A bite or two

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 Exciting is a word that could be used to describe this week. However, enjoyable, occasionally damp, and very windy at the beginning, would be a more accurate way of putting it.


Valda (friend from Auckland) and Erica (fellow Christ Church parishioner) who also happen to know each other, came round for afternoon tea on Monday. We hadn’t known that Valda was visiting her son, until Nicky was at church on Sunday. It was great to catch up and share smoked salmon, sandwiches and scones with them.


We hosted Nicky’s Home Group for an afternoon tea social on Tuesday. A good selection of food was enjoyed by the ten of us. News and views were exchanged. We enjoyed the leftovers with some soup for dinner.


Wednesday was a “free” day. While I raided the supermarkets Nicky tackled laundry and gardening. We had an after lunch trip to the pharmacy in Gonville and Mitre 10. Both our airing racks have suffered damage by being blown over, so replacements are required. We finished the day by helping our team, this week called Charlotte’s Websters, come first at the quiz night again. This was the first time since we joined the  team that we won without Tiana’s assistance. Charlotte is the “team captain’s” four month old daughter, much cuddled by as many team members as possible.


The wind dropped on Thursday, so while Nicky staffed the Aramoho Community Library, I cleaned the fences and weeded in the haha. For the Community Kai in the evening Nicky made a chocolate and orange cake and I prepared a baguette of herb bread. Frances, her son Adam, and his daughter Phoenix were at the meal (visiting from Auckland). Adam and I had a good long chat, which we haven’t had the opportunity to do before. Nicky and I shared a pot of tea and watched The Chase on our return home.


Friday was International Chocolate Day. We had a clear night so there was a little frost around, some of which adorned the Kowhai in the front garden:



After having my flu vaccination (which turned out to be free because of my going to Te Rito and not a pharmacy or Medical Centre) and doing the supermarket shopping again, I bought some posh chocs for Nicky and I:



The one with the blush was passionfruit, the other lemon curd. Nicky cut them both in half so that we could both get to taste them. They were just gorgeous. At $2.80 each they were most definitely a treat.


Yesterday started quite damp and unappealing, so we started a jigsaw. By early afternoon it was sunny and pleasant. While Nicky worked in the front garden I finished strimming the back, which I had started on Friday. We had the lounge ranch sliders open until the temperature dropped, and then had jacket spuds for dinner.


Today’s winter weather forecast was for occasional rain turning to showers. So far, I think we have been having the showers in-between the occasional rain. I have continued with the jigsaw and Nicky had a good morning at church. This afternoon Nicky has accomplished major scone baking, some of which we enjoyed for tea; jumbo cheese and onion scones topped with avocado, bacon and scrambled egg. Lovely.


Take care, Rick and Nicky.

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