The Wednesday with work

 Hi,

Gah! I just realised I have let you down. No cat content - AGAIN! I am not even sure I can dress up my Wednesday activities to be anything other than a normal work day. Hahah. Excitement factor dwindling.

Iced latte from French Kiss cart

Yeah - I dunno what I was doing either

We did have a work lunch at Ernestos with my team. Well, all the other product owners. And it was delicious. I had arancini balls. I can never go past them. Ever since that place in Niddrie that did them. Yum!

Rode home after work. Fed the cats (no photos). Fed myself (very nice salad with a tip from Iona to have haloumi through my greens - mmmmmm).

Mike got home after his architect forum. And then bed time.

Slept well until 5am when Moxley started hunting something in the room. Hahah. Rode in. Lovely day. About to head to the gym.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday with a tramping club talk by Bharat

 Hi,

I have no cat content in here. I will lose my loyal readership. Hahahah. I best sort that out for tomorrow (a technique to build anticipation!  :-p )

Tuesday was busy. But I did get away for an iced latte with Mike briefly. And then squashed in a gym session at lunch time. I also got my 6th (I think) covid vaccine jab. With the covid maelstrom around me, I can only hope I have given it enough time to work some magic on my immune system.

Work

Really tricky iced latte selfie in the wind with things in my hands

Lunch cardio session

Myra and Billie came with me. It tuckered me out. Rode home after work and fed the cats and myself. Yes, in that order. IYKYK.

Drove back in and collected Mike from work (he had been for a run and beersies with Callan) and then parked to attend Bharat's talk on Nepal. Two trips he did - climbing Mera Peak in 2019 and Langtang valley this year.

So good to hear Bharat speak about his trips to Nepal. He has such respect for it and in such an easy manner.

Home via Erin's house to get a replacement chimp for the work Christmas party outfit I have ready. And then off to bed.

Rode in Wednesday to get to my gym session with Quentin. That was good. PB in deads. 92.5. The first rep was so good each set. But the second was a struggle. And in the end, I did 3 sets x 2 reps and my last set was a single rep.

Wednesday morning PB in deads - 92.5kg

Hopefully I am on track for 100kg just before Christmas. I will need legs of steel and a mind fashioned similarly. I can do it!

This epic thing also happened this week:  Ashleigh Hoeta lifts 317kg in bench  This is a young wahine from Taranaki and she smashed the world record for a bench lift. Wow!

Hope your day is awesome.

Love,

Angela

The Monday with working from home

 Hi,

Well - the weather caved in around lunchtime just as the forecast predicted. Oh joy. I finished work and got ready for Spin (after convincing myself it was for the best). Got my bag of stuff ready to take. Then had 20 mins to kill - so read  a book on the couch. And Moxley came and sat on me. So - I was stuck there.

IYKYK.

Monday iced latte

Moxley pinned me

Oh - I loved Aroha

I did take the opportunity to check my socials. And Aroha is closing down. Waaahhh - I did enjoy that place when I worked in that building.

Mike got home after a drinks session at Foxglove withn ex Intergen workmates, That seemed to be good fun. He sent a lot of pics of people I know that were sad I was not there. Hilarious!

We have new pillows for our bed. But - Mike woke up and said he wanted his old pillow back. So it was a pillow fail.

Up for my ride in and PT session. But Quentin was sick. So I did 32.5 kg bench on my own. 10 reps x 4 sets. 

32.5kg bench

A cruise ship enters the Wellington maelstrom aka harbour

Wandered back to work and saw a cruise ship hoving into the harbour with a waiting wee tug. It is a fierce wind today so they would need a tug to help them. It certainly looks like an impressive day to visit the mightiest capital city in the world.

Hope your day is a good one. Off to TTC after work to listen to Bharat talk about his recent trip to Nepal. Should be good.

Take care.

Love,
Angela

The weekend with Wellington things

 Hi,

While it has been dumping down rain up north, we seem to have got away lightly down here. Saturday was wet and Friday was also a bit damp, but Sunday was pretty good. Cool wind, but it was dry.

Gym with Quentin on Friday - PB in deads!

I did a gym session Friday morning and got a PB in dead lifts.  90kg. Boom! 2 reps x 4 sets. Felt okay for most of them. Well, the early ones anyway.

Friday snuggles with Smudge

Caught up with Barb at Machete

I collected Barb from her place at 11am on Friday and we nipped into town to enjoy an iced latte at Machete. Caught up with her news. She is going to be at her crib over Christmas and NYs so I might get to drop in and see her.

Then off to get my haircut. Woot! Thank you Joelene. It is going to be a long time between cuts though. Feb 9th is my next one. What?

She sees me!

Saturday saw us up later than usual - Mike skipped a wet, cold Park Run in favour of a warmer gym session. And Elly joined us - as did Sally.

Saturday gym

Elly shows her strength - even with a broken finger

Iced latte after gym

A quick brekkie date at the convention centre after gym and JR and Andrew joined us. Then we left the Subaru with Sally and headed home in the Focus. They are off to enjoy the Hauraki rail trail this week and wanted the bigger car.

Buried by Moxley

Made biscuits

Kiwi crisps cooling

Iced latte

Sunday saw Maureen pop over to collect us and then we found Iona at the train station after her weaving weekend and then we went out to The Botanist. Good iced latte. But slow service. Mike ran from Breaker Bay to Lyall Bay to get his 5 km run in. And by the time he got to the cafe, we still hadn't got our coffees. But, within 5 mins we had those and food to boot. So for Mike it was perfect timing.

Not sure Maureen has forgiven me for taking her somewhere that doesn't have bacon. She ordered bacon and got fak-on. Because it is a vegetarian/vegan place. Her face was priceless when her food got served to her. She hid her fak-on under her napkin. I do not fancy my chances of getting her back there.

Dropped Iona at the airport and Maureen dropped us home. Got a few things done around the house before the Remutaka Trust BBQ.

Planted the tomatoes out from Terri down the road

Gorgeous day - but a cool wind

Tui in the harakeke

I now have my own kete - kia ora Iona!

Ummmm....

We got some wigs for the costume party at work this coming Friday. Mike was seeing if his new hair would suit for his purposes. Hahahah.

The cool kids at the Remutaka Trust BBQ

Elly was at the BBQ so it was good to chat to her again. She did have to work a bit though. And we got lemons from 40WLW on our way home with her. I checked the plums. Toby will be pleased to know they are not quite ripe. Hopefully by the time he gets here, there will be some still left. I sense it is not far away before they will be ready.

Home to get ready for the week. Good sleep, Up Monday for gym for Mike and WFH for me.

Hope your week is a cracker!

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with no spin

 Hi,

After the cardio session yesterday morning I was needing a bit of a rest. So no Spin date after work. Instead I enjoyed the sunshine on the ride home. Wellington turned it on yesterday.

Woke up this morning (Thursday) to low mist on the hills. So back to normal state of affairs in terms of weather then.

Headed tot he airport at 6.20am and got there so easily - there was hardly any traffic. Was waiting at the gate for Iona at 6.40am. Sweet. She was early and I saw her wee plane land at 6.54am. Bustled her into the car and away around the bays and through the quays to park right outside The Lab.

The Lab iced latte

Brekkie time

Maureen was already at work and came over early (because we were early). And Andrew was not far behind either. Although between Iona and I ordering and Maureen and Andrew ordering, I think a workplace came in. The queue was huge for Maureen to negotiate.

But we all had a good catch up. Talked about Christmas plans. I out in an offer for the weekend bike ride to be across my birthday in Feb. Well - it is a guarantee of good weather. Right?

Left Iona to find her way to the station and headed home to work from here for the day, Cats should be happy - but barely got off the couch when I got back from brekkie. No cat content just yet then.

It is my Friday today. Sweet. Got a busy day though. Then tomorrow I seem to have multiple appointments in town in the morning. Hahahah.

Sally and Andrew are away next week on the rail trail fun. And they want our car. And I might see Iona on Sunday to take her to the airport.

Otherwise - it is fun at home for the most part.

Take care.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with a panto with Kara

 Hi,

Did we go to the pantomine? Oh yes we did! And I quite enjoyed it. I would make it a thing I did with Kara every year. Oh yes I would.

But first of all, the rest of my day...  Well, I caught up with Zaheer at The Lab. He is a busy chap working at Kiwi Rail. And heading back to his parents for the Christmas break. It was good to catch up with him and hear what he has been up to. Now living in Kilbirnie. :-)  Thank you for the coffee date!

Zaheer - my friend. Good to see you.

And my iced latte that I forgot to get into shot the first time

Lunch cardio session

I said yes to the cardio session with workmates. Myra, Gisela and Billie. And it killed me. But it was so good.

After work, Mike drove in (he worked from home) and I walked to Joe's Garage for tea with him. Kara joined us and we all trotted over to Circa for the panto.

Treasure Island. It was great fun. Jim was a little weak in the singing department - but excellent with a deck of playing cards that Kara said must have won him the part. Long John Silver was great. As was Peggy. It was full of great jokes and gags. I had fun.

Panto time!

Before the start

At the interval

Mike faked his fun very well.

It might be just me and Kara from now on to see the panto.

Home to bed and slept until it was time to catch the bus and go to the gym for... another cardio session.

Row for 500m and see how fast you do it in

This also killed me and I will not go to Spin after work today. Riding home will do just fine as my wind down for the day. Hahahah.

Orkney whanau are doing well. There is a warm spell ahead of a cold snap at the end of the week. They might see a lot of waterfall action in Milford Sound.

Have a fantastic day.

Love,

Angela

The Monday back at the mahi

 Hi,

Look at me, serving up cat content like my readers want (Sally M - you know I am thinking of you. Actually, Roz too. And Sally G. Ok. Realisation hits me. You are all here for cat content.)

Yesterday was chill working from home. Also got the sheets done - any day when you get clean sheets washed and dried is epic!

Manic iced latte selfie

Moxley cat model #1

Smudge cat model #2

Spin

Bring it!

Wait - where is everyone?

Yeah, I dunno either

Mike convinced me to get out of the house to Spin after work. And I am so glad I did that. But there were only 5 punters. I hope they continue to run that session. I need to go to more of them through the week.

Mike turned up at the gym with groceries and we drove home and had a bit of food before watching another episode of For All Mankind. Oohhhh. Tense. Again.

Up to misty rain and a nice (damp) ride in. PT session with Quentin. 50kg squats 8 reps x 4 sets. That is 1200kg of lifting. And bench - 35kg 10 reps x 3 sets. Also over 1000kg. I am slaying it! Hahah (that's for Adnan!)

Tues morning leg press 120kg

Have a brilliant day! Own it like a boss.

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Chc with whanau and friends

 Hi,

What a whirlwind of a weekend. And yet, there was nothing planned, really. We just careered from ad-hoc thing to the next ad-hoc thing. And it worked! It was all about friends and family - super excited to see Kathleen and Duncan at the end of their South Island holiday before they flew out, and to see Kay and Dave as they flew in to start theirs.

Mike and I flew to Chc late Thursday evening - the plane was a little delayed. Toby and Tessa were a bit late coming to get us as Toby seemed to think we were arriving on Friday. Hahah.

They took us out to Rollickin - except it was closing as we got there. So went to another place (in an old building on the corner, just across from the cathedral) for a snack and dessert. It was ok. Expensive and a little bit average.

But we got dropped off at the Camelot motels and Mike collected the late night check in info from the lockbox at reception and we found our room - 777.

Camelot is funny. It has been around for years because it existed when we stayed across the road at the Ashford Motor Lodge 30 years ago. It has some fake castle-like architecture. But it was absolutely fine. Our wee unit had a great bed, great water pressure in the shower and a coffee plunger. Mike was sorted!

Up early as Mike had to work. It was a holiday in Canterbury - but not Wellington. Hahah. I went out with Toby and Tessa to visit New Brighton. I had spotted a pier jutting into the sea as we landed last night and asked Tessa if we could go there. So we did!

Had lunch just outside of the beach area and enjoyed that. I tried to find the cafe for you - and failed. It was opposite Travis wetland and in a complex with a GP. There! Enough clues for later.

Lunch at cafe near New Brighton

The pier I spotted from the plane last night

Tessa took us to the pier - and it was fantastic. I felt like I was in the US! It was so hot when we parked the car that I took off my hoodie and we wandered out onto the pier. Then a cloud came over to block the sunshine and by the time we got to the end of the pier, it was starting to feel slightly cool. It was windy and the wind wasn't super warm.

It is hot

Okay - we walk on the pier and it starts clouding over

Getting a little cold in this wind

We watched some people fishing - quite the popular activity on the pier. It was so lovely.

Back to get some stuff at Countdown opposite the beach - plunger coffee for Mike mainly. And then off to get a haircut for Toby. But his favoured place was shut - it was a holiday after all. We realised Tessa's work would be open and there would be a hairdresser in the mall. So off we went.

Turns out we got a lot of nice clothes for Toby and a haircut! And look - below is the evidence!

Pomeroys for tea

Out with Steph and Sam for tea at Pomeroys. Delicious as always. And home for a nap before our midnight jaunt to the aiport.

Midnight at the airport - hi Alastair and Kirsty

Kay and Dave were arriving a little delayed from their flight from Orkney. Half past midnight. We got into the waiting area and Alastair spotted us. He has grown a lot since I saw him when he was 3 years old. But yet - he still somehow looks the same! Kirsty is lovely and we all chatted until Kay and Dave finally made it through customs and into the waiting area.

There they are!

Alastair hadn't seen his parents for a year so it was a lovely reunion for them. Awwwww. Then, Kirsty and Alastair ubered home and we took Kay and Dave to their motel - Ashford Motor Lodge. Got the key from the lockbox and ferried their stuff into their room. I reckon Dave was asleep by the time I backed out of the tight car park. Hahah.

We slept in Saturday morning. No park run for us. Oops. But at 9.30am Mike woke me to say Kay and Dave had been up for hours! So I hurtled out of bed and we got ready to meet them. Toby and Tessa joined us. We tried to get into Diner 66 but it was "full". Got a SIM card from Z station for Kay though. So yay for crossing off one task.

Found a wee cafe, and enjoyed some food and much-needed coffee there.

Black & White cafe

We all need some coffee

As I finished a very nice avocado and tomato on toast, I got a text from Kathleen to say she was at Little Poms! OMG. We left Kay and Dave to wander around and ubered to Little Poms. Had a brilliant (but short) catch up with Kathleen and Duncan. Awwwww - heard the highlights from the last 6 or so years. New house! New job. All the big things!

Little Poms to see Kathleen and Duncan!

Captured the moment

Then they were off to catch their flight home. So good to see them. They have not changed a bit and I really need to visit Melbourne to see them.

We found Kay and Dave and took them to the Canterbury museum. It is a popup while their new museum is sorted (or their old one is strengthened - one of those things is true). Loved the highlights they have curated.

Canterbury museum popup

Run, Mike!

Hahah

T Rex skull

My, what big teeth you have

Okay - huge teeth!

Feet!

Oh - hands too! A piece of pounamu

Tram trundling along

Did a quick walk around the Avon ahead of tea at The Cheese Bar on Kilmore St. Saw eels in the Avon. And the fountain at the town hall. And the tram!

Tūna in the Avon

Pic fail - but you can see me pretty well

More feet

New water wheel showing where an old mill was located

Aww - pretty

Selfie in the sun

All of us!

Smile!

The Cheese Bar - it was good.

I quite liked the cheese bar. But it could never be a regular haunt. I mean - I love cheese. But there was so much of it. Nice to go there once in a while.

We recreate our first kiss - sort of

We walked past the cathedral and re-created our first kiss. Which was close to 31 years to the month ago. Up on the balcony high in the cathedral. Which is now rubble. Unlike our relationship. Which is not rubble. Hahahah.

Alstair and Kirsty joined us at Ashford Motor Lodge for a cup of tea. And they recreated a photo from 20 years ago when 6 months old Toby sat on 3 year old Alastair's lap. Hahah. Funny.

Toby and Alastair recreate a pic from 20 years ago

We dropped Alastair and Kirsty at their place in Riccarton and headed to our motel to get to bed. Up for brekkie at Little Poms at 10am. All of us. Hahah. Plus Harry - Alastair's mate.

Little Poms for Sunday brekkie

Then finally, after getting all the bags int he right vehicle, the Orkney contingent was off on their adventure. We went back to Toby and Tessa's flat to hang out. I tried the VR headset - loved it. It keeps going out of focus for me. But the whole thing was such fun.

Then we went to Lone Star at the airport. Steph popped in to say goodbye. And then we went to the airport to wait for our flight.

Chc airport

It was a bit delayed. And there was an announcement to say the flight to WLG had been cancelled. So we went back out through security - with another woman - to find it was the 2030 flight that had been cancelled. So back through we went.

Got to Wellington. Caught an Uber home. And we were home by 8pm. Cats were happy to see us. Thank you for feeding them Sally and Andrew!

Moxley is happy to see us

Smudge is smudging

Cuteness overload

Monday morning manic selfie

Up Monday and back to routine. I feel so full from the weekend of eating. OMG. Time to reset that!

Have a brilliant week ahead.

Love,

Angela