and I had a lovely Friday night at home watching a movie.  We finally got a sleep in on a Saturday morning.  I got up to make breakfast and tidy the house.  The house was in dire need of attention.

Toby and I finally left to buy a present for Isaac and head to Queensgate to buy some clothes for Toby to attend the formal dinner at school this week.  He looked so gorgeous trying the clothes on, I took a photo of him.  But he pulled his face, and so I'm not going to post it.  Maybe I'll try and get one this week when he dresses up for the dinner itself.

Back home and Toby got collected for the party.  That left me free to do nothing for a bit (although the laundry and luxing did get done).  I chatted to Aidan for a bit on the phone before heading to Christine's place to watch a movie.

Then I collected the boys from the party, dropped Magnus back home and then Jake stayed for a sleepover.

Up the next morning to make breakfast and then a lazy morning with Toby ironing and watching another movie.

Mike flew in at 1730 so Toby and I went to meet him. It was nice to have him back in Wellington.  We went to the family dinner for the first time in absolute ages.  Yum!  Thanks!  Then home to bed!

The week is busy this week.  I have a training session to attend after work today.  Then that formal dinner some evening this week.  Appointments.  Goodness.  When will I fit work in?  Hahahah.

Enjoyed my ride in today - nice dry roads.

Have a great week.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with no Mike

Hi,

Toby and I had a good Thursday, despite being Mikeless once more.  Our routine seemed to work okay.  I drive him to the shops to catch his school bus and park at the library and ride in from there.  It gives me a nice ride home back up the hill still.  But I bumped into Yingjie not far from the library so I walked with her for a bit.  She has big plans for her next exciting adventure.

Toby wasn't at the library when I got there.  He'd walked home.  So I drove home and I made dinner for us.  Then we watched a movie together in bed - chortling away at Diary of a wimpy kid 2.

Had a good sleep and the same routine this morning.  It is quite a bit windier today though.  My day is hectic - roll on 4pm.  Toby has a party to attend tomorrow (sounds amazing - it's for Isaac - paintball and go karting) and I need to buy a present and get some clothes for Toby.  I also want to do a decent bike ride - maybe a few hours on Sunday.  Then we collect Mike at 1730 from the airport and the week starts all again!  But the following weekend is a long weekend in New Zealand.  Woot!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday where we say goodbye to Mike

Hi,

Had a busy  day at work, with a two hour session in the middle presenting to Newlands College classes on a career in IT.  Woot!  And the day was as stunning as it ever gets here in Wellington.  Beautiful.

Toby got off the school bus in town and I drove home to collect some stuff and get changed and drop my bike home.  Then we came back to get petrol for the car (it was on empty) and collect Mike.  Christine was cooking us tea tonight and we had the yummiest tea.  Chicken with feta, rice, tomatoes, avocado and spinach.  It was followed by a frozen lamington on a stick.  It was actually quite good.

I nipped out to the airport to drop Mike off for his flight to Dunedin, and back to finish chatting to Christine while Toby watched The Simpsons.  I also met Christine's new flatmate, Brian.  He lives in Melbourne and is over here for a contract.

Toby and I went home via the lookout  at Mt Vic.  The evening was as beautiful as the day had been.  An October evening on top of a hill in Wellington without a breath of wind, in a t-shirt.  Unheard of.

Wellington looking its best

Toby loved the view

Having fun 

We went back home and fell asleep pretty quickly.Up early and away so I can get into work as single mother once more.

Mike is back on Sunday night at 1730.  Can't wait.  I think it might be a ploy to keep me keen on him.  What do you think?  Well, it's working!  Hahahah.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Mike back at work

Hi,

It was nice to have Mike back around work again.  He had a reasonably quiet day for his first day back.  Bet that doesn't last very long.

I took Toby to his appointment after school and when we got home, Mike was already mowing the lawn and tidying things up.

I cooked tea and Toby helped me with the mashed potato.

Toby mashing the potatoes

Then we ate and then we all went for a run together.  My cold is almost completely gone now because I ran my usual distance and never had an issue with breathlessness.  Not like Mike.  I think Toby was concerned at the wheezing coming from Mike.

This morning I was on the bus.  The only good thing about the bus is a I get to listen to some music on the way to work.

Mike is off to Dunedin tonight for a long weekend.

Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela

The Monday back at work

Hi,

Lunch was a lovely moment in my day - I met Aidan in the grounds of Parliament and she thought I'd come without lunch initially.  But as she asked me where my lunch was and offered to share her yoghurt (how kind!) I said my lunch should be coming right about.... now.  As Mike walked through the gates of Parliament.  We sat on the park bench and chatted away, hearing more about Mike's adventures in Nepal and general bits and bobs.

I rode home the long way, via Ngauranga Gorge and it was a bit tougher than I remembered.  Mind you, that might have been the strong northerly I seemed to be constantly riding into.  Took me three minutes longer than my fastest time.  So I can't really complain.

We had dinner - Mike cooked up dhal bhat.  Toby might take a while to get used to eating that.  I thought it was yummy.

Mike is at work today.  He might have a cultural shock as he comes back to the thick of work.  Treat him kindly if you interact with him today.

Have a great day!
Love,
Angela

The weekend with so much amazing stuff

Hi,

I cannot do justice to the amount of amazingness over this weekend.  But, let me try and remember all the things I did.

Friday afternoon Toby took the bus back from the zoo to Aunty Sally's work and they went home on the train to Sally's place.  Sally was looking after Toby for the weekend - and had to chauffeur Toby around to various social engagements, or host them herself.  She did a wonderful job!

Meanwhile I left work and drove to the airport to collect Aidan from her Auckland flight.  We had dinner and tickets for WoW booked ages back (I bought the WoW tickets in February).  This is WoW for those outside of Wellington:  World of Wearable Art  I was a bit late getting to the airport - I underestimated the traffic.  But Aidan was grabbing her bag and exiting the terminal as I drove slowly past.  I guess you could argue that was perfect timing!

We parked in town and went to Chow for dinner.  I had received sad news that our old manager in London (and friend), Lloyd, had died.  Aidan bravely said she'd have his favourite drink to remember him.  Lloyd was fond of bourbon, so Aidan bravely washed that down during our meal.  

Bourbon for Lloyd

Lonely Mule for me

We walked back to TSB Arena for the show and found our seats pretty quickly.  The show was indeed spectacular.  Two hours long and no intermission.  I must admit to dozing a little from time to time.  It was so warm, and dark.  The only time it might have been longer than a few seconds was when I opened my eyes was was surprised to see the stage had changed so much from my last view.  But with their seamless stage production, that might really have only been a few seconds.  It was so well managed.

I dropped Aidan off home and went home to finish packing for my weekend and jump back in the car to head to Turangi for my work conference.  I filled the car and left bang on midnight. The drive up w was actually pretty hard. By Waikanae I was pretty tired. And that was only 45 minutes up the road.  Oops. But I didn't fall off the road, so that's good. I bought an iced coffee at Sanson and the walk did wonders. I was alert until after Hunterville.  Then I filled up again at Taihape so I got another walk. Also took a toilet stop. Fortunately the desert road was so thick with fog that I had to go really slow because I couldn't see anything.  Going slow meant concentrating.  Made it through there.

I got to the accommodation place at 4 a.m. But I couldn't rouse anyone out of bed. And I couldn't find villa eleven (my allocated villa). I found one to ten. And twelve. So I gave up and climbed into the back seat and was asleep in seconds.  Slept well curled up under my sleeping bag. Thank you to Aidan for reminding me I should throw it in.  Found the villa at 7 a.m. and got a shower. All good.

The conference was really good.  A chance to meet people I never see face to face and talk about things that we could change for the better at work.  A marvellous idea.  

Sunday was lovely and I drove Maryanne to Whakapapa so she could join her family for a ski.  Then I drove back to Wellington, singing all the way.  Followed Sally up the hill to Jacob's house where Toby was playing.  Had a cup of tea at our place and then went to the airport to collect Mike!  Toby and I were so excited (Sally played it cool, as ever, but I think she was keen to see him too).  We lurked around his gate and then spotted him coming out.  We were all over him!

Mike coming off the plane

So nice to have him back.  We said hello to various people from his party of travellers and then ushered him to the car and took him home.  We chatted away and did things we enjoyed with him.

Back to normal routine this morning.  Well, for me.  Mike has a day off to recover.

Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with Toby having a play with Isaac

Hi,

I rode home and had some time to myself, which was rather nice.  First time riding home is ages too.  I then dropped Toby's weekend bag off at Sally and Andrew's place before driving out to Island Bay way to collect Toby.  I sat down as the family finished tea and then chatted for two hours to Sally (Isaac's mother) and Tim (the dad).  Such good conversation!

Eventually I dragged Toby home and he was asleep in seconds.  I had a more broken sleep - I think I am awfully excited about the weekend.  WoW tonight with Aidan.  Then off to my conference for the weekend.  Then Mike gets back!  The pinnacle of excitement.

I did get a text from him today saying he didn't want to come back and that Toby and I should move there.  Not too sure that would work!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love,
Angela

Paragliding above Kathmandu

Day 14 - Kathmandu Paragliding

What a rush! Paragliding is the closest to truly flying I've ever been.

The Wednesday with a cloudy lunar eclipse

Hi,

Toby and I had a busy day - me at work and Toby at the zoo.  Sounds like he had fun.  They made stuff for the chimps to play with and spent a lot of time watching them and the squirrel monkeys.

I got a bus home from the user group and got something for Toby to eat.  Then we packed for our weekends.  Sally was home with Andrew from Dunedin.  Thursday night I'll pop out there with Toby's bag.  He is having a play date with Isaac after the zoo today.

The evening was cloudy last night so I never saw the eclipse at all.  I did see someone posted a photo from Wellington, so it must have cleared briefly (unlike last time when I made the boys sit and watch the cloudy sky for an hour).  Dunedin had a good view of it.  As did Auckland.  But, not me.

This morning is stunning though.  Sunny, still.  Had a lovely ride into work.  Fun.  I'll take the long way home today too.

Have a marvellous day.

Love,
Angela

Driving, shopping, Umbrella Foundation

Day 13 - Pokhara to Kathmandu

No time for breakfast! We snacked on pastry and chai before jumping on a bus around 7am. First stop though was an unexpected coffee bar out in the country that did me a superb double espresso.

The Tuesday back at work

Hi,

Well, it was tough getting straight from the airport to work.  But work colleagues were very kind and the day hurtled past me with being so busy catching up on things.  Suspect today will be the same.

The weather has changed from yesterday's glorious weather to rainy, windy grey weather.  And my cold is getting worse.  I piked from my run this morning and then caught the bus in.  I have a dumb cough.

But everything is fine at work - I remembered my Rooibos tea.  I can have a nice cup of tea and ignore the chaos around me.

Toby is off to the zoo programme today.  He loves the activities, but doesn't like the fact that most of the kids are quite a bit younger than him.

I have the user group tonight.  Should keep me busy after work too.

I don't even know when Toby did this one.  Who recognises that?  Where is he?  

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

Davis Falls

Day 12 - Pokhara - Davis Falls

As always, up early for sunrise on the roof.

As always, stunning.

Off to waterfall and caves by public bus. So much fun. Rick and I chatted to a very precocious 10yo girl who was delightfully happy to find a bunch of foreigners on her bus. She wanted us to come to her house at the end of the bus ride.

Falls named after a Mrs Davis, a Swiss woman, who was washed over them and killed in the 1960s. It's been changed over the years to 'Devi's Falls', Devi being a hindu goddess. (At least, that's one of many stories).

The weekend with sadness

Hi,

Toby and I are back in sunny Wellington this morning.  Andrew also flew back on the same flight.  Sally flies back tomorrow and Vivienne's family drive back on Wednesday too.

We had a wonderful service for Ron in the church that he attended for many years with Polly.  Close family and friends came to say their goodbyes and remember him.  The Dunedin weather was exciting too - hail storms followed by sunny breaks.

Toby did very well - he was understandably very sad.  But he didn't do too badly for his first big loss in close family.

Selfie I had no idea about

Selfie I had no idea about

Selfie I had no idea about

But now I know what Toby does if he ever borrows my phone!

Mike gets home at the end of the coming Sunday.  Can't wait to see him.

Have a wonderful week.
Love,
Angela

Back to Pokhara

Day 11 - Sarangkot-Pokhara

Up early again to look at the mountains. Not from the hilltop with 300 other people; just from the ridge behind the hotel. Wonderful.

Someone had built a shelter there, perfectly aligned to the sunrise, with campfire, prayer flags and trident. Would be a great place to spend the night.

Alas I got a migraine when I got back to my room. What do do?! After going through various plans in my head I opted to take drugs, ignore it, and see how I got on. It turned out to be very minor so I got away with that plan.

A short day for our last day (is this our last day? Or was it yesterday). A quick 2-3 hour descent to the lakefront, enviously watching paragliders wheeling through the sky.

Leeches and dust - our trek ends

Day 10 - Dhampus-Naudanda-Sarankot

Up early again and watched sunrise over the ranges from the hotel's rooftop. Played with the tripod and telephoto lense. My myself except for Kirsty who ran up in her PJs, snapped off some shots and went back to bed.

Little bit up, little bit down

Day 9 - Tolka (1750m)-Deurali (2100m)-Pothana (2050m)-Dhampus (1700m)

Overnight, a brand new - just 13 days old - jeep turned up, the proud purchase of the guest house owners (International Guest House). There is a new 4WD track put in in the last 6 months into Tolka and they are going to make the most of the opportunities this brings.

Up at 5:30am again to wander down to the memorial and watch the sunrise over Annapurna South. Crystal clear morning yet again. Back to see others waking up and puzzled where I'd been.

Dawn over Annapurna South. That's what my Dad sees each morning.

A pretty easy day today.  Off through Tolka village and followed the 4WD track for a bit; then off the track and up, up, up steps. Fairly steep but not too long. Sunny and hot. In for tea at Deurali in good time. Passed wild marijuana plants on the way (hmm, a bit too well tended and pruned to be wild!).

The amazing day

Day 8 - Jhinu Danda-Tolka

Amazing day. Did I use 'amazing' before? I didn't mean it then.

5:30am watched sunrise over the mountains. Clear and beautiful.

6:30am memorial service for my Dad. Wrenchingly beautiful. Incense, Khata, Waiata, Gaelic lament, all with indescribable environment watching on.

Talked to Angela, Vivienne, Mum. Broke Mum up when I described the morning.

An easy hiking day today. Down, down, down to a suspension bridge then followed beautiful river bouncing over rocks and down waterfalls.

Leeches and hot pools

Day 7 - Tadepani-Toulung-Jhinu Danda

Up at dawn again for the best views of the trip. Stunning vistas and crystal clear in the morning.

The most stunning breakfast spot

From Tadepani we could see Jhinu Danda, our destination, but knew we had quite a bit of 'little bit up, little bit down' to get there.

The Wednesday with loads of things

Hi,

Toby and I are busy and flying down to Dunedin to be with Mike' family at this time.  We'll be there from tonight and all Friday and flying back late Sunday.

I spoke to Mike during the night and he is doing remarkably well, considering.

Love,
Angela

The worst news

Day 6 - Gorepani (2785m)-Poon Hill (3210m)-Tadepani (2630m)

Up very early to get to the top of Poon Hill by sunrise. On the trail by 5am. Fast pace in the dark up fairly steep steps. Too fast for me! Slowly dropped back. The sky gradually lightened. Reached transmission tower 'false summit' and thought just 5 minutes more. Actually 20 min more. Plodding. VERY HARD. But made it in time to see sunrise with about 200 other tourists. Amazing - and the perpetual overcast thinned out, just in time. First sight of real mountains. Clouds blowing in and out.

Annapurna South, from Gorepani

I took this from the window of my bedroom after the Poon Hill sunrise.

It's my favourite photo.

Dad

Otago Daily Times, around 5 Oct 2014

The Tuesday with a social night out for me

Hi,

Happy birthday to Dad.  He has a huge birthday today!  I can't believe it has come around so quickly.  Last time I checked, it was months away still!

I can't believe the stunning weather we're having.  When I got up for my run this morning there was not a breath of wind.  Nothing.  And no clouds either.  The stars looked stunning.

Last night I went out with workmates to a quiz night.  We had a huge table of 9 people and came 6th overall.  Such a lot of fun!  Toby stayed home alone after pleading with me very nicely that he wanted to show his independence.  He actually did very well.  I think this new found ability to catch buses on his own all over Wellington has given him a new outlook on life.

Have a lovely day.
Love,
Angela