The Wednesday with dropping my road bike off for a service and seeing James

Hi,

Happy birthday to Vivienne!

I did get to Spin during the day yesterday, which was ok.  Not my best attempt at exercise ever - but not the worst either.  And as I figure it, it is better to be trying than sitting at my desk, wondering.

It doesn't sound as pithy as it did in my head.  I don't think I am going to make headlines with a sound bite with that sentence.

Anyway, I got home and cooked tea for Toby.  Spag bol.  One of his favourites.  And I left him scoffing a huge bowlful.  I also asked him to tidy away leftovers if he had any.  And knock me down with a feather.  When I got home from my messages, he had used Gladwrap and everything.  He is amazing.

I dropped my bike off at Gary the bike mechanic's place, just around the corner from Sally and Andrew's place.  I checked mail and pushed it through the window.  And scouted the place out - and the sheds.  All looking good.

As I went to pull away, Celia texted.  So I texted back to say I would pop around - they just live around the corner from 40WLW.

And, guess what?  Spotto!  Yes, I parked opposite a yellow car.  And now I look at the photo, it was a regular rainbow on the street.  Celia's new car is a dashing blue, too.  If only I had got that one in the same pic.  Yes, I have slightly odd bucket lists from most people.  Hahahah.

The start of a rainbow

Anyway, I found James at home.  And I haven't seen pain etched on someone's face like that for a long time.  Poor guy.  His collarbone must be busted up pretty bad.  We chatted a bit before Celia got home - I heard all about his actual crash.  And then we all chatted a bit more.

But, before long it was time to head back into town and collect Mike and get home.  Woot!  He was working late.

Collapsed into bed and was so sleepy.  Good long sleep before getting up and going in early for Spin.  Which was a lot better this morning than Wednesday lunchtime.  Thank goodness.

And today is stunning here in Wellington.  If a cruise ship docks, immigration is going to be inundated with requests for residency.

Enjoy your day - whatever you do.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that should be Thursday

Hi,

I got another photo of feet late yesterday - this one was evidence of location.  Roxburgh dam.  Good old central Otago.  I hope they got a Jimmys Pie for their efforts.  Mmmm.

Cycling feet over Roxburgh dam

Mike has a friend called Jo, and she has only just recently got her cast off her wrist from a snowboard injury.  Anyway, I have been trying to convince her to start riding her bicycle into work and she finally did it yesterday.  And texted me to tell me.  Then, about 3 minutes after she sent me the text, she crossed the road with the green man, and a car ran her over.  Squashed her foot.  Sent her to hospital in an ambulance.  And now has crutches and a huge stitch-filled gash in her foot.  Nothing broken - which sounds kinda amazing to me.

Mike and I think she shouldn't be allowed out unless she is wrapped in cotton wool.

Last night I scared myself silly riding home.  Between Rugby House and the Thai embassy, the wind gusts were fierce and had me leaned over significantly to fight to stay upright.  Which, you know, would be fine if that was all I had to contend with.  But avoiding getting squashed by traffic at the same time isn't a lot of fun.

Smudge shows her tongue

 I sorted out dinner for Toby - and then we both took photos of Smudge as she sat on the window sill, with her tongue poking out.  It really makes her look quite dumb - but still very cute.

Put up a good effort

And it was Melbourne Cup yesterday.  I did get a horse in the sweep at work.  And it got up to third pace late in the race - but it was all too tough for it.  Which is understandable - it's a crazy long race.

Windy weather last night here.  My road bike is due for a service so I am taking it in after work to see Gary.  And picking it up again last night.

Have a brilliant day.

Love,
Angela

The Monday that went so fast that I forgot to put a title on the blog post

Hi,

Well, that Monday went fast!  What happened there?

I did get a photo of the continued cycling adventure from the contingent down south.  However, all I can ascertain from the photo is that they have got nice weather.  And it isn't too muddy.

Andrew sends a foot shot

It does look very pleasant, wherever they are.

I rode home after work, and Mike and Toby were already in the kitchen and tidying up.  Toby cooked tea (with Mike's instructions) and I ate seconds!  Yum.  Pesto pasta.

After some serious laundry (I found my slightly gross gym gear in a bag from the weekend!) I read while Mike did something (sounded awfully like Russian car accidents or Tube train documentaries to me) before collapsing into bed.

Slept the sleep of the dead.  Heaven.  Ok - those are two weird sentences side by side.

And, now the weather is set to change.  Gale force winds.  No rain though.  Or, maybe it will rain, but it will be so windy that the rain comes down, gets swept horizontally and falls in Blenheim.  On top of Iona.  Who won't care, as she will be in the hospital, being inducted.  Or something.  Oh, I should stress that her induction is of a work nature.  Nothing else involving being inducted in a hospital.  Just in case you thought it was some amazing miracle.  Ok, I will stop rambling now.

Time for a big drink of water.

Enjoy your day.

Love,
Angela

The weekend in Wellington

Hi,

We had a good weekend.  Friday night the boys watched "The Wrestler".  I watched to, up til the fight where there was barbed wire and blood involved.  But the boys said it was good, if depressing.

Saturday I was up early for a Spin class - and Sreejith joined me.  Woot!  Mike got the roof racks for the car while I was at the gym.  I showered at work and then Mike collected me (and my bike).

Gorgeous morning in Wellington today

We did a few messages - saw bathroom vanities that we might quite like.  That sort of thing.

Day of the dead in Wellington - Mike was drinking Garage Project beer

In the afternoon we went into an alleyway in the middle of town and celebrated the Day of the Dead with beer and nachos.  Mike got me some vegan nachos.  I was very pleased.  But Toby and I got bored.  We decided to nip out and see Thor at 4pm.  Best decision ever.  Got even better halfway through the movie when Thor cut his hair.  He is a good looking man - and especially nice with short hair.

Christmas mince tarts at the supermarket.  Yucky.

Toby and I tried to catch up with Mike - but by 6.30pm he was dancing in the alleyway with his friends.  Hmmm.  Toby and I went home by bus at that point.

Iona and her car full of household goods - including a bit of her favourite flax bush

Next morning I was up super early to get a coffee for Iona and meet her at the ferry terminal.  We sat in her car, and she talked to me through the flax bush in her front seat.  Yes, it was a wee bit odd.  But good to chat to her before she got on the ferry.

She starts her new job today!  Wow!  And Col has a lot of house to still sort out, and make sure it looks good for open home sessions.  Good on them!

We have new roof racks!

Vegan nachos - they were good

And a photo of our car, because I like it

Mike - just take the photo!  Iced coffee at Caffeind

And, the afternoon passed in a haze of laundry and reading and lounging in the sunshine on the deck (out of the wind).  Rather pleasant.

Anyway, the week looms ahead.  Busy week.  I want to do a ride after work on Thursday.  Let's see how that goes.

Enjoy your week.

Love,
Angela

The Thursday with date night

Hi,

During the day I managed to convince someone to have a meeting at the local cafe.  So I at least got myself one of the best iced lattes around.

Iced latte with Mark

And... ok - the jury is out on whether it can actually be called date night if our son tagged along.  Having put this concept out to a few at work beforehand, they seemed to think it wasn't really date night.

But, whatever the label, it was good fun.  Toby came to my work and chilled out while my meeting ended.  Mike came past to collect us, and we went to Felix for a drink. Some confusion meant I ended up with two drinks.  They were both good.  Just a lot of liquid.

From there we went to Mr Go's and ate yummy things.  We shared a table with three others, which was entertaining.  Toby liked his fries but wasn't very adventurous elsewhere on the menu.


We went for a walk around the waterfront, up past Freyburg pool and sat watching the sea for a bit.  Heard about Toby talking to Sahara for the first time in that playground next door.  Awwww - so cute.

Back to Courtney Place for an ice cream.  I checked the photo out after Mike took it, and died with fright at the state of my hair.  Why hadn't the boys said it looked a fright?  Look at it! 

Eis Kaffee ice cream - cappuccino flavoured

See Mike in the mirror?

Star Wars posters were up for the new movie coming out on Dec 14th.  If they have a midnight showing, I will be there - again!

Now you see him

Now you don't

 Blade runner 2049 was good.  But sooooooo long.  It was midnight before I was in bed.  We got to a 2030 session, but it was 2320 by the time we left the cinema. 

Good movie.  We all liked it.  I thought it did well with a continued storyline.

Sunflowers brighten the office

It's the weekend!  Woot!  We have more new roof than I ever thought we would have at this end of the week.  But now the gales force winds are here, and progress will stall - again.

We need to buy a few things.  Bathroom vanity.  That sort of thing.  And I need a bike ride of some sort in there.  And a bike service.

Exciting.

Right.  Time for the day to kick in proper.  Enjoy yours.

Love,
Angela

The Wednesday with bits and bobs

Hi,

The motorway was broken last night after work, so I texted Mike and he jumped on a train to his meeting after work.  That meant I could grab the car and take home my bike and some groceries.  I avoided the motorway entirely but as I drove over an overbridge across the motorway, I could see it was at a complete standstill.  At home I checked on Stuff, and there were two accidents on SH1 and SH2 that blocked everything.

My route through Kelburn and Northland was absolutely fine.  I cooked tea for Toby and sat outside on the deck enjoying the still evening.

Made it into Spin nice and early this morning.  Thursday morning Spin class is a rather good way to start the day.

Tonight is date night - with Toby.  Oh.  Anyway - we are going to see Bladerunner 2049.  Very excited.

Hope your day is good fun.

Love,
Angela

The Tuesday that felt like the other day starting with t

Hi,

How can a Tuesday feel like it should be Thursday?  I totally wanted to wear my purple shirt.  But no.  It was only Tuesday.

My bike ride in was hot, hot, hot this morning.  I wanted to strip off the cycling jacket on my way in and enjoy t-shirt weather.

When Mike and I got home, we decided to crank up the BBQ and enjoy the beautiful evening on the deck.  As did Smudge.

Have you got any meaty goodness?  Oh, no, you don't.  Let me try Mike.

Cat model lurking for BBQ leftovers

Look at my BBQ dinner!  My husband is so good!

Mike fires up the BBQ for us to enjoy still, warm evenings on the deck

I caught up with Rex and Jo and had an iced latte with them.  Sllluuurrrpppp.  We hadn't caught up for ages so it was good to get their take on recent things.

Iced latte and iced choc (for Jo) at the best cafe - Machete

And the team all went out to lunch to celebrate a new team member in Wellington.  We tried a new place called Pickle and Pie.  Or Pie and Pickle.  No, Pickle and Pie I think.  I had a mushroom and cheese roll.  It was tasty.  They made me an iced latte and nailed it - even though it wasn't on their menu.  And I found out what super power my team would choose if they could have one.

Pie and Pickle did an iced latte - and it was good!

Despite the mania of the day, I think the various iced coffees made it all good in the end.  Woot!

Hope your day is as good as here.  Probably won't be - it's a stunner here.

Love,
Angela