Windy City

You might have felt a bit short changed last week Dear Reader, and understandably so. The observant ones among you will have noticed that I posted earlier than usual, and finished without covering Sunday very much. This is because (a) I don't like to discuss future plans on the blog as it is in the public domain, and although I know I have a very select readership, you don't know who might be looking over your shoulder, and (b) we were off to Wellington.

My job with the Electoral Commission required me to attend a four day training course in Wellington, and as my expenses and hotel accommodation were being paid for, Nicky came with me (managed to get her a cheap flight due to her doing most of the peddling). I had not been to Wellington before (so was looking forward to seeing something of the place), and had not done a domestic flight in NZ before.

A taxi took us to the airport for our 16.30 departure, where we met up with the other people from our electorate and some neighbouring ones. There were about 120 people from all over the country attending the course, many arriving in Wellington around the same time so shuttle buses to the hotel had been laid on for us. Cherry, my Returning Officer, had booked for us all to eat in the hotel restaurant in the evening as they were doing a buffet hot dinner. This was a good opportunity to meet people from other electorates in our region. Nobody lingered however, as we were all eager to get back to our rooms to watch the last episode of Broadchurch.

The training venue was just a few minutes walk from the hotel, but the heavy rain on Monday morning ensured that we were all quite damp when we got there. Nicky, after joining me for a lovely cooked buffet breakfast, decided the most appropriate response to the rain was to stay in the hotel, watch the football with a pot of tea, read, knit and have a facial at the spa. She had dinner alone as I went over to Te Papa Tongarewa (New Zealand's National Museum) for a "welcoming indoor BBQ". Part of the purpose of the training course is to get to know other Electorate managers (each Electorate has three: Returning Office, Human Resources Manager, and Operations Manager (me)) as there is much interaction between the electorates in each region and ones close by. The network of electorate managers provide each other with a "self-help facility".

Tuesday was an early start for the trainees, but at least it wasn't raining, and I got to see the sea from the office windows. All our tea breaks and lunches were taken on the 9th floor, so we had a good view out over the waterfront. I hadn't quite realised how much I missed it, as I get to see the sea most days at home in Auckland.

View from the office window

Tuesday evening was my only free evening, so Nicky and I had arranged to have dinner with Alastair (Ros's brother) and his wife Margaret. It took us about half an hour to walk to their home (including the steep hill at the end) but we had a very good evening and excellent dinner. We appreciated that they must have lovely views across town when it isn't dark.

Wednesday was fine and clear, though as windy as Wellingtons reputation. Nicky again had dinner on her own as I had to attained the official training dinner at the Foxglove Ballroom. Entertainment was to be provided primarily by the trainees. We had to write limericks, create origami mascots, and perform "skits" (which we had thankfully rehearsed in advance). It was an interesting evening but I can't say that I particularly enjoyed it.

Thursday morning was bright and clear and still, so after checking out of the hotel I set off early to the office so that I could take some pictures along the waterfront on the way. 

Nicky spent between two and six hours each day at Te Papa, her main aim for the week as there is so much to see. She gave herself a treat of a guided tour on Wednesday, only to discover that she was the only one, so had a very tailored tour covering parts of the museum she had not yet seen. The highlight for her was the modern marae which took her breath away.

I had not been able to book Nicky on the same return flight as me, so she got a bus out to the airport for her 13.30 flight. My 16.00 departure was delayed by half an hour, which was problematic for the driver of the taxi which I had booked, but we got home safe and sound. A combination of not having been shopping all week and been very well fed in Wellington mean we really enjoyed our beans on toast for tea. We were both quite tired (neither of us slept very well in Wellington) so we were pleased to be home and off to our own bed. Of course, all the good food in Wellington has had a corresponding impact on my waistline.

Even though the training was quite intense, it was a good week and very useful meeting lots of people in the same situation. Nicky enjoyed her time wandering round the museum and not being at work, even though it wasn’t a “proper holiday”.

We had a good nights sleep, and Friday dawned cold and damp. The man arrived to fix the washing machine, and by the time he left (with quite a few of our dollars) the sun had come out, so we got the laundry done. I went and did some shopping, Nicky sorted out her earring collection, and we did lots of general pottering.

Yesterday was sunnier than expected, so I did a small load of whites while watching the football. I had a walk down to Olympic Park to see if I could find the tree which I helped plant last weekend (which I did) while Nicky did the ironing. She had bought a nice bottle of wine for us in Wellington and that was consumed while watching “The Good Shepherd” on the tellybox.

After getting board with Holland v Costa Rica this morning, I went out to Karekare while Nicky was at church. The sea was quite cool but the weather was dry and I had a good walk. Nicky has spent this afternoon cleaning before going off to Stella’s for Scrabble. We are planning an evening of tellybox viewing.

Take care,

Rick