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 say how nice it was to catch up after a month – and what a month it has been too!

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would naturally talk about the weather, the floods in Auckland and Northland and the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti. We agree that while this is cyclone season, global warming is having an impact on our climate. Perhaps these recent events might change the sceptics minds. (The picture below was taken early on Saturday morning looking out over Wellington).

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would also talk about the good things that happened this month: meeting up with an old friend, enjoying a long weekend in Melbourne and planning a trip to Europe. You say when are you going? And I say June…and you say that will come around very quickly, and I say yes.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask what we saw at the cinema this month and I say My Old School, a documentary on the subject of Brandon Lee who in 1995, enrolled as a pupil at BearsdenAcademy in Scotland, posing as a 16-year old even though he was actually 30. The story attracted widespread and sensational news coverage at the time. You say was it good? And I say yes, very interesting with interviews with people who had been at school with him and a couple of former teachers. You say you might look out for it.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about other things we have listened to and watched such as The Gold about the Brink’s-Mat robbery and its aftermath. It tells the story of the 1983 On 26 November 1983, robber of the Brink’s-Mat security depot, stealing gold bullion worth £26m which we enjoyed. You agree that the last series of Happy Valley was excellent.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea… I would ask if you would as usual like to stay to dinner? I say it is pasta again, but this time there is some spicy salami with orecchiette, spinach and creme fraiche topped with lemon rind, parsley and parmesan. There is a crisp salad to go with it, and some Lebanese wine if you would like. You say yes please, just the thing for this rainy evening (aplologies for poor photos – the light wasn’t good on Wednesday when I put the post together).

I will be entering this post in a new challenge that has been set by Donna, Jo, Deb and Sue – what’s been on your calendar? It is designed to be “a place to share share recent highs, lows, activities, hobbies, travel, resolutions, and challenges, and report on your word of the year if you have one.” It is also a good opportunity for a monthly wrap-up. The challenge will take place on the last Thursday of each month at 2 pm PST (3 pm during daylight savings time) or the last Friday of each month at 8 am AEST Jan 26-27 which for me means….I think from 10am on Friday at this time of year if you are in NZ. Now that I am getting back to my normal daily schedule, I’ll add this post to the challenge on Friday.

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.org

Published by Thistles and Kiwis

26 Comments

  3. I always enjoy joining you for tea and a chat. 😉 I will be on the lookout for My Old School. Haven’t watched Happy Valley. Hope to soon. Finally, so sorry about the destruction caused by the storms. Hope the recovery goes as swiftly as possible.

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    1. The film was interesting. Alan Cummings ‘lip-synched’ the actual person’s voice which worked surprisingly well.

      I read this morning that there are now only 56 people missing from the thousands earlier in the week. More rain is expected in the flooded regions again today.

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  4. Hi, Barbara – Thank you for joining us for What’s Been On Your Calendar. I love your writing style for “If We Were Having Coffee.” It always makes me feel like I am right there with you. And yes, I would definitely stay for pasta dinner, with Lebanese wine. 😀

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  6. I’ll be over for dinner – sounds good! Also looking forward to hearing more about the trip to Europe. the time will indeed fly.

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  7. Hi Barbara, it was so awful just watching the effects of the cyclone so cannot imagine how it felt to have been in it. So many parts of Australia caught out by effects of climate change too. It is a world that is changing before my very old eyes. Denyse #WBOYC

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  8. Your dinner sounds delicious! We’re hearing so many wacky weather stories across the U.S. too… it’s crazy that so many people still say climate change isn’t real. That movie sounds so interesting.

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  10. I’m a bit late, but hope things are getting better in NZ, such an awful time for such a beautiful country, with such friendly people!

    It must be exciting to plan a trip back to Europe.

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  12. Hi Barbara, a great catch up over a cup of tea. I’ve been thinking of you and Suz over there in NZ with all the wild weather, hoping you’re safe. You’ve had an eventful month that’s for sure. I’ve been so busy with family visiting for Tumbafest that I’m only now able to start catching up with the posts for WBOYC. How exciting that you have a trip planned for June, we’re going away to visit my daughter (for her 40th birthday) in the UK in May and the time is rocketing by! It will go by fast with making plans.
    Thanks for joining us for WBOYC and sharing what your month looked like.

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    1. Hi – we were so lucky in Wellington but the devastation up north is quite something.

      I know what you mean about trips creeping up fast. Before I know it, I’ll be packing suitcases (I’m not going to try flying with hand luggage only….!).

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