The Tuesday with busy things

 Hi,

Waaaaah - Toby has left Wellington. And I was so busy yesterday that I couldn't fit in a blog post. Sorry.

Started washing the algae off the deck window panes

But when I worked from home on Monday I started washing the deck glass during my lunch break. They come up well. If only my arms were another 5 cm longer.

I will figure out how to get those last few cms done. And they will all look awesome. We need to get them painted too.

Comparison of one done and one not

She chases spiders in the bath - so she's waiting

Tuesday saw me at work and busy as, bro. I got some iced lattes to get me through the day. And it went pretty well. So - yay!

Planning day iced latte

And a photo bomb!

Rode home and Mike was already there with his Mevo, ready to take Toby to the airport. They both loved driving the Tesla there.

Driving the Mevo Tesla to the airport

Toby drew ... things

Bye Toby and Tessa

Caught up with David too and said goodbye to Toby and Tessa. They are off to Chc. Then next week they are off to Hawaii. Wow!

I miss Toby already.

Love,

Angela

The weekend back in Wellington

 Hi,

What a busy weekend around Wellington. Friday saw me go for a run. At lunch time. And it was so hot! Gah!

Wearing my new beanie - with home made iced latte

2024 I get back to running. It was HOT!

Garden is dazzling

I have actual zucchinis

I do have actual zucchinis growing from the wee plant Celia gave me. So happy to see them. Watching them daily now.

Another garden shot

Walnuts from Col and Iona

Post gym iced latte

Saturday saw us up for Park Run for Mike and gym for me. Sally walked up at 9am and we joined Mike and Janine for a post Park Run coffee - and a post gym session 1 for me. Then Mike, Sally and I went to the gym for my second session.

Bench 32.5kg 5 reps x 4 sets

Relaxing at the gym between sets

Second post gym session

Then brekkie at the convention centre. I must find out the name of this cafe.

Toby looks seedy - but still handsome

Iced latte

Te Papa

We went to Te Papa for a flying visit before going to the Marvel exhibition. We all enjoyed that.

Toby and his old friend

My gannet

Toby and The Hulk

Me and The Thing

Toby and The Thing

Tessa and The Thing

Toby and Black Panther

Me and Black Panther. Barely indistinguishable.

My fave

We pose with Spidey

I climb buildings with Spiderman

Cap'n Murica

Fe man

I do not know Ms Marvel

Me

Us

Toby

Me

The leaning fern

Back home to check on things like our great leaning fern. It is an iconic part of our view - always has been. And since NYs it has leaned away from the deck. It used to lean into the deck. So in gusty winds (like we have now) I am constantly worried it will topple like the slightly smaller one did during 2020.

We might try and tether it.

Saturday saw us go to 40WLW for dinner. Burger Wisconsin. Mmmm. Thank you, Sally.

Sunday we were up early and headed to Petone to see "A boy and the heron" from Studio Gibli. Great fun!

At the cinema

Iced latte

Then back home via Sally and Andrew's place for brunch. Home to sort out dinner and sell the Focus. Roast lamb and potatoes and a very salty gravy. I made salad and grilled asparagus. It was pretty good.

A chap drove down from Napier to look at the Ford Focus Mike put on TradeMe on Friday evening after it got a detail on Friday. And it is now sold. The young 20 year old bought it. $12.5k. Cash. Which is now in the bank so do not come to find it at our place. We are back to only having small change in the house. We are going to do a separate blog on the car situation. On Dec 1st, 2023 we had 5 vehicles (if you include the trailer). And as of Sunday night (Jan 14) we have one. But that is in AKL so... really... none right now at our disposal. eBike for the win!

Bed for me not long after we had tea. Toby and Tessa went out. 

Up for a run for me and gym for Mike. Woot!

WFH this morning then a bike ride in at lunch time for a long meeting this afternoon.

Take care. Have a great week.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday travelling back to Wellington

 Hi,

Well, here I am back at work after a huge summer break. And there will be blog posts on the tramp and a bit about our camping in Westport. It was so good. And we got such good weather.

Anyway. Yesterday was the trip back home. We spent the day lazing about at Iona and Col's house. Wandered down to the cafe next to Countdown (still not rebranded there yet) for lunch. Andrea got a wash on but we decided to wait until Wellington. 

Camping in Iona's backyard

The day started out overcast and we even got a few spots of rain. But by the time Col and Iona got home, it was scorching hot. Blenheim is a pretty great place.

This cafe gets it!

They had a BLAT on the menu. And substituted haloumi for bacon. So I had a HALT. Delicious.

Iced latte at Revive

We caught up with Helen as she was visiting Blenheim and staying with Iona and Col. We camped in their backyard. Thank you so much for letting us stay there. Especially with Col starting her new job this week too. Hectic in the household. But they made us so welcome (as always).

Everyone got home and we chatted briefly before driving to Picton. It really is only 20 minutes to get there from their house.

Onto the ferry in good time and into our cabin. I did puzzles and read. Mike and Andrea enjoyed some food and drink. I ate so much fruit. Mmmmm. And I even got some sleep towards the end.

In our ferry cabin

Stunning views all the way across the strait

Back home to empty the car into the garage and the foyer. It is all a bit of a shambles. Andrea met Toby and Tessa and then we were all not long out of bed.

Good sleep in our own bed. Ahhhhhhh.

Up to work from home today. Work has renovations happening this week so everyone is remote. I checked the garden. My zucchini has finally made some actual zucchini. Two wee ones. I will water them lots over this week and see if they get to be a decent size. There will be a lot of zucchini in my life.

I have 2 zucchinis!

Thursday stunner in Wellington

The day looks stunning. Mike and I are working and can hear chaos upstairs as the cleaners have arrived. And they will barely be able to move around for the debris everywhere still.

Right. Have a brilliant day. Business as usual is resumed. Hope  your summer break was as good as ours.

Love,

Angela