The Four Chooks of the Apocalypse

 We have been looking after Mrs Egg’s chooks this week, and feeding her moggie. This has entailed going and letting the chooks out of the hen houses first thing in the morning, then coaxing them back in again with food at the end of the afternoon. As soon as the moggie spots one of us, food is demanded with menaces. I’m lucky that I have still got all my digits and limbs. These are two of the chooks planning a flanking manoeuvre:

Last week culminated with a 4.8 earthquake at 23.05 on Sunday, plus after shocks, which were reported but not felt by us. The epicentre was 65k south west of Whanganui. It woke me up so I stayed in bed, counting, while Nicky stood in the doorway of the shower room. Our front door didn’t rattle like it usually does with a quake, so I think the movement was in a different direction, but we didn’t have any damage.

Much of the week has been dry, clear and sunny, so we have had some frosty starts:

We have continued watching the World Cup footy, but have reduced our viewing in order the save on the broadband data. Our plan doesn’t renew until after the tournament has finished, and I don’t want to miss any of the round of 16 and onwards matches.

Laurie came over for dinner on Monday, and we had some enjoyable hands of Rummy-O afterwards. We quizzed on Wednesday coming 5th with 92 points. Thursday morning was an early start (4.15am) for the England match and we both went back to bed afterwards. After she came home from the library, Nicky made a lovely apple and lemon dessert for the Community Meal at the marae. I made pork pies with cranberries. Both dishes went down well.

Nicky enjoyed the Fashion Talk at the museum on Friday. This time an 1850’s silk ball gown, with deep green batik pattern on each tier of the crinolined skirt. I popped to the hospital for my annual blood test. Lynn from across the road called in late afternoon with bucketful of Black Satin Blackberry roots. We hadn’t seen her for ages to set up a future dinner date.

Yesterday Nicky spent much of the day in the kitchen. Steve and Ros arrived in the afternoon and stayed for dinner with Mark and Krystyna joining us. Nicky had produced chicken tartiflette followed by Catalan Custard Creme and Pineapple Snow. A lovely range of tastes and textures. Steve and Ros left in order to get to their Andrew London concert in town, while Mark and Krystyna stayed and chatted. Steve came round this morning for a cuppa and game of Scrabble with Nicky before he and Ros headed off to New Plymouth. 

Nicky streamed the church service while I watched the footy. Cloud and rain have arrived this afternoon, but the wind has also changed and raised the temperature a little. Nicky has planted the four blackberry roots, pak choy and spring onions. The rain encouraged her inside to play Mah Jong and consume her cream horn with afternoon tea. Omelette’s tonight.

Take care, Rick and Nicky.