Roughage

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Our communications technology has finally joined the 21st century this week, with the completion of our fibre broadband internet connection. The modem arrived on Tuesday, and the technician booked for Friday came an hour early (though had two cups of coffee before actually starting work). This not only gives us a good fast connection (especially compared to hot-spotting off our phones), but also a local area network. This means I have now been able to set up our technology in the way which I had planned.

Pat and Clem came for lunch on Wednesday, which was a lovely treat. They had been having a few days in Ohakune and took time out to come and have a look at Whanganui and to pay us a visit. The morning ended up being a bit fraught, as I needed to do some shopping and Nicky had an appointment at the Medical Centre. This would have all worked out fine if it had not been for the roadworks on Somme Parade. Fortunately we had left a key for Clem and Pat so they were able to let themselves in and use the facilities. We had a very good catch up of news over lunch and really enjoyed our time with them.


The rest of the week has been more routine. We went to a Bake Sale in support of the Women’s Refuge and as a result discovered another café. It was part of a Community College and was very busy. We enjoyed the cheese scones and white chocolate and mixed berry muffins which we purchased. I have had a go at cleaning the high north facing windows, and made a reasonable job of the parts the that step ladder and my vertigo would allow me to reach. The higher parts don’t look quite so good. Nicky has made more progress with unpacking boxes from the sewing room, gardening both front and back, and made some lovely breads for Clem and Pat’s visit, which were are still enjoying today.


We spotted an unusual sight on Thursday. We see lots of funeral processions going up the road to the cemetery, but this one was a little different. Just three vehicles, a hearse, a motorcycle with sidecar, and another motorcycle. However, the sidecar had been replaced with the coffin!


Yesterday Nicky went for her influenza vaccination (no Covid-19 ones for us yet) and did some plant and seed packet shopping in Mitre 10 on the way back. I started to get our digital photos organised, as I have not yet produced last year’s photo book.


This morning Nicky got up in the dark to go to the Anzac Day dawn service. I get the feeling they all started a bit earlier this year, and it was still dark on Pukenamu Drive when Nicky parked the car. While trying to find the service (she could hear bagpipes) she stumbled and fell twice in the unlit park. At some point, she later discovered that she had lost the lovely silk scarf that she had been wearing. She made a pot of tea when she got back which we both enjoyed, and then we settled down again for some more zeds. This resulted in us both resurfacing very late and Nicky missing church. 


We had bought tickets for The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, which was being performed at the Royal Opera House (pictured below) this afternoon. After watering the garden (and concrete) and an early lunch we went into town to look for Nicky’s scarf. We soon found it, tied to a lamppost by a kindly soul. This put us in good spirits for our very first visit to Whanganui’s famous opera house. It is a great venue which I am sure we will enjoy visiting many times in the future. The performance? Powerful, moving and very well done.



As we approach the end of April, I (and I think Nicky too) am starting to get more used to the house. Being here is starting feel more normal.


Take care, Rick

Comments

Moira and Peter said…
Wondering if you have both signed up for the Whanganui Mandarin language course over the winter?
April 25, 2021 at 12:16 PM
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