Indoor BBQ

Aotearoa seems to get getting back to normal after the l o n g summer break; the schools are open again, the traffic is busier, the weather is indecisive and Friday was Waitangi Day.

The week began sunny and hot, but because we had planned our first BBQ of the season for Nicky’s house group social at our place, it started to rain on Wednesday. I had bought fresh charcoal and firelighters (this probably encouraged the rain even more) during the morning, along with some steak and bangers to cook. In the end I decided to use the indoor BBQ (aka: the grill) to cook the meat and it all worked out very well and we had a very good evening. Nicky had made a spicy plum pizza on Tuesday evening which didn’t look promising but tasted very good. The lobs served us dinner on Thursday and Friday.

We have never been to a Waitangi Day celebration, so because this year is the 175th anniversary of the signing and felt we should remedy this situation, so on Friday morning we drove over (in the rain) to Sir Barry Curtis Park in Flat Bush. The wind and the rain kept the initial numbers low, so we ended up being able to sit under cover with the dignitaries while watching the pōwhiri. We missed out on all the jokes in the speeches that were in Maori, but were pleased that we had experienced it. By the time the ceremony finished, the rain had stopped so we watched the first act on the stage - a kapa haka group who were very good.

We wandered back to the car and then headed off to the Botanical Gardens, cup of tea first, then a bit of a wander round before lunch. By this time the sun had come out and Nicky found us a spot outside the café which was in the sun and out of the wind. It was very pleasant having our lunch al fresco, and we really enjoyed it being cool enough to sit in the sun. We had another walk in the gardens before heading home for a pot of tea, plum pizza and a quiet evening.

Work wise Nicky has been as busy as ever at the library, and I have had some Mac work setting up a new Mac for one of my customers and dealing with issues resulting from a major OS upgrade for her. I also did a modelling job at Corban on Wednesday which was good, though my head did start to feel a little strange part way through, but it didn’t last too long. I have generally been feeling much better this week, but I still know that I am not quite back to my usual self (I hesitate to say normal!).

Yesterday started out dull but brightened up very well. After a late breakfast and hair cut I put the furniture out on the Rattigan as it was very pleasant and again cool enough to sit in the sun for reading and lunching. Steve and Stella came over for Scrabble and helped finish off some more of Wednesdays lobs.

Today has been cloudy, but less windy. I got started on the ironing which Nicky took over when she got back from church. This afternoon we have been to Ambury Regional Park and done the foreshore walk, which was very pleasant. The views along the Manukau all the way to the heads were good, and the peace, lack of crowds and birdsong were very agreeable. 

Blockhouse Bay is tucked behind this headland.

Tonight will be tellyboxing, as the only programmes we want to watch at the moment are both transmitted on Sunday night.

Take care, Rick