On reflection...

A recent trip to Wellington was a great excuse to dust off the samera and see what I could see...and from my room on the 4th floor of the hotel, I saw the other side of the harbour refelcted in the windows of the building over the road!

As for our own house - well, we have 'struck back' with the reminder that we signed an agreemnet many months ago for a REBUILD. And that, my fairminded friends, is what we are expecting - especially now that the issues which were holding up our rebuild have been resolved.

And in the imterim, Scowly Teen has started at Teachers College and had a birthday....

Summer's last Hurrah

We have had some DIVINE weather over the past few weeks - sorry to those of you 'up North" currently freezing - but we have. We have been able to stroll to the park and listen to free music concerts, dine outdoors and swat lazily at bugs...

Progress on the house - well, you might say progress. There has been a flurry of activity since we sent a legalistic worded letter to the CEO of the insurance company. Yes, suddenly they want to meet with us again. Yay. So we have the meeting and then they want another one. All during this time our 'story' has remained unchanged - we know what we are entitled to. Interestingly enough the Company is the one whose story keeps changing. Until this week. Suddenly they agree with the matters we have been arguing about - you would think that means the rebuilding of our home can start properly wouldn't you? Guess again.

NOW - yes, approximately 21 months after our home was rendered unihabitable - they want to reassess it and see if it can be repaired instead! I kid you not.....

Yes - I quite agree! So, three steps forward, five steps back - the poitician shuffle is coming to a street near you!

Anyway - we will wait the two required weeks while they navel gaze and waste taxpayer money....whatelse can we do??

So, make mine a triple this week would you?

Ruby Rum Sunrise

2 oz rum

1/2 oz sour mix

1 1/2 oz ruby red grapefruit juice

1/2 oz grenadine



Pour the rum, grapefruit juice and sour mix into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Pour grenadine into the center on top.

This time 2 years ago....

This time 2 years ago, we were having to use a bucket under some discretely placed tarpaulin to do our business, had to haul water from a well and dine by candlelight on rapidly defrosting food in whatever order it was thawing out fastest!

Today, the sun is out and we had a few shakes over night - but to be honest I think it's time I straightened and flew right! The caterpillars are back in the yard we can't live in (all power to them, they won't let a poxy insurance company dictate where and when they will do their thing) and they look pretty good, don't you think?

We have seen dwindling numbers of Monarch Butterflies over the years so we are hoping our lot will at least brighten someone's day when the finally emerge resplendant!

We still are no closer to having our own home rebuilt but the Insurance company at least have decided they would like to attempt discussion - so! Lawyers back on their leashes and we will see if common sense will prevail.

I had three weeks off work over January and I think I am finally ready to face the world again. Hopefully your livers will be up to my return to the blogosphere. Cheers! Make mine a double.

No reason - I just like it!

Summertime and the living is easy....

Another great sunny day here and we are going to a free concert in the park, taking a picnic and going to chill out before I head back to work tomorrow. Yup - have had the past 3 weeks off and have loved every nano second of it. I switched off the cellphone and tossed it into a drawer, it isn't being liberated until 8am Monday 4 February. So there.

While I have been away from work, I have embarked on a family project. You ,know the sort - loads of photos and a heap of 'where the hell do I start"?  This one is of my mum and myself - I'm the short one.

This project is pretty cool, having unusual family surnames has made it a bit easier to trace back the generations - to the Scots on Dad's side to the English on mum's. So - will be interesting to see what else I can dig up. Mum has a 'significant' birthday this month and we are all gathering (not like vultures0 for a celebration in her wee town of Kaknui. The locals won't know what's hit them!

So, while I am down here sunning myself and trying to ignore that yucky feeling of 'work tomorrow' - since you can't join me for the picnic you can atleast enjoy the artist we are hearing for free this arvo. Enjoy! And spot ya round the watercooler...

Meanwhile back in the park...

Free concert in the park on Sunday's - it's been great, especially with the weather being so fabulous. This photo shows the dash on my car yesterday recording the outside temperature on the left...

Yep, suffice to say we have been having it pretty hot!

Anyway, back to the park. This mother duck was parading her young about the place and they stopped off for a swim (as ducks are wont to do) and seemed oblivious to the statue behind them. I thought it was rather cute. And then I went home and had a cold Feijoa Cider to quench my thirst!

Whistle Wetting Wednesday

Hi ho, a New Year it is then! So be it. I have no quarrel with Father Time nor his four-seasoned sisters.

Today we will keep it simple and straightforward.

VODKA and PEPPERMINT (I know, almost sounds like a mouthwash doesn't it?)
3/4 ounce vodka
3/4 ounce peppermint cordial
Tonic water for topping up and a peel of lemon for garnish.

Shake the Vodka and cordial together with ice and strain into a glass (a highball will do nicely thank you...just up behind those champers glasses...there's a love, get one for yourself while you're there - mind the dust....), top up with tonic water and stir briefly; hang the lemon peel spiral over the rim of the glass and you're done.

Come on, sit here next to me and have a look at this...