The Tuesday with not much on

Hi,

What an odd day - had a great start though as I caught up with Andrew at Machete for an iced latte.  Mmmmm.

Iced latte with Andrew

Pretty hectic work day and then I went to Spin after work.  Met Mike outside his Meetup venue (he saw me gesturing to him through the window) and I left him to it and  caught a bus home.

Mike was gallivanting about - meeting Sally and Andrew afterwards for tea.  Anyway, by the time they wanted a lift, I was well in bed.  Heheh.

Mike is off to Auckland today - coming back tomorrow night (Thurs night).  I only found out when he booked the taxi last night when he got home.  Hahah.  I said divorced people communicate better than us.  He was a bit sheepish.

Obviously I never read the calendar entry.

Dropped the car off to get checked out - it is making an odd noise.  And Toby has a late start for his first day back at school.  Hope he finds his wallet.  And I must buy better things for his lunchbox. 

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday at work

Hi,

Monday back at work.  But it was still fairly quiet - not as manic as most of 2017.  Maybe I am still in summer mode.  The weather certainly is.

I got away for a catch up with Celia and she only took one photo of me.  She usually reels off quite a few in an effort to get the best one.  But with all the practise lately, I think she knows how to capture me and my iced latte really well now.

Iced latte goodness at Machete - with Celia

Anyway, I went home with Mike - on the bus.  I text what bus I am on, and he waits for that one further down the street.  Seems to work well.  Anyway, he sorted tea when we got home, and I got ready to drive out to Celia's place for an evening with her and the telescope.  Just in her backyard.

I texted Andrew and asked if he was still around and needed a ride home.  He took me up on that and I collected him from Boulcott St just after 6.30pm and dropped him home.  We tentatively planned the long weekend activities.  Oossshhh!

Celia then cooked me tea - how cool is that?  Then we went for a walk along the Hutt River because we had to wait for the sun to set and the stars to come out and play. 

Hutt River at about 2115 last night - stunning

Hutt River - never seen it so low

Mac (the dog) loved the walk.  There was also an incident that Celia wanted to refer to as:  The thing that we will never mention again.  So let me just explain in vague terms and you can fill in the rest.  On our walk, Celia dropped the house key and didn't realise until we got back to her house.  So we had to retrace our steps and find it.

We did.

We then hauled the scope out and I learned how to get it started.  It isn't as tricky as I recalled.  Getting the thing aligned seems to be something I need to get better at though.  I must read more about that aspect.

Anyhow, we soon had a look at M42 - the nebula in Orion.  Can you believe it actually looks stunning in our telescope?  And we only have one lens with it at the moment.  I can't wait to buy some more.  I know what I want now - just need to buy them and have them delivered.

We also checked out M41 (just because it was the next Messier number I plugged in) - not far from Sirius.  And I found 47 Tuc without the GoTo function and without the benefit of a dark sky to find the Small Magellanic Cloud.  Boom!

I loved it!  I need to book a house in Martinborough and have Celia come for the weekend.  My days can be road riding training and my evenings can be deep sky viewing.  Ooossshhh!

I got home really late - it was after midnight by the time I turned out my light and went to sleep.

Next morning I caught a bus in with Mike.  Fiona and Connor had their old couch ready for a pick up - and as it is next to the bus stop, it looked like a comfy way to wait for the bus.

Our new bus stop this morning

Right.  The weather is set to be warm again today.  But tomorrow has a change on the way.  Just in time for Toby's first day back at school.

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington

Hi,

We had a lovely weekend.  Mike had his tramp cancel (only him and Momo had decided to go - and Momo was only going to keep Mike company) so we had unexpected Mike for the weekend.  The world needs more unexpected Mike.

My photos are all out of sync.  Best seen from the bottom up for chronological order.  Never mind.  I will try to drag them around so it makes more sense.

Can you see my arm?  That's me, bottom left.  You can't see my face, just my navy blue cap and awesome grip

I have added a photo from Celia of our dragon boat training session on Thursday evening.  I was in the front of the boat, so you can only see my navy blue cap and my arm.  Jo is across from me, and Rex is just behind her.  Fun, fun, fun!

Hello Carl!  So happy to see you

Iced latte at Machete

I also got to see Carl on Friday.  He was over for work.  Good to catch up - such a lovely man.  Melbourne is treating him and Hazel well, by all accounts.  What's not to like about Melbourne?  Mike and Toby fell back in love with the place when we were there for Michelle's wedding.

We had social club burgers Friday after work.  At Caroline's.  And it was such fun.  Good simple tasty burgers.  Mike came along too - but he headed off to join his mates for something while we went to karaoke.  We might have sung until midnight.  Maybe.  Hahahah.

Saturday I got up early and walked into town.  Went to the spa for an appointment and then Mike collected me and we went to Queensgate to sort out a key for the Corolla.  Andrew had lent us the car and Mike broke their ignition key (it had a crack - he just snapped it completely).  But it was a good excuse to see Sally and take her for haloumi rolls at Zany Zeus.  Mmmmm.

Zany Zeus for afrogato

As it got dark we headed back into town.  We went to St John's Bar for the outdoor movie.  They played Hunt for the Wilder People.  It was the first time Mike had seen it.  Christine turned up - bonus!   The evening was stunning.

Stunning night in Wellington

Fountain near the lagoon

Just looking good

Sunday I got up early and walked into the gym for Spin.  Ran for 3km (yes, I could do better) and then met Mike and Toby for a weights session.  That was followed by an iced latte at Machete.

Iced latte at Machete on Sunday

 Best one ever!

We tried to get a gym sorted for Toby and Mike - but it was like pulling teeth.  I think they should visit City Fitness now.  That is probably what they need.

Mike went to a drag show in the evening - but Toby and I decided against that.  Hahah.  I was basically comatose when Mike got home, but I think he said Toby and I made the right decision.  Ok.

The day is beautiful here.  A high of 27C forecast.  Lovely.  Enjoy your week, wherever you are.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday that felt like Thursday

Hi,

Ok - most of the time yesterday it felt like Thursday and that I really had been at work on Monday.  I was convinced.  It was only because my memories of the weekend were so close that I realised it was actually a short week.

Does that make any sense?  Hahahah!

Anyway, yesterday. 

Only one iced latte at Machete yesterday.  This one with Victor and Celia

Another warm day.  We did go dragon boat training after work and the evening was stunning.  I could have jumped in - except when I got back to my phone, Mike was still in town.  So I caught up with him and we took the same bus home.  Me in my slightly damp clothes.

Everyone was sorted for tea - Toby just wanted toast.  But Mike wanted toast when he saw my fabulous toast.  Hahah.  I put a wash on.  And Mike stripped for me in front of the washing machine.  That is relevant for later.

Went to bed and slept so well.  It was a bit cooler but still only top sheet weather.  Woke up and got ready for my day.  Convinced Mike to also get up and bus in with me.  But he was missing his phone.  We determined it was in the house somewhere - but not in the usual places after a search.

Then I recalled his striptease.  Ahhhh.  Yep - by the washing machine.  I am so good at finding his things.

Toby is in town today with his girlfriend, Sahara.  Hope they have fun.

Social club burger night tonight.  And then karaoke.  Ooossshhh!  Weekend looks good.  Bit of this, bit of that.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with more hot weather

Hi,

This run of glorious summer weather is so good.  I woke up this morning with no top sheet over me at all.  It's just so warm here.  I confess to loving it all!

I had two iced lattes during the day yesterday.  One with Mike in the early morning that you know about.  And in the afternoon I went out with Celia and Bronwyn and had another one.  Wow!  I need to detox like mad.

Yesterday I went to Spin class after work.  Popped into the supermarket on my way home.  But those delays meant Mike ate his way through most of a loaf of bread and didn't feel like using the BBQ for our dinner.  So I made a plate of fruit for me and Toby and quesadillas.  Mmmmm.

My commute this morning

Further down the hill during my commute

And another iced latte - this one is with Celia and Bronwyn

This morning I walked in (for Spin class).  The morning was stunning.  I hope this weather continues for ages.

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like Monday

Hi,

Back at work for a short week.  Ooossshhh.  The pics below might look like they are all from the same iced latte date, but they are spread over three different ones.  I think I need to detox.  Hahah.

Ed coffee

Jo coffee

Brekkie date with Mike

What are you doing, Mike?

Anyway, I went to a focus group to check public opinion on the Wellington City Council sustainability.  It might be something I am interested in and I may have spoken up a bit.  So unlike me (bunch of strangers in a room isn't my usual fun time).

Got home and sorted dinner for Toby.  Helen (architect) was there looking at the work with Mike.  Hmmmm.

But this morning.  Oooohhh.  Mike and Toby came in with me, and they went to my gym.  They have a week trial and hopefully can sort out a routine to come in regularly and do some weight training.  I am very excited.  I hope they sign up.

Have an awesome day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Nelson

Hi,

What a fantastic weekend - thank you to everyone that made it super special.  We tried to get to bed early on Friday night - but given we still had to pack for the weekend, that was easier said than done.  But eventually we did get to bed.  I woke at 1.10am and jumped in the shower.  Probably a good thing to do as it did at least wake me up a bit.  Mike and Toby got up a little later and threw on the clothes.  Then we finished packing the car.  We were in the InterIslander carpark collecting Sally and Andrew by 2.30am before joining the car queue.

We were entertained by securing the bikes better (we had 5 of them - two on the roof and three on the back) and the wee truck units that moved the truck containers onto the ferry.  We got on nice and early and found some reclining seats.  Toby grabbed the blanket and went to sleep immediately.  Sally and Andrew did the same.  Mike worked for a bit and I fell asleep eventually.

Sleeping on the ferry at 3am

When I woke up, it was just me and Toby there.  Turns out Andrew had found the brekkie and tried that.  Sally had found the coffee, and wanted more (but not the coffee available here) and Mike was off exploring.

Morning coffee at Chez Alicouscous

Met Iona off the ferry at the self service petrol station and Andrew switched to her car.  We went back to Blenheim and had coffee at Vicky and Alistair's place.  The coffee was superb.  And we got heated croissants too.

Perfection

And with croissant, no less!

Mike enjoying the brekkie on the porch

Car loaded with 5 people and 5 bikes

Porch catch up

That is just perfect

Sally had a crisis at work, so she ended up getting sucked into that for a bit.  Andrew left with Iona, as Iona had a lunch date with her friends Sue and Jan in Motueka with the idea he would get dropped off at the Nelson accommodation.  We left about 30 - 40 mins afterwards and enjoyed a good drive over the hills.

Vineyards

Sally and Andrew stayed at the Beachside Villa motel on Golf Road - they had the benefit of air conditioning.  We dropped Sally off with gear and headed back to our accommodation.  Unfortunately at 12pm we were still too early to get a key.  We dropped our bikes off and met Sally and Andrew at Sprig and Fern for a lovely lunch.  Mike and Toby went to Maccas instead.  Hahah.

Got into our room by 1.30pm or so and had a bit of a lazy snooze until 5pm.  Our room was a basic cabin for $80 a night.  A bunk bed and a single bed.  Mike and I shared the bottom single bunk bed.  Toby grabbed the single bed.  The room was tiny - with a fridge.  Nothing else.  Not even a fan.

Locked the bikes up outside our room and then collected Andrew and Sally from their place before meeting JR and Anita at Hopgoods in Trafalgar St, just below the cathedral.  This was possibly the best meal I have had in ages.  We had a set menu, but the staff swapped out my meal for vegetarian options.  And they were not an afterthought at all.  Every course was scrumptious.  And I had two Shirley Temple Sour Cherry drinks.  Mmmmm.  Definitely going back there.

The weather was so hot - such a beautiful evening for sitting out and dining alfresco.  Along with a lot of other people at that end of the street in the middle of town.  We got home and retired to bed.  It was stifling in our room though.  At one point I tried to convince the boys to sleep with the door wide open.  I didn't get my way.  There was barely any breeze anyway so I doubt it would have made an iota of difference.

Andrew starting from Flora car park

I was up early Sunday morning - 5.45am - and jumped in the shower.  Nice showers here.  Went to pick up Andrew at 6.30am and after getting petrol from the Z in Richmond and a pie for brekkie (vegetable korma for me - it was ok) we set off for Flora car park below Mt Arthur.  The chap in the petrol station kept trying to declare Andrew's bacon and egg pie as a butter chicken one.  We knew why once we started eating in the car.  It was a butter chicken one.  We got there just on 8am and Andrew was quickly onto his bike and off.

As I was saying goodbye to Andrew, I was leaping around like a mad thing due to the inquisitive bumble bees that were attracted to my blue shoes.  They also liked Andrew's blue backpack, so my goodbye hug for him was very lukewarm - no way was I getting much closer to him than that.    Andrew suggested I go for a walk, and after a wee toilet stop (also bombarded by bumble bees and wasps in there) I decided to head up the Mt Arthur Hut for a while.

Best idea ever!

My walk up on the Mt Arthur hut track

Selfie #1

 I walked for an hour - and the weather was beautiful.  The view up to the hut was stunning and now I am desperate to get back and do some proper tramping here.  I saw a weka, piwakawakas, robins and rifleman pairs.  Absolutely beautiful.  I maybe got halfway up to the hut.  The DoC sign said it was 1 hour 15 to the hut, but I only had an hour before I needed to leave and get back to Motueka to meet Iona at 10am.  And I was out of cellphone reception so I couldn't juggle the time for that.

Selfie #2

I took a few selfies with a makeshift twig tripod.  Hahah.

Selfie #3

I left the Flora carpark at 9.15am and drove back down the scary hill.  I met 3 cars coming up, but at easy times to pass.  Three more back down on the flat part.  I was in Motueka by 10.05am.  I met Iona and Jan (and Jan's dog Diesel) and checked out the market and had an iced coffee.

Motueka iced coffee with Diesel

We popped back into Sue and Jan's house before I got the pick up call from Andrew at 11.30am.  He'd got a puncture and was walking the last km out.  So I drove up Takaka hill and met him about 40 mins later as he was just starting the climb up from the other side.

Went to Neudorf and met the others just getting there from cycling from Mapua.  Perfect timing.  Toby joed out on the grass and Anita prepared a fantastic picnic.  We met a couple also riding - Warwick and Karen.  They live on the Gold Coast and Warwick divides his time between there and Nelson.  Sounds perfect to me.

Toby tuckered out at Neudorf after his bike ride

Neudorf - stunning

Andrew and I got away before the others to meet Iona in Nelson and ensure she didn't shoot through to Blenheim.  We got fish n chips from Haven chippie and ate at Tahunanui beach.

Appleby's coffee ice cream - yum!

The ice cream cart there was the best!  I could not keep up with the melting ice cream though.  I ended up very sticky and Karen (my sister) will know what I kept thinking about.  Highpoint West shopping centre - the great ice cream incident of (about) 1988.

Back to the accommodation and Mike and Toby convinced me to go see Jumanji at the cinema.  They used emotional blackmail.  "We hardly saw you today".  "Don't you want to be with us?".

But - it transpired that I loved the movie.  Something tickled my funnybone and I laughed till tears tracked down my face.  The credits had a Michael Gilbert as some VFX person.  So - glad I went in the end!

Best brekkie in ages - at DeVille in New St, Nelson

We woke up after another hot night - but not quite as warm as the previous night.  Packed up and checked out and collected Sally and Andrew from their place and loaded their gear.  We met JR in town at DeVille in New St.  Best brekkie ever!  I loved that place.

Iced espresso - very good

Me with the iced coffee and the iced espresso - for research purposes

Left there in drizzly rain, checked out some suburbs on the way to Blenheim.  Ate lunch at Saint Clair.  Very nice.  Off to Picton and wandered around for a few hours.

Picton pedestrian bridge

Large stingray in the harbour

Boarded the ferry at 6pm and away back to Wellington for a clam crossing.  Dropped Sally and Andrew home at 10.30pm and back to our place not long after 11pm.

Wee Smudge was happy to see us - Ange must have looked after her well.  Didn't unpack much before falling into bed.

Woot!  Awesome weekend.  Time for the short week at work to kick in.

Have a great week.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with the first dragon boat session in the boat

Hi,

I could seriously get used to Wellington with no wind.  Our first session in the boat last night was the most idyllic conditions imaginable.  No wind at all.  Ok - so the rain might not have been as idyllic as brilliant sunshine, but even that meant mist was hanging over the hills like some dream sequence.

Yep - yesterday was a good day in Wellington.

The dragon boat training session was such fun.  Most of us turned up for it - so it was a good one. 

Iced latte goodness at Machete with Tyrone

I also got out for a coffee catch up.  This time with Tyrone.  That was good fun.

After the training, I got changed into some drier clothes and caught the bus home.  I don't think I made the seat too wet.  :-p

Mike and Toby got home not long after me (I had only managed to get changed and put the wash on) with the new fridge.  They worked together on tramping things before bed.

Nice bus ride in with Mike this morning.  And big adventures this weekend in Nelson with my boys and Sally and Andrew.  Woot!  bring it all on.  Long weekend too.  Choice.

Have a good one.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday that really should be a Friday

Hi,

As my first full week back from an amazing holiday, I think this week is definitely stretching out in my imagination to defy space/time as we know it.  Is it really only Thursday?

I had a haircut yesterday after work and now I can see.  That's very pleasant and should make the dragon boat session after work today a lot easier.  It's our first session on the boat!  Woot!  It's supposed to be raining - but warm enough.  And not too windy.  Should be choice.

I got home after my haircut and Toby made the right noises.  "Oh, it makes you look much younger".  He knows how to impress the women in his life.

Mike had a late night with some mates.  I was asleep by the time he got home and hardly noticed.  Sorry, Mike.

I walked in this morning and I'm about to head to spin class.  Yay.

Mike is off to Paraparaumu tonight to collect his fridge.  Fun.

Have a great day.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with dragon boat training

Hi,

I went to Spin and then caught up with Andrew for an iced latte.  Heard about his tramping adventures and then we planned random, spontaneous weekends away.  We're off to Nelson for the long weekend now.  Hahah.  Poor Mike and Sally just have to go with the flow. 

Iced latte at Machete with Andrew

Sounds like I need to convince Toby as he had other plans.  Oops.

After work, Sreejith gave me a lift to Kilbirnie pool where we had our second dragon boat training session. That was a lot of fun - and then I caught the 14 home.  I think I almost travelled its entire length as it starts near Kilbirnie somewhere.

Mike had a newbie session for tramping to run - and by all accounts (his!) it was full on and went well.  Good on him.

We walked into work together this morning.  Such a lovely walk with him.  I have a haircut this evening after work.  Yay.  I will be able to see again.

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday at work

Hi,

Another balmy day in Wellington  - and it has everyone talking about the weather.  Hahah. 

We have real flashing on the roof now

I was going to walk home with Mike, but he forgot his sneakers so he met me on Lambton as I walked to his work.  And we caught a bus home together.  Which was also nice.

Cooked tea for me and Toby and then Mike did a lot of tasks around the house.  Got the foyer area clear - maybe in anticipation of more building work.  Whatever.  I will believe it when I see it all done.

Anyway, the house is looking a bit better for it all.  Yay!

Then off to bed - and a hot sticky night.  I walked into work - and that was also sticky.  It looked like it might rain - but I only left three or four drops of rain.  But a colleague who rides in at the same time as me got caught in a heavy downpour that lasted for two minutes.  Yep - this is weird weather for Wellington.

Off to dragon boat training after work tonight.  Then home from Kilbirnie on the bus.  Woot!

Toby is enjoying his summer holiday still - he might try and bus into town today and meet his mates.  They tried and failed that yesterday.

Have a fantastic day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend back in Wellington

Hi,

I think New Zealand might have moved a little closer to Australia after a hot weekend like that one.  Not a lot of difference between the temperatures if you ask me.  Sunday was a scorcher.  And no wind!

Saturday BBQ

Saturday saw us popping out to get some kitty litter for Smudge.  And a new dirt box.  One with a lip around it.  She really likes digging around in that kitty litter.  I've seen her standing outside the box and just sticking a paw in and flicking the stones around like it was a game - like tiddlywinks.  I wonder what she thinks of the new box.

We had a BBQ Saturday evening and watched a movie.  24 hour party people.  Ummm.  Ok.  It was probably better than I thought it would be. 

Sunday was a little bit of a repeat.  But with Yum Cha thrown in with Doro at Dragons.  Turns out vegetarian options are limited at Yum Cha.  But eventually I got some dumplings and something the servers called "black fungus".  And it looked like someone had scraped off some fungus from a tree out the back in the bush and covered it with coriander and garlic.  If I didn't think about it too much, and I called it "mushrooms" in my head, I could eat the wobbly, slimy black things.

I got a migraine at Yum Cha - first one in forever.

Toby had his supply of pork buns and sticky rice.  Toby was unimpressed with my  German.  As we approached Dragons, someone was poking at the parking meter.  So I said "It's free for two hours".  She looked at me and asked me what I said - in German.  So I said it again, and she looked blankly.  Then I dragged out some German.  "Zwei..." and my brain couldn't find the words.  So she said "Zwei stunden frei?".  And I said "Ja". 

Toby thinks I am hopeless now.

After Yum Cha, we went to JB Hi Fi to buy some games and Toby left us to meet his mates at Te Papa.  We ate an ice cream on the waterfront with Doro and then headed out to see Sally.  Turns out Andrew was home already!  And he got some lovely macrocarpa seats for their outside table for Christmas.  Well done, Sally.

Back home to chill and get ready for work.

Another lovely day here.  How marvellous is that?  Mike is back at work and probably feeling that shock.

Have a great week!

Love,
Angela

The Thursday back at work and with the first dragon boat training session

Hi,

It took me until after lunch to clear my inbox.  Fortunately there was a lot of notification style emails and I just checked them to be sure.  Phew!

Iced latte with Celia

I did get to catch up with Celia and hear about her break and the ideas for her year ahead.  And then Sally (at work) for her handover as she is now on leave for two weeks.  Also heard about her break and her plans for her two weeks on the Gold Coast.  Nice.

Fortunately I went to Spin in the morning, because one item in my inbox was the first dragon boat training session at the pool after work.  And I keep togs at work in case I want to swim at my gym.  So I was sweet to walk to Freyburg and do the session.  It was tougher than I remember.  But I think the pool sessions are always hard work.  It's far easier in the real boat.

Caught the bus home - and Mike and Josh were just getting home as I walked up the hill to the house.  So we chatted for a bit before we went in.  Toby had already made himself tea!  Wow!  I sorted out my dinner (vegan dumplings) and fell into bed not long after.

Mike and I walked into work this morning.  He is checking out my gym.  I did an early weights session with Victor.  Near killed me.  I will ache more tomorrow, I bet.

Push ups - here I come!

Weekend in Wellington coming up.  I need to tidy the house a lot!

Enjoy your weekend.

Love,
Angela

The holiday is finished

Hi,

It's Thursday and I am back at work.  It was a bit of a shock to my system, that is for sure.  Three weeks off work was amazing.

Made sushi last night

We got back from Australia late on Monday night and we were very happy to see Smudge.  She also seemed fairly happy to see us.  Apart from a mountain of laundry we did not very much on Tues and Wed.

Dragon boat training kicks off tonight in the Kilbirnie pool.  Ooosshh!

I'll look at compiling a blog about the awesome holiday over the weekend.  Until then - have a great (short) week.

Mike is back at work next week.  He can be my house husband for a few days.

Love,
Angela