Rapid growth

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Monday began with some showers and Nicky going to church to do the cleaning of the vestry and the brass with Dale. We had Phil and Kristina coming for dinner so I shopped in the afternoon in order to feed them. Steak and Philly cheese stuffed Yorkshire puddings with roasted veggies were followed by spotted dick and custard, all accompanied by good conversation.


Tuesday was dominated by heavy showers, then sunshine and wind. Nicky made fruit slices for the evening’s Vestry Meeting, while I did a big supermarket shop. In the afternoon Nicky went to see Sue in hospital and had Home Group at Dale’s. We had an early dinner so that Nicky could get to church to prepare supper drinks for Vestry.


I had planned for over a year to buy myself a new Mac when I retired, to replace my 13 year old laptop. However, with the news reports of Trumps tariffs I decided to bring the purchase forward in case prices increase dramatically. I took delivery of my lovely new laptop on Tuesday afternoon, so setting it up and getting used to the new software has pleasurably occupied quite a bit of my spare time.


While it was wet overnight on Tuesday, things started to improve on Wednesday so Nicky was able to do some laundry. I was back on the Waimarie and have sailed every day since. Nicky had a good chat with a lady whose garden is in town about poppies and plants in general. Once again they have exchanged flora. At the evening quiz we came second with 93 points, 1 point ahead of the third place team, but 4 points behind the winners.


A man from Horizons Regional Council called in on Thursday morning to fit a possum trap in the back garden. We have been getting an increasing amount of possum droppings in the back garden, so Nicky raised the issue in the Horizons Council office, which is responsible for the whole of the Wellington Region, while delivering her public transport questionnaire. Nicky had a quiet day at the Community Library and a highly enjoyable evening at an authors’ talk at the Alexander Library. I stayed home due to being tired. I am finding the sailing season and additional responsibilities as Bosun increasingly tiring. I also suspect that as I’m not as young as I was, it doesn’t help. The last time that I had such a physical job I was only just 20.


Nicky did laundry and gardening while I sailed on Friday, and then in the afternoon went over to see Sue who has been discharged home in her son’s care, and had some games of Scrabble. Nicky was delighted to score over 100 for one turn where the word “feminine” not only stretched over two double word scores, but also used all seven letters in her hand. We finished the day with fish and chips from our favourite shop just up the road.


We were both tired yesterday evening with Nicky having ironed and gardened, while I did two sailings on the boat. The weather has been gorgeous today with a 25º high after a foggy start. It has been clear and sunny with just a light breeze. Nicky dropped me at the wharf on her way to church and collected me afterwards.


One of the things we marvel at in our garden is the mushrooms that spring up, growing in just a day or two, such as these:



We are NOT tempted to eat any of them.


Take care, Rick and Nicky.

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