Thursday, August 31, 2023

The Wednesday with Mike back and a catch up with old friends

 Hi,

Mike got back - woot!

But before that - I did have my session with Quentin (40lg bench!). And then brekkie with Ed.

Bench with Q

Iced latte with Ed - ta Ed!

It was so good to catch up with Ed. He's doing well and June and the boys (Ben and Sam) are too. Yay! We'll try and catch up more often. Thank you for the iced latte, Ed.

Work iced latte courtesy of Adnan

Adnan got a replacement iced latte - without caramel shot

At work, Adnan got me an iced latte from the work cafe. But they misheard his "no caramel shot" and added caramel. It was too sweet. But he went and got me another one. He is just as sweet as caramel-shots0in-your-iced-latte.

After work I headed home on my bike to meet our New World grocery delivery as they said I needed to be there because I had wine in the order. But when I got home at 1655, the groceries were there. All of it.

Good.

Put that away.

Then went to get Mike from the airport. He landed at 1840 and I swept through the drop off zone at 1845 and he was there, waiting.

We went to the Fork n Brewer, while I ate a leftover lunch from his Auckland work meeting. And met a lot of people from our last work to remember Yosan. Chenda, Kate, Sreejith, Bronwyn, Louis and a whole bunch of others. Good to see people but such a shame it was for a stink reason. We just missed Khemry. We remembered Yosan and caught up with people's news. At times like this, when your own mortality is brought to mind, it is good to surround yourself with people that care about you.

Drove home and got ready for bed. Washing on. And slept well. Up at 5.30am for my ride into work. PT session with Quentin. 77.5kg deads and everything felt good!

Big day at work today. And it is Barb's last day at work. And that also makes me feel really sad. I have gained a friend there. But we will continue to connect, I am sure (despite me being so hopeless at it).

Remember - I think about you all, often. I am just hopeless.

Got to pack tonight. We're off to Chc tomorrow morning.

Have a great weekend, whatever you do.

Love,

Angela


Wednesday, August 30, 2023

The Tuesday with some sad news

 Hi,

I was sure I blogged when I got back. But maybe not. Hahah. I just did yesterday's one this morning. And here is today's - hot off the press.

52.5 kg in the squat rack

PT session with Quentin after Mike dropped me at the gym from his Uber to the airport. He's in Auckland Tuesday and Wednesday.

52.5kg squats. My knees were not impressed with that level of abuse. Hahah.

Work iced latte

Got a work iced latte to get me through. We have a new cafe crew at work - it was an okay iced latte.

Buried by cats on the couch

Khemry pinged me and Mike with some sad news in the afternoon. Yosan, with whom we worked at our old workplace, passed away on Sunday. And we know her flatmate that found her. So it was all terribly sad and hard to process that such a vibrant young woman found herself with such a decision to take. I do not know the details at all. But remembering her today with workmates after work finishes.

Got home. Fed the cats. Had my dinner (toast) and while I was buried by cats on the couch, I did an online shop. It will arrive Wednesday evening. Far better than throwing the cats off and driving to the supermarket.

Mike gets home tonight. Can't wait to see him.

Take care. Hug your loved ones. Let them know you are here for them.

Love,
Angela


The Monday back at work after our ski trip

 Hi,

Monday back at work after an awesome ski week was tough work. But people must have given me some space because I had hardly any meetings. Meant I could get my admin all done by the end of the day.

Moxley on Monday waiting for her dinner

I made ANZAC biscuits in my lunch break

There was no milk so no iced latte for me! That was weird. But the day passed and Mike got home and we ate the barest of Buddha Bowls. I even had to make hummus halfway through making them because we had nothing. Hahahah.

Funnily enough, it was all delicious. Rice. Spinach. Edamame beans. Home made hummus. And haloumi. 

Then we were not long out of bed. After some washing. Hahah.

Lots of love,

Angela

Sunday, August 27, 2023

2023 Wānaka snow fest

Friday special: since Angela doesn't blog on Fridays, I'm going to use that gap to publish some archive blogs that were started but never finished. Here's the first one - our 2023 snow fest in Wānaka with Elly, Tom and Andrew.

Friday 18 Aug 2023 - Early morning Wellington to Christchurch

Up early for a 4am uber to the airport. Our Christchurch flight had gorgeous views on the way down Te Wai Pounamu.

Mike had to work, I hung out with Toby and Tessa. That was much more fun.

Moxley helps with the packing

Haere ra, Poneke


Kia ora, Kaikoura

There is BBQ lunch and darts
at the Christchurch office on a Friday

Saturday 19 Aug 2023 - Christchurch

We were up and about to get a few messages done in Christchurch. But first, coffee at Coffee Culture Bush Inn, near Toby's old flat.  

Are you taking my photo, Mike?


We hit the little ghetto of outdoor shops on Clarence St.  Put my skis in for a wax and edge at Torpedo7 - and they gave Mike, for free, the missing mounting parts from his new snowboard bindings. Mike bought some second-hand skis just for peak to pub in September.


We headed back to Ilam to collect Toby and Tessa. Mike's mission was to sell off some old snow chains that came from Wānaka ages ago and had been kicking about in Toby and Tessa's garage. He got them photographed and listed on Trademe, then we were off to to Little Merchants, Tessa's second favourite cafe.


We didn't sell these chains from 'Parsons Chain Co Ltd, Stourport, England'
- they were old, and small, and hard to fit.
Mike didn't actually want to lumber anyone with them! 


Over to cafe.  They were short staffed and let us know up front we might be in for a wait.  No problem! It was lovely to sit and chill. The owner came over to chat.  She recognized Mike from past visits.  So we all said hello.  She asked our names.  And as we left,  she came out to wave goodbye and said goodbye to each of us by name. 


There was an Open Home at the Town houses across the road which distracted us.  Barnaby the salesman showed us around. 3 bedroom. Garage. Three stories. $850k - or $640 rent a week. If we were in the market, that seemed pretty good. And the cafe just across the road is amazing! 


Went to some op shops to find a denim jacket for Mike for his Ken outfit. Went to three in Sydenham but no luck.  Found one at paper Princess in town. 


Then Tessa went to get changed for her work.  We met her at Coffee club at Northlands mall. Enjoyed a drink then headed to King of Snake for dinner with Toby and Mike while Tessa went to work. 


King of snake was so good.  Small plates.  Larger plates. I ordered a vegetarian main.  The boys ordered chicken kung pao. Hot. 


When the first (sharing) course came,  she gave me mine separately and said it was a vegetarian one with no fish sauce,  and gave the boys two others with fish sauce.  That was customer service right there because I never said I was vegetarian. And all our food was so good.   


Back to drop Toby off and the first snow chains customer appeared. Home to the Coachman Motel to watch Sweden v Australia on play off for third in the football. 


Sunday 20 Aug 2023 - Christchurch to Wānaka


Slept well.  Packed up and into the van, got to the airport well in time to collect Andrew off his 9.30am flight.


Drove down SH1 and inland south of Raikaia. We stopped at the famous Fairlie bakehouse for pies. My Vegetable pie was good but they used too much Carrot for my liking. Mike and Andrew were similarly unimpressed - pies were good but not 'let's drive for hours across the motu and stand in a long queue for pies' good.  We listened to the Royal Navy band outside the bakery for a tune or two. 


Will it be worth the wait?? (not really)


We drove through Lindis pass on gorgeous weather.  A detour down to Cromwell, to fill at at Z. Then to Wānaka.  I reckon the detour only added 50 minutes.  


We went to get our ski passes sorted, and some rental ski boots for Andrew. 


My goggles are not long for my face.  The lens is crazed and the foam is deteriorating. I looked about for new ones but didn't quite commit.


Are you taking my photo AGAIN?


Off to meet Elly and Tom who had driven all the way down from Wellington. Elly had booked our accommodation at 23 Makomako Rd. It's a beautiful house - new, well appointed, warm and spacious.  We cooked the pies from west coast pies for tea.  I prepped the slow cooker with Andrew and then stayed up to watch the football final - England v Spain.  Spain totally owned England.  Totally.  They won 1-0 and England were lucky to get away with that scoreline. Midnight saw me finally off to bed and reading for a bit. 


Monday 21 Aug 2023 - Treble Cone


Up at 6, scrambled eggs for breakfast courtesy Andrew, and lunches made courtesy me. 


We left at 7.39am but got to the main road and Mike realised we'd left the van chains behind in our house.  So back to get those.  Finally away by 7.55am. Up on the car park at treble by 8.30.


Gorgeous weather.  Sunny. Slight cold wind.  I lost all the ski buddies immediately but was happy skiing Triple treat all day.  18 runs.  2 on main St. I'm getting my ski mojo back! 


Tom surveys the view

Elly hits the face opposite Saddle. Wonderful.

Finished just before 4pm.  The drive home was easy. The house was so hot after the all day sun.   Slow cooker seemed to work.  I cooked up potatoes to with it and we ate it all down. 


Elly made bread and muffins.  She's amazing.  Made it look effortless. 


Off to bed early (now the football has finished!) and had a great sleep. 


Tuesday 22 Aug 2023 - Treble Cone again


Rinse and repeat.  Mike made eggs.  Andrew made the lunches. We ate Elly's bread under the eggs.  Delicious. 


Treble cone looking MINT as we set off


Left at 7.38am. In the car park at treble at 8.20am. Less people today.  Sunny and warm.  I Skied triple treat them went to the saddle with the others. I slowed Raffle's run all day there.  We didn't see much of Tom and Elly. Andrew skied a few things around the saddle. We had lunch at the top at 11.30.


At 2 pm Mike and I met up with Allyson and Elaine and rode the chair up.  They went to climb up to the view.  Mike and I went back to the home basin and I tried main street. But i got scared on the steep bit. So we had a hot chocolate then did a few runs on triple.  


Back to the van at 2.50 pm to chill. We watched the two local kea fly around checking things out that caught their fancy. 



Snacks at the cafe on the mountain

Kea!

Back a bit... a bit further you're ok... STOP

Rowdy folks in the back

Wednesday 23 Aug 2023 - Treble Cone #3


Another Treble cone day, I did my longest vertical metres of the week, 9500m. I also ventured over to the saddle for a few runs down Raffles. But after losing sight of the others,  went back to home basin to continue there.


The face behind the Saddle is still fantastic,
but as it softens it's definitely snowboard heaven and ski purgatory

 

After our day we headed to Cardrona pub to see Allyson and Elaine, then back home via supermarket for lasagne soup.  [lasagne soup?! - ed]


Thursday 24 Aug 2023 - Cardrona


Cardrona day.  $170 a pop for a day pass.  Ouch.  We bought them the night before as they've been maxing out lift passes and not selling more each day this week. 


Away by 7.25am and on the Valley View car park just after 8am. The lift didn't open until 8.30 so we got coffee and slowly got ready. 


Up for a run or two on Whitestar then Captain's opened so we headed over there.  After a few runs,  the others went to check out Willow and I stayed on Captain's. 


I met Elaine and Allyson on the piste.  Did s few runs with them then followed them back over via Queenstown return.  They did Willow.  I rode McDougalls back over to Captain's. 


Mike and Andrew found me just after midday and we did a few runs together.  Then had lunch along Queenstown return.  We climbed a little up through deep soft snow to some schisty rocks and enjoyed delicious Wraps and a view over Queenstown. 


I did a few runs on Willow with Mike and Andrew, then headed back to the main field - McDougall's, Whitestar, down Valley View.  At the van at 3.10pm after a much needed toilet stop. 


The others got back at 3.45 and we were soon down the hill.  Got to Hunter Crescent at 4.30 on the dot for a property inspection. The house looks good.  We met the Argentinian cousins as well as Heidi the new property manager. 


Apres ski boissons et hors d'oeuvres

Friday 25 Aug 2023 - Back to Treble Cone

It's a Treble cone day - we were up the mountain early and on the chair by 8:30am. And back in the cafe by 9:00am as it was extremely 'firm conditions'.


Mike got Wordle in ONE


I Skied triple treat again as conditions slowly softened.  Met Mike and Andrew for lunch at the little cafe at the top of main street.


Lunch

 

Wandered over to saddle chair and did cloud 9 but it was a little steep for my liking.  Nice soft snow though. Found side saddle and did that a few times.


Chatting away to my lift-mates, oblivious to the paparazzi


I finished with a couple of runs down the top of Main Street and the bottom of Triple Treat and was done by about 3:45pm. 


Andrew in the classic Treble Cone view


Back to Wānaka to drop rental boots off for Andrew then off to the Wānaka food carts. They were so busy.  We ended up waiting for Noodles across the road from the main collection, which were delicious.  Andrew bumped into a colleague there. 


We wandered back using a much faster route courtesy of Google Maps, and early to bed again. 


Saturday 26 Aug - Running and Biking in Wānaka


Non ski day. Mike did park run from that Wānaka tree with Elly and Tom too. Andrew and I walked into town to meet them. 


READY ... SET ...

GO


Tom is flying

Mike checking his pace

Went to Scroggin cafe for a delicious brekkie.  Elly and Tom packed up and left, heading to the West Coast to stay with some friends.  Bye Elly! Bye Tom! It was a great snow week and so much fun with your company.


We hired 3 pedal mountain bikes from Bike Lounge to entertain ourselves for the day.  Headed out to outlet and down the start of the clutha just past Albert Town. Then back behind Mt Iron.  Into Wānaka township and out to the point behind that Wānaka tree and back. 


Classic Wānaka view

Biking down the Clutha

That Wānaka tree

We covered 30 km in 4 hours, at a cost of $30 each for a half day rental. Good value


Drove down to b.effect brewery for free ride ski videos on their big screen, some very nice food, and some craft beers for Mike and Andrew. Good reports from them! 


Yep, my turn to drive


Back home to continue watching more free ride ski videos on YouTube then off to bed. 


Sunday 27 Aug 2023 - Wānaka to Christchurch to Wellington


A lazy start to our last day.  Packed up, tidied house, off at 9am.


We stopped for coffee at Tarras at a really nice cafe and bought a book on farming in Lindis Pass - Snow on the Lindis


On the road


Hey what you doing?

Made it to Christchurch by 2.30pm with one more stop at Geraldine for fuel. Went to Poms for early tea.  Steph and Sam arrived.  Enjoyed bar snacks then a meal. 


Tessa dropped us at Christchurch airport, then Sally dropped us home from Wellington airport.  Thank you Tessa and Sally!  Cats were scared there were strange people coming in at 11pm but they quickly came for a head butt to say hello, here are my errant kittens back again from long ago. 


Thursday, August 17, 2023

The Tuesday with some football

 Hi,

Wednesday! Well, I was very excited for the second semi final in the FIFAWWC. Australia v England. Maureen was there in the stadium in Sydney for it. It must have been impressive.

Thursday work iced latte

Work was busy. We have an offsite Thurs and Fri this week and I had to get some stuff done for it. Including printing 20 copies of a sheet for one of our sessions.

Umm - I fat-fingered the 20 copies. Unbeknownst to me. And it might have done 200. Abbie had to wait a long time for her turn at printing. She gave up and went home.

This is why I do not print.

First printing at work - epic fail

Moxley eyes our dinner

Anyway, I rode home as it just started to get dark. And I did not think it was possible to get any wetter than I did on my way into work.

I was wrong. Soaked once more. And I swear I rode through actual streams of water across the road on numerous occasions. 

As I stepped in the door, Mike appeared with a bucket. And everything wet went in there. Including my bag, my jacket, my shoes and socks and all my clothes. I stepped into a warm shower and Mike threw my pyjamas into the bathroom.

He took our ski gear to Tom's place for the drive down to Wanaka. And I made tea for us.

After tea, I got ready for bed. But no sleeping for me. 10pm the Australians took on the English in the football in Sydney. And I stayed up for it. I had to curtail my shouts of excitement because Mike fell asleep in minutes. Woke briefly to see the 1- nil score just after halftime and never woke again.

Sam Kerr scored a blinder of a goal to level in the second half. But close to the end, England got a third goal. England had more players playing better for longer periods. That was the difference. Matildas were awesome. And now I want England to win.

I could not sleep so read from the end (just before midnight) for an hour. Up at 5.30 for PT with Quentin. 45kg incline bench. First time on that. Interesting.

Busy day at work. You might not get any posts for a while as we're off to Chc tomorrow.

Have a grand day!

Love,

Angela