Incredi-bull

 We went to Bulls on Wednesday, and it was the highlight of the week. It’s only a wee place, population of a little over 2000, but famous in Aotearoa. I remember reading about it during one of our flights when we were coming to NZ in 2007. It was either in a book which Nicky had given me or an inflight magazine. The fact that we would end living near-by didn’t cross my mind. The fame isn’t because it is one of the main junctions between State Highways 1 and 3, but because of the way the locals use the name of the town to name things, as you can see from this sign:

There were two reasons why Bulls was our destination. The first was that like many other people we discovered during Covid that not using the car was problematic, flat batteries being a common experience. Most of our driving round Whanagnui are short trips into town and back which probably average about 12kms each. Bulls is about a 45 km, 35 minute drive from home, so a “good run out”. The second reason was to go for lunch at La Bulls Cafe, a noted eatery:

Lunch was enjoyable but not outstanding, and afterwards we had a wander round and visited a couple of local emporia. The weather was lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We finished the day coming 5th at the quiz with a diminished quiz team of John, Mike, Nicky and myself.

The rest of our week has been much more routine, though Nicky had a significant event to add to her usual roster. On Tuesday evening she attended her last Vestry meeting. It was the last meeting for a number of others on the Vestry Team too, so it was held at the vicarage and began with thank you gifts before Vestry being served a three-course meal. The challenges facing the church are even greater now than when Nicky started on Vestry, but her contribution has been valued and her insistence that the staff are better paid has been heard. Her support of the Diocese building homes for Whanganui’s homeless has been appreciated.

My week started with a walk to the “Behind the Door At 4” cafe at Upokongaro with Jackson (from the Waimarie). It is the closest cafe to us, just over an hour’s walk away. We had a good chat and enjoyed our coffee and sit down before walking back home. In the evening I started having a bit of an issue with my balance and needed some assistance from Nicky. While I have had a few “feeling odd” moments during the week as a result, things have improved. Weeding has continued in the garden as the weather has improved, and the grass front and back has been cut. The number of times we are having afternoon tea in the back garden are increasing. Long may it continue. As to all other routines, same old, same old, as Aucklanders say.

Take care, Rick and Nicky.

All photos © PMNK