The weekend away in Methven

 Hi,

What a most excellent weekend away. Mike gave me this spa weekend trip for Christmas and this weekend was the time to actually do it! I had no idea really - but Mike had everything in hand.

Met our pre-ordered Uber at 5.25am. And he delivered us fast to the airport for our early check-in.

Lovely weather for our trip south

Getting our Avis Toyota hybrid Corolla Cross 

We landed in Chc super early on our 6.35am flight. All smooth sailing. Got our Avis rental car easily at the airport (A Corolla Cross hybrid - really nice car). Ana and Daniel met us here as they were down looking at land and another pup to join their family.

We headed to work because Mike was working there for the day. And we met Ana and Daniel there too. Hahah. Caught up with Martyn and then I left to go see Toby.

Strange bandit iced latte

Hi Martyn!

Toby, Tessa and I went to Little Poms (after I sorted through the crate in their garage left behind from the last time the van was in Chc) for brekkie. It was as good as ever. Mmmm.

Toby and me at Little Poms

Dune part 2

Then off to Northland. Or Northfield. Something like that. Where Tessa used to work. We got tickets for Dune part 2 - and with fancy seats that vibrate in time with the action on the screen. Went to Farmers and got some work clothes for Tessa before the movie started.

These fancy chairs vibrate with the action on-screen

The movie was so good. Exceptional, really. I loved it.

Then back to collect Mike from work and off to Pomeroys a bit early. 4.30pm at a pub is probably a tad too early. Especially when dinner was 6.30pm.

Sam and Steph arrived. And then Ana and Daniel (after they bought their land - and saw their pup). Had a lovely meal and a few beverages.

Pomeroys

It was late by the time we dropped Toby and Tessa home and headed to Methven. 10.30pm by the time we found our chalet at Pudding Hill. Fumbled with the lockbox for a bit - it was a bit fiddly. 

1.30am bed

The place was freezing. Such a clear night. Turned on all the heaters and climbed into bed and snuggled with Mike. Was asleep in seconds.

Fire alarm Angela is sleepy

But at 1.30am, we were awakened by the fire alarm. Please evacuate the building using the nearest exit. With alarm sounds.

We bumbled around flinging clothes and shoes on and out the door. Then stood in the dark and contemplated what we did next.

Turns out in another chalet was another guest - Jim. So Mike chatted to him. And it turns out Jim works for the fire industry. And what's more, the fire panel was one of his company's boards. Mike read out the panel labels because Jim fled his room without his glasses. And they silenced the board.

Good, because after about 15 mins in the clear, cold, frosty night, in my hoodie and crocs, I was freezing!

Back to bed. And hoping no more alarms.

Morning view of our room

I slept in. Not surprising. Up for a run. Turns out the distance from the gate to the road is 2.5km. Perfect for a 5k run.

Mt Hutt with a skiff of snow

TV room

The spa

Then off to the spa session. We had the tranquillity pool booked for 2 hours from 12.30. Fitted in a walk in the enchanted forest where Mike finished the Peak to Pub run. So nice, Cute.

The swim was so good. They have a wet bar so you can order food and drink and eat in the pool. It was busy so we got our food in a floating cane basket thing. Such fun.

They are so well set up. You get this wristband with your locker number. And it unlocks it electronically. And afterwards - there's this centrifuge that spins your togs dry! Wow!

Loved the whole place - the people were so nice. The venue is amazing. Food is simple and good. I was looking forward to the couples massage on Sunday at this point.

With their solar array

Enchanted forest walk

Mike surveys the spa and mountains

Lovely set up

Back to watch Taylor Swift on Disney Plus at Pudding Hill. Then off to The Dubliner for dinner with Mike.  It was busy and the server was so nice. At the end of dinner, we shared dessert. And Mike got a port. The server gave it to him saying she had no idea how good it was going to me. Mike laughed. Tasted alright, he said.

A wonderful day.

Off to bed, hoping for no more alarms. I slept like a rock. Up to misty rain. We went for a run. Mike did the run twice to get a 10k in. 

Misty rain at Pudding Hill on Sunday morning

Checked out, knowing we would be back to stay here again. I do love this place. Then into Primo in Methven for brekkie.

Primo iced latte

Gorgeous wee dog

We had time to kill before our massage at 1.45pm. So headed to Rakaia Gorge to skim stones. But there is a new walk from a few new laybys. So we stopped to see the view - then walked down to the river and back up again. Picked blackberries along the way. There was a jet boat race through buoys - so I didn't skim stones.

Rakaia gorge

Taniwha walk

New layby by the bridge

Jet boat racing

Skimming stones

Headed back to Methevn and the spa. Loved the massage. So you get a watch with a number that opens a locker. And in there, you get a robe and towel. Stripped to undies and used the robe. Met Mike outside the spa rooms. And Tanira and Gabby (ok - probably got those names wrong) met us, took us through the health sheets and then we were in the room.

Spa iced latte before our massage

1 hour went fast! It was so good. Then changed and then driving back to Chc. Picked Toby up and went to the airport. Had Lone Star nibbles before going to Macs Bar at the airport where Tessa works.

Juice Newtown. Hahah. Delicious.

Toby chats to Tessa

Finished our photos session with Toby seeing all the Hawaii pics. Then off to board. My bag triggered the scanner because I had a tool inside from the van clear out. But they let me keep it as it was 19.99cm long.

Ubered back to Wellington to our house. Fed the cats. And off to bed.

Moxley wakes up

And back at work. Woot! Such a good weekend. Thank you Mike.

Love,

Angela

The Wednesday with work

 Hi,

As I pulled on one of my nice, new Star Wars socks yesterday morning, I reflected on the fact that up until Chelsea got me these socks, I had no idea how uplifting for my daily routine it would be to encase my feet in Star Wars socks. Loving it!

Loving my Star Wars socks, Chelsea

Morning tea

I was on morning tea duty at work and made date loaf and kiwi crisps. Lucky I made two things as it was a bit sparse on the morning tea table.

Rode home after work and waited for Mike. Then he made delicious tofu stir fry. Mmmmm. I used the evening to pack for our weekend away to Methven. 

Mike took the opportunity to clear a mouse (catch #26 I think) from the trap by the front door. But it was a bit too dark to clear the others.

The cats wandered out to explore while we did that. And they loved it. Both snuggled up together under the porch at one point. I think letting them out when they were in a crepuscular mood was both good and bad. Smudge was really keen to explore and she is usually quite timid.

Mouse #26

A very decomposed mouse

And then off to bed for a pretty good sleep. Up early for me to have brekkie and make a coffee for Mike and ride to work.

But when I got to the gym, Mike pinged to say he got a migraine and he's back in bed. Poor thing.

Squats this morning. 57.5kg. 4 reps x 5 sets

So I used a bit of his morning gym session on top of mine and did an hour. Squats. Which I find quite hard work. Saw Dan in there for the first time in ages. I did 57.5kg squats. 4 reps over 5 sets. Not too bad. Then accessories. Hammies. Abductors. Leg press.

At work now. Run after work along the waterfront. Then home to look after Mike and ensure we're ready for an early start tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

Love,

Angela

The Tuesday with normal work things

 Hi,

Mike went for a huge run after work yesterday. To Niwa and back. 10km. And he was strong as, bro! Good on him.

I got home from work and fed the cats and then myself. My fave dinner, basil, tomato and mozzarella - with avocado. For double the green.

My fave dinner, tbh

Mike got home after catching up with Andrew in town and we chatted away before falling asleep a little later than I would have liked. I read too late.

Up at 6am - and Mike declared a non-gym day for him immediately. I like a decisive Mike. So up I got. And off to town on my bike. Quick change at work - bumped into Maureen. I have not seen her for ages. And then to gym. Where Quentin totally rewarded me for my diligence. He got me an iced latte on his way in.

#winning

Early gym attendee gets the icy drink

Chat with Quentin on Mike still in bed

Bench. 35kg. 4 reps x 4 sets. I am soft.

I was soft in my bench. I need more sessions with Sally. Low weight high volume on Saturdays.

Back at work. Day in the office. Then if it is not too yucky at 5pm, a run along the waterfront sounds good.

Hope your day is awesomeness.

Love,

Angela

The Monday working from home

 Hi,

Monday was good working from home. The blind people came so lucky I was there. They measured all the remaining windows for new blinds. I am so excited.

Manic Monday iced latte selfie

Smudge ate her food!

The lounged like a queen

I baked

Smudge ate her food. She's been off it since we took her to the vet. Like an outraged hunger strike. Except she eats her kibble happily.

Had a good sleep. 5.30am was rude though. Rode in - in the dark! What has happened since I last rode in? It's only been 3 weeks.

Tuesday morning deads - 80kg 3 reps x 5 sets

New water feature near work

French Kiss iced latte

Big day at work. First time here for a bit too. Before tramping trip.

Home after work. Then do it all again.

Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Wellington

 Hi,

What a weekend. I was sure I did nothing. But no. Got up to lots. Thursday saw me and Mike out for Float after work. So good. Mike is sure he slept. It is very relaxing. Then we headed to Master Kong for tea. Mmmmm. Thank you Mike!

My photos are all messed up in the timeline. Be ready for a quantum leap through the weekend! 

Thursday night we went to Float Well and enjoyed a double float. 1 hour in the pod was so nice. Then we went to Master Kong and had a delicious meal.

Dinner Thursday after Float

Master Kong

Home to bed!

Saturday afternoon saw Mike away for Survivor Night and me off to the rugby to watch Wellington Poua play Matatuu. I was fully expecting Matatuu to smash them. And that would have made me pretty happy as Matatuu is the southern wahine team. But no.

Rugby day!

I caught the 14 bus down nice and early. And sat in my Aisle 32 Row DD, Seat 152 very early to watch training. Then at 4.30 the game started. And Wellington was pretty much always on top. But it was a close, good game.

Training

Colder now

Despite it being nice in the morning and early afternoon, I got really cold sitting in the stands as the southerly change kicked in. But we stayed dry. Woot!

Caught the 14 bus home and was there by 19:00. Had some dinner and snuggled with the cats.

Moxley cuddled up

On the bus to visit Christine

Saturday morning saw Mike off to Upper Hutt for Park Run and me to Joe's Garage to catch up with Christine. Mike's plans to head to Wainuiomata from running did not pan out. So he came to Joe's Garage and we all caught up with Christine.

Run, Mike, Run

We heard about Tom and his gap year. And Tilly - her horse. And J3. If you know, you know.

Joe's Garage iced latte

Then home and to rugby (but due to the quantum nature of this blog post, I have covered that off above).

Sunday saw me without a car and it a bit tricky to carve out time to ride with Sally. Stink. I ended up staying at home and getting things done ahead of Mike's arrival back from surviving.

Monday iced latte

Tiny capsicum

Bobbly clouds

Birthday socks from Chelsea! Yippee!

Mike returned - he survived! - and then Wally came over and they dismantled the Subaru dashboard. It didn't take absolute ages. But it was tricky. We have a lot of video footage now - with swearing and inane conversation about our lives. Not sure it will be a YouTube sensation. 

Sneak preview. THERE'S THE EVAPORATOR CORE, I CAN SEE IT

Andrew popped over on his way to collect his mother from Bluebridge. And we all chatted before Mike and I had some tea and watched some YouTube and went to bed.

That was our weekend.

In snippets via a quantum leap.

Love,

Angela