The reason I have launched into this diatribe about all things meteorological is due to the insane switches in weather we have had over the last week (and partly due to the lack of specifically exciting activities to talk about). But don't doze off now, this won't take long. To illustrate the variability on Saturday 4th of May we had 20 degree highs, high humidity and thick could. By Tuesday we had passed through two changes in wind direction and bright sunshine to torrential rain (60mm in one day) causing flooding, then to an almost freezing night followed by light breezes and sunshine again. Peak wind speed during this time was 94 km/h (this is the windy city). This week there was the sudden onset of a huge thunderstorm. We spent the evening watching sheets of rain and lightning over the hills out over the valley from the comfort of our sofa.
All this was interspersed by day to day life. The better half and I have been working hard during the week and playing hard at the weekend. Thankfully the weather has not stopped us having fun. I have managed to get out sailing on the harbour again; I have now committed to the winter racing series with the yacht club through June and July. The other half has been riding a couple of times; she has come to an agreement with the owner of a thoroughbred-cross, called Seze, to ride her twice a week. We also went for a great walk around Dorset Point on the Mirimar Peninsular overlooking the mouth of the harbour.
(Insert at this point a weeks break during which I should have completed this blog but for many reasons failed in that task. If you want the sensation of the gap take this moment to put the kettle on, make a cuppa and then return to the conclusion of our thrilling saga.)
I can't actually offer thrills, even vicarious ones. I suppose one of the facts of settling down somewhere new is that eventually routine starts to set in. With this hours, days and even weeks start to fly by. Our life is by no means boring but some of the monotony of getting up for work Monday to Friday it setting in. For me, at least, not working shifts is a double edged sword. I am enjoying having the weekends off and being able to plan outings and spend time with the better half. However, I miss having days to myself during the week when it feels like the rest of the world is at work.
This weekend I have been on call as the duty officer for the region. In amongst the seven jobs I have had to deal with since Friday evening we have been able to get into Wellington centre and do a bit of shopping. Some of this was stocking up on blankets and warm clothing. The locals keep promising us that it will get really cold, though there is no sign of this yet. We have only had our heaters on a couple of evenings and the sun makes an appearance often enough to provide psychological warmth at least.
Maybe the next blog will contain more thrills and spills. We are trying to plan a long weekend away for the end of May/start of June. Towards the end of June we hope to go on holiday somewhere in the Pacific. Of course, I will have been even more lax with my blogging if I don't write something before then but I will make no guarantees. If you are really desperate for news of what we are up to we always appreciate e-mails and skype.
Hei kōnei rā
Noho ora mai rā
