The Wednesday with a hilarious transcript in a work meeting

 Hi,

I am never going live down the terrifying transcript on a meeting I ran.

Please note:  I DID NOT SAY THIS!

And while I may have said something like this - this is also NOT what I said.

Anyway.

There is a lot of cat content for you all - to get over the trauma of my transcript words getting pasted into chats all over work right now.

Smudge

So cute

Moxley

Iced coffee with Dave

Work thing on after work. Did deads with Quentin in the garage gym this morning. Busy! Long weekend for us here. Kings birthday. Wellington weekend for us.

Take care!

Love,

Angela

The Monday and Tuesday at noho marae

 Hi,

After the excitement of coming back from Aus, it was straight into a stay at the marae in Porirua. Maraeroa marae hosted about 20 of us from work to dive deep into the new framework we've got. And it worked well. I can totally tell someone about it if we meet in the elevator!

Monday work iced latte

With Alastair

Mike at noho marae

Tuesday morning wordle

Tuesday morning feet

It was such a lovely marae - the matua welcomed us with the usual manaakitanga - and impressed us with the history of this marae. Built for many different iwi and pasifika people in mind. It is so inclusive. The kai was delicious - thank you to everyone that made it all possible. Such a great opportunity to immerse in te ao Māori.

Tuesday night face

Dropped home by Diarne at 4.30pm to feed the cats and myself. Then bath and bed. Mike was at work and then meeting his workmates for after work discussion.

He got home and I woke up and then fell back asleep. Up for a ride into work. A quick brekkie with Dave. Then my mammogram. Oh yay.

Have a great day!

Love,

Angela

PS: Got my covid booster today. 

The weekend in Australia

 Hi,

Our flight on Friday went so well. Love this 4pm flight time compared to the 6am one. Hahah. Even saw Jen from our old work there boarding the same flight. They were off to support the Warriors in Brisbane. With a lot of others!

Smudge struts

Moxley loafs

Wellington airport very civilised time

Janine was on a flight an hour behind ours. So we saw her briefly too. We got called up on the tannoy and it turns out our decision (ok, mine) to only use the flight app was wrong as they did not have our passport numbers at the gate. Given it was in the app and we came through customs, it was odd. But not surprising. IT systems.

Lesson - always get a paper ticket.

Lovely view of the top of the southern motu as we left. But before long we were flying into dusk and then sunset. And it was dark by the time we leanded at 1800 local time in Brisbane.

Hello to the Marlborough Sounds

Got our Avis car easily and ate some food at Coffee Culture at the airport before heading north to Peregian Springs. We got there about 2030 I guess. And it was so good to see my parents. My mother is so well. Standing upright. And so mobile. Made me so happy.

And... I was not long out of bed. Hahah. Slept well. Up really early Saturday to do parkrun behind Noosaville. They start at 7am here to avoid the heat. We got there at about 6.50am and started the beautiful park run track. It is all paved and in bush. And slightly undulating. I was exhausted and a bit slow. 36 mins. But Mike did a second lap and did okay.

Following a Woolworths delivery - we're in Aus now

Park run apprehension

Lovely morning - just super early at 7am!

Post parkrun haze of sweat

After brekkie at home we drove to Aussie World to meet two lots of people. Brent and his boys (Jack, 14, and Harry, 12) and Steph, Jason and their children. We ate at Banana Bender  with everyone. A bit chaotic and I hardly got to speak to Brent. But he caught up with Mike. I chatted to Stephanie and found out about her work. Some medical marketing job - seems perfect for her for now.

Brent headed back to Brisbane and Mike went off to do messages and Mum and I went to Aussie World with Steph, Jason and the kids. It was such fun.

Wee Riley and an evil kangaroo behind us - on a surfboard

Aussie World

Me and Riley have fun

Riley kept calling me "Grandma" which was a bit funny. I didn't realise for ages. And then I said I am actually Great Aunt Angela. Bit of a mouthful. Riley said: Okay, Grandma.

Mum and Peyton

Steph, Imogen and Lincoln behind us

This looked terrifying

Lincoln's cup of tea

Okay - this was the worst

Ice cream time - Lincoln

Riley

Peyton

Imogen

We explored a lot of the park.  I have only been here with Toby. Hahah. It was fun to see the kids so happy on all the rides.

Lincoln didn't like anything - the train the and teacup was about it. But he is only 3. And such a cutie - and so smart. Like - genius level. Teaching himself the Cyrillic alphabet. And how to count to 10 in different languages.

After the day, we all drove back to Peregian Springs and we fed them. But they wanted to get to their motel and left fairly quickly after that.

Sunday saw us sleep in a bit more. Mike is still on NZ time, really. We did a wee run together (I did 3k) before Mike did 13k. That's his prep for the half marathon done. Some taper runs with me to come, that's it.

Orchid for Mothers Day looks beautiful

Cinnabon for Toby

We went to Sunshine Plaza to get jeans for Mike. Just Jeans staff were very good at their customer service. They spent 20 minutes looking for jeans that fit Mike's weird body shape - his legs are longer than his waist is round. One shop assistant couldn't believe he was shaped like that until he actually put some jeans on. "Oh - you really are all legs aren't you" she said. 

Picked up Dad when he was done and back home for a quick tea and a visit from a baby magpie. Or maybe a butcher bird. Mum said it has hung around since it was born. 

Is this a baby magpie? Or a butcher bird?

Off to bed after watching Barbie - still not a great movie in my opinion but Mike weirdly likes it. 

And now up for work.

Home made iced latte

Disconcerting to see my pic as I work

Have a great day! Thank you for looking after the cats, Sally and Ange. Lovely weather here. Highs of 23C. Cold in Wellington I see. Mike has just asked Alexa to run the heatpump tonight for the cats.

Take care,

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with dinner out and some new running shoes

 Hi,

Busy day at work once more. But I did get a chance to go out and buy new running shoes at lunch time with Mike. Got new Brooks shoes. Never tried that brand before.

Work iced latte with Vigz

Run with Mike Wed night after work

After work, I went for a short run to try them out. It started to rain and Mike had booked in a pub date with Sally and Andrew at LBQ. So I decided to go straight there while Mike did a 10k.

Mike joined us after his run. We chatted about work and holidays before heading to our respective homes.

Up for a bus ride in with Mike. And gym with Quentin. 37.5 kg bench.  6 reps x 4 sets. Oosh. That's 900kg in total!

Home iced latte

Margies iced latte and brekkie with Maureen

Met Maureen at Margies for brekkie. Then off to work. Busy again. But off to Aus tomorrow for a week. Mike has his half marathon in Noosa. Woot! Go Mike!

Have a great time! Thanks to Sally and Ange for chilling with the cats as needed.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with big work changes

 Hi,

I took hardly any pics. Work was quite full on. Restructure announcements. I get a job title change, a reporting line change (waaaahhh) and I will get two squads. Hmmmm. Better than some though - some of the people I work closely with have no certainty. Mike is good.

I went for a run with Mike after work. But I was not feeling it. Did the 5k though. And he caught up with mates to dissect the news while I went home.

Smudge has decided the first cat food is now the best

Smudge has been off her food. So I switched back to the original pate she turned her nose up at a year ago. And she has decided this is the best food ever. I watched as she tucked in and scoffed the lot. Moxley came to check and crouched at the door until Smudge was done.

I went upstairs to have some tea and bake some banana bread. Hahah. Had two old bananas that needed some love in the shape of a batter and cake tin. These bananas were donated to us from Debbie and Shoshana's pantry from their stay here in Wellington a couple of weeks back. Thanks Debbie and Shoshana!

Bake that bread!

Off to bed and sleep. Mike got home late. No idea what time but I did wake up. Could not rouse myself enough to look at the time. Hahah.

Up for my ride in and PT cardio session with Quentin and Mike. OMG. It was so hard. I know I say that every cardio session. But - oohhh. I think I had 95kg on the sled push at one stage.

Lewis Road goodness

Back to work. Dougal came to chat about how the digital changes landed. I will snaffle him for a coffee at some stage soon. He is lovely. A few busines people have asked after things. Maureen especially. Debbie and Shoshana have my back - and plans for an all-woman terminal team in Oamaru as a backup career plan for us all. That has a certain amount of appeal. I rock a hardhat, as you all know. Okay - I think I rock a hardhat and have let you all know.

Right. Enjoy your day!

Love,

Angela

The Monday with shut up and dance

 Hi,

Busy times indeed. Worked from home and enjoyed a Lewis Road iced coffee. :-)  Cats were happy,

Lewis Road at home

After work I drove into town and parked near Dixon St. It was time for Shut Up and Dance with Barb, Juliet, Anne and me. And it was such fun. Burlesque was the style. Lots of shimmy and grinding. Hahah.

Anne and the Wellington iconic bucket fountain

Mike met us afterwards and Anne and I wandered off to Cuba St and Aroy Thai for tea. Then dropped Anne off at her hotel and we went home and to bed.

Good sleep again. Up for ride in (cold - brr) and PT session with Quentin. Squats. 55kg. 4 x 4. My legs were wobbly.

Busy again at work. Hope you have a brilliant day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with aurora everywhere and Iona up here and Eurovision on and this is not unconnected

 Hi,

Friday was the most stunning day here in Wellington. I was up early ish to get the bikes ready for a ride with Iona. Spring Challenge training. Except, it was 10am by the time I left here. And we needed a coffee so when we got to Paekakariki, we went to a cafe and enjoyed a pastry and a delicious coffee.

Loved the sunlight coming through the windows

Bikes ready

Paekakariki iced latte

Oh - Kapiti! You look gorgeous

Then we were off to explore. From Queen Elizabeth park, we went up to the north, but trying to get off onto gravel and farm roads when we could. I used no electrons! We had such fun.

Love this view

Where are you?

Bridge to somewhere

Selfie

Here I am!

Let's go!

Dropped Iona back at Tawa and headed home at 2pm. Put the bikes away and changed my shoes and then went into East Day Spa to use my Christmas voucher.

Feet pampered

Looking good

A very nice hour-long foot session. Mmmm. Thank you Mike. And thank you spa person. My feet look amazing. And she even found my left littlest toenail was there. Grown back after the tramping punishment. So I did not need a discount for only having 9 toenails. Hahahah.

Mike collected me from the spa after his work finished. And we drove home. And Sarah, Hamish and Ryan turned up for pizza night.

Moxley loves me

Saturday night saw us sleep in. I got French toast from Mike. Wow. And then we had Sally and Andrew visit for lunch. Choice!

French toast from Mike

Moxley is so asleep

Brunch!

Iona came over and we dragged her grocery shopping for Eurovision on Sunday. Before bundling her in the car for aurora hunting. The aurora alerts I often watch had predicted a huge solar storm. And just before it kicked in to epic levels, the cloud came over. Gah!

I saw a bz of -38 and a kp of 8! Those are huge numbers. We got to the car park just 200m west of Owhiro Bay and parked up. It was fairly full. The sky looked a little unusual. So I took a pic using my Raw camera app. And I was astonished to see it showed a fully red sky. To the naked eye, it looked like the clouds had a hint of a red blush. Nothing like my camera showed.

South Coast aurora

I could see this with my naked eye

Surf and aurora

I absolutely loved it. We stood watching for about 1.5 hours. Then drove up to Woodridge to see if that was above the cloud cover. But the light pollution from there was not much good. Off home and off to bed.

Aurora over Toby's bedroom

Toby got to see the aurora from his house! He looked out above his room - and there it was!

It was Eurovision the next morning, after all. So we got a good sleep in. Up at 6am to get the food ready. And we were on!

Sunday morning is Eurovision

And it starts!

Brekkie disappearing

Punters

We had Wally, Brennan and Jason turn up to experience the Eurovision spectacular. Sarah was a tad late - but not too much. And Maarten and Irina arrived just as we got halfway through the countries. They caught up pretty quick.

All entranced

Iona was up after a good sleep. And Ange was knocking on the door early. We had 10 of us. And it was an amazing Eurovision. The Netherlands was disqualified 2 hours before it - controversy. I heard the Swiss one and after 2 bars, said it was terrible. It won! Finland had no pants on for theirs.

What am I even watching? Finland has no pants on!

Went out to Hillside Kitchen for a degustation lunch at 1pm. So good. Sally, Andrew, me, Mike and Iona. Delicious. We chatted away. Every course was delicious. Best one - maybe the onion and lime soup. I know! Sounds weird, right? So, so good.

We took Iona to the airport for her flight and then Mike and I sat in the back of the car at the beach to see if we could spot the aurora again.

Sunday aurora hunting - relaxed style

We ate chippes and read books. Toby rang and we saw for ourselves how bad his hand, foot and mouth virus was. His wee face is covered in sores. His feet look terrible! OMG. He is still quite miserable. But he chatted away to us for about 30 mins as we lay in the car. Wished me a happy mother's day. Awww. I wish I could help him as he recovers from this.

We saw nothing of the aurors this time! But I loved just being there with Mike and absorbing the atmosphere. It was full of people keen to see this amazing natural phenomenon.  Eventually we gave up with the low kp and Bz numbers and went home and off to bed. I had the best, long sleep in ages!

Such an awesome weekend. Eurovision. Aurora. Iona. Cycling. Eating. Loved every minute of it. Thank you.

Love,

Angela