The Thursday with a late night for me

Hi,

Another lovely day in Wellington yesterday.  I managed to catch up with Ilske for an iced coffee at Mixed Business during the morning.  Just a super quick one.  But she is working next door at the moment, so it was perfectly feasible.


Mike had the wee green car in town and was meeting a colleague that was leaving for drinks (with loads of others) so I drove it home.  I collected Aidan from her work as she was ready to go home at the same time.  It made me feel slightly better about our carbon footprint.  And Mike got a lift home with Ange - so I didn't need to go and collect him either.

But I did go and do some grocery shopping between 7.30 and 8.15.  Had to get some fruit.  Toby's lunchbox would be bare without that.  As it is, he had cherry tomatoes, blueberries, an apricot and an apple today.  Much better than what he would have had - one soft, ripe plum.  I bought kiwiberries and ate one this morning.  But it was weird so I didn't put it in his lunchbox.

Came home and "watched" while a colleague did a release of software for a client.  It took a while and in the end failed to resolve the problem.  So we'll be looking into that further today.

It's the weekend.  Almost!  Mike is going out with Aidan, Josh and Jackie for drinks after work.  I am heading home and collecting burgers and then looking after the boys at the Tabor house until they all get home.  The weekend is looking fairly relaxed.  Nothing major on.  Tidying.  Take the weed sprayer back and see if we can get the right parts (came without the hose and gun, and I reckon another part is from a different size!).

February starts at the weekend.  Birthday month!  Woot!  Best birthday month in the entire year.  :-p

Have a lovely day.  Enjoy your weekend.

Iced coffee at Mixed Business

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing

Hi,

I melted at work yesterday.  So hot.  For all you Australian residents out there, we don't have air conditioning in our office buildings.  Well, we don't anyway.  Some places do.  So when it gets over 25C, it cooks you.  Reached 30C in our office on level 8 yesterday.  I have a floor fan behind me and a USB desk fan on my desk.

I went for my 5km run yesterday morning, like usual.  But I also went for a run with my colleague, Mary, at 3pm.  We did 4 km.  So I had an exercise-packed day yesterday.

It was a hot ride home too.  Hahah.  Toby had a good first day at school.   Mike got home early and decided we'd have a BBQ.

Mike in his pinny - and undies.

Great!  I went to read while he got the BBQ ready.  I did hear some commotion at one point.  Eventually I thought I should investigate.  Mike said the charcoal was almost ready.  Although perhaps the pan might be more useful.  Then he sheepishly told me he had poured turps on the charcoal and lit it.  And there were loads of flames and then the burning fuel dripped out of the BBQ into the drip tray.  The wooden deck and balustrades seemed to be in danger, so he used our handy fire extinguisher and doused everything.

I cooked the tea in the pan.

But by about 7.30pm the charcoal was ready for an awesome meal.

I think I'll go buy a gas BBQ.

So, our evening was super exciting.  How was yours?  Did you have anyone fight flames with an extinguisher at your place?

I was asleep pretty fast last night.  Loads of exercise meant I was completely mellow.

And today is just as amazing.  Woot!  Love it.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with annual leave

Hi,

It was the best idea ever to take Toby's last day of school holidays off and sort stuff out.  We got up early and had a nice breakfast at Bethel Woods.  From there, Toby and I went to get his haircut.  He looks so gorgeous now.

Toby had decided what he wanted to do more than anything on a day off with his mother, was to spend it with Emerson and Duncan.  So I didn't get a look in after 9.30 when I dropped him at the docks to meet Jackie and the boys.  She was taking them over to Days Bay for a swim.

I jumped in the car and headed to Scots to get a few things for Toby's uniform and term 1.  That went really well and I was back in town by 10.45am.

I collected Aidan from work and we went to lunch (early) at La Cloche.  It was so good.  I haven't seen Aidan for ages, so I was chatting away to her.  I'm surprised her ear didn't fall off.

Aidan eating escargot

Scrumptious!

I think Aidan's face more reflects concern with me taking photos while she eats, rather than the thing she is eating causing any concerns.  The escargot were really yummy.  Aidan loved the garlic butter and dipped bread into it afterwards.  It was so good.  I had an iced coffee, but there was something missing.  it was only a 5 or a 6 at best.  Aidan liked the place so we'll try and get back, and I can check if this was a one-off iced coffee fail, or just their interpretation.  Andrew and I ordered iced coffee aplenty in France, although it had a different name.  Cafe liegeois.  Maybe that's what I need to ask her in this establishment.

Cafe glace.  Without the accents on the e's.  But it was ok.  I've tasted better in France.

I dropped Aidan off at work and was home before midday.  The washing machine repairer was due between 12 and 4.  I weeded while waiting.  Nothing.  Then later in the afternoon I got a call to collect Jackie and the boys from the docks.  They had got back to Wellington after swimming and lunch over there.  Nipped down the hill but Mike told me that the repairer was coming in 10 mins.

So everyone had to wait at our place until he came and was done.  Washing machine works like a charm again.  I dropped Jackie and the boys at their place and came back and did more weeding.  Then I collected Aidan from work (after trying to make myself slightly more presentable after weeding in the hot sun for ages) and had a cup of much-needed tea at her place.

Grabbed Toby and got home and cooked tea for us.  Got all Toby's school stuff ready.  Panicked about his blazer at the dry cleaners still, but Mike was back in town and nipped in and got it.  Thank goodness.

This morning seems to have gone well.  Which is surprising for the first day back at school.  But I think the day off where I organised things paid off.

Yay!

Have a lovely day.  I'm running at lunchtime with Mary.  Bit worried about that!  But my run this morning was fast and good!

Love,
Angela

The weekend that was rather relaxing

Hi,

What a great weekend.  I made it through the Friday at work - helped by an iced coffee at Mixed Business with Mary.  Good!

Then I rode home and collected Toby and the car and then drove into town to collect Mike, Sally and Andrew.  We went to their house to order fish n chips and then went to eat them on Petone beach.

Iced coffee with Maryanne at Mixed Business

It was such a lovely evening.  People were swimming.  I was tempted.  We also bumped into Andrew's friend Michelle and her family, doing the same!

Tucking in!

Toby looking gorgeous

Nom, nom

Eventually we headed to Sally and Andrew's place for a cup of tea and to see all the photos from their recent trip down south.  Andrew is almost finishing blogging about it.  It just looked amazing.

Driving home after a cup of tea

We drove home into the sunset and I had to stop for a photo.  Wellington just looking stunning.

Next day was lazy for me.  Lazy.  I read a lot Friday night and only had a few hours sleep.  Ooops..  And Mike had to head into town to get some work done.  So Toby and I did the bare minimum at home before I dropped him off at Isaac's house for a sleepover.  They took him to see Nitro Circus!  How lucky was he?

Mike came home and we left for Oriental Thai for Celia's birthday!  Great fun seeing loads of people.

Thai panorama

From there we headed to The Library.  I had a virgin mule and Mike got some salted caramel cocktail.  We all had something pretty fun!

Ange, me and Celia show off our cocktails from The Library.  Mike chops our heads off.  It was dark.

Then we went through Boogie Wonderland to a bar at the back called Alice (from Alice in Wonderland) and had more drinks.  Well, I drank water.  Mike had a cocktail served in a tea pot.  A Mad Hatter, possibly.

Mike at Alice bar.  I love that he looks like he's plugged into the Matrix!

 Then we danced for two songs at Boogie Wonderland (well, I held some bags) and left for the first karaoke bar.  We sang there for two hours before it closed and then we found another one open for another hour!  Fun!

At 4am I asked Mike to come with me to the south coast behind the airport and look for the aurora.  Never saw it but it was a lovely night to sit in the convertible watching the stars.

Karaoke - Mike channels Brent and touches noses

Up early the next morning after only 4 hours sleep and Ilske came and collected me for our exciting day.  She has bought a new car.  A Suzuki Jimny.  Great wee car.  We went to Greytown in the Wairarapa and had lunch at the French bakery and then wandered up and down the street, poking into shops.  Tried an iced coffee at Main St Deli and then drove to the south coast beach, past Wharekauhau.

Iced coffee at Main St Deli in Greytown

Even convinced Ilske to have one.  Shame it was only a 6.5

Ilske's new car on the south coast

The day was superb.  Possibly even better than the time I was there with Aidan for our bike ride.  We took some nice photos of Ilske and her car and then wandered down to the beach.  Ilske didn't want me to drive through the rough ford to the end of the road.  Shame.  It looked like fun.

Selfie on the south coast

The horizon is crooked but I'm not!

Waves lapping over my feet

My feet out-stun the view!

We drove back to town and enjoyed the singing the the weather.  I eventually got the boys out of the house and to the supermarket for family dinner.

Unloaded groceries at Sally's place and the BBQ tea was great.  That lamb steak was so juicy.

Back home to iron and fall into bed in a coma.  Not enough sleep the last few nights.  All self inflicted, so don't be sympathetic.

My run this morning was a personal best time.  Yay!  On track for a fast run in the Kapiti Women's Triathlon (just doing the duathlon).  Woot!

Have a lovely week.  The good weather looks set to continue here for a bit longer.  Everyone is talking about it.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with nothing for me but a day trip to Chch for Mike

Hi,

Mike left early for his flight to Christchurch.  The day came.  The day went.  It didn't go fast enough.  It often doesn't when it's a work day.  Funny how weekend days seem to have no bother speeding past.  Oh well.  I rode home and cooked tea for Toby and me.  I chatted to Aidan who was also in the South Island for work.  She made me forget the day somewhat, so I am indebted to her for that.

Today is another day though.  And a mighty fine day at that.

The gorgeous weather continues.

I just have to get through 8 more hours and then ride home, collect Toby and then head back to town to collect Mike (and probably Sally and Andrew).  We're off to the beach for fish n chips.  And maybe a swim.  I'll grab togs.

The weekend is forecast to be beautiful weather too.  Tomorrow I might try and take the surfboard out.  Toby has a sleepover at Isaac's house.  Mike and I have a birthday party to attend on Saturday night.  And Sunday I want to try a longer run than usual along the waterfront.  I'll do that before 10.30 because Ilske is coming to collect me in her new car and we're driving over the hill to the Wairarapa for some fun in the sun.

Bring on the weekend.  I am ready for it.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with nothing for me

Hi,

I had meetings that went late.  Super late.  So I swapped with Mike and took the car home.  Toby and I then walked to Burger Wisconsin and ate in the park.

BW for tea

Toby loved making me dizzy on this!

We walked back home and relaxed for the evening.  I popped in to do some grocery shopping and collected Mike on the way.  Yay!

Back home and I was asleep in seconds when my head hit the pillow.  It's a shame for Mike having an early bird wife when he's a night owl.

Today is lovely here again.  And the stunning weather is set to continue.  My ride in was great fun.  Mike is driving to the airport to fly to Christchurch for the day.  Lucky Christchurch.  He's back home on a late flight tonight.

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

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing

Hi,

I was about to ride home from work yesterday when I realised that the broken lifts meant I needed the door lock combination from the stairwell to the basement.  That code was in my old phone.  So I hunted for someone that might know it.  Texted Mike.  No response.  Went to find the receptionist.  She wasn't there.  But 10 new grads were.  So someone asked if I could take them to level 1.  Fortunately Mike texted me the number then.  So I went down the stairs with 10 grads trailing behind, stringing out.  By the time I got to level 1, there was only one grad behind me.  I think I may have lost 9 grads.  Uh oh.

Mike then texted me that he was driving home and did I want a lift.  Sure!  I rode up Bowen St and up The Terrace to the car park.  I rode around looking for the car.  Couldn't find it.  And then I noticed a car pacing behind me.  Stalking me.  I stopped and looked.  It was Mike, grinning from ear to ear.  We put my bike on and drove home.

I cooked tea while the boys mowed the lawn.  Yes, I know.  It is split along gender lines.  Never mind.  But Toby told me it was the best spaghetti Bolognese ever!  I may have perfected it.  This might be the peak.  Never to be reached again!

Mike and I chatted happily in the kitchen before having a bath.  Had a great night sleep and a great run this morning too.  And my bike ride in was fantastic.  Brilliant.  It is lovely here today.

Wellington on a good day

Toby got Tyler and Abby's postcards

We got postcards in the mail for Toby from Tyler and Abby.  Toby was impressed with their neat writing.  He really misses them.

My bloodshot eye

And I got a bloodshot eye yesterday morning.  Not sure when or how.  But I like the selfie eye photo.  My eye looks wild!  Hahahah.

Have a marvellous day.  I need a tea.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Wellington Anniversary Day

Hi,

Maybe I should have taken some before and after photos.  Because all I did this weekend was tidy.  Took away 5 bags of rubbish or old stuff.  And anyone that knows me knows that 5 bags of things I don't want is a big deal for me.  Cleared away two bookcases in our room too.

The bed without bookcases and room either side so I don't need to climb over Mike to get in or out

A few of our towels

Tidied the upstairs linen cupboard and put the printer in there.  Tidied the downstairs linen cupboard.  Tidied my wardrobe.  Tidied the bathroom cupboard.  A tidying frenzy.

I also did manage to get out to see a movie with Toby. Big Hero 6.  I loved it.  Great movie.

Mike got back late last night.  Toby and I collected him at 11pm.  We're probably all a little tired today.

This morning the wind has finally died away.  But we had to come back to work.  You win some, you lose some.

Have a lovely week.  A short working one for me.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with Mike packing

Hi,

I had to go to the airport yesterday afternoon to collect a new work colleague and his wife and daughter.  They arrived from Melbourne (originally from India) into Wellington at 3.30pm.  They were bringing 4 suitcases and a bike in a travel box.  So, I asked Mike to put the rooftop box on to absorb the luggage and we had a bike rack in the car anyway.

I thought it might take them some time to get through customs because they are immigrating.  So, I joined the huge crowd waiting.  Two flights had got in.  Eventually the crowd thinned out and I was left with three other people.  We were scattered over the arrivals area.

It got close to an hour after their flight had touched down and still no sign.  I watched a young guy come out with just his carry on day pack and greet one of the waiting people and he said "They lost my luggage".  I began to have inklings of what might be happening.

Then a customs official came out and looked at the few remaining people and zeroed in on me.  "Angela?" he asked?  Yes.  Uh oh.  Is the new chap some drug smuggling kingpin and he had his 4 suitcases filled with something exotic?  Is his bike riddled with super germ resistant bugs?  But the customs chap said they had lost some luggage and they'd be out soon.

Eventually they came out and they only had carry on.  Every single bag was missing.  And the bike.  Probably racking up the air miles in a fancy trip to Santiago or something.  It was a very easy trip into town to take them to their accommodation.  Poor people.  But they seemed absolutely fine.  Lovely.  I hope they settle into Wellington nicely.

I collected Mike from work and we headed home to have tea.  Then Mike and I went grocery shopping.  Mike was in a funny mood.  We giggled around the supermarket.  Back home and Mike finished packing for his tramping weekend.  Should be awesome!

Almost finished the Taupo race

I downloaded some photos from the internet of my race day around Taupo.  I don't look too bad in a lot of them.  Hahahah.  In this one, I only have about 700m to ride.  I;m pretty happy by this point!

We have a long weekend this weekend.  Monday off.  Toby and I have loads of tasks to get through.  I hope I make a dent in the list.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with not much

Hi,

The day was lovely yesterday.  A good summers day in Wellington.  I caught up with Jackie for a drink in the afternoon near work.  She is visiting the Wellington Tabor family for a few weeks.

The ride home was great.  Not much wind again and lovely weather.  I made some tea for Toby when I got home and then we popped out to buy his mates a birthday present.  We delivered that on the way home.

The evening disappeared quickly enough and we went to bed.  Mike got home at some horrendous hour.  Working late at work.

Today is weird.  Mike is driving in because I have to collect a new work colleague from the airport this afternoon.  I took the bus in.  And there is a low cloud over Wellington.  But still warm.  And no wind!  Hahah.

Have a lovely day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like Thursday

Hi,

I am astonished that it is only Wednesday this morning.  I feel like I've been at work this week for days.  Well, more than two days already with a third looming.  More like 4 days already and this should totally be Friday today!

I need a haircut!  I better book that in.  Right - booked it in.  Well, emailed them to ask for a booking.  Almost as good.

Yesterday I went for lunch with the women from TTP that I keep in touch with (the client project I worked on for almost a year).  They bought me an iced coffee.

Iced coffee at Rahzoo.  They are usually a good iced coffee, worthy of an 8/10.  But this one was even better.  8.5.  If only they didn't insist on marshmallows.

This morning is stunning here

I rode home and really enjoyed the ride.  The wind wasn't doing very much and it was warm.  I love riding in my t-shirt.

Cooked an amazing meal of nachos for everyone.  Took Toby's mince out before I added chilli sauce and black beans.  I think we might need to have this meal again soon.  Mike's and my meal had red onion, avocado, sour cream and all three were smothered in melted grated cheese with chopped fresh tomatoes.  Completely bad for us, I'm sure.  But so yummy.  And we have bags and bags of corn chips in the pantry for some reason.

Went for my run this morning.  Not a breath of wind.  The birds were chirping their heads off.  It was so lovely I had to take a photo once I got back, showered and made lunches.

And my ride in was just as wonderful.  The roads are still quiet but things are coming back to normal after the break.  Next week I don't think I'll notice anything different from normal.

Enjoy your day!  Hope your weather is as beautiful as here.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing

Hi,

Well, the day was going ok when Toby's friend's mother texted and asked if Toby was coming to play or not.  By this stage it was 2 hours past when Toby said he'd be there.  So I called him on his cellphone.  No answer.  Called the landline - no answer.  This isn't good.  I rang Mike.  He rang both numbers.  No answer.  He's not home and he's not at his friend's house.  Panic ensued, despite Mike telling me not to panic.

But Toby's friend's mother went to our house and Toby had fallen asleep.  Great.  Sort of.  Toby got such a telling off.  He's on trial for all manner of behaviour now.

I rode home at the end of the day and got in the wee green car and went and collected him.  Went back home and cooked tea for Mike and Toby.  We ate tortillas and I shredded chicken and filled them with cheese, avocado, red onion and chilli flakes.  They were yummy.  Even that last really crispy one Mike got.  Hahahah.  Poor Mike.  But the boys said it was nice.

I popped out to buy groceries.  Being away weekend after weekend means the house needs a good clean and there were no groceries.  Toby luxed (part of him trying to be good).

Kirsty has put some photos up of the trip at the weekend.  Here are some of them.

Climbing the second steep bit.  Me, Jo and Julie (you can see Vivienne's head just below me)

Devils Staircase

A panorama

Today my ride in was lovely.  It wasn't raining so much as low cloud I was riding through.  The roads were dry and I reached 60 km/hr on the way down the hill.  I remember when I celebrated when I hit 50 for the first time.

Andrew has reached Blenheim on his amazing journey up the South Island.  I have enjoyed watching his posts on Facebook as he tackled amazing territory on his ride.

Time to get stuck in.  Busy day today.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with an awesome Tongariro Crossing

Hi,

What an incredible weekend.  We left work early on Friday and went to the Tabor house to collect Toby.  He was in the park so we drove around to the end of their street and collected him.  After a quick stop at home for his devices, we collected Vivienne from her house and we were off by 5pm.

We had a stop in Levin for groceries and a stop in Bulls for the best kebabs in the world according to Mike.

Kapiti Island looking stunning

Angela looking less than stunning, more like sleepy or startled

Mike got a migraine at Paraparaumu so I took over driving.  Poor Mike.  Poor Vivienne too as she had to listen to me singing all the way.  She was kind enough to call it an education.  But I think she'd rather have stayed ignorant of 99% of it.  She did perk up when Jethro Tull came on.

We got into the lodge just after 10pm.  Not too bad.  Unloaded, found a bed and I was asleep pretty fast.  Up early and breakfasted and away to collect Mary from the Chateau.

Mike dropped us off at the Mangetepopo end, and I went with Kirsty in her car.  There were 6 of us doing it.  Jo, Julie, Mary, Vivienne, Kirsty and me.  I work with Jo, Julie and Mary.  Kirsty was a Meetup ring-in and a jolly marvellous companion for our walk.

New signs since my last visit.  It was flashing green.

Ngauruhoe is an awesome backdrop

Up the devils staircase

Top of the devil's staircase

Love my shadow - and it has feet.

Selfie at the top of the Devils staircase

Selfie with Mary

Selfie in the red crater

All my selfie faces look the same.  I need lessons from Aidan or Andrew.  They have both perfected the selfie that doesn't look like a selfie.

Halfway up the next steep section

Almost up to the top of the walk

Julie has a V for victory

Lunch spot - awesome view, eh?

Jo had the comment of the day at lunch.  She pushed the sleeves of her t-shirt up and said she'd get a much better tan here because she was closer to the sun.

The weather was amazing.  Hardly any wind at all, and if we did feel it, it was a cool breeze that assisted us.

Selfie at the top with the crater behind me

There were loads of people doing the walk with us.  Probably close to 1000 people.  That is just a random guess.  But the scree slope held up quite a few of the walkers.  We passed two people going down on their bottoms.

Lake behind me

Selfie with the lakes

Selfie with Jo

Vivienne checks out where she's been

I found the last 3.5 km from Ketetahi Hut hard.  My boots were squashing my feet.  I did end up with a blister on one toe but it is the ball of my foot that hurts the most.  I need new boots.  My mission is to find a light tramping boot now.  Disappointed with these Hi-Tec ones.

Next time I am packing sneakers for the downhill part.  I did appreciate the boots in the scree though.

The end!

 We finished at 4.30pm.  Or was it 5pm.  Somewhere around there.  I do have the stats from my phone but unfortunately I forgot to turn it off when I got in the car so my top speed was 102 km/hr.  Hahahah.

Don't pay attention to the vertical blue line at the end.  Hahahah.

My feet the next morning.  Mt Taranaki poking out of the clouds in the far, far distance

However, I am not disappointed with my sandals.  And my nail polish stayed on through the hammering of 5 km of downhill walking.  That's good nail polish.

Close up of Mt Taranaki

Saturday night we popped into the pub after dropping Mary off at her car for her drive back to Taupo where her holiday is still going.  We ate there and went back tot he lodge and I was in bed as soon as possible,  Had the best sleep.

Up to tidy the next morning and away to Wellington.  We stopped at Brown Sugar Cafe in Taihape and had a great vegetable frittata.  Then stopped at Levin for a play in the adventure park.

Back home by 4pm and ironing and dinner sorted.  Toby walked to the dairy to get some milk for us.  Good kid.

My ride in this morning was god fun.  Dry roads.  My legs are reminding me that I did walk 20 km at the weekend though.  Oops.

Have a wonderful week.

Love,
Angela