All cultured out

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 We have had the weekend in Raumati, our second visit of the year. This time it was for the Kapiti Coast Art Trail which is running this weekend and next weekend. We drove down to our usual PSA complex in Raumati on Friday, and have spent the weekend visiting 18 artists studios, and four collective exhibition spaces. 


On both days we started off walking to nearby artists’s studios. After lunch back at our accommodation, we changed to using the car to get to those further afield. Instead of trawling through the guide and choosing which artists to visit, we organised our itinerary geographically and visited every location in the Raumati area. This leaves us with plenty of choice for another year for studios in Paraparaumu, Otaihanga, Waikanae and Otaki. This has meant we have experienced art which we might have otherwise missed. The general standard has been very good, and some of it exceptional. We could have spent the entirety of our KiwiSavers, but restricted ourselves to just a few small items that really took our eye. While it has been tiring, it has been most enjoyable. Some very interesting art, some lovely people to talk to, and the pleasure of visiting areas that are new to us. Each day has been rounded off with a post-dinner cup of tea on the blue benches overlooking the sea, enjoying the sunset. We were not usually alone and last night there was quite a crowd of PSA holiday home residents. The sky was completely clear and the sun set between two headlands on the South Island:



We were less restrained with our bakery and patisserie purchases, and have throughly enjoyed kibbled rye bread, croissants (plain and almond), a pear tart and a cream doughnut. Still, we must have walked off 10 times as many calories over the weekend :)


The rest of our week has been much more routine. We quizzed on Wednesday and came fourth, again, with 88 points. A couple more episodes of Linley were enjoyed, and a jigsaw of hot air balloons started. Some of the rain showers were very heavy, and some were interspersed with rain, so getting into the garden has been a bit of a challenge. The strong winds also didn’t encourage us and I have been pleased to see that the two trees that have suffered recently have had a better week. However, I have managed to get mulch down in the area which I have been working on recently, and done a little weeding in the edible crescent.


Nicky hasn’t had the best of weeks as her muscle injury is still somewhere between sore and painful. She also seems to have eaten something which disagreed with her which caused some vomiting and abdominal pain. Things have improved as the week progressed though the weekend walking has aggravated her muscle strain.


Take care, Rick and Nicky.

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