The Welsh Boys arrived at the back of 9 p.m. last night, having driven down from Auckland, collecting a $300 fine on the way for speeding on the Desert Road! Lyndon, Brian and Martin seem good guys, rabid rugby fans of course and obviously regular travellers to oval ball related events. After a welcoming beer, I took them round to Diana's house in Leinster Avenue where they should be nice and snug.
Today I decided to catch up on the domestic chores, so the washing machine was on before breakfast and then it was on with the marigolds and a spot of floor washing and bog cleaning (Christ, I've been lucky to get away from that all these years). Soon losing interest in being a domestic goddess, I nipped into Ppm to collect the new flat screen monitor which I need now that the backlight on this laptop's screen has finally carked it, appearing to be in a permanent state of LSD inspired paranoia. It was really hard on the eyes, trying to decipher emails through psychedelic changing colours, so I was mightily relieved when the new monitor worked straight out of the box. That should keep the old Gateway going for a bit longer - on with the blogging. After that it was a spot of shopping; The Welsh Boys had gone in to Wellington and the weather, after initial rain, had cleared up so I gave them a ring on the mobile (oh, the expense) and invited them to a barbecue. I hope I can give them a welcome worthy of a kiwi.
That barbecue menu in full;-
Prawn Port Talbot
Fresh cooked prawns, shelled, beheaded and de-veined by our own chef
with a piquant dipping sauce of mayonnaise, tomato sauce and cayenne pepper
Barbecued Beef a la Boyo
Succulent Scotch fillet of beef (on offer in Pak 'n Save) decimated to your preference
Saussice a la Swansea
Pak 'n Save's $5 best, pork and sage bangers burnt to buggery
The camp followers
Hash browns mode de Bedwas
Tomatoes a la Tonypandy
Garlic Bread methode Gareth Edwards
Garlic Bread methode Gareth Edwards
Thinking back over the weekend's trip whilst preparing the prawns, I remembered nearly driving off the road with laughter after hearing another of those Fire Brigade ads, this time set to the tune of the Welsh National Anthem. I'm sure you'd like to share the experience, so click here. " Flames, flames, your van could go up in flames" - pure inspiration! You might also like to hear the South African offering, and here's one for the Poms to the tune of 'Land of Hope and Glory'. Finally, here's a simple one for the Aussies (bless 'em!). I think these are very clever.
The boys arrived bearing bottles at 1830 and I must admit I was well chuffed that I managed to host, drink and cook (in the dark and cold) all at the same time. I concluded by the fact that there were only 2 sausages left (from a dozen) that the meal was at least edible. My suggestion of coffee to end the meal was met with derision, so more bottles were opened and we settled down to a session of bullshit and reminiscing that carried on until 2 a.m. I seriously think that, when not attending rugby games, Lyndon, Brian and Martin are in fact the Welsh Freestyle Wine-Drinking Champions! So much for giving my liver a break. One of the more bizarre ideas which emerged was that wherever they go they always have a swim - sort of ocean collecting. God help them when they dive into the Tasman at this time of year. A great evening.
Wednesday 5th October
Well, a month away from home and I'm still in one piece! Pleased with progress. Although I miss Mary so much, I do think I'm learning new skills and of course, the whole rugby thing is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
A quiet day today, catching up with chores, updating the blog, checking credit card accounts and so on. By gum, I need some down time.
An update on the garden. After Mary's advice that I should "go and have a chit in the shed" (least I think that's what she said, it was a crackly line) the spuds are beginning to bung out roots and should be ready to go in in a couple of weeks. It's still fairly cold here at night, so I'll hold off planting veges for a while, as that nice man from Palmer's advised. I nipped in to Mitre 10 this afternoon to get some grass seed to fill in the bald patches in the lawn after the building work. The chap (and his wife) who does the mowing came this morning, so I was able to ask his advice as well as complimenting him on how good the grass looks. These two are by far the best team we have ever used out here, they come regularly and make a really good job. I also bought some elasticated tie thingy roll for attaching the vine to the pergola (is that what it's called?) when it starts to grow. There are encouraging signs of shootage as you can see below. Doug and co. did a good job in keeping the old girl going during the building work.
Amazingly, the old peach tree which we thought had bought it in the mini-tornado two years back is showing signs of life and even has blossom. Whether it ever produces fruit again remains to be seen, but at least it looks as if it's trying.
Early to bed tonight after Porc au Poivre from a recipe by Nigel Slater which was very good. I'll need to get a pestle and mortar to crack my pepper corns though (oooohh get him - great tart!). Cath emailed regarding the possibility of Skypage which would be great. As well as missing 'er indoors, the Munchkins are much in mind.
The boys arrived bearing bottles at 1830 and I must admit I was well chuffed that I managed to host, drink and cook (in the dark and cold) all at the same time. I concluded by the fact that there were only 2 sausages left (from a dozen) that the meal was at least edible. My suggestion of coffee to end the meal was met with derision, so more bottles were opened and we settled down to a session of bullshit and reminiscing that carried on until 2 a.m. I seriously think that, when not attending rugby games, Lyndon, Brian and Martin are in fact the Welsh Freestyle Wine-Drinking Champions! So much for giving my liver a break. One of the more bizarre ideas which emerged was that wherever they go they always have a swim - sort of ocean collecting. God help them when they dive into the Tasman at this time of year. A great evening.
Wednesday 5th October
Well, a month away from home and I'm still in one piece! Pleased with progress. Although I miss Mary so much, I do think I'm learning new skills and of course, the whole rugby thing is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
A quiet day today, catching up with chores, updating the blog, checking credit card accounts and so on. By gum, I need some down time.
An update on the garden. After Mary's advice that I should "go and have a chit in the shed" (least I think that's what she said, it was a crackly line) the spuds are beginning to bung out roots and should be ready to go in in a couple of weeks. It's still fairly cold here at night, so I'll hold off planting veges for a while, as that nice man from Palmer's advised. I nipped in to Mitre 10 this afternoon to get some grass seed to fill in the bald patches in the lawn after the building work. The chap (and his wife) who does the mowing came this morning, so I was able to ask his advice as well as complimenting him on how good the grass looks. These two are by far the best team we have ever used out here, they come regularly and make a really good job. I also bought some elasticated tie thingy roll for attaching the vine to the pergola (is that what it's called?) when it starts to grow. There are encouraging signs of shootage as you can see below. Doug and co. did a good job in keeping the old girl going during the building work.
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| The early shoots of Spring |
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| Blossom Dearie |
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