Well…this was the week when Aotearoa New Zealand had a general election. The result – ‘the most unusual’ is a phrase being bandied about. There is no clear winner at the moment as we wait for the special votes to come in. There will be weeks of negotiations to come. Ah well….
I’m off to Auckland this morning hence an earlier time to post.
Anyway, a real small pleasure this week was getting to the new Pilates studio. A bit of an adventure with a lift from my husband to the station, an 8 minute train journey, a short walk with a magnificent view (see below…the sun came out 20 minutes later), and a train and bus to the city. Anyway, it is do-able, but just once a week. I also tried a yoga class at a local studio on Saturday morning. It was a very good class but gosh…my body does not bend in the right way for yoga! It also made me realise just how stiff my hips are thanks to a job where I sit all day.
RNZB Fundraising event
One of the highlights of this week was going to a fund raising event hosted by the Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation. There were costumes on display from ballets over the years, drinks, nibbles, live music and a wonderful ‘fashion show’ of costumes worn by some of the dancers of the company, including from the recent Sleeping Beauty. You could examine the costumes on display and really see the effort that has gone into making them, and also talk to the dancers about what they were wearing. To see the details up so close was a real treat, and it all made for a very special evening that really lifted my spirits after a day at work.
A favourite café
On Wednesday, I headed over to one of my favourite cafes, Squirrel, and enjoyed a pot of tea and one of their fantastic smoked salmon toasts. It is such a nice place to sit, read or watch the world go by, and of course, enjoy something good to eat.
In the basket
The Wonky Box delivered up both broccoli and tender stem broccoli (why?), more avocados, a little aubergine, some small onions, mushrooms, kumara, asparagus and not pictured, some blueberries. We went to Scheckter’s Deli on Saturday as we had heard that they might have Swedish herring (I’m entering the ‘herring panic before Christmas’ annual phase). I found one jar at least, and also picked up some rose water, anchovies, a jar of vongole/clams, a tin of smoked cod liver (I am such a fan of The Tinned Fish Guy on Instagram @TinnedFishReviews) and some Spanish salchichón. I also picked up some fresh pea pods and broad beans, a fennel bulb, strawberries, feta, sausages and beef mince.
Simple things
- Seeing the beautiful rose on the table in the cafe on Wednesday – the featured image at the top of the post.
- Eating some wonderful food on Friday – see my last blog post.
- Catching up with a friend for lunch, eating cheese, ham and tomato toasties.
- Spending some quiet time at the weekend with tea, books and cooking/dog/cat videos on YouTube.
- Enjoying warmer days.
- Spotting this at the railway station – not sure it is a small pleasure, but a funny thing to share.
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 Eternal Traveller has lunch in Dubrovnik.
- Laurie reflects on the wave of all waves.
- And Jude shares the last photo on the card for October.
- Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens takes us the redwoods in California – would love to go there.
- The Travel Sketcher shares his week in The Pearl, as ever, a beautiful post.
- Mr Tootlepedal shares more colours of autumn and a robin.
- And The Glasgow Gallivanter gallivants! What she got up to in October.
- It was lovely to see Stockholm thanks to Maria.
- Natalie shares gorgeous autumn colours.
- And Neal shares five good things on Friday.
- Anne shares her bird of the day.
- Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs shares what is making her happy
- Finally….Mr Platypus remembers a beautiful cat….
- ..…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
