The Monday with stuff on

Hi,

Well, I had to take Toby to an appointment at 9am and it didn't go super well.  But Toby and I went to a chemist and then a cafe for a date scone (me) and a cupcake (him) and two hot chocolates and suddenly things got a bit better.  Aidan had been talking about scones all weekend and we never got any, so I jolly well sorted that out with a scone that looked like it could be close to the same size as my head.  I might be exaggerating a little.

Huge, yummy scone

Toby went to school and I went to work.  Worked late to try and get stuff done. Andrew rang me after reading the blog and thinking it was my birthday at the weekend.  He was horrified to think he'd missed my birthday.  But when I explained it was actually my birthday in February and this was a delayed celebration, he was relieved.  I then reminded him it was his birthday at the end of this week and he had forgotten.  Funny conversation. Then home via grocery shopping.

Mike cooked tea and we passed the time pretty fast.  Guess I was home quite late.  I slept like a log though.  Up for my run and it was lovely and clear and still.  My bike ride in was lovely too.

I heard from Aidan.  She has a cold and her back is still sore.  Oops.  She's been broken.  Hope she gets better soon.

Right.  Time to get stuck into the day.

Have a good one!  Go the Highlanders.  Big weekend in Wellington.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with my birthday weekend with Aidan

Hi,

My week had been very tough and I'd texted Aidan to say as much. She replied on Friday to say the next twenty four hours would improve the situation entirely. I agreed because the weekend was approaching.

Mike and Josh were planning to go tramping and I had a weekend planned with Toby. It did include a pedicure appointment too, which Toby was going to attend and tolerate before fun and games started.

Our Friday night was awesome. Benjamin came to look after Toby and we went out to dinner with work and then an improvisation comedy routine at Bats theatre. I laughed so much. It was great. The accents attempted were hilariously dreadful.

Back home and I dropped Benjamin home before getting to bed and reading lots. I fell asleep at midnight. My book was so good. The sparrow. A great science fiction novel. Fantastic. Recommended by Aidan because she started it and got spooked. She wanted to know about it.

Up early to get ready for my 9 a.m. appointment. Mike was up to finish his tramping preparations. Mike kindly went to get croissants for breakfast. Yum. I waited patiently. When he got back he said he wouldn't start until Toby got up. So I eventually complained to Toby so much he got up.

Toby was up and I got a text from Aidan saying the good things were about to start. I was amazed she knew I was about to eat croissants. What I didn't know was she was about to knock on the front door.

The knock came and I knew Josh was there to collect Mike. I heard him say hello. Then as I stepped into the hallway to see him, Aidan was there. Cool! As I opened my mouth to say hello she said "happy birthday". This barely registered as it was late June and nowhere near my birthday. But her next sentence was "we're off to Picton, get packed". Whereupon my mouth fell open and I stared at her in surprise and astonishment.

Aidan's texts to me, trying to cheer me up without telling me that she was whisking me away to Picton

But the tramping? My appointment? Plans? What?

Everyone knew and had cancelled my appointment. There never was any tramping plans. The packed backpack at the front door and Mike's tramping clothes were all a ruse.

Aidan and Josh had tea while I packed for the weekend. I was ready pretty fast. Pyjamas. Toothbrush. Change of clothes. Then we went to have breakfast at Drexels. Great way to start any weekend. Love breakfasts out.

Then we got dropped at the Interislander ferry. Aidan and I sat in the departure area for a while before boarding. We got two seats looking out the front and starboard side. Settled in for the glorious crossing. No clouds. Slight southerly swell. The harbour was stunning.

Wellington harbour looking as fine as I have ever seen it

Aidan taking a photo on the Picton waterfront

Iced coffee at Le Cafe - Aidan's favourite cafe

Aidan took loads of photos from the ferry. Apart from in the strait where all you see is water. We chatted to three men, two on motorcycles and one American tourist from Chicago. The tourist was a bit hapless. He'd looked at the map of the world, seen how tiny the islands were here and decided he could see everything in 6 days. Ha ha.  Good luck with that itinerary, buddy.  He was heading to Christchurch to see the South Island.  Not sure any of us there rated seeing Christchurch as a taster of the entirety of the South Island.  And we said as much.  Aidan recommended Kaikoura.  I concurred.  Or if he went to Chch, he could take the trans alpine train over the alps.  That would be a good excursion.  But wandering around Chch?  Not so much.

Aidan got me a cup of tea at one point. She asked if I wanted rooibos as she got up. The South African motorcyclist was impressed an American was asking a New Zealander if she wanted a rooibos.  I think Aidan made his day right there!

Getting off in Picton, we walked straight to the cafe Aidan loves. Le Cafe on the Picton waterfront. I had an iced coffee and Aidan had French onion soup. We shared a walnut tart. Off to the bed and breakfast to check in.  We met the owners and they were super friendly.  We got settled in the room.

Feet in the Band B bedroom

I read for a bit before we ventured out. Aidan had shopping in mind but never found what she was after. Apart from a hard copy of Dune. She's got great taste in books.  She did find herself a new hat.  Her old one reminded her of a souffle on her head - according to her.  Not that I thought it looked silly when I saw it.  But this one did look especially nice, so she's done well.

Showing off her new red beret

Wish my legs were this long - I could ride the motorbike I really want, if they were

Feet shot

I tried out my new walking shoes.  I bought them for Nepal.  They worked well.  Super grippy.  I made up that word, didn't I?  But they went through mud easily.  I was so stable.  Hahah.

Walk to Bobs Bay

Oops - hit the button again by mistake and took an inadvertent selfie 

Selfie at Bobs Bay looking south (and yes, I am watching my fingers try to hit the button)

Selfie at Bobs Bay looking north

We decided to do the walk to Bobs Bay. Thirty minutes there and thirty back. The sun was almost gone. We got a great walk in. Never have two people been so pleased to find a toilet at the destination though. Made the walk back a far better prospect.

Back to the accommodation to change shoes then off to dinner at Le Cafe. I had the steak and Aidan had the lamb. Both scrumptious. We left to head to her favourite Irish pub for dessert but they had none. Aidan chewed her way through a Guinness though. We did days and days of the Stuff quiz.  Pretty consistent result.  Usually around 12 out of 15.  Where did Aidan get her knowledge of painters?  She'd see a painting and know who did it.  Freaky talent.  Show me the periodic table and I could tell you the elements.  So, we had art and science covered.  Cool team!

Slurp.  Or is drinking a Guinness more like eating?

Back to the accommodation and bed. I managed to read for only twenty minutes before realising I was half asleep already. Turned out the light, as did Aidan. Asleep in seconds.

Aidan got up at 2 a.m. to check out the facilities. As you do. But this woke me up, unaccustomed as I am to people wandering around in the middle of the night. It took me a wee while to fall back to sleep.  Nice and quiet in Picton in the dead of night.  

Felt great Sunday morning when I woke up so the hour lying in bed at 2am wasn't deterimental. The day was incredible. No wind. No clouds.  Frost everywhere.  Aidan made tea in our room and eventually I tried the shower out. I went downstairs to wait for Aidan at breakfast. She came down and gingerly sat at the breakfast table. Turns out she'd just lain her clothes on the bed, bending over slightly, and her back spasmed and now she was super sore. Oh no.

Breakfast.  Aidan was cold.

I got her some fruit and yogurt to start. We chatted to the owners. We got scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Yum. Back upstairs to clean teeth and walk to the ferry. I carried Aidan's bag as she slowly negotiated the terrain between the B and B and the ferry terminal.

Walking to the ferry

As we waited in departures, she lay on the carpet. Not good. She took pain relief and sea sickness tablets. The things she does for a weekend with me. I'm very appreciative. But for her this is way better than flying anywhere. Which she hates with a passion. Well, she could have done without the back complaint, I guess.

We got a wee sofa to herself so she could lie down. We read most of the way back. Interrupted by tea trips and hot chips trips to the food court.

Stretching the back out on the ferry

Another wonderful crossing. Calm. The time passed quickly. Josh met us at the other end and I got dropped off home.

The boys were pleased to see me. Mike went into work to get stuff done. I watched a movie with Toby. We ate Indian takeaways. Yum.

Off to bed. Slept like a log really. Listened to podcasts as we got into bed. Never heard hardly any of them. Fell asleep in seconds I think. I'll have to listen to them all again.

I loved my surprise weekend. It was incredible. Aidan did so well. Mike and Josh ran a smooth operation. Toby knew and never said anything. His instructions were to run interference if I planned anything elaborate with him.

Yep. Astonished. And just what I needed after my week. I'll remember it for a long time. We had the best weather. And I had the best company anyone could ask for. Perfect. Shame Aidan's memory of the weekend will have back pain associated with it.

It was also my mother's birthday yesterday. I hope she gets my present today. Fingers crossed.

July isn't far away. School holidays start next week. For three weeks. Still trying to plan those. I have the last week off. I might take Toby to the lodge for skiing.

Have a fantastic week ahead. Hope your weekend was as good as mine. But it can't have been. As my weekend was the best.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with quiz night

Hi,

Happy birthday to MisshyShell today.  Wow!  I can't believe it.  Wish you were here, Michelle.  Mind you, it is freezing.  Just like your last visit.

After a rather hectic day looking after Toby and getting through a crazy work day, it was time to relax with Ange and Celia and some other friends at a pub quiz.  A fund raising venture at heart, but for us a social occasion, we enjoyed ourselves.

We met after work at the Sprig and Fern pub on Tinakori Road.  I had a couple of apple juices while the others tried the beers.  And maybe a cider or two was had.  The food was good too.  We probably should have discussed strategies and all sorts for the quiz ahead.  But it was more fun to hear about Amy and Martin's adventures (both ahead and the ones they just had).

Soon we were off to the Speights Ale House for the quiz.  But I think it is no longer a Speights pub.  Anyhow, we were one of over twenty tables.  Gee!  Huge task ahead.  But we did well.  Got fourth place!  Ooossshh.  Turns out there is an Australian band called "Peking Duk".  Wild guess on my part - never heard of them.

My best get of the night?  Well, nothing as embarrassing as knowing the name of the actor in CHiPs that played Jon (ssshhhh!).  But I did know "Jumbo" was hello in Swahili.  Hahah.

Ange took me home and I was pleased I didn't need to walk.  It was so cold.  Still, and deliciously cold.

Went for my run this morning and did a good time.  Happy with that.

The weekend is also coming.  Yay!  I need a break.  A recharge.  Mike is off tramping and Toby and I have a few plans.  I am using my pedicure voucher tomorrow (Sally will be pleased to know) and then we want to buy Toby a suit from an op shop for his Halloween costume this year, see a movie and pretend we're snowbound and eat fresh baked bread and maybe lots of chocolate.  Also have lunch at Ange's place on Sunday.  Yep - a good weekend approaches.

Have fun yourselves!  Enjoy it.

View from my desk this morning

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday and Wednesday that disappeared

Hi,

I had sick leave on Wednesday to look after Toby.  And today (Thursday) he is off sick too.  So I am working from home today.  I don't mind working from home.  IT works seems to work reasonably easily from home.  Although I seem to need to hop off and on the VPN for various things.

Mike will drive in this morning and swap with me (I am in at work early to try and get a few things done before heading home.

Wednesday was lovely weather

Today is supposed to be cold and wet.  It's dry out there at the moment.

Right.  Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with nothing much

Hi,

Well, it is rather pleasant to have nothing to rush off to in the evenings.  Pretty sure the whole week except Thursday has nothing on for us.  Thursday I have a quiz night with Ange.  Woot!  Mind you, I also noticed the tramping club night this week looks amazing.  I might ask Mike if I can go.

I rode home last night in the freezing cold, and left my double layer of gloves on.  I have never done that on my ride back up the hill.  Ever.  Not even that time it snowed on me.  It was freezing.  The heat pump earned its money last night.

Toby and I did homework and waited for Mike to come home to help with the tricky parts.  Mike and Toby then took turns sprinting on the treadmill for fun.  Funny.  Mike wondered if they would both fit on it at once.  I think it's a boy thing.

This morning I didn't get up for my run.  At 5am it was pouring, and it sounded freezing.  How does rain sound freezing?  Not sure, but it was definitely the sound of our overnight rain.  I rolled over and went back to sleep.  My ride in was ok though though.  I seemed to miss the freezing rain in a perfectly timed ride in.  Woot!  I can see it starting again now.  There must be snow on the hills but it was still dark when I rode in.

Enjoy your Tuesday!

Love,
Angela

The weekend with lots of little things on

Hi,

What a weird weekend of activities.  Eclectic mix.  Friday night was Toby's school dance night.  Ange dropped Mike home after work and Toby got ready.  We dropped him at Queen Margaret's college and we went to a great Italian restaurant for dinner.

Dinner Friday night

 We were just having dessert when I texted Sally about my creme brulee.  It was cappuccino flavoured and made to look like one.  Heaven.  And I haven't had one since Strasbourg over 15 years ago.  So I texted Sally and she asked us to order mains for her and Andrew and they came and joined us.  Woot!

Collected Toby from his dance, dropped him and Mike home then drove Sally and Andrew home.  Sang all the way back!

Next morning we were up for the Wellington College open day.  Guess who I bumped into while I was there?  Mike and Adam!  Awesome.

Mike and Adam at Wellington College

We came home and had family discussions about high schools.  Wellington High gets the nod.  Then Mike popped out for groceries.  When he got back, I made enchiladas for the potluck dinner at Serge's house.  We went via the Tabor house.

Mike encouraged them to get the cocktails out.  Josh was shaking up a storm.  They all tasted like absolute rubbish and I was amazing at the ability for them all to keep a straight face while they tipped essentially poison down their throats.  But, who knows?  Different people like different things.  At least they had cranberry juice and I was very happy.

Mike was ensconced for the evening so I left with the enchiladas and went to Serge's house.  What a great party.  Woot!  Food galore.  Great.  Chatted away to people.  SingStar arrived but by then I had to leave to drag Mike away from people that wanted to go to sleep.  Well, actually, it was 10pm by the time I left with Mike and Toby.  I was impressed at the fortitude of certain people.  Not me.  I was asleep on the couch.

Next morning I was up for brunch with Ange and Roanne at Maranui.  Some miscommunication meant Roanne thought we were due there at 10.30am.  Oops.  But she had an awesome table.

Iced coffee at Maranui

Here we all are at Maranui

Back home and the boys wanted to do some walks to visit the miniature huts around Wellington.  There used to be a lot, and now there is only 4.

Through the bush in Te Aro valley

Crystal Hut

Aoraki Biv in Brooklyn

Mike proves he still can cross his legs

Inside and out

Robin Hut at Red Rocks

Knees!

Icebreaker

The one on Matiu/Somes counts as the 4th one.  And I saw that a few weeks back,  Yay!  Got the set.

Back home to iron while Mike ran.  Then we swapped and he ironed while I ran.  Great fun!  Then tea, homework and bed.  Although Mike and Toby watched a movie together.  It was a good movie by the looks, but my book absorbed me and eventually sleep claimed me.

This morning's ride in was cold.  I escaped the driving rain - just!  It was lashing against the window before I left, and then nothing on my ride in.

Snowy day forecast in the hills.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Michelle has her birthday at the end of this week.  And then Ma next week.  Crazy June birthdays.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with Onslow College open day

Hi,

Well, there was quite a bit of frantic logistics yesterday.  Toby went to swimming and left his lunch behind at school.  So Mike bought him lunch and drove it to him at the pool.  Wow - what a dad!  At the other end of the day I was going home by taxi and grabbing the other car and driving out to Scots to collect Toby for the Onslow open day starting at 5pm.  We were going to be late and Mike was going straight there from his work.  But, Toby came home via the school bus and I caught a normal bus to the library and from there we went to Onslow.

Mike and I found Onslow to be a bit average, really.  Nothing stood out on the evening that made us sit up and take notice.  However, Toby seemed to love it.

Back home for some homework and reading before bed.  I woke up at 5am for my run, to hear pouring rain and high winds.  I rolled over and went back to sleep for thirty minutes.  Hahah.  I also decided to catch the bus at 7am, that's how yucky it still was.  The good thing was though - I bumped into Sally running over the road to get her coffee.  Yay!  Bonus!

The weekend looms.  Mike and Toby are off tramping to Powell Hut.  I am going to the Wellington College Open Day tomorrow morning.  Then frantic housework before a pot luck dinner at Serge's place on Saturday night.  I have booked in brunch with Ange for Sunday morning.  Mmmmm.  Brunch!  Better fit running and ironing in there too.  And a cup of tea with Sally and Andrew sounds like a grand idea for the Sunday afternoon.

Right.  Time to kickstart the day.  Enjoy your weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday and Wednesday with Mike's birthday

Hi,

Tuesday was Mike's birthday but we both had work commitments which meant his birthday passed us by in the usual blur.  He went out for drinks with some colleagues after work and I popped into collect him, and meant I did chat to him and some colleagues before I could prise him out of the pub.  But we did have a wonderful day off work together on Wednesday to celebrate his birthday.

I took the bus into town super early as I had a work breakfast meeting I couldn't miss.  Mike dropped Toby off at school then collected me.  We went to Oriental Bay and visited Beach Babylon cafe.  Mmmm.  I ate a second breakfast,

Great cafe - I'm coming back

Their iced coffee was good

I had the famous rosti eggs Benedict.  It was so good.  Eggs done perfectly.  The iced coffee was good.  I'd give it a 8.5.  It would be perfect on a hot summers' day.

Selfie where Mike looks like a male model

They are fixing the beach!

The council is fixing the beach at Oriental Bay.  They are trucking loads of sand in.  Wow!  We walked back from Babylon to Thrifty Car Rentals to check tyres.  Weird.  Then back to the car and we went home to get a few things before driving to Eastbourne for a coffee.

Boat sheds

Eastbourne feet

Eatbourne was stunning

From Eastbourne, Mike had a meeting, so I drove to the south coast while he attended his meeting on the phone.  We watched surf rolling in - it was beautiful.

South coast now - watching surf

 Then we collected Toby, Emerson and Duncan from school.  While I waited, I noticed this wee tree had managed to get a foothold in the mortar in-between the bricks.    It really showed how hard your life could be.  This wee plant is never going to grow big and strong.  Poor wee thing.

A plant showing how hard life could be

The boys did their homework while I went grocery shopping.  I came home and cooked up spaghetti Bolognese for them.  They are such appreciative boys - they can come to tea at our place anytime they want.  So polite.  Aidan came to collect them around 6.30 and then Mike and I waited for Benjamin and then went out to see Mad Max.

The film was non-stop.  Mike loved it.  Good!  I found it wasn't my cup of tea.

Busy day today.  Another open day - this time at Onslow.  6pm we have to be there.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with a visit to Wellington High School

Hi,

Woot!  Today (Tuesday) is Mike's birthday!  He's a birthday boy today!  He has his birthday present and he has used it in anger already.  Yes, Toby and I got him a treadmill.  Tonight as a birthday celebration, he will run for 30 minutes before earning a bath with the woman of his choice.  Me!  Hahahah!  Lucky man.

Tomorrow we have annual leave together to celebrate his birthday.  We couldn't do it today as we both have a work meeting we can't miss.  Work nerds.  I can't wait!  Although I have got a work meeting tomorrow morning from 7.30 - 9am.  Oh dear.  But at least I'll be up.

Last night we rushed home and ate the fastest tea in the world (leftovers) and headed in to Wellington High School for their Open evening.  We had a great time.  Toby loved the school.  It is now the frontrunner.  Better enter his name down,, I think.

Went for my first run outside in two weeks and my calf was absolutely fine.  Yay!  So happy.  Such a nice morning.  Clear skies and no wind at all.  Freezing cold though.

I left the boys in a state of undress and wandered up to the garage to ride to work.  Nice ride in.  Double layer gloves worked a treat.

Have a fantastic day.  Especially if your name is Mike,

Love,
Angela

View outside my work from my desk.  It looks better than that in real life.

The weekend with Mike away on Survival Night! Oooooo

Hi,

Well, Friday night went as normal.  Watching a movie.  That sort of thing.  And Saturday morning Mike was up early to get ready for Survival Night.  It's a bunch of people from work and an excuse to get together and eat meat and drink - but in the bush instead of the local pub.  Well, that's what I can make of it.  Early translated to more Internet reading time.  So, in fact, it was Toby's haircut at 9am that got us out of the house in a timely fashion.

Iced coffee at Mojo on the waterfront

I think Toby was feeling cold after his haircut because his hoodie went on.  From there we went to see the new Bluebridge ferry.  They had an open day.  It was great fun.  I got to go on the bridge!  Woot!

Smile, Toby!

Stunning weather

Open day on the new Bluebridge ferry

Game of "keep the balloon off the floor - and roof" with the helium balloon from the ferry

Mike left at around the same time as Toby and my movie, so we dropped him off at 12.20 at the train station and we went to see Jurassic World.  Great fun!  Toby said it was a 9.5 out of 10.  Wow.  I thought it was ok.  I quite like Chris Pratt.

Sunset

Love walking around in barefeet when I've cleaned.  You don't pick up bits of rubbish on your soles.

Back home to relax.  Toby and I watched Tin Tin the movie in bed.  And slept like a log.

Sunday was quiet.  I moved furniture around in Toby's room and went for a run.  What else?  Luxing.  The usual.  Laundry.  Mike got home around lunchtime and I did ironing while he went for a run and I watched David Attenborough.  Great way to spend your ironing.

Homework in the afternoon/evening and Mike cooked a yummy tea with his survival rations that he brought back from the wilderness.

Bit of a damp ride in this morning.  Brrrrr.  Southerly has kicked in.  Not as cold as Dunedin today though.  Bit of snow there, I hear.

Have a wonderful week,

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with Toby sick

Hi,

I worked from home yesterday with Toby.  He's got a cough that is hurting his chest and a sore throat.  Seems to be a bit of it going around.  But he made headway into homework.  Might need to do some over the weekend though.

Evening was lovely

After the wild and chaotic weather on Wednesday, Thursday with its normal gusty conditions was heavenly in comparison.  Hahah.  And the evening was stunning.  My ride home was very pleasant really.

Mike got home early from Auckland and we assembled his birthday present in Toby's room (it is the biggest room!).  This is an American product and the assembly was nothing like all the Swedish things we have built over the years.  It was different - yet those Americans have got it sorted too.  But they have solved the problem by making it almost foolproof.  Blister packed labeled screws and washer. Stickers everywhere.  Disclaimers on every step.  In bold.  In CAPS.  In BOLD CAPS.

Mike's birthday present arrived and took us 90 minutes to assemble

Toby testing it out

Mike says "Let's make it go faster"

Toby becomes a blur!

The boys tested out the treadmill and declared it a winner.  Woot!  I have done well.

Went to bed and slept the sleep of the dead.

Weekend looks quiet.  Haircuts.  Mike is away tramping.

Have a great weekend.

Love,
Angela