The Monday back at work

Hi,

I did get to a Spin class with Sreejith at lunchtime yesterday.  And my cold didn't cause too much havoc at all. 

Pinned down by the cat

When I got home, I cooked tea for Toby.  He was home early due to a migraine.  Poor kid.  But he ate his dinner and I think he kept it down.

The cat pinned me to the couch with her super powers after dinner.  I think our cat is actually some sort of cat model.  I think there is no other cat as cute as her in the entire world.  And today is Halloween.  And she's a black cat.  It's her day!

The builder is actually at our house this morning.  Wonders will never cease.  I am quite excited to see what will have changed by the time I get home tonight.

Enjoy your day.  Hot in Otago today.  I hope Sally and Andrew are taking on a lot of water as they ride around central Otago today.

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington

Hi,

After heading home, Mike made a lovely BBQ dinner for me.  Then he made one for himself and Toby.  Then Doro and Zoey came around and Mike made tea for them too.  Smudge was a little unsure of Zoey this time so Toby kept her downstairs.

I also went to Innocent Foods at lunchtime on Friday and enjoyed a Buddha Bowl.  Yum!  And a flu juice (although that horse may have bolted).

Buddha bowl for lunch on Friday

BBQ for tea - scrumptious!

Saturday I could barely talk when I woke.  But eventually I could croak out words.  Celia dropped by with tomato seedlings for us.  How cool.  Mike and Doro went for a huge walk with Zoey.  Toby and I went grocery shopping for his Halloween party.

In the afternoon I heard from Celia that James had smacked into a parked car at high speed and broke his collarbone.  Ouch!  I can't believe it.  The poor guy.  I hope he recovers well.

Toby's mates turned up around 4pm and they were actually well behaved.  Not too noisy really.  They ate more junk food than I thought possible.  Walked down to Magnus's house and ate pizzas.  Watched several movies.

Mike and I stayed in our room for the most part.  Although I did venture out to get pumpkin pie, courtesy of Molly.  Yum!

Sunday morning everyone got picked up fairly early.  Isaac stayed until early afternoon.  My cold made me lazy, so I stayed in bed for a while.  My cold is making me sleepy - and giving me a pathetic cough and a sore throat.  But apart from that, I don't feel sick, really.  Hopefully it won't hang around very long.  I guess I have had symptoms for a week now.  Hmmm.

Mike is taking me on a date night movie this week.  Not sure it counts if Toby is also coming.  Hahahah.  We're seeing Bladerunner.  Oooohhh.  I can't wait.

Enjoy your week ahead.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with a night out

Hi,

Unusually, I said yes to Mike to a night out and about in Wellington.  He was due to fly into Wellington at 6pm from his two days in Auckland for work.  My reluctance at venturing into pubs and bars on my own meant I was faced with working late until he got to town.

At a bar - shocking, I know!  Ta for the pic, Jo

But after explaining my foibles to Jo, she took pity on me, and met me outside my work and took me into Dirty Little Secret for drinks before everyone arrived.  After dropping my garage fob and grated cheese off with Andrew at his work.

Complicated Gilbert plan.  It's contagious.

Anyway, after Mike, Melissa and Momo arrived, we wandered to Mr Go's and got a table secured for a bit later.  Went to some other bar and got drinks and promptly got told the table was now available.  Melissa and I went back to keep the table warm.

Ok.  So, Mr Go's is actually so yummy, it might just be one of my favourites now.  I ate crispy tofu, and it was the bomb!  Who knew?  The cauliflower was superb.  Asparagus (the season is upon us and I am officially in heaven now) perfect.  Yep.  Very happy.

It was late when we got home, after my phone needed a reboot to finally get Uber working. 10pm.  Ooohhhh.

Sally and Andrew have a cycling holiday now down south.  Half their luck.  I hope the weather is wonderful.

And the weekend beckons.  Can't wait for that either.  Although we have a tonne of stuff to get through.  Social Mike and social Toby are creating havoc with my introvert tendencies.  Beer tasting at our place tonight.  Halloween party for Toby at our place tomorrow.  House needs a tidy.  Laundry.  I want to fit Spin in there too.  And a bike ride.  We'll see.

Enjoy yours!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Mike in Auckland

Hi,

Hahah - I checked my photos for exciting things to tell you about my Wednesday.  And found work photos.  One of the user group session last night (great info!) and a blue screen of death on my PC.

User group

BSOD

Anyway, I got home after user group and cooked spag bol for Toby and he chowed his way through that.  Woot!  Spoke to Doro for a bit.  Tidied the ski gear and tramping gear.  Then noticed it pouring with rain and decided against wandering up to the garage with sleeping bags and stuff.  I can do that tonight instead.

Was in bed fairly early.  Did get to chat to Mike before I fell into a coma.  5.30am was very early.  I got changed and half woke Toby before riding my bike to work.  Got quite wet in the rain.  Into my Spin class and back at work now.

The ride in was amazing due to the courteous drivers.  I encountered two of them.  Both slowed and made way for me to take my path through road obstacles ahead of them.  Highly unusual - it's usually a game of chicken and even if I am ahead, it is fair game to cut me off.  Hence I anticipate the cutting off techniques and generally pull over to let drivers through.  But these two drivers all slowed down and let me through.  Woot!  Thank you to the blue people mover car on Hill St and the commercial white van on Wadestown Road.  :-)

Tonight Mike flies back in around 6pm.  We're meeting to go out for tea - with some of his friends.  But I heard a rumour I might get a date night soon.

Hope your day is a dry one.  Well, drier than mine, anyway.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like a Monday

Hi,

After an awesome weekend, it is hard to get back to work - and when it is a Tuesday, masquerading as a Monday, things just seem extra tough.  But with only one day at work, it is suddenly Wednesday.  Guess that is good, right?

I went home with Mike with a few much-needed groceries after being away for the weekend.  Lunchbox material was light on the ground yesterday morning.  Got more fruit and bread now.  Phew!

We ate leftovers and the evening disappeared in laundry and stuff.  This morning Mike left super early for two days in Auckland.  And I caught the bus in with Toby.  The King of Navarre got on the bus at Kelburn.   I have my user group session tonight, but I will leave a little early to get home to cook tea for the Tobster.

I am in complete denial about getting a cold.  Nope.  Don't have one.  Don't feel sick.  The tissues on my desk are purely to be on hand if I spill my tea.  :-p  Hahahah.

The sun is shining in Wellington today.  Woot!  I could get used to this - and not the rainy weather.  Especially now the ski season is over and I don't need it to be wet and freezing - until about May next year.

Have the best day!

Love,
Angela

The weekend that was long and labourous

Hi,

What an amazing weekend.  We left Wellington close to 6pm, but there was no traffic through the usual choke points.  Very odd, given it was the start of a long weekend.

Vanessa was joining us from the Chch office, so it was very exciting to show her the sights of SH1.  Mind you, it did get dark after a while, so we could only reassure her that there really was a giant carrot over there.  Or a giant gumboot.

We got to the lodge by 11pm and I was in bed not long after midnight, I guess.  Up to sunshine and a skifield that was open and ready to go.  Mike took off with his mates and I got Toby and Vanessa set up with skis and tickets.

We venture up to Knoll Ridge cafe to check snow conditions there

We did a few runs on Rockgarden in thick porridge before I convinced everyone to try the Turtle run off the Delta chair further up.  We stayed there most of the day.  Toby checked out more of the cafe than us though.


Next day was horrible, so we eventually prised ourselves out of the lodge (Mike was involved in a huge Phase 10 game) and drove to Tokaanu for a soak in the hot pools.  Checked out the wee walk next to the pools to see the natural springs.

Vanessa checks out a hot pool at Tokaanu

Back to the pub for a drink and the MotoGP was on the big screen.  Mike and I were very pleased.  In the evening I was convinced by Jo and Momo to join in some games.  Jenga is not my friend.  But "Linkee" - that was more my cup of tea.  A trivia game with four questions that are linked in some way.  Great fun!  I came second - to Mike!  My partner was Toby and we had a blast.  He left before the end and I inherited another partner - Tash.  Yep - all good fun.  I could buy that game.

Next day was awful - again.  No skiing to be had. In fact, it started sleeting.  Toby cleaned up like a machine!  Sreejith and I rode from Whakapapa village to Waiouru.  It took me 1 hour 40 to Ohakune.  And 1 hour 10 to Waiouru - that was only 27km but it was hard work.

I got divebombed by a magpie between Horopito and Ohakune.  Riding along at about 35km/hr and felt this boof on my helmet.  Saw the shadow of a magpie above my head and then 15 seconds later, felt it again!  Cheeky magpies.

I ride past the giant carrot in Ohakune

The drive home was in sunshine.  Mostly.  And we did manage to show Vanessa the giant gumboot in Taihape.  Woot!

We finally stop to pose by the big gumboot.

Mike and Toby check out another hot pool

I check out an iced coffee at Feliz.  Mmmm

Great weekend.  It's only a month to Round Taupo now.  Yikes!

Hope your weekend was good fun too.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with lots of iced coffees

Hi,

I'm not sure how it happened, but I had three iced coffees yesterday.  Three!  I think I might have some sort of addiction.  Hahahah!

As I walked into the Mojo cafe, the chap behind the counter just yelled out to the barista - "One iced coffee with sugar syrup on the side".  Like he knows me.  Ok, so he does.

Little Peckish iced coffee

Machete iced coffee

Mojo iced coffee

Anyway, eventually got home and cooked tea for everyone.  Vanessa from the Chch office is up and arrived at our place just as we sat down to eat.  She joined us and we chatted away for a while before packing for the weekend.

This morning I packed the car - mostly - and then caught the bus in with Vanessa.  She is settling into a desk at the office.

We are off to Ruapehu after work for the last weekend of the ski season.  I hope I get some skiing in.  Maybe even in my t-shirt.  Sreejith and his family are coming.  And Sreejith and I intend to do a road ride.  Ambitious!

It's a long weekend here - we have Monday off.  Woot!  And a new government.  Wow.  Didn't see that coming.

Have a brilliant weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with Zealandia

Hi,

I caught up with Reimer yesterday morning - and went back to the Mojos in Bond St.  Fantastic iced coffee - again.  I haven't been there for a few months.  Scrumptious.

Happy to enjoy the iced coffee at Mojos again

Tastes great!

After a manic day, I did get away eventually.  And Mike caught the same bus as me.  We hurriedly got changed into walking clothes, left Toby on the couch complaining about a sore ankle from his drama class where he must have overacted - and met Mike's work colleagues at Zealandia.

Had an awesome evening.  Saw tui, kaka, shags - and three kiwis!  Woot!  Glowworms everywhere.  Yep.  Had a brilliant time.  Thanks Lynda (our guide).  I want to go back.

Stunning morning this morning in Wellington.  The sort of morning that would make everyone would want to live in here.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that was sad

Hi,

Yesterday was a sad day - my friends lost a good friend last week and it was her funeral.  Too young, and too lovely for the world to lose.

For me, my day started in a hectic whirl (I did get Spin in before work - and for the record, that is an indoor cycling session at the gym - nothing to do with wool at all - which did make me laugh and I apologise for any confusion) with work urgent issues and dribbled along with the odd bit of fizz.

I did have to head to Hutt hospital for a check up appointment.  When I checked in at reception, they asked if I worked in Wellington and did I want the future appointments to be around the corner from work instead of fifty million miles away. Doh!  Yes, please.

When I drove back into town, there were no car parks to be had.  In a fluster, I drove home and parked in our usual spot, thinking I might have to wait for a bus for 30 minutes or more.  But a bus came as I approached our street, and as it had just passed the bus stop, I was certain it wouldn't stop for a frantically waving woman, at an intersection rather than a bus stop.

But the driver did stop.  Maybe it was because I was dressed like a ninja.  All in black.  And brandishing my snapper card like a katana.  He may have anticipated a leap, with a somersault, onto the roof of the bus if he didn't stop. 

Or not.

Anyway, I was back at my desk fairly quickly and worked back - getting some peace to finish a few things.  So - bonus!  Mike met me after a meeting at my end of town - and I dragged him to the supermarket for fun. 

Got home and cooked tea.  Baked fish with panko breadcrumbs - and I found two bunches of asparagus at the supermarket (on special) and gave Mike's plate three stalks - and ate the rest.  With Haloumi.  Mmmm.

Haloumi with my asparagus

Toby scoffed it down.  Mike got home fairly late from work.  And I think it took him ages to sleep.  He actually woke me at 12.30am and I swore it was 4am or something.  He then fell asleep - and it took me ages to get back to sleep.  Gah!

It was hard getting up this morning.  My bike ride in was a little damp.  There is this drizzly rain thing happening.  Or, low cloud, maybe.  But as I rode down to sea level, it did continue drizzling.  So I can't really say it is low cloud, if it is actually also raining at the sea level.  And not cloudy, as such.  I think I may have to call it rain.

We have some new roofing iron on our roof!  And Scott (knows Sally) came to collect the old iron for his new shed.  Hope he gets the bits that aren't too holey.

They have done one side of our square roof.  The side to the deck.  But with this rain, they may not do the other sides just yet.

Tonight we have a Zealandia night tour.  Ooohhhh.  Can't wait for that.  Hope the rain goes away for it.

Hope your day is a good one.

Love,
Angela

The Monday at work but with Roz and key lime pie

Hi,


I caught up with Mary for an iced latte.  Muddled through the day somehow.  And then caught up with Roz.

Iced latte with Mary

I took her to Sweet Mother's Kitchen - in search of the fabled key lime pie.  We ordered quickly, and also ordered the pie.  The food was great - we had eggplant bake and curly fries.

But the pie!  Ooohhh.  Roz tried mine (she got pecan and bourbon pie) and said she would hit me on the head and make off with my pie if she thought no one would notice.

Key Lime pie goodness

She left to find a taxi and I caught a bus home.  Mike was in a fit of cleaning - more like a frenzy.  our pantry is sooooo tidy now.

Another nice day here.  Woot!

Enjoy your day.

love,
Angela

The weekend tramping with Toby

Hi,

What a lovely weekend I had, off tramping with Toby.  Isaac arrived early Saturday morning at 9am and I popped out to grab food for our tramp.  We didn't get away until 10.45am.  And... we stopped at Maccas to get brekkie before the tramp.  Wainuiomata has awesome instant prizes in the monopoly game Maccas has. 

Sweet iced coffee at the Dowse - Bluebird I think it is called now

We started the tramp from Catchpool in glorious weather.  I walked there in my new tights, to trial them.  They worked well.  And I only wore a t-shirt.  Yep - lovely weather.  We got to the hut in a slow time - the boys chatted to each other the entire way.

I sat reading int he sunshine while they chopped down a dead tree.  With a blunt axe.  I was impressed with their perseverance.    They eventually chopped through it.  And...  it got stuck in the surrounding trees.  Oops.  there is a tree waiting to topple in the trees near the hut.  But not too near.

Hopeless at selfies - but I love this ferny dell

Me at Paua Hut

Selfie enjoying the view

Look!  Feet!

The boys negotiate the river crossings

What lovely feet!

Toby at The Tree

Feet in dappled sunlight with beech leaves

We were all in bed by 8pm after having a lovely relaxing evening eating pasta and burning our fingers.  Isaac on the fireplace while stoking it.  Me on the lighter trying to light a candle with no wick.

I kept waiting for the chopped tree to crash to the ground during the night because it was terrifically windy.  But in the morning, when I got up to go for a wee, the tree was still wedged.  As I got back into bed and read - it started pouring down with rain.

Eventually got out of bed and made brekkie.  We tidied up and left by 10am.  Oddly as soon as we broke out of the tree cover to the riverbed, the rain stopped.   The rain hadn't caused any rivers to rise so we made it back to the bridge just fine - although the river was colder than the day before.  Brrrr.  By the time we entered the track from the bridge, the sun came out and when I got to the car park, I was back in my t-shirt again.

Friday iced latte

Back to Catchpool by 12.20pm and I dropped Isaac and Toby off at Isaac's house.  Went back home and got changed before grabbing my bike from work and meeting Sally for a ride up the river with Mike.  We ate at the new cafe at the Dowse.  It was ok - I had a chicken and black bean wrap.  Quite expensive at $10 - Mike had one too.  And my iced coffee was a bit sweet. 

Anyway - the ride was good fun.  We enjoyed a cup of tea with Sally at her place after it all, and then home to coincide with Toby getting dropped off (by the other Sally).  Toby had enjoyed the jazz recital thing he went to with Isaac.  Awesome!  He got tramping and culture in his weekend.

I am off to see Roz after work today.  Woot!  She is in town for work and I get the pleasure of a catch up.  Choice.  Mike can cook Toby something scrumptious for tea.

This morning is lovely here once more.  Long may that continue.

Enjoy your weekend.  There are photos of Mike circulating on various social media wearing lederhosen at the Oktoberfest on Saturday night.  Avert your eyes!  Hahahah.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with some measure of fun

Hi,

We finally emptied out Toby's bag from his trip to visit my parents and I found my tea supply.  He did mention he had some for me - but his bag was bulging at the seams so I left it to him to unpack.  He must have wanted something from it finally, as I found its contents strewn all over the couch when I got home yesterday.

Made for easy pickings to find my Rooibos tea.  I do like this brand available in Australia.  And I found some clothes that may have needed washing - or not.  Not sure what he wore while he was away.  But it's all washed again now.

New supplies from my mother via Toby delivery

 I did get away for a coffee chat with Dave - caught up on his thoughts on things.  And it was good to have an iced latte at Machete.  Mmmmm.

Iced latte at Machete - Mmmmmm

The weekend beckons.  Toby and I are meeting Isaac tomorrow morning and heading into Paua Hut for the weekend.  We'll be out by lunchtime Sunday so I can catch up with Sally and ride a bike along the river.  Maybe get a late lunch with her somewhere nice.  Ooohhh, yeah!

Mike meanwhile has Oktoberfest commitments.  Hmmmm.  I have asked him along for the bike ride with Sally.  Could be interesting.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday that felt like it should have at least started with a Fri because I think I have been at work for five days

Hi,

After a weird day yesterday, I fled the scene of my workplace to head to the GP to join colleagues in celebrating Steph's 10 years at work, and sympathising with friends losing a close friend (and someone I knew a little) to cancer.  Horrible for family and friends to see the decline that happens as that disease takes its toll - but in my mind, she is always smiling and happy, because that is how she was.  Life is a lottery sometimes.

Rainy selfie Spotto!

As I ran down the road, dodging raindrops, I saw the cutest little yellow Smart car.  I had to take a selfie for that Spotto opportunity.

Got home and received text updates from Mike as he joined the "Curry Club" with some mates of his.  They try a different curry place each month and gain ratings based on what they eat.  He did manage to get home in one piece, and without calling me for assistance.

In early this morning for Spin with Ed and Victor.  Ooosshh.

Bit worried about Celia - she has been sick for three days in a row now.  I might need to go visit her.

Toby is off to the zoo today.  He might see the ducks happily playing in the rain.  The builder reckons we might get the roof off today.  I have my doubts.


Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Toby back

Hi,

So excited to see Toby walk out of customs at around 3.45pm.  He walked out like the seasoned solo traveller he is.  My parents obviously took good care of him - he looked relaxed and happy.

I did catch up with a client during the morning and sucked down an iced coffee.  Her manager came too, and he also had one!  Ooossshhh!  Hahahah.

Slightly blurry iced coffee at Verve

Toby was amazed at the glorious weather when he landed.  It had been rainy in Queensland.  And he has asked me not to book Virgin next time either.  He is an Air New Zealand man through and through, he says.  I'll have to try and remember that.

He loved his holiday away with his grandparents.  I could tell he was happy to get back too.  Well, at least he asked about Smudge before we even got home.  And it was the first thing he wanted to do when he got back - she was spoiled.

I worked a bit before cooking him his favourite.  Spag Bol.  Hahahah.

Went down to collect Mike from town after his tramping thing and finally fell into bed and slept like I was in a coma.

This morning was my first morning in ages to ride my bike into work.  I avoided the drizzly rain - yay!  It was good to be back on the bike.  Mind you, the forecast is for awful weather, so I may take the soft option before riding becomes the usual mode of transport once more.

What happens is I get on the bus really early, and sit down and read for 25 minutes and listen to music.  Can't do that on my bike.  And it is kinda nice to get extra reading in.

But, far better to get more kms on my bike.  Right?  Right?

Hahahah.

Time for a cup of tea.  Have a wonderful day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with no Toby

Hi,

Toby is coming back today!  Yay!  Mum just texted and they have just left Peregian Springs for the airport.  Wee Toby lands at 15:15 today, so I will head out to wait for him.  I can't wait to see him.

Last night I went walking with Mike - and 46 of his friends!  Fortunately for my introverted tendencies, 34 of them didn't show up.  12 of us walked around Wrights Hill.  We pottered around the top, looking at the fabulous view before heading down to the bottom on a track called "Deliverance" and then back up one called "Salvation".

Windfarm at Makara and a gorgeous sunset

Mike striding through the bush, staunchly

View of Wellington harbour from Wrights Hill at 6.15pm

It was a lovely evening, and the sunset was amazing.  I really enjoyed myself.  And at the end, Melissa gave me a ride home and picked up that dodgy German Beer Hall costume I had for the Christmas party 6 years ago with a German theme.  She is wearing it to Oktoberfest this Saturday.  It's a shame for her.

Kotare above the car at 5.45pm

Spotted a kotare on my way to the car - just sitting there.  Same as about a month back.  One of my favourite birds.

Right.  Time for tea and the day to start.  We drove in early so I could go to Spin at 7am.  And of course, have the car available to collect Toby from the airport.

Woot.  So excited.  Thank you to my parents for looking after him for the week.  I heard he has new sneakers.  Now that I can't wait to see.

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with mega tramping fun

Hi,


What an incredible weekend.  My body has been pushed to its limit (well, maybe almost).  And I feel so good for it all.

If you want to read Andrew's version of the tramp, it is here:  Arawaru

Friday after work, we had some Gilbert logistics involving dropping Mike's gear at the train station for his van trip up to the mountain.  From there, Andrew and I drove out to collect Andrew's gear from Sally and his place.  Sally arrived as we were almost ready to head away.  She got Smudge's fancy feast cans safely.  :-)

Andrew and I made good time - we left his place at about 6.15pm.  I may be making that up.  But between 6 and 6.30 I think.  And there was no traffic.  Weird.  Ate a pie at the BP at Otaki.  And we were chatting to Iona just after 8pm.


Up super early at 5.20am to get ready for the day.  Ate some toast with peanut butter and a nice Rooibos.  Iona got up to eat with us.  By 6.40am we were off.  Twenty minutes to the road end.  We were off walking by 7.10am - up the Sledge Track.

New gaiters in pristine condition before the huge tramp

I had my trail running shoes on, with tramping socks and my new gaiters.  Had my tramping pants on, and two layers of merino, my cap and my jacket.  I carried extra layers, leggings and snacks and water (1.5 L) in my Camelbak backpack.  Andrew had first aid and a PLB as well as survival pack.

The first hour was a flat (mostly) track to a new swing bridge - part of Te Araroa.  The bridge was opened in March 2017.  From there, Andrew and I crossed the bridge and dropped into the bush, off the path.  We fossicked around in the bush and undergrowth, to see if we could bush bash up that side of the river to the tops.  But after a bit of rummaging, Andrew declared we were better off on the track for a bit on the other side - before haring off up to the tops up a spur.

I found one of those large carnivorous snail shells while blundering up and down that side of the river - so I was happy.  And as we did that, a gaggle of men ran past us on the track, chatting away to themselves. We were lucky enough to see two giant earthworms during the day too.  The snails eat them.  Must be a huge meal for them.  The worms were probably close to 15 cm long, and maybe as thick as my pinky finger.  Looks like a lot of eating for a snail - even a big snail.

Back on the other side, and we took a track that said it was No Exit.  Hmmm.  Hahahah.  But the track certainly exited - right up the side of a huge hill.  The path was rough - and marked with tape for the most part.  Sometimes it was hard to find the next tape marking the track direction.  I fell off the path frequently.  We would fan out a bit between us to find the next tape.

It was slowly drizzling with rain the entire time.  The first high point made me a little cold, even with hardly any wind.  I put my gloves on, and kept them on the entire rest of the way.

From here, we tramped along the tops, finding a few more highpoints.  We didn't get lost - but Andrew was making good use of his map and compass.  Without that we would have never found our way.  Eventually we got to the bottom of our highest point, and did some off track navigation up the the top.  The scrub was so thick.  Andrew wormed his way through it and I followed.

At this stage, the Super Mario game Toby used to play came to mind.  The one where the hero does all the tricky stuff, and the hanger-on gets hauled along in a wee bubble, keeping out of trouble.

However, in some of the thicker scrub, that had Andrew on his hands and knees crawling under - I managed to scurry through without much trouble.

Basically, it was like a childhood adventure.  Crawling through bush, exploring wild areas and eating chocolate when you could.  What more could you want from a day?

Got to the top and saw...  nothing.  The clagged in weather continued.  Andrew pointed in the direction of the Wairarapa.  But as we came up to another high point (550m) we saw back at where we had walked through the clouds.  Lovely.

Smashed down to the swing bridge in half the posted time.  Ooossshhh.  Back at the car by 5pm.  Exhausted.  And really unhappy at the prospect of changing in the toilet at the road end.  It was not a pleasant place.  So I stripped in the passenger seat of the car - hoping my efforts steamed up the windows enough to prevent too much of a peep show.

Back to Iona and Col's for a shower and a scrumptious meal.  Col had bumped into Malcolm and Marion in the supermarket, so they came for tea too.  And Carrie and Ed - friends around for dinner in their original plans before we threw our spanner in the works.

Huntsman pie - yummy!

A bit of chatting late into the night saw me fall into bed after 10pm.  What was I thinking?  Fool!  And Col woke me at 3.50am to get dressed and follow her bleary eyed to watch the All Blacks play South Africa.  Her sister kindly let us sprawl on her couch to watch it.

Awesome game - we won by one point!

Back for a snooze before brekkie at 10am.  Oat pancakes.  Mmmmm.  Chatted a bit more.  Spoke to Mike for a while to hear his adventures.

And off for lunch to Soskys before we headed home.

Iced coffee at Soskys.  Not bad.  Solid 6.

Enjoyed a Rooibos with Sally before heading home to do my filthy laundry.  Collected Mike from Melling at 7pm and soaked in a bath with him for a while before another exhausted sleep.

What a weekend!  Wow!  Just... wow!

Thank you to everyone.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with no Toby still

Hi,


Some sad news from Scott yesterday - his lovely grandmother passed away.  We're sending him and his whole family huge hugs.

I got away for a bit to meet Andrew for a coffee catch up and to plan our weekend.  He has a plan.  I am somehow munging myself into that plan.  I am meeting Andrew at 4.30 and going to his place (via the train station to drop off Mike's gear) to collect his stuff.

We're driving to Palmerston North and then doing some tramping Saturday while Iona and Col sort out their house and prepare for dinner (that Andrew and I are going to cheekily crash).  I am hoping to get Iona out for a bit of a ride while I am up.  But if that doesn't happen, I hope I can help out with their house prep work.

Iced latte at Machete - with purple shirt day!

Toby is well.  My parents took him to an aquarium at Mooloolaba and by all accounts the seals were wonderful.

Sally is going to look after wee Smudge this weekend.  Smudge seems very happy despite not having Toby to cuddle up with in the nights.  She'll like some attention from Sally.  When Ange feeds her, she makes Smudge cuddle on the couch before she gets any food.  I like that idea.

And...  That is about it.  Mike is off to Whakapapa and will report back to me on the snow.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with no power

Hi,

It was so nice to get out and have an iced latte with Steph.  We caught up with work news as well as other more chatty things.  The iced latte at Machete is by far my favourite coffee.

Iced latte at Machete

I surprised myself by squashing in a Spin class at lunchtime.  That was very cool.  Meant I could leave to head home at a fairly reasonable hour.  The sparky was still there when I got home - and we had no power as he was replacing the board.  It took him until 9.30pm to finish.  Wow!

Toby texted me a few times from the Sunshine Coast.  He only wanted to know how Smudge was.  Hahahah.  I couldn't text much because my phone was going flat - and there was no internet and no power.

Doro came around with her dog, Zoe.  Zoe was so well behaved.  She was interested in Smudge but never approached any closer than a few metres.  After some odd noises from Smudge, she settled in and took her eyes off Zoe eventually.  But Smudge never moved the entire time Zoe was there.

I was so sleepy that I went to bed, even with the sparky still up the ladder and rewiring like mad.

Mike and I walked in this morning.  Such a lovely walk.  Really enjoyed it.  Got Spin planned for after work today and then a wander home with Mike if I am lucky.

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with Toby flying out

Hi,


Toby had a great lunch with his girlfriend and her mother in town.  He bought flowers for them both.  What a charmer.

He met me just after 1pm and we walked up Boulcott St to the car park, stopping in to buy some junk food at the dairy on the way.

If I didn't know better, I'd say Mike owned this car

Checked in easily, with the ground crew chatting to Toby about his wrestling interest and how he would enjoy catching up with his Gramps about it.  Told Toby to check out King Kurtis and some other wrestlers from the 70s here in New Zealand.  Hahahah.

Toby got collected by Dad at the other end - I got a confirmation text.  Phew!  And now Toby is probably enjoying getting spoilt.  I know Dad got his presents from him.  Heheh.

Missing Toby already.  As is the cat. 

Have a great day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday with the first day of school hols

Hi,


The world is an odd place at times.  So saddened to hear the Las Vegas atrocity in the news this morning.  I wish the world was a better place. 

Yet, today is probably the most stunning day we've had in months here.  Life goes on.  And it seems to be a far better place to live here than many other places in the world.  Even with some dodgy weather.

I don't think I want to read the news.

But, in my life, at least, today sees Toby heading to the Sunshine Coast to spend a week with my parents.  He has been looking forward to it.  He managed to pack his things into a day pack so he has no checked luggage.  Although that may also mean he has barely any undies or socks.  Hahahah. 

I have a half day at work and I will meet him here around 1.30pm before I take him to the airport.  He is meeting a friend's mother in town for lunch.  And his friend.  Or should I suggest "friend"?  Anyway, it is Toby's business.  But he did get a gorgeous haircut yesterday which I think it not entirely coincidental.

I got a text from him yesterday afternoon saying "I managed to successfully get a haircut".  Which made me laugh.  Not sure anyone would want an unsuccessful haircut.  Or get one unsuccessfully.  That would be a failure to get a haircut at all.  I guess.

Teenage boys are a mystery to me.

Right.  Time for a cup of tea.  Hmmmm.  Sluurrrrpppp.

Have an awesome day.  Hope the world's events have no impact on you besides a headline that makes you shiver.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with me and Toby at home and Mike away skiing

Hi,

Happy birthday yesterday to Dad.

Exciting times - Mike took my new skis away to Ohakune for his snow weekend, and he got new bindings put on them!  They look amazing!

Shame I may not actually get to try them out this season.  The snow at Turoa was a bit slushy and sparse, according to Mike.

Pulled meat Mexican style - with salsa

Double spotto in the New World car park - ooosshhh!

Toby and I had a good weekend in Wellington.  Toby met up with Jack on Friday evening and we took them to Maccas for a quick dinner before they headed to WoW.  After it finished, John Ubered them home.  It meant I didn't have to get out of bed to drive back into town and collect them.

They slept on the couch in the lounge.  I got up early and went to Spin before grabbing some brekkie food on the way back.  Cooked them both brekkie and then wandered back into town.

We ate lunch at Mama Browns.  Yum.  I had a veggie breakfast burrito.  Nom, nom.  Before too long, Jack and his parents were heading to the airport and Toby and I went home.

Mountains of laundry - all weekend.  How does that happen?  Mike had a great time - he also got new boots and bindings for his board and carved up the slush and ice like he was born to it.  Oh - yeah - he was!

Toby heads to Queensland tomorrow afternoon.  For a week.  Yay!  He is looking forward to that.

Have a brilliant week. 

Love,
Angela