The weekend with a trip to field day in Mystery Creek

 Hi,

What a big weekend. Andrew came to collect me just after 4pm when I finished work. He packed the car like a boss and we were on the road up SH1 by 4.20pm.

Brekkie Thursday

It was an easy drive in good conditions. We drove through to Sanson where we filled up with fuel. By the time we got to Waiouru we were hungry for a spot of dinner. Toasted sandwiches was our mission. We went into the takeaways opposite the Z petrol station and surprised the owner luxing with her wee child squealing with excitement that there was a customer.

We ordered. And then the woman said a sentence to us that made Andrew's ears prick up.  "We have got a notice that we can't use the water. Can we even boil it?"

And on the counter was a huge explanation and a big sign saying "Do not use the water". Andrew read it. Turns out some Aluminium snuck into the water supply and no amount of boiling would fix that. But the issue was fixed and everyone needed to not use the water until it all flushed through.

Andrew explained that. And I reckon she understood because the customer behind us asked for a black coffee and she explained she couldn't do that.

And we're off - 4.20pm

Cheese toasties in hand we were off again. And as we passed the northern outskirts of town, both our cellphones pinged with the emergency text sound. I grabbed my phone wondering what on earth was happening. Turns out they were telling us not to drink the water.

We got to Mangakino super fast - just before 10pm. We were the only cars in the car park. We got in the main doors and found the key and room 17 was ready for us. Curtains shut and heater on. Nice and toasty warm.

Into bed. And up at 6am for a quick shower and brekkie and off before 7am. Mystery Creek was already buzzing when we arrived into the same Blue carpark as last year. Within metres of the same location. Parked there around 8.15 or so I guess.

With our tickets on Andrew's phone, we went straight through the gates and got our bands. And then the world was our oyster.

Friday morning and we're in

Vast

Drones spraying

Pole saw length envy

Andrew asking all the questions

Andrew had a list of things he was interested in. One of them was finding a good deal to finally join a tribe for power tools. We approached the Ryobi stall when I noticed Jordan from HowToDad outside on his phone. Before I knew it, I was approaching him to ask for a selfie.

He was kind enough to oblige. I told him our son got a selfie about 10 years ago with him. And he said he had a few more grey hairs in his beard now. Thank you HowToDad. You made my day.

Look who I met!!!

Hey!

We also found Peter at his stall. And Aidan was there too. So we got a pic with them all together. Awww.

What is the collective noun for this?

Tractors!

We got ready to buy all the things Andrew decided on around 3.30pm and finally left the grounds and got back to the car with all the Ryobi gear we could carry. Great fun. So much busier than last year. 

We drove to Peter and Glenys's house and waited for them to arrive. It was hectic at their place because they had just seen the arrival a new wee grand-daughter. Emma Kate. Wee George (big bro) was staying and a source of great entertainment. What a clever wee boy.

We enjoyed takeaways and then watched the rugby. Chiefs v Crusaders in the semi. Chiefs smashed them!

Then off back to Maraetai Lodge for the night.

Saturday - time for sleeping

Slightly lazier start to the day on Saturday. Brekkie and shower and then into the car for a foggy drive to Kinloch.

We got the bikes ready and headed off around 11.15am for a 32km loop. I made it 6.5km before I called it. But what an awesome trail. We did the Kinloch to Kawakawa Bay. Grade 3 (but probably more like 2.5). Slowly uphill to this lookout over the bay. I was a bit shaky so I decided to ride back. Andrew kept going around the full loop.

I had great fun riding back. And I sat in the car, drank ginger beer and felt much better after scoffing crackers and hummus.

View over Kawakawa Bay

Stunning

Andrew got back around 2pm - super fast. We popped into Taupō to see Mark at his place. Good chat to him.

Then away around 4pm to head home. Andrew was a machine driving the entire way up and back. I felt like I was on tour!

Sunset peeking around Ruapehu

Andrew driving

We met Mike at 40WLW and moved all my gear over to the MG. And he whisked me home as I was so ready for bed by that stage.

Thank you Andrew. Another fantastic trip to Mystery Creek.

Mike was up early Sunday to make me brekkie in bed. Mmmm. And he started working with Claude to code some file transfers he's been meaning to do for ages. He loves Claude.

Cats Sunday morning

Chain all clean

I cleaned my bike. We had to ride through soft sand on the trails so time for a good degrease and lube. Shiny chain!

Then off to the Hutt for a few jobs. Sally and Andrew were busy. I read my book. Andrew visited his mother. 

At 5pm we then went to Sreejith and Anjali's place for tea. Anamika is now at uni in Auckland! What? Wow. Leanne and Matt came for tea too. What a lovely meal Anjali put on. And Matt made cake. Mmmmm. Good to catch up on all the news from everyone.

Back home and I was asleep in seconds.

Monday - Shoshana is up from Dunedin so we're going out tonight. And it is birthday week for Mike. Woot!

Have a great week ahead.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Blenheim for some Spring Challenge training

 Hi,

What a huge weekend. I didn't go over to Blenheim until late on Friday because I was on Moxley duties as she came out of her post op daze from Thursday. She is doing really well, by the way. Says my completely uninformed vet brain.

Iona picked me up from the airport after a really bumpy flight. Well, the bumps on takeoff and crossing the Strait were fairly normal. But the sideways crab as we land and the one wheel bump and land was exciting. Well done, Sally (our pilot).

I was not long out of bed, to be fair. And up for Parkrun on Saturday morning. Iona kindly drove me to town and off I went. Not a bad time, I suppose. Iopna ran with me for the last 2km and I got a far better time with her than I would on my own.

Mitre10 cafe

A Mitre10 trip was squashed into our post parkrun gap. That was good. And then Col went to work and Iona and I went for a bike ride.

Cycle trail between Blenheim and Picton - a bit waterlogged

Up on the stop bank

Have a look at the bottom of the post for some pics from the ride we did. We rode up the cycle path towards Tuamarina. We negotiated a few puddles. But then the cycle trail went fully underwater and disappeared around the bend as far as we could see. We turned around and peeked a look behind Tuamarina where Maureen and I had got so muddy last time. It was fully underwater too.

So back to the stop bank on the Wairau - and Iona said we should try that. It was so good. Also full of long deep puddles. But Iona was in boss mode. And I finally figured it out too. Great fun.

Back to rest for a bit and then Malcolm joined us to do B line. We found a weasel! Worth getting back on our feet to do that.

B line traps

Classic Marlborough views

Weasel!

Bit maggoty

Joined by this one on B line

Sunday we were up at a more leisurely pace as we had an orienteering course to do at Bastion farm. Okay - that was hard work. We did the orange course. 5 km and 350m of elevation. But it took us 7km and 450m of elevation. Hahahah. We did it in 3 hours 33 mins. Phew. They only had a 4 hour window.

Orange rogaine

Great terrain up here - Bastion farm at the end of the Wither Hills

Walking, walking

And done

Down, down

Our map

Country Calendar

Back for some showers and a bit of TV and some delicious dinner and then off to the airport for my 20:15 flight.

Mike collected me and I was on bed pretty fast.

Thank you. What a great weekend.

Pushing through forst deep puddle. Iona did not come off her bike.

Getting back on

Here we go

Good fun

Have a great week.

Love,

Angela

The weekend with Easter and a sick day

 Hi,

We had a good Easter break. We got the car back just before Easter from Gazely MG. Yay. And I did get out on Saturday night to Bella Italia with Sally and Andrew. 

Mike was a bit sick on Friday and Saturday he felt like rubbish. So we stayed home most of the time. Did some things around the house.

Sunrise last week

Stunning day

Emma at Bin44

Moxley wonders what we're doing

The CAT6 is finally in place. Mike opened up behind our bedroom wall and found the draw wires. And we attached the CAT6 and hauled it through to the attic space.

Access open to under the stairs and CAT6 installation

Mike finds draw lines

Moxley explores

Mike going up to pull up CAT6

Cat follows CAT

Run in Otari Wilton bush

Brekkie for Mike

Egg rolling on Sunday

Sunday saw us walk up to the flax clearing in Otari Wilton bush to roll the eggs down a hill. We climbed up to close to the Skyline too.

Bite out of my egg

Walk up to the pylon near the Skyline

Views from the pylon

Home iced latte

Brekkie

Monday we went for a bike ride up to the Skyline. But my eBike MTB had a flat front shifter and what a faff to change the battery. Mike chopped a coin in half and that did the trick.

Smudge

Stupid bike shifter battery issues

Top of Skyline on Monday

Then Monday evening I felt a scratchy throat. Sure enough, Tuesday morning I was a bit snuffly. I did go to garage gym with Quentin. But it was like walking in treacle. So I listened to Mike and took the day off.

He worked from home too. 

Wednesday morning is wet here. I am WFH and not sure I will do an entire day. Let's see.

Have a great day.

Love,

Angela