SUNDAY
We slept late this morning and I was up first to let Totty out and not long after Jane phoned and we had a very long chat and catch up. Jon got up and Jane spoke to him and then she called back and spoke to me again. Jason and James were both on a night out in Cambridge and she was going to pick them up so she had to stay awake so was glad to be able to chat to us.
Mike and Bob had invited us over to see their new house. It is not so new now as they moved in last October but we haven't manage to get over. We called to say we could come over and to ask what sort of coffee they would like. but Mike said he was going to take his mum out for lunch and could we make it at 3.00 instead which was fine by us.
Just as we were leaving he called back and invited us over for lunch and said they would buy some bread rolls and something and his mum would be happy to eat at their place. His mum is four months younger than me but sadly has dementia and is in a care home but he goes to see her and take her out and so today he was bringing her to his house and we arranged to be there at 1.00.
We went our for a coffee and I drove as I needed fuel and a few things from the supermarket.
We went to our local shopping area and sat outside for our coffee and it was so warm, fortunately, I had changed into a short sleeved top before we left.
We then went to buy our things from the supermarket and a bottle of wine and then I drove over to Mike's.
There house is really nice and looks like it should be in Mexico as it is bright orange colour and has huge cacti growing around the side and looks like a 'hacienda' and not at all Kiwi.
They told us last night that they had some guinea fowl, ten to be exact, as he had always wanted some but they are so noisy and never shut up. They are also like guard dogs and come running down the drive to the car and could be quite intimidating but they are cute.
Well the bread rolls turned into the most amazing spread of food and as it was so warm we sat outside and I caught the sun. A really lovely spot high on a hillside and overlooking the bay. They have three acres and 19 huge avocado trees and apart from the guinea fowl they have chickens and three cats.
We spent a really lovely time with them and Mike's mum was fine and can hold a conversation but forgets it as soon as it is finished and then asks again the same questions, very sad and made me count my blessings. Two people I know now that are my age and have the same!
We came home about 4.30 and had a cup of tea and fed Totty.
I cooked rack of lamb or 'lack of ram' as I called it - twice!!!! Scary!!! It was really good and we had merengue and kiwi fruit for dessert.
The south are still being shaken by more aftershocks after the big one on Friday must be very frightening for the people down there.
Next weekend is our last weekend with the car so we are going to go away down to Taupo and go on the boat trip on the lake to see the Maori wall carvings which we have been saying we would do for years and now is possibly our last chance.
I need to be up and out in the morning as I am in the Golden Olympics again with a group from my keep fit class so I am off to bed now.
WEATHER
Sunny and very warm 18 but felt much hotter.
SATURDAY
I decided to give Jon a treat again this morning and cooked a full English for us. I didn't make so much this week though as we both felt really full after last week's breakfast.
Mike, a colleague Jon worked with at Genera, rang and asked if we would like to go out for dinner tonight and it was decided to go to the new Spanish tapas place and Mike said he would pick us up on the way.
We went out for coffee and then to Briscoe's, a shop that sells everything and always reduced, as we needed a new sheet for our bed as after 4.5 years it is wearing thin and the bottom is torn and a disgrace. We also found a box which, hopefully, when we put it by the sofa, Totty will use to get up instead of growling for ages until we pick her up and as Jon is not allowed to pick up more than a 'glass of beer' it is left to me which is really annoying especially if I am cooking. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks - watch this space!!
When we got back I took Totty out for a walk and it looked like rain but we managed to get round our route and no rain.
I spent the rest of the afternoon editing photos from our trip to UK as I have a voucher to make a photo book and really need to get it done as I am not sure how long it will take to get here and we could be on our final countdown!! Unfortunately, I noticed that a lot of the photos are copied five times and I am not sure how this has happened so I have to go through and delete them all and my head was spinning.
I gave up with the photos and had a cup of tea and noticed that the sky was very black and ran to bring in the washing and just in time before a very heavy downpour. The rain didn't last long but my washing would have got very wet.
We got ready to go out and Mike picked us up and we drove into Tauranga. We had a really lovely evening with Mike and Bob (Roberta) and it was really good to catch up. Unfortunately, the tapas was not so good. We had a meat plate to share and a fish plate to share, both for 2/3 people. Unfortunately, everything was crammed onto the plate and there were not enough of everything for 2/3 people and it certainly wasn't Spanish. However, we enjoyed the evening and had a good time.
As it was very noisy in the bar Mike suggested going back to our place for a drink much to Jon's relief as his hearing is not good. (I am glad to say he has finally booked a hearing test for next Friday).
Back home we opened a bottle or two of wine and were able to hold a conversation and once they left I remembered what nice people they are. (Mike is responsible for Jon getting the job down here but we don't hold it against him!)
So, what was, for us, a very late night, I was not in the mood to type my blog.
WEATHER
Sunny with some cloud 17 degrees
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