Birthdays

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 I have discovered that I am married the the Phantom Strimmer of Old Aramoho Town. Nicky has really got to grips with the strimmer, or line trimmer as they are called here, this week. I have had a couple of goes as well, to help clear the area where we plan to have the paths and see what it looks like:



While gardening has been the focus of Nicky’s week, I have had some MacOnSite work. One of my customers lives in Palmerston North which is only an hour’s drive away, and her Mac needed a major software upgrade. I drove over on Tuesday to collect it, worked on it on Tuesday afternoon, on Wednesday, and returned her Mac on Thursday. It made quite a nice change from working remotely.


Nicky had her life group Christmas social on Tuesday afternoon and then in the evening went to a Nativity play with Frances (baking required for both events). This was presented by adults with special needs and included much sheep and magi humour. A good evening was had by all.


We popped over to see Dorothy (friend of a friend in Auckland) on Thursday afternoon, now that she and her daughter Kim have been in their new Whanganui home a few months. It was good to see her again, and interesting to see what they have built and had landscaped.


Mid-Friday afternoon we went over to St. John’s in Matarewa to help set up for an Advent BBQ. We had made pizza to contribute to the buffet, and helped with tables, chairs, gazebos and fairy lights. The highlight of the event was a visit by the local Whanganui Pipe Band, who were very good. Others, especially small people, also enjoyed the pony rides. When we got home, we sat outside watching the river, sun setting and enjoying a pot of tea while the air conditioner cooled the house.


Yesterday was very warm, 28°C in the shade. As a result, we had quite a long lunch break to avoid the hottest period. Nicky worked in the garden and I fitted a final section of drainage conduit by the drive. I just need a couple of junction clips (which are on order) to complete it. We had a chat with Claire to wish her happy birthday. In the evening we watched The Queen with Helen Mirren and Martin Sheen after tea, and had a few hands of Mah Jong.


We started Nicky’s birthday celebrations today with an early pot of tea as daylight dawned. The weather was as wet as expected so the planned beach picnic was off the cards. After tomatoes and bacon on toast, Nicky went off to church. I made walnut bread and did the ironing. We had smoked salmon and aioli on the walnut bread for lunch, along with crisps and humus. Nicky suggested a trip to the Whanganui Museum because of the weather and because we hadn’t yet been. It turned out to be a very nice local museum, with some interesting displays and a good shop. Nicky particularly enjoyed the fine Gottfried Lindauer paintings exhibition. For me it was the Whanganui settlement display based on Victoria Avenue in Whanganui’s CBD. We will return in the future. 


Jacqui, Elaine and Mark came over for birthday cake (passion fruit cheesecake) and tea and coffee when we got back, and we had a good chat about local mini beasts and Christmas plans. I made a cranberry and pistachio baked brie dish for tea, to go with the remaining walnut bread, but it was disappointing. The garlic overpowered the subtle flavour of the brie and masked the sweetness of the cranberries, so if I prepare it again, I will omit the garlic. It has been an enjoyable day.


It looks like we are in for a wet week as, so I foresee jigsaws and Christmas preparations in my crystal ball.


Take Care, Rick and Nicky.

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