If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…

Thistles and Kiwis

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would be sitting with big mugs full of French Early Grey tea from local blender tLeafT.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would naturally talk about Covid, about the new restrictions which at the moment don’t really impact on our daily lives, about the plans for when Omicron really hits the country, which it hasn’t done yet. I say I am trying to remain positive, but some days it is really hard. You say well, we have had our boosters, 93% of the population is at least double vaccinated, children over 5 are now getting vaccinated, and there is a new mandate about wearing proper masks. I say I know, and that I had read in the Danish media that the World Health Organisation is saying that Europe is coming out of the Omicron phase, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Paraparaumu beach, taken a few years ago on a winter day

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about books we had been reading. I tell you I have just finished the collection of essays by Ann Patchett, and you say that book is on your list. We would also talk about things we had watched…I say did you see the first episode of Trigger Point? And you say yes and we agree it is completely over the top but great fun.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about forthcoming things to look forward to, all being well. I would tell you we are going to have dinner at a new Burmese restaurant in town on Friday to celebrate being in New Zealand for 9 years and also Karl’s name day. You say you must tell me all about it and I say I will.

Wellington waterfront

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say look at the time! You will stay for dinner won’t you? We are having pappardelle with rose harissa, olives and capers from Ottolenghi’s Simple, followed by raspberries. You laugh and say that must be your favourite cookbook and I say yes I do make a lot from it. And of course you stay for dinner.

Preparing dinner

Also entered in Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com

Published by Thistles and Kiwis

26 Comments

  1. Yes, having a coffee with someone–now that it’s winter here–is a lot more difficult, since sitting outside isn’t necessarily on. But having people to dinner is a really nice extension of afternoon coffee (or tea).

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  3. Yes me too trying to understand the new but old RED covid framework. Having our first U3A meeting canceled because of the “wedding held in my suburb” which caused people who traveled from other cities to get the variant.
    Oh well, I’m used to my hermit cave, so may as well hunker down until I truly understand it…
    Stay safe
    Cheers Catherine

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  4. A lovely photo of Wellington waterfront, summer is a wonderful time isn’t it? I hope you have a great meal at the new Burmese restaurant and congratulations on being in New Zealand for nine years, almost a decade! I have just read Ann Pratchett’s These Precious Days and it okay.

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    1. Yes summer is a wonderful time I do so agree. It will be interesting to try the new restaurant. I enjoyed most of the essays in ‘These Precious Days’, but had heard at least 3 interviews with her before reading the book so that kind of spoiled it for me somehow!

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  6. I would particularly enjoy the Earl Grey tea and talking about the books we have read. A friend and I did just that whilst walking the other day and came home with plenty of ideas of books to read, borrowed books and feeling satisfied with the sharing of our enjoyment of the stories read.

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  7. Fun coincidence: I’m reading These Precious Days right now and am interested to see the different cover on yours (but still with Sparky, of course). I’m also listening to The Dutch House, also by Ann Patchett, which I’m enjoying very much. We’d have a nice conversation, I think!

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    1. Let me know what you think of the book. I think books often have different covers in different countries…but as long as Sparky is there! I am sure we would have lots to talk about!

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  9. My Wellington bestie & I were discussing exactly these covid related points only the other day. I could say what I think of it, but don’t want to be too political – plus it’s selfishly driven in that she’s booked to come and see me in a couple of months (5th time lucky?) & needs to be able to get back home without MIQ & I’m booked to be in Queenstown in a few months. Hey ho.

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    1. The original intention was to open up in May I think? Not sure, but my nephew’s mother is due to visit from Japan there to help with the second child (not that she has met the first one yet…). We’re putting off a semi-planned trip to Europe to see family in June. Hopefully Australia will at least open up?

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  11. The beach and waterfront look beautiful. Your dinner plan sounds delicious and there is much to talk about so I’d love to stay. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.

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  12. Hi T&K,
    Another lovely visit. I would like to sit on that Wellington Waterfront dock (?) and we could chat while I do some faux-fishing (this is when you setup and cast out a fully rigged line but leave off the hook because all you really want to do is to play with the rigging and cast and work the pole without being bothered by some fish actually taking the bait and being hooked. Some of us just love the exercise and the excuse to sit in the sun and enjoy the shore. Dinner with you afterwards to continue our talk – yes – always yes.

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    1. I think you often see faux fishermen in these parts…all I saw on Monday was a yellow starfish and some tiny little fish 🙂
      I love a stroll by the water – and of course you would be welcome to stay for dinner.

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  13. Keep positive, this too will past. We’ve been battling Covid for the past two weeks, and I really hope this is over soon. Like you say, the expert see a light at the end of the tunnel. thank you for the trea ❤

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  14. I have heard the news mention that we are all slowly coming out of the COVID peak but I don’t want to get hopeful, so I wait.
    Dinner sounds lovely. Thanks for the virtual coffee. Hope you have a great week.

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  15. Fascinating that you haven’t had any Omicron outbreak there yet… I really thought it was EVERYWHERE. Certain European countries are coming out of it (Ireland included) while some are still in deep trouble.
    That beach photograph is absolutely stunning! And, isn’t harissa a wonderful ingredient? We use it a lot, I think we’ve had that rose harissa too.

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    1. Well, NZ’s borders have been closed to keep Covid out. Of course there are some cases in the community but nothing like in Europe.

      I love harissa too – can be used in so many ways.

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  16. Keep walking and get to that beach if you can, it will soothe the soul! Omicron will come and go. Does feel like the UK is coming out the other side and as the restrictions are lifted I know of more folk who have short bouts of Covid, it feels like it’s encroaching on us and only a matter of time. Great when you find a cook book to keep going back to, thanks for sharing.

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