The weekend away camping

 Hi,

As we have to self monitor until Feb 2, it made sense to can the plans we had that involved a bit of social interaction in favour of a weekend away camping.  

In case anyone was unclear - we were a casual contact at Christchurch airport.  The media articles explained the person with covid was on a Jetstar flight and we were Air NZ.  We also wore our best masks the entire time.  We don't need to isolate - but it makes sense to minimise any contact as we see if we develop any symptoms.

So far - nothing.

So on Friday after work we piled our camping gear in the car and headed off.  Janine had pointed out that Holdsworth was holding its annual running event - so we decided on Corner Creek - at the end of Ocean Beach in south Wairarapa.

You could not get better conditions there - ever!  No wind at all when we arrived.  We pitched the tent and then wandered down to watch the sunset.

Ocean beach Friday evening

Watching sunset

Random selfie

South Island is over there somewhere

Timer photo

Lazy morning on Saturday and up for brekkie, courtesy of Mike.  Scrambled eggs.  On our home made bread.  Mike also tried his Aeropress for the first time.  Beautiful coffee.

Saturday morning

Mike tries his Aeropress

Around lunchtime we headed off along the beach and then the road to explore westward.  Towards Mukamuka valley track.  Mike and Andrew had done that tramp from the Orongorongo end many years back.

It was hot work.  But very pleasant.  We saw some surfers close to the Corner Creek end and one mountain biker coming towards us at one point.

We go for a walk

Gorgeous

Walking

Climbing over rocks

Beautiful

We walked out to a rocky point and sat in some shade while I discussed the lack of any seals on this beach.  There are seals over at Cape Palliser, and seals at Kaikoura (which we could see on the horizon).  And none on this vast sweeping beach.

Selfie

And as I sat on a rock to look out at the beautiful sea, I looked down at the rocks in front of me and there was a seal, draped over the rocks, enjoying the sunshine like me.  He or she was unperturbed at my presence.  I called Mike out from our shady spot and the kekeno was vaguely interested in his movements for about 10 seconds.  Then settled down for a nap again.

Oh - hello little seal

Walked back and relaxed with some books.  I heard a wee goat up the creek valley behind us so Mike and I wandered up to get a closer look.  As we did so, we found a perfect bath-sized pool.  So I stripped off and took the plunge.  Not too cold.  But not super warm, by any means.  I did feel refreshed afterwards though.

Back to the tent and Mike cooked up some dinner.  Indian curry with... mash potato!  

Saturday dinner

But around then, the wind picked up.  And as we went to bed, it got even stronger.  So noisy as it howled down the valley next to us.  I think I got up 4 times in the night to fix the tent in some way.  I had to find a few rocks to keep the tent pegs in the soft ground.  Had to collect our rubbish that has blown over.  Had to fix the awning pole that had been blown out.

Sunday morning evidence of the rocks needed for the strong winds

Next morning, the tent was surrounded by rocks holding down the tent pegs.  Hahah.  I think I finally got some sleep as I had the weirdest dreams!

Sunday brekkie

We had brekkie and then lazily read books for a few hours before striking the tent and driving home.  We tried the car wash at Caltex Trentham and the leak in the front finally showed itself.

Got home and unpacked and enjoyed a pleasant warm evening with all the doors and windows open.

Had a great sleep.  No wind at our house last night.  :-)

Up for WFH.  Looks like we might have 400 cases of covid by the end of this week, according to modellers.  

Hunkering down for a bit.

Have a great week.  Enjoy your day off in AKL today!  :-)

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with a covid app notification for me and Mike

 Hi,

Had a pretty good Thursday, really.  After work, Mike and I did the Stuff quiz in the afternoon and got 15!  Any day that happens is a good day - am I right?

Result!

Moxley enjoyed our company through the working day as she sat inside her pumpkin next to our desk.  Hahah.  So cute.

Cat in pumpkin

After the working day ended, Mike ordered an Uber and headed off for his scheduled Occasional Brewer session with Andrew and the tramping club.  As he closed the front door, I noticed an unusual notification on my phone.  Checked it - and it was on the covid app.  Read the first message and leapt up to try and let Mike know we had a warning notification of possible exposure.

Oooh

As I got to the letterbox, I saw his uber driving off up the road.  I rang Mike immediately and told him.  He researched and rang Healthline while on his way to the brewing session.

I told Ange that we had a notification but the locations of interest only showed the 9am Christchurch airport visit on Monday that I had seen the day before.  We were there a full 8 hours later.  Surely it was fine.

So I met Ange and we walked up Te Ahumairangi hill.  She took me to the lookout that I didn't even know was there.

Walking up Te Ahumairangi hill

What a great view

Nice view

More peeping from Ange as we look into the Hutt valley

Lovely walk

While I was there, Mike called me back.  Healthline had an updated locations of interest and it was Christchurch airport exactly when we were there.  Ooohhh.

So he decided to cancel his brewing session after consultation with Andrew.  And walked home.  From Newtown!

I walked home with Ange and cancelled my physio appointment with Kara for Friday morning.  Enjoyed the walk with Ange - perfect evening for it.  Thank you, Ange.

I discovered there was a Jetstar flight at Christchurch at 5pm.  And we were on Air NZ and had KN95 masks the entire time.  So I am hoping our exposure was very low.

But - we have curtailed our social interactions for the weekend.  To be sure.

We are going to get away for a quiet weekend camping.  Some DoC campsite somewhere.  The weather is supposed to be lovely.

Hope your weekend is good fun.

Take care.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday in red light setting

 Hi,

Another day in red setting.  I think it is here to stay for quite a while.  The reports I heard on modelling this morning on the radio indicated case numbers in the 10s of thousands by mid Feb.

My plan is:  stay at home.

Sleeping Moxley

Our day was pretty chill.  We didn't leave the house.  After work, Mike made tea (salad from leftover vegetables) and it was actually really good.  With two boiled eggs for me.

Slept well.  And up for a day at home once more.  Went to Unichem in Lambton Quay this morning as support for someone getting a booster shot.  Saw protestors outside the Beehive as we drove home.  I wanted to let them know I would actually get my 4th, 5th... 10th booster as needed.  I always line up for a flu shot each year.  This is no different.  Gimme, gimme.

Back to the grind.  The rain has let off and we have sunshine now.  Nice.

Have a good day.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday working from home under red traffic light setting

 Hi,

A day working from home - not in a lockdown anymore.  Most businesses are open so long as they meet the vaccines passport requirements, face coverings (proper masks now) and distancing.

But our workplace has asked us to work remotely for health and safety reasons.  With that in their minds, they have also told us we can't train for dragon boating.  So, for now, we're not training in a boat.  I am going to continue strengthening the muscles we use for paddling in the gym with Quentin.  But for now - that is all.  

Yes, I am sad as I really enjoy the training.  But also - it is totally a fair call on the part of my employer.

At the end of yesterday Mike dropped me and Ange into town and we collected her car from her mechanic - and headed to Willis St for a workout.  Great fun!  Ange is so strong.

She dropped me home after a quick shop at Thorndon New World and I had a yummy bread roll for tea and then off to bed.

Hope your day is a good one.

Love,

Angela 

The weekend away in Chc

 Hi,

Thank you to Ange for looking after the cats while we were away for our road trip and Toby delivery service to Christchurch.

We were up early on Saturday 6am - for a 7.15am check in at Bluebridge.  A jam packed ferry crossing in brilliant weather saw us leave on time and get into Picton nice and fast.

Iona and Col were busy with the impromptu jazz festival so we didn't see them as we shot through.  We did pull into Maccas in Blenheim only for me to discover to my horror that McDonalds have stopped the all day brekkie.  OMG.  The only thing I liked to eat.  Waaaah.  The boys got food and we kept going south.

Mike and Toby in the front of the van for our road trip

Just north of Kaikoura

Great art on the back of the truck ahead.  Termin-tater

Made quite good time with little stops.  Did grab some food at Cheviot.  I like Cheviot.  The Eden Hauliers truck caught up with us while we were there.  With a Mr Potato Head look-alike and a take off of Terminator with "tater" references.  We loved it!

Got into Chc and checked into The Coachman motel on Riccarton Road.  It is super close (like 100m) from Toby and Tessa's new flat.  But they are not moving in until Feb 3rd.  So...  oh well.  

The Coachman was tiny but clean and functional.  And cheap.  $110 a night for that wee room.  

Went to pick up Tessa  for dinner at Poms.  Enjoyed that immensely but I was falling asleep and ended up dropping people home so we could go collapse into bed at the Coachman.

Slept in and woke to a drizzly rain.  We wandered over to the local mall which is behind Toby's new flat.  Very nice places.

Bush Inn shopping mall

Met everyone at Little Poms for brekkie.  Had another superb breakfast there.  11am was the presser announcement from the PM that we would move to red traffic light setting at midnight that night as omicron has been circulating in the community for a wee bit of time.  Big news.

Little Poms for brekkie

Sunday saw us chilling at home with Sam and everyone - watching Gordon Ramsay and some chap building a log cabin in the northern wilderness.  Canada we think.

Sam cooked a superb BBQ inside as the weather had continued to close in.  So we still haven't tried their enormous new BBQ.

Home to sleep early and up the next morning to check out and collect Toby and Tessa.  We visited Little Merchants Cafe.  Wow - we all loved that place.  Can recommend.

Toby and Tessa enjoy Little Merchants

Little Merchants  -  I will come back here

Manic iced latte

Toby did a close up of the mania

Then scootered to Riverside market before we went to Strawberry Fare for lunch.  Mmmm.  Good food.

Mike at Riverside market

Back to Steph and Sam's house and a relaxing Gordon Ramsay episode before an Uner to the airport.

At the departure gate for our flight home - under red setting for covid

Uneventful flight home and Ange collected us.  Thank you.  Dropped us home and then we had tea.  I tidied downstairs and we fell into bed.

Home - gorgeous evening

Tuesday morning back at Machete.

Up for gym this morning.  1 hour with Quentin.  Mike went to Machete - then when he was with Quentin, I headed there.

Said hello to Paul and Cesar.  Enjoyed the best iced latte and scrambled eggs.  Ange joined me for the same.  Then Mike collected us and we headed home for our day of WFH.

Hope your day is a good one.

Love,

Angela

The Thursday with gym after work with Ange

 Hi,

Another busy day in the office yesterday.  But at least after the frantic morning, the afternoon was a little more civilised in terms of meetings.  Some gaps between.  And the last one finished early.

Headed off to the Willis St gym with Ange at 4.45pm.  We spent some time on a machine that might be called an elliptical.  Arms and legs.  It was actually quite good fun with the Australian Open on TV right in front of me.

Then Ange and I did some of the machines.  Back, shoulders and arms.  Good fun.  Headed back to work to collect our stuff and then home.

Cooked spag bol for Toby as he wanted it one last time before he leaves.  He said it was good.  But due to my stand on being a vegetarian - I can no longer taste test the bolognese sauce before I dish it up.  I need a taster now.  Hahahah.  Still - he was happy.  Said if he had to choose one meal to eat for the rest of his life, it might be my spag bol.  So - there's a resounding bit of praise for at least one thing I cook.  Hahah.

Tidied with Mike before bed.  We thought we'd go through our bed linen in the linen cupboard and give Toby sheets for his bed.  Oh dear.  Mike was throwing away stuff with gusto.  I didn't want mismatched pillow cases left behind with the sheets we kept.  Like last time!  :-p  In the end, it was all too much for me.  Mike and Toby were laughing at my squeals as another handful of pillow cases got launched to the "throw away" pile.  Mike had this smug look on his face as he said:  why would you even buy new sheets when we have all these?

Yep.  Checked out for my sanity at that point.  Had a good sleep though.  I was so tired.  I think it is the relentless work this week and nothing to do with my booster I had on Tuesday.

I did sneak a peek into the cupboard this morning.  It is much tidier.  But I did not check all the sheets had matching pillow cases.  Something for another day?  Hahahah.

Weekend is exciting.  A long one here for Wellington anniversary.  We take Toby back to Chc.  Woot.  Road trip!

Have a great weekend.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with spin with Ange

 Hi,

No photos of my day yesterday.  How sad.  But I did do something new.  Went with Ange from work to the gym and did a spin class with her.  I haven't been for a while - maybe some time before Christmas.  But it was a quiet class.  

We drove over from work and parked opposite the gym.  Class started at 5.30pm and we got stuck in.  Ange managed it well.  I got nice and hot.  We hope to have more of those together.

Ange took me home and I tootled around the house, tidying up and putting laundry on.  Didn't feel like cooking so Toby ordered sushi for us all.  That was yummy!

Mike got home after his run and ate his sushi. He's hooked in to a regular "5k and a pint" on meetup. Looks like Wednesday is running day for him now.

We watched a movie together - the 3 of us on the couch.  Went a bit later than I wanted.  But - off to bed and a good sleep.

Up for PT session with Quentin.  Dead lift day.  Nice.

Enjoy your Thursday.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with a movie

 Hi,

Busy day at work.  But I did get an iced latte in at work.  So there is that.  My pic looks a little intense though.

Intense iced latte pic yesterday

Mike worked from home as he was still feeling the effects from his migraine the day before (Monday).  But I walked to Capital Gateway and met him there for our booster shots.  I got there at 12.05 for my 12.10pm appt and Mike got there bang on 12.10.  The difference this time is that children can get their vax so they were busy with a few kids.  

But at 12.15pm they called my name and they noticed Mike perk up and asked if we were together.  So they took us both.  Sweet.  Andrea was amazing - never felt a thing.

Sat at waiting area for 15 mins and relaxed.  A chap told jokes to the children in the row in front of us.  They were underwhelmed - but we liked them.

Here's one:

"The IT department asked me for my password.  I said it is "BeefStew".  They said it is not strong enough (Stroganoff)."

* Disclaimer from me.  No IT department will ask you for your password.  This is a scam.  Do not comply.  Ever. 

Barb and I left work in the late evening - at around 4.20pm (hahahah) - to get to the cinema in Petone to see Dune.  We left the carpark below work and hit traffic going out of town immediately.

Took us to 5pm to find a park outside the Lighthouse in Petone.  And my stupid phone was slow to paywave.  Not sure why I have yet to nail how that works.  

But we got in while the lights were still on and caught one trailer.  So yay for not being late.  And the movie was so good.  I really enjoyed it.  Did better justice to the complexity of the Dune first book that any other attempt I have seen.  okay - not see the TV series.  I heard that was ok.

More chill iced latte pic today

Back home after dropping off Barb (got a tour of her house too - gorgeous wee place in Northland).  Had tea with Mike and then into bed.

Up for bus together at 7.30am and a big day ahead.

Australia covid update from my family.  Abby is still showing no symptoms.  Shona has a cough and getting a bit worse.  But still no other positive cases in my family as yet.  I hope they are both fine.

Hope your day is great fun.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at work and with dragon boating

 Hi,

After a flight in the morning and an Uber to work, I was a little unprepared for my giant day at work.  So many meetings back to back.  And although I had time for lunch, it was a team lunch.  And despite working with very lovely people, a team lunch still feels like a working lunch to some degree.

Flamingo Joe's was disappointing.  We had pre-ordered to get the lunches out in a timely fashion.  I had a 1pm meeting to get to - as did others.  But we didn't get our food until I was at the till paying for it.  :-(  

It was nice.  A roast vege salad.  But at $21 - I didn't feel it was value for money.  Oh well.  Low down on my choice for venue next time.

I hasten to add the pic below is not from lunch.  It is a morning iced latte with Barb.  #winning

Work iced latte

At the end of the day, we got changed for dragon boat training and spent a lovely hour in the warm harbour, paddling our little hearts out.

Hard work

Wandered back to my desk at 7pm and discovered Mike had a migraine and was in bed and couldn't come get me.  Poor bloke.  :-(

I walked to the station with Callan, chatting away.  Then found a bus that was coming in 9 mins.  So stood there, enjoying the sunshine even at that late hour.

Got home and spent ages unpacking, putting on a wash and getting ready for the next day at the gym and at work.  Phew.

Went to bed and it was so warm we spent half the night with the fan on.  Mike is not very well with this migraine.  

Up for my first PT session for the year.  Bench.  Lower weight but high reps.  And then exercises for dragon boating.  Yes!

Off to see Dune tonight with Barb after work.  At Petone Lighthouse.  Sweet.

Have a good day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Blenheim with a trip to Maud Island

 Hi,

I got some late news yesterday that Shona has tested positive for covid.  She is doubled vaxxed and only got her booster this week just past.  She seems fine so far - I hope she doesn't pass it onto anyone.  Huge hug to her\.

What a fabulous weekend.  I am now going to implore anyone I meet to put visiting Maud Island on their bucket list.  So pleased Iona saw it advertised and I said yes.  

Andrew and I got dropped at the airport Friday by Sally - and we all enjoyed a Gorilla Burger together before Andrew and I jumped on our Sounds Air flight.  Check in was easy - 7.30pm for an 8pm flight.  But it did leave early.  Well - we tried to get on the 7.30pm flight by mistake but they called us back from the tarmac.  And our 8pm flight board about 5 mins later.  We actually landed at Blenheim at 8:02pm - two mins after we were supposed to take off in Wellington.  Hahahah.

Blenheim must be blessed with rays like that

Iona collected us - we only had to wait for 10 mins or so. Being so early she was still at work.  Hahahah.

Took us home and we weren't long out of bed.  Up early for the drive to Havelock for the trip out to Maud Island.  8.15am check in at pier C at the marina. We parked outside Barb's house - but it was too early to visit.  And the early check in was necessary as DoC people went over our shoes, socks, bags and pockets for any sign of dirt or grass seeds.

Everyone had to turn out pockets, empty bags, and show off their shoes.  The shoes all got a brush and a spray.  Andrew thought his old shoes were fine but under the tongue were quite a few seeds.  That kept him busy for a while.

As we boarded (showing vaccine passes) we found the best spot on the boat.  Under a wee roof, against a perfectly sloping wall/window, looking backwards,  Perfect.

Gary Orchard the skipper and Marriett (the crew helper) were great hosts.  Gary's family has lived in the sounds for generations.  He gave great commentary all the way.

Selfie on the Toroa - off to visit Maud Island

We left Havelock at 9am and tootled up Pelorus.  Stopped at a few things - well, no anchoring or anything.  Just slow drive bys.  

Saw a mussel farm.  Dillion Bell - rocky thing with birds.  A lovely bay where Gary has had Christmas lunch in the past.

Pelorus Sound looking like heaven

Hah!

Mussel farm

Gorgeous bay

The gannets arrived in 1974 as a nesting pair and now have an entire rock covered with successful gannets.

As we watched several birds lifted off the rock by spreading their wings to catch the wind.  Majestic.  Around the corner another rock had a teenage colony offshoot.  As we left there, they all took off, swooping into the air behind us.

Gannet colony

They start to lift on the wind

Soaring

Next stop was Maud Island.  We ate our lunch on the way there from the gannets - and Gary implored us to use the on-board toilet as the one on the island was pretty basic for a long drop.

We disembarked at 12.20pm and had to be back at 3.15pm for a 3.30pm departure.  Nick and Jen met us (the two DoC rangers) with Theo (5 years old) and Georgia in a backpack (she might have been 2).  We had a good talk from them.  They have only been here 6 weeks themselves after being 3 years or so at Mana Island and before that at Kapiti.  I suspect I have seen them before a few times. 

They know Elly well.  I said hello!

Just getting onto Maud Island

Bio control measures

Toroa about to leave and wait for us

Hamilton's frog aka Maud Island frog aka "Is it really a frog"?

The native frog is only found here - 40,000 of them.  And on another island with 300.  But it is an archaic species of frog.  No hopping, no croaking and no webbed feet.  No tadpole stage either.  

Is it even a frog?  Hahahah.

Shell from a carnivorous snail

Evidence

Nick tells us lots of things

Giant weta

Saw giant weta too.  One was scampering the entire talk over one of the visitors.  Hahah.  Cute.  We did a short walk (maybe a km there and back) to a gun emplacement from WW2.  That was in excellent condition.

Gun emplacement

Back to the jetty and onto the boat for the tootle back to Havelock.  Got back at 6pm on the dot.  What a long day.  I may have fallen asleep on the ride back.  :-p

Cauli curry for tea and then I tried to watch a documentary on Jacques Cousteau - but I fell asleep.  They may have left me alone but I was on the floor where Andrew's bed folded out.  Hahah.

Off to bed and a lazier morning Sunday.  Headed to the market after croissant brekkie.  And then back to pack a picnic for the races.

Walked over there - Sue came too.  Woot.  First time I have seen her for months and months.  Malcom and Marion came too.  Awesome day.  It was trotting and pacing.

Iced latte at the races

We watch a race

Andrew succumbs to the warmth

Another month or so

Back to chill before a quick trip to the communal orchard and then dinner at the Thai place in town.  Alistair and Vicki came for that too.

Up super early for the flight home.  Iona was up to drive us.  Col woke to say goodbye.  Thank you to you both for the best weekend.

Blenheim airport

Checks work before commute

Not too shabby a commute

Andrew looks back at Port Underwood

Shared an Uber with Andrew.  He did the fare split thing.  And now at work for the busy week ahead.  Booked my booster shot for tomorrow at lunch time.  Sweet.

Enjoy your week.  Take care.

Love,

Angela