“Welcome to Welly”, said the flight attendant into her mic as we landed.
I laughed. NZers are notorious for putting ‘ey at the end of any words that don’t pay attention and shortening all the rest! I had steamed from the international airport to the domestic airport in the summer heat in Auckland, (it is a lovely walk between terminals after a long flight), pushing my three suitcases packed with winter woolies and camera gear and sound gear and even some baby stuff, to catch the puddle jumper to Wellington (Welly) to stay a few weeks with my sons and their families before going to Melbourne for a while. Being a little early I discovered if I moved a little faster I could catch an earlier flight to Wellington. So I did. And I did.
I cabbed it to my son’s house to take over the kids due to an emergency that had popped up while I was in the air. Thank goodness I had taken the earlier flight.
I said to the cabbie – keep the change if you help me with these bags. The silent cab driver did and I did. Why is it that cabbies are either silent to the point of comatose or will talk a persons head off.
People streamed down the hill side path to help the silent cabbie with the bags. I was divested of all straps and coats and handbag. Hands and hugs of little children. Helping the sickie into the car, hellos, goodbyes, slamming of doors and within minutes I was left with two kids, two cats and questions about lunch. Kids are so resilient. I was in my best place, the right place, with family.
All are well again now. Getting weller every day.
As you know I do not talk about other peoples business but I had gentle inquiries and yesterdays newsletter being missing in action hence the little explanation. There was a lot of action and yes it was missing.
End of episode.
Yesterday afternoon to distract the kids and get on with some resting cleaning, I put on The Reluctant Dragon and two little kids lounged on the couch listening to my voice read them a bedtime story in the middle of the afternoon from the phone.
“That does not sound like you” said the littlest.
“That is my narrating voice,” I said.
“Oh” he said. “A narrators voice.” He pondered this for a while. Saying the word narrator under his breath.
Much to my delight they were transfixed and have asked for Alice in Wonderland for today if they are again too snotty for school.
“Daddy.” the little one asked his Dad on a video call. “Did you know that Ceci is a narrator”. Emphasis on the ‘tor in narrator.
So, today will be more of the same. I am making lasagna for dinner.
The garden is in need of water. And weeding. And a delight in its sheer unapologetic wildness. The compost heap will grow larger this week. This is a big wild inner city garden. I love it. But wish I had my battery operated weed eater here. Those gas ones are so heavy!
The best way to get through a mountain of work is to do a corner at a time. That’s all. Make a list of each corner and keep the tasks small enough to manage easily.
News from the City Garden with a Country Heart.
The Compact Kitchens Garden. My grown kids Dad is visiting with my daughter in Melbourne and has hung the pictures, cut down the dead tree and mown the lawns. (Meow wants to keep the tree trunk – so do I). And he (and his wife who makes the best tomato relish in the world), have embarked on the raised beds. Awesome work happening over there!
So yesterday was a flurry of texts, questions and answers. And marked up drawings.
Then real drawings.
Then approvals. I am very excited about the raised beds.
Our plan is coming together over there!
Cold cold coming in Illinois. I am scared to look at the forecast.
More on that later.
Now up and at ‘em!
Time for me to get a wriggle on.
I will have a cup of tea in the garden to begin!
Talk soon.
Love Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
22 responses to “welcome to welly”
welcome home Celi. Most of us rest when we’ve flown around the world but not you my friend. You are at it from the time you get out of the cab. Enjoy the busyness of the next couple of weeks here in Wellington.
It is a bit busy and Lordy Judith! That hospital is the ugliest hospital ever! I guess the foyer is nice though I did not see much of it.
I have to agree about the hospital building and also admit that my late partner was the architect. He must’ve been having an off day or a few months when he designed it. The foyer is bright and cheerful and makes up in part for the ugliness of the building. Hopefully you won’t have to go there again during your short stay
Oh no! A massive faux pas on my part! I am so sorry. I did like the foyer even though the front doors were locked at 8pm and I had to wander the corridors looking for a way out! Hence the intimate knowledge of the corridors.
Not a faux pas Celi. I agree it is an ugly building and I am sure, not one he would have been proud of. Say no more about it
and thank you for bringing the much needed rain to our city. We have been basking in summer for weeks and our gardens have been crying out for more then the watering they’ve been getting. But already at 8 am we are missing the sun.
It might be ugly but the site was very restricted and those base isolaters are critical and reassuring in such a shaky place. The Atrium is wonderful and the staff and volunteers in the hospital are the best people. I hope you are well Judith?
I agree Linley. Unless you live in a place prone to earthquakes you don’t appreciate the base isolators as we do. And thank you. I am really well and I hope you are too. I’m missing the bright yellow ball in the sky today after such a long run of sunshine.
My garden has loved the rain today.
The staff is fab!
Great news about the garden renovation!
Yes! David is putting in the bones then I come back and start the winter garden plan. Everything in its proper order!
Perfect!
I can’t wait to be able to have a cup of tea in the garden…..we got what’s coming to Illinois here in Colorado now. But not nearly as bad. Ahhhh, summer!
Yes, Cold in Illinois and north central Indiana. We had snow the last couple days, windy and cold but sunny today. Yesterday the big fox squirrels kept coming to the window and looking in while Brat the cat sat there looking out. Lots of very swishy tails and a vibrating black cat looking at that red and gray squirrel staring back at him. Squirrel then climbed the screen and Brat went nuts trying to climb the window glass. The squirrels are in their drays (nests) today tho with the cold and wind. I’m glad I don’t have to go out for anything. I’m trying to talk my granddaughter into a small vegetable garden this year. There are lots of various buckets and other containers so no digging, she’s reluctant, we’ll see.
Maybe start with one or two pots and quietly build up!
That’s what I was thinking. There’s a nice window box that is just bare dirt, I probably will start there with some herbs, a 5 gallon bucket with some cherry tomatoes and a second with some zucchini.
I LOVE window boxes. I had two in London. My room was right up in the eaves and my window boxes were my treasures. In fact I might write about them! Thanks for the memory.
So much a whirlwind of busy-ness, and I suspect you love every minute of it! Fortunate timing on this stop and what amazing things to look forward to once you get to Melbourne. So nice to have so much work accomplished before you arrive for the fun parts of planting and growing. I had to read the first part of the post twice- the part with the “3 suitcases” since you are typically so minimal in your packing but it is understandable to bring needed items for seasonal changes. Did it feel strange to be moving and keeping track of that many supplies?
It is strange because I am coming into summer packed with winter clothes (and bowls and knives, and pots of course) all my summer clothes are already in Melbourne. So – there is an element of discombobulation!
You are all busy as bees! Tomato relish sounds lovely.
glad you are there, and busy as ever )