This week’s small pleasures 498

One thing that has not been a small pleasure this week has been the weather. On Friday, it rained, there were gale force winds and it was really cold. I stayed in and worked from home and watched the weather from the study window. There were floods, slips, cancelled ferries and flights, and Martinborough, that has featured many times on the blog, was cut off. Wild weather indeed. You can read more here if you are interested, including a heartwarming story about a bird. Below is the rain viewed from the shelter while waiting for my bus to work on Thursday morning.

But are there signs of spring?

We haven’t even got through winter yet, but a warm start to the season has seen things popping up that you might not expect to see, such as these daffodils at the end of our street.

On the table, in the basket

On Wednesday I had lunch at one of my favourite places, Bond Street Deli, enjoying one of their excellent tuna mayo burgers, always over flowing with filling. We needed a quick lunch on Saturday before going to the cinema, so popped into New Zealand chain Burger Fuel. The cardboard on the left is the trade marked ‘doofer’ that folds into a very neat holder for your burger.

In the Wonky Box this week was a little bag of potatoes that we enjoyed with sausages from our local butcher on Friday (luckily we had gone shopping on Thursday), parsnips, broccoli, onions, yams (oca). a bag of spinach and a lettuce (not shown), Brussels sprouts (also enjoyed on Friday) and an extra bags of limes. I topped this up with apples, mushrooms and tamarillos, pork mince, chicken and bread for Sunday breakfast.

Out and about

The French Film Festival is on at the moment, and while we missed part of it, and were otherwise occupied last weekend, we managed to catch two films this year. On Saturday, we went to see Case 137 (Dossier 137), an excellent film I highly recommend. During the gilet jaunes demonstrations in Paris, a young man is badly injured after being shot. Stéphanie Bertrand, an investigator with the anti-corruption unit is tasked with determining responsibility. The case becomes more personal when she finds out the young man is from her home town. While nothing initially points to police misconduct, and officers refusing to talk, Stéphanie discovers a highly incriminating clip of film shot by an hotel chambermaid. I won’t give too much away, but the scene with Stéphanie and her superior at the end of the film is stunning, highlighting the all too human side of the investigation. A film that stays with you after viewing.

On Sunday we went to see a very different film. The Musicians. A wealthy heiress is determined to honour her late industrialist father’s final wish: unite four priceless Stradivarius instruments for a recital of a new composition by his favourite living composer, to be live-streamed for music lovers. With just six days to rehearse, a quartet is assembled, but of course the musicians are at odds and have problems working together. The composer is brought in to rehearse the quartet, adding a fifth person to the dynamics. There are some expected moments in the film: one of the violins gets damages, one of the musicians has an accident, there is a power cut and so on, but it was an enjoyable comedy of manners.

Simple things

• Digging out all the cosy sweaters.
• Breakfasting on good bread, cream cheese and persimmon.
• Finally adjusting back to our normal routine.
• Knowing that the shortest day has now gone by.
• Booking an event at Wellington on a Plate in August.
• Staying indoors and drinking tea during wild weather.

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. Alex Keerie

• Carol Ann shares her wonderful weekly delights.
• And it was so good to see Alex of Scribble and Scran back on Substack.
• Fred’s garden may be suffering in the heat, but there are still many lovely things to see.  
• While Jo takes us to Combarro.
• Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens takes us to Kotor in Montenegro.
• Natalie continues on her Great Beaver Quest and hears some live music.
• And The Travel Sketcher reports from Paris.
• Mr Tootlepedal is making a recovery and enjoying some visiting musicians.
• While Ilze shows us a beautiful yellow peony.
• And Maria finds the first poppies.
• Neal is silent on Sunday.
• And Laurie has an enchanting evening.
• Ju-Lyn is slowing down…
• And Jo of Story Crumbs is back home.
• The Glasgow Gallivanter walks to the saltpans in Gozo.
• Finally….Mr Platypus shares a great picture of a windmill.
• ..…and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis