This week’s small pleasures #272

Where to start about this past week? Covid cases on the rise in New Zealand, the squatters are still at Parliament (some are wearing hats made of tin foil to protect them from ‘rays’ that are making them sick – no, I am not joking) and the camp has now become a health hazard. Over in Australia, there is terrible flooding in Queensland and New South Wales. And of course events in Ukraine, about which I have no words that can add to those already said. It is all quite overwhelming, so let’s take some time out from the news and look at the small pleasures of the week.

To avoid the protestors, I have been taking the cable car to work and home again most days. The view from the top is always spectacular – see the featured image at the top of the post – so it is actually quite a lovely start to the day. Walking home through the gardens, this little waterfall is a favourite place to stop and contemplate.

And so to food, and on Thursday evening we went to Capitol for dinner, a favourite of ours. I had half a dozen oysters to start and then the fish with potato puree, grilled broccolini, fennel and caper salsa. Karl had the bruschetta and then the grilled beef fillet, baked aubergine/eggplant and whipped gorgonzola butter with a side of potatoes. We also went out on Friday night with friends to local Italian Cosa Nostra, for a great evening of laughter and food.

I made chicken with potatoes, feta, dill, and lemon with harissa yoghurt from Diana Henry’s From the Oven to the Table on Tuesday for dinner – so simple and so tasty. The left over feta topped some avocado for Wednesday’s breakfast, sprinkled with some red capsicum flakes. I treated myself to sushi for lunch on Friday, enjoying it sitting in the sunshine in Midland Park. In the basket this week were nectarines, peaches and plums, green beans, baby carrots and lovely fresh red chillies along with a Lebanese cucumber.

On Sunday, we went to see the Norwegian film The Worst Person in the World. I just loved this film, one of the best I have seen in ages. It is funny, touching and sad, and a really excellent film all round, with an outstanding performance from Renate Reinsve in the central role as Julie, a young woman finding her path through life.

This morning, the driver of the cable car got chatting to me about the 120th ‘birthday’ of this iconic mode of transport in the city. She told me that this limited-edition commemorative chocolate bar from the Wellington Chocolate Factory, comes complete with a number hidden golden tickets leading to a number of prizes. Of course, I bought a bar and…..no golden ticket this time…

What were your small pleasures this week? Here are some other blog posts from a few fellow bloggers looking at the good things in life.  The picture above was taken on my way home from work today.

• Carol Ann of Fashioned for Joy witnesses a rocket launch and shares a lovely picture of hellebores.
• Ju Lyn at Touring my Backyard shares pictures from an interesting exhibition in Singapore and notices the changing seasons.
• Natalie the Explorer wraps up February.
• Anne over at  Something Over Tea shares some wonderful pictures and a lovely story – do check it out!
• Jo at And Anyways is one of the hosts of What’s on my Bookshelf, a fun monthly blog challenge.
• Deb’s World’s has fun at a festival with family and friends.
• Laurie at Notes from the Hinterland comments on world events.
• Trent over at Trent’s World invites us for coffee.
• Scribble and Scran makes coffee and pancakes..and goes back to the office.

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