The weekend with training in Blenheim

 Hi,

Another mighty weekend training in the southern motu with Iona and Nicola. I flew in Thursday and Mike took me to the airport. As he left me at the gate, Nic pinged me to say she was at the airport. So I grabbed Mike (he was slowly walking back to the car trying to check the fire damage in the domestic wing) and we chatted to Nic for 30 mins before my flight.

My flight was a little bumpy out of Wellington but it was better than it might be given how many cancellations followed into the next day in Wellington.  Iona picked me up and fed me. Then we picked up Robyn and went to quiz. Met Phillip and he showed me pics of his Lego (a lot of Star Wars) collection. Ben was there too.

We came 3rd. I think. But won the fast cash. It was a bit tough.

Off home and to bed. Then up at a leisurely time to head off with Nicola on bikes in the icy rain. When we parked the bikes at the bottom of the goat track, it did stop raining. Did the goat track - and the mandate was given that we should not stop on the way up. I achieved that despite the dribbly nose and the fierce wind. I had to walk up with my legs braced against the southerly.

Up in the Wither Hills

It was so windy

Orchid at Iona and Col's house

Post parkrun selfie

Saturday saw us up for parkrun. The weather wasn't too bad. Iona ran with me and I did my best time of 2026 with her help. Woot!

Then off to watch Col's great nephews play rugby. The 5 year old played Ripper Rugby in Spring Creek. What a hoot. Great idea. And then we drove to Seddon to watch the 7 year old play pretty full-on rugby. I loved it. Met Brogan for the first time.

Watching ripper rugby

We headed home and watched a bit of rugby on the TV. Poua and Matatu and Blues and Chiefs all played. Great games. Watched the netball final too. Mystics came out on top.

Sunday was the orienteering event day. Iona and I left at 8:20am to head to the Aschworth farm on Brancott Road. There were already heaps of punters there. Slightly overcast but no wind. We got the map and looked at a route. The aim was to challenge our navigation and our physical effort. We did that.

At the orienteering debrief meeting

We're off

Great terrain

Climbing up hills

Waiting for our lunch afterwards

The terrain was great. Got 810 points in the end. Had to pivot when our original route was taking longer than planned. Got back 15 mins before the deadline. But that was good because we didn't have to queue very long for the lunch. I got my veg burger in no time. In fact I finished mine before Iona and Nic even got theirs. And the queue by then was really long and not moving very fast at all.

Nic headed home to work in the vineyard and we went home to get warm and clean. Chilled out. Had dinner and I got dropped off at the airport for my flight at 19:00.

Perfect flight home. Mike was there waiting for me. He whisked me home and into bed. 

What a great weekend. I do think I am catching Mike's cold. I am still in denial. He seems to have come right though.

Up this morning to stay in the house today. Mike went into town for his gym.

I hope you have a great week ahead.

Love,

Angela