Hi,
Rode home last night and got rice on to eat with the slow cooker stew that was perfectly cooked when we walked in the door. Choice. Love the slow cooker. We ate and were ready by the time Jack arrived. Which was lucky as we left in plenty of time, to find the car's battery was flat. Fortunately John was still there and he dropped us all off (and picked us up at the other end of the night).
Cubs was great fun. Chaotic and rowdy (what had the parents fed their kids?) but they all seemed to love it. Good. We handed out a lot of badges. Hooray! One of the leaders couldn't make it. I hope she isn't getting cold feet. And Mike told the other leader that he wants to stop being a leader. Ooooohhh. Aaaahhhh. Whereupon, the other leader promptly told Mike he would be away for the start of term 3 and could Mike step in. Hahahah. Mike will be our contingency leader.
And talking of the slow cooker reminds me - we used our brand new garlic press in anger to prepare the stew. Josh, I have to say, this garlic press is a revelation. Every shred of garlic was minced out and it left the papery skin only. Our last garlic press just sort of mushed a little bit and skooshed the rest out the top. Hahah. No wonder Josh couldn't rest until he had purchased this wonder of kitchen equipment for us. How lucky are we that we have friends that care about our lives in such a way. Because, I have to say, not having used any other garlic press, I was completely ignorant that the world could be a better place.
The ride down the hill was fun this morning. I have ended up with a great bruise from yesterday's ride in but I am a bit perplexed as to how exactly it happened. Anyhow, Mike and I hurtled down the hill. I saw 55 on my speedo and Mike saw 56.2 on his. Good conditions. And a skiff of snow on the Orongorongos. Lovely. The waterfront was beautiful - the harbour reflecting the grey of the sky with a bit of bottle green in the mix. The sunrise was a fiery glow up near the Tararuas.
Have a fantastic day!
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
The Monday with nothing
Hi,
I rode home with Mike last night in good conditions. The weather was amazing - the day started possibly even more lovely than Sunday, and at about 3pm the rain came thundering down. And by the time we rode home at 5.30pm, it was nice once more.
We got home and cooked tea and Mike got a lot of work done. Then to bed and oblivion until morning.
The ride into town this morning was fantastic. The day is clear and a cold, strong southerly that left the roads bone dry. So I hurtled down the hill, keeping my nose in front of Mike. I think my lower centre of gravity helps.
Cubs tonight and we're in the den building things out of boxes. Choice!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
I rode home with Mike last night in good conditions. The weather was amazing - the day started possibly even more lovely than Sunday, and at about 3pm the rain came thundering down. And by the time we rode home at 5.30pm, it was nice once more.
We got home and cooked tea and Mike got a lot of work done. Then to bed and oblivion until morning.
The ride into town this morning was fantastic. The day is clear and a cold, strong southerly that left the roads bone dry. So I hurtled down the hill, keeping my nose in front of Mike. I think my lower centre of gravity helps.
Cubs tonight and we're in the den building things out of boxes. Choice!
Have a great day!
Love,
Angela
Monday, June 11, 2012
The weekend with leadership course
Hi,
I collected wee Tom from Skids on Friday night because his parents were off on a date night. Toby had finished his first tennis lesson for ages (he has started up again on Friday afternoons with Alex) and said he enjoyed it. Apart from sandflies biting him. Ouch!
We had dinner and the boys played games and watched television. Mike came home and we were all into bed.
Saturday morning Andrew collected me at 8.30am and we went to our leadership course for the tramping club. There were 13 of us and we learned quite a bit. I think perhaps two day sessions on different weekends might be better. I think a wee bit more content might be useful. But it was excellent. We learned about planning and contingency in the morning and navigation in the afternoon.
Andrew came back to our place at 7.30pm to watch the All Blacks versus Ireland test. The Irish need to improve considerably to trouble the All Blacks next weekend.
Sunday was a lazy start - Toby and I made Mike get out of bed to get us breakfast. Heheheh. Toby then arranged a playdate with William at William's father's house. So I dropped him off there in the wee green car. It was such a lovely day. Winter's in full force, and yet Sunday (and today) was glorious. We got to Peter's house and knocked on the door. Some strange woman answered but Toby walked in anyway. We said hello and I asked what time I should come and collect Toby. The woman looked at us and said "There must be some misunderstanding". We asked if William lived here (which he did - honest!) and she said no. Well, you can't really argue with that. We couldn't tell her this most definitely was William's house. Heheheh. So we apologised and went back to the car. Nope - it definitely was William's house. The other houses looked nothing like his house. So we called Peter and it turns out they had shifted. Oops. Toby and I had a good laugh about it. Dropped Toby off and continued to the supermarket.
Back home with groceries and the next visitors for afternoon tea (Sarah, Hamish and Ryan). We chatted about our ski weekend at the end of July. Then they were off and Toby came home. Off to Sally and Andrew's for family tea.
Good weekend. The ride in this morning was great. What lovely weather.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
I collected wee Tom from Skids on Friday night because his parents were off on a date night. Toby had finished his first tennis lesson for ages (he has started up again on Friday afternoons with Alex) and said he enjoyed it. Apart from sandflies biting him. Ouch!
We had dinner and the boys played games and watched television. Mike came home and we were all into bed.
Saturday morning Andrew collected me at 8.30am and we went to our leadership course for the tramping club. There were 13 of us and we learned quite a bit. I think perhaps two day sessions on different weekends might be better. I think a wee bit more content might be useful. But it was excellent. We learned about planning and contingency in the morning and navigation in the afternoon.
Andrew came back to our place at 7.30pm to watch the All Blacks versus Ireland test. The Irish need to improve considerably to trouble the All Blacks next weekend.
Sunday was a lazy start - Toby and I made Mike get out of bed to get us breakfast. Heheheh. Toby then arranged a playdate with William at William's father's house. So I dropped him off there in the wee green car. It was such a lovely day. Winter's in full force, and yet Sunday (and today) was glorious. We got to Peter's house and knocked on the door. Some strange woman answered but Toby walked in anyway. We said hello and I asked what time I should come and collect Toby. The woman looked at us and said "There must be some misunderstanding". We asked if William lived here (which he did - honest!) and she said no. Well, you can't really argue with that. We couldn't tell her this most definitely was William's house. Heheheh. So we apologised and went back to the car. Nope - it definitely was William's house. The other houses looked nothing like his house. So we called Peter and it turns out they had shifted. Oops. Toby and I had a good laugh about it. Dropped Toby off and continued to the supermarket.
Back home with groceries and the next visitors for afternoon tea (Sarah, Hamish and Ryan). We chatted about our ski weekend at the end of July. Then they were off and Toby came home. Off to Sally and Andrew's for family tea.
Good weekend. The ride in this morning was great. What lovely weather.
Have a great week.
Love,
Angela
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The Wednesday with karate
Hi,
Mike convinced me to drive home yesterday as the weather was really foul. I have to say, despite thinking for 5 seconds it was a challenge, it was a good plan. I drove home and met Toby at karate. He had been to see Men In Black 3 and was dropped off at karate by Jack's Dad.
Toby wasn't feeling 100% so we left karate early and picked up Mike from work and dropped Adam (work colleague) off at home. At home we realised we hadn't paid Toby's music lesson bill so I went out to see Vivienne and John to get them to write a cheque for it.
Vivienne and John's new couch is lovely - a deep brown and configurable. Perfect for reading in the sun!
Ramble hasn't been well, but he is recovering fine now. What a good pooch he is!
Back home to bed. And this morning on the bus due to the bike in town. But I look forward to riding home at the end of the day.
Love,
Angela
Mike convinced me to drive home yesterday as the weather was really foul. I have to say, despite thinking for 5 seconds it was a challenge, it was a good plan. I drove home and met Toby at karate. He had been to see Men In Black 3 and was dropped off at karate by Jack's Dad.
Toby wasn't feeling 100% so we left karate early and picked up Mike from work and dropped Adam (work colleague) off at home. At home we realised we hadn't paid Toby's music lesson bill so I went out to see Vivienne and John to get them to write a cheque for it.
Vivienne and John's new couch is lovely - a deep brown and configurable. Perfect for reading in the sun!
Ramble hasn't been well, but he is recovering fine now. What a good pooch he is!
Back home to bed. And this morning on the bus due to the bike in town. But I look forward to riding home at the end of the day.
Love,
Angela
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Tuesday with no Cubs
Hi,
Due to the zoo sleepover at the weekend with the Cubs, we had Tuesday night off! It's like a hall pass or something. Last time this happened Mike immediately filled up his Tuesday night schedule with social things. And I did the same this time.
I left work at 1740 to walk to the car. Jumped in and then sat in traffic for twenty minutes to drive the three minutes route to the university to pick up Aidan T. Aidan had just finished a huge presentation and was in the mood for some food and a chat. We picked up Burger Wisconsin and drove home.
Aidan had ordered a fish burger (hmmmm) but noticed immediately that her burger (in the fish bag) was not fish. Toby, meanwhile, practised his male observation skills by eating three large bites of a fish burger before declaring he had fish. Hahahah. Poor Aidan then got a half eaten burger to finish. But at least she got her food back last night. Unlike on Saturday night when Mike ate her entire dinner. Mike had lovingly prepared his own meal of sausages just how he liked them. Aidan had also prepared her own meal of sausages just as she liked them. Mike then sat down in front of Aidan's meal and started eating. By the time Aidan got to the table, there was only one place setting with no one chowing down into the food. But she said it wasn't her dinner. Josh's meal was inspected but that wasn't hers. Mike's meal had almost vanished by then, but the remnants indicated a high probability that it was her dinner. And an inspection of Aidan's plate by Mike showed that it was indeed prepared exactly to his liking! So perhaps Aidan might feel a little protective of her food around the Gilberts from now on.
We chatted for a bit afterwards and then I drove Aidan home. The weather wasn't too bad at all, but I was smug as I pointed out the bus that was the train replacement service just around Plimmerton. Josh had given us a garlic press that is so well engineered we can't wait to use it. We need to cook something tonight with garlic, just because! Oh - Aidan gave me a clove and it is still in my handbag! Hahahah.
Today is another teacher only day for Toby's school. Mike performed a community service yesterday with three boys (Toby, Alex and Jack) and looked after them. He is doing the same this morning. I think John is going to look after them this afternoon.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse. Bring it on. Snow to sea level in the South Island. Yes! Today was the first time in three weeks that I could tell if the new mudguard works on my bike. I declare it a complete success. I rode down the hill this morning with my eyes open. Oh - is that how fast it looks? Yikes. Apparently a galeforce southerly is supposed to kick in - just in time for my ride home. Nice.
Today is the transit of Venus as well. We will not get a look in. There is no sun today. And none of us will be around for the next one in 2117. Must watch a bit on television tonight. We did something for the last one (was it 2004?) in Melbourne - we went to the observatory in the gardens and they had telescopes set up. Good fun.
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Due to the zoo sleepover at the weekend with the Cubs, we had Tuesday night off! It's like a hall pass or something. Last time this happened Mike immediately filled up his Tuesday night schedule with social things. And I did the same this time.
I left work at 1740 to walk to the car. Jumped in and then sat in traffic for twenty minutes to drive the three minutes route to the university to pick up Aidan T. Aidan had just finished a huge presentation and was in the mood for some food and a chat. We picked up Burger Wisconsin and drove home.
Aidan had ordered a fish burger (hmmmm) but noticed immediately that her burger (in the fish bag) was not fish. Toby, meanwhile, practised his male observation skills by eating three large bites of a fish burger before declaring he had fish. Hahahah. Poor Aidan then got a half eaten burger to finish. But at least she got her food back last night. Unlike on Saturday night when Mike ate her entire dinner. Mike had lovingly prepared his own meal of sausages just how he liked them. Aidan had also prepared her own meal of sausages just as she liked them. Mike then sat down in front of Aidan's meal and started eating. By the time Aidan got to the table, there was only one place setting with no one chowing down into the food. But she said it wasn't her dinner. Josh's meal was inspected but that wasn't hers. Mike's meal had almost vanished by then, but the remnants indicated a high probability that it was her dinner. And an inspection of Aidan's plate by Mike showed that it was indeed prepared exactly to his liking! So perhaps Aidan might feel a little protective of her food around the Gilberts from now on.
We chatted for a bit afterwards and then I drove Aidan home. The weather wasn't too bad at all, but I was smug as I pointed out the bus that was the train replacement service just around Plimmerton. Josh had given us a garlic press that is so well engineered we can't wait to use it. We need to cook something tonight with garlic, just because! Oh - Aidan gave me a clove and it is still in my handbag! Hahahah.
Today is another teacher only day for Toby's school. Mike performed a community service yesterday with three boys (Toby, Alex and Jack) and looked after them. He is doing the same this morning. I think John is going to look after them this afternoon.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse. Bring it on. Snow to sea level in the South Island. Yes! Today was the first time in three weeks that I could tell if the new mudguard works on my bike. I declare it a complete success. I rode down the hill this morning with my eyes open. Oh - is that how fast it looks? Yikes. Apparently a galeforce southerly is supposed to kick in - just in time for my ride home. Nice.
Today is the transit of Venus as well. We will not get a look in. There is no sun today. And none of us will be around for the next one in 2117. Must watch a bit on television tonight. We did something for the last one (was it 2004?) in Melbourne - we went to the observatory in the gardens and they had telescopes set up. Good fun.
Have a wonderful day.
Love,
Angela
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Queens Birthday weekend with fabulous company
Hi,
What am amazing weekend - but we're all absolutely bushed. And the next long weekend isn't until late October. Jeepers! How will we make it? Lucky we have our ski week planned.
My parents are off with Jamie on a cruise for the next 10-12 days. What excitement for them. I hope they all have a lot of fun.
Mike and Toby collected me from work at about 6.30pm on Friday and we left Wellington immediately. We must have double bluffed the exodus from Wellington for the long weekend as we had a trouble free drive up to Waikanae where we stopped for a cup of tea at the Tabor household. They were all very well and looking forward to the long weekend.
We left there at about 8.30pm (a long cup of tea I have to say) and found our crib accommodation at Foxton Beach about 35 minutes later. We managed to find the key and get in, but the first lights we tried didn't work so we thought we needed to turn power on. Blundering around in the dark was weird, then I decided to try another set of lights at the same time Mike decided to check the light bulb. The result was a smahed light bulb on the kitchen floor and the realisation we did have electricity after all. Hooray.
Mike pitched the tent and we made beds and we retired to the tent. I vaguely heard the Sampsons arrive from their Auckland drive but I couldn't rouse myself for anything at that point. Next morning we were up before them and made a cup of tea for them. Kicked breakfast off and then they were away for their first orienteering event (the whole reason we're in Foxton Beach).
The Gilberts lounged around reading and eating for the main part of the day - conserving energy for the hectic evening schedule. Heheheh. We left the crib at 2pm and wandered to the Adventure Park in Levin. Toby had it to himself as it was raining a bit. Mike and Toby played on the hamster wheel a lot. Then off to Otaki to look for jeans for Mike. But we got waylaid by cafes and ate more. Mike needed industrial strength coffee.
Eventually we dragged ourselves away from the wonders of Otaki to head to Waikanae for dinner. It was a great BBQ of sausages and salad. Very nice, thank you. After an hour or so there (with me filling in Aidan on my work escapades from Friday and made me feel a bit better) we piled Duncan and Emerson into our car and Josh followed behind in Moby. We drove to the Zoo where we had a Cub sleepover with Waikanae Cubs and Karori Cubs and Keas.
The Keas were taken away to the smaller venue and we filled the Archibald Centre with our gear and about 50 people (lots of Cubs and a few leaders and parents). Then Alex took us on our Zoo tour. Alex is a Zoo staff member and took us to explore parts of the zoo you don't normally see. We saw the kitchen where 2 fulltime chefs prepare the food from 4am to 7pm each day. There were two fridges - one for fruit and veges and one for meat. We tried to feed the giraffes but they were too busy sleeping by then. We made breakfast for the spider monkeys (egg cartons filled with porridge and raisins).
Back to the centre to get ready for bed. Phew! Late for some of the younger Cubs. Josh took a Cub and the attached parent home to Waikanae as he was sick! We had supper and went to bed. I guess it was around 10pm for lights out. Mike kept watch but they all went to sleep without any bother. I slept well.
Up at 6.30am and I went to buy more milk for breakfast at the local New World. Interesting life on the streets of Newtown at that time.
By the time I got back, breakfast was almost done and dusted. Tidied up and the last bit of the zoo tour. We fed the spider monkeys and enjoy some acrobatic antics. Then packed up and left. We grabbed Maccas on the way home and fed the boys (Duncan and Emerson) and then drove them home. We had lunch there and then back to Foxton Beach. The Sampsons were already home.
We had a leisurely afternoon and cooked tea (a Wally lasagne special - scrumptious). There was a game of 500 and Lelsey tried to mark her students work. But apart from that, it was very relaxing.
Off to bed in our tent quite late, and then up early in the morning clean up and to say goodbye to the Sampsons. Then we packed up and headed home. What a great weekend!
What am amazing weekend - but we're all absolutely bushed. And the next long weekend isn't until late October. Jeepers! How will we make it? Lucky we have our ski week planned.
My parents are off with Jamie on a cruise for the next 10-12 days. What excitement for them. I hope they all have a lot of fun.
Mike and Toby collected me from work at about 6.30pm on Friday and we left Wellington immediately. We must have double bluffed the exodus from Wellington for the long weekend as we had a trouble free drive up to Waikanae where we stopped for a cup of tea at the Tabor household. They were all very well and looking forward to the long weekend.
We left there at about 8.30pm (a long cup of tea I have to say) and found our crib accommodation at Foxton Beach about 35 minutes later. We managed to find the key and get in, but the first lights we tried didn't work so we thought we needed to turn power on. Blundering around in the dark was weird, then I decided to try another set of lights at the same time Mike decided to check the light bulb. The result was a smahed light bulb on the kitchen floor and the realisation we did have electricity after all. Hooray.
Mike pitched the tent and we made beds and we retired to the tent. I vaguely heard the Sampsons arrive from their Auckland drive but I couldn't rouse myself for anything at that point. Next morning we were up before them and made a cup of tea for them. Kicked breakfast off and then they were away for their first orienteering event (the whole reason we're in Foxton Beach).
The Gilberts lounged around reading and eating for the main part of the day - conserving energy for the hectic evening schedule. Heheheh. We left the crib at 2pm and wandered to the Adventure Park in Levin. Toby had it to himself as it was raining a bit. Mike and Toby played on the hamster wheel a lot. Then off to Otaki to look for jeans for Mike. But we got waylaid by cafes and ate more. Mike needed industrial strength coffee.
Eventually we dragged ourselves away from the wonders of Otaki to head to Waikanae for dinner. It was a great BBQ of sausages and salad. Very nice, thank you. After an hour or so there (with me filling in Aidan on my work escapades from Friday and made me feel a bit better) we piled Duncan and Emerson into our car and Josh followed behind in Moby. We drove to the Zoo where we had a Cub sleepover with Waikanae Cubs and Karori Cubs and Keas.
The Keas were taken away to the smaller venue and we filled the Archibald Centre with our gear and about 50 people (lots of Cubs and a few leaders and parents). Then Alex took us on our Zoo tour. Alex is a Zoo staff member and took us to explore parts of the zoo you don't normally see. We saw the kitchen where 2 fulltime chefs prepare the food from 4am to 7pm each day. There were two fridges - one for fruit and veges and one for meat. We tried to feed the giraffes but they were too busy sleeping by then. We made breakfast for the spider monkeys (egg cartons filled with porridge and raisins).
Back to the centre to get ready for bed. Phew! Late for some of the younger Cubs. Josh took a Cub and the attached parent home to Waikanae as he was sick! We had supper and went to bed. I guess it was around 10pm for lights out. Mike kept watch but they all went to sleep without any bother. I slept well.
Up at 6.30am and I went to buy more milk for breakfast at the local New World. Interesting life on the streets of Newtown at that time.
By the time I got back, breakfast was almost done and dusted. Tidied up and the last bit of the zoo tour. We fed the spider monkeys and enjoy some acrobatic antics. Then packed up and left. We grabbed Maccas on the way home and fed the boys (Duncan and Emerson) and then drove them home. We had lunch there and then back to Foxton Beach. The Sampsons were already home.
We had a leisurely afternoon and cooked tea (a Wally lasagne special - scrumptious). There was a game of 500 and Lelsey tried to mark her students work. But apart from that, it was very relaxing.
Off to bed in our tent quite late, and then up early in the morning clean up and to say goodbye to the Sampsons. Then we packed up and headed home. What a great weekend!
Friday, June 1, 2012
The Thursday with nothing - but why do I feel so busy?
Hi,
The weather is so unbelievable right now. I bought this mudguard two weeks ago and fitted it there and then at work. I was a bit concerned at riding down the hill with my eyes shut, you see. The flicked up water and muck ends up right in my eyes. Since then, not a wet road to be had. I still have no idea if the mudguard works in reality. But, of course, its mere presence is ensuring the rain stays at bay. Powerful, eh? And all for $25.
I rode home last night and achieved a new goal. I didn't use my bottom front cog at all. Stayed in the middle cog and rode up the hill with 9 gears to spare. Woo hoo! Bring on more hills!
Mike cooked a wonderful dinner last night. Work had these Sealord (seafood company here) dinner packs containing fresh vegetables and tuna and pasta and cooked it up. It was really very nice.
And no - it wasn't my glass of red wine in front of me. Hahahah.
Friday - yay! Got a long weekend. We're off to Foxton Beach with the Sampsons (they are down from Auckland) and we have a zoo sleepover on Saturday night, dinner in Waikanae, lunch with Yingjie and a whole lot of fun to squash in somewhere. I have my Kindle so I hope to read some too.
Have a fantastic day! Have a marvellous weekend.
Love,
Angela
The weather is so unbelievable right now. I bought this mudguard two weeks ago and fitted it there and then at work. I was a bit concerned at riding down the hill with my eyes shut, you see. The flicked up water and muck ends up right in my eyes. Since then, not a wet road to be had. I still have no idea if the mudguard works in reality. But, of course, its mere presence is ensuring the rain stays at bay. Powerful, eh? And all for $25.
I rode home last night and achieved a new goal. I didn't use my bottom front cog at all. Stayed in the middle cog and rode up the hill with 9 gears to spare. Woo hoo! Bring on more hills!
Mike cooked a wonderful dinner last night. Work had these Sealord (seafood company here) dinner packs containing fresh vegetables and tuna and pasta and cooked it up. It was really very nice.
And no - it wasn't my glass of red wine in front of me. Hahahah.
Friday - yay! Got a long weekend. We're off to Foxton Beach with the Sampsons (they are down from Auckland) and we have a zoo sleepover on Saturday night, dinner in Waikanae, lunch with Yingjie and a whole lot of fun to squash in somewhere. I have my Kindle so I hope to read some too.
Have a fantastic day! Have a marvellous weekend.
Love,
Angela
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