Tempus Fugit

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 We have been behaving like socialites again this week, with three evenings out. On Monday we went to The Rutland Arms for dinner, just the two of us. The anniversary we were marking was 40 years, give a day or seven, since we first met at The Barley Mow in Loughborough. Much has happened over those 40 years, but to start our retirement in a town which has echos of the place where we met gives a sense of closing the circle. Just in case you are feeling peckish, we started off with a selection of ciabatta breads with dips. We both chose small plates: duck for Nicky and scallops for me. Both very good but only small portions. We had a little dessert at home with a pot of tea. Our other two outings were quiz night (we won!!) and the Community Kai at the marae. 


The weather has been colder and wetter than of late, so another jigsaw was completed. Nicky has continued sewing the quillow for Ari, the 8 month old daughter of Kat and Israel. We had a chilly evening amble on Tuesday, but a clear frosty start to Wednesday delivered a lovely sunny day. We both spent time in the garden doing our regular activities.


I did another visit to the customer I started working with last week. Their new network hardware had arrived and worked well. This also enabled me to finish setting up their new computer. I again used to bus and was rewarded with this view of Ruapehu from Plymouth Street:



I did two more support calls on Friday, either side of lunch with Fiona and Felicity R-R joining us. Nicky made a lovely savoury platted bread which we served with brie and Wensleydale cheese, butternut humus and carrot sticks. We concluded the day with a FaceTime chat with Jancis which was good.


Both the planned Waimarie sailings ran this weekend, rain and sun on both of them. Kat, Israel and Ari came over from Palmy for afternoon tea today. We provided a range of nibbles, the highlight being another plaited loaf which Nicky had stuffed with almonds, apricots soaked in orange juice and coconut. Israel made hummus and guacamole along with sugar free biscuits. Ari, as you can image, is a cutie. Kat and Israel were very good company, as usual. Israel’s contract has ended and he has taken up the offer of a permanent post, so it looks like they will be in this part of the country for a while. Nicky hasn’t quite finished Ari’s quillow, so we expect we will be seeing them again this year.


The poppies in the front garden are enjoying the spring rain and sun, and we are enjoying their colourful flowers:



Take care, Rick and Nicky.

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