You can never have enough...

[JanW]

Spending a couple of days in Kinloch - just me and one of my nieces who needed a few days away from her family to put the final touches to a big case she is involved in early in the new year - she is a crown prosecutor- had a laugh when her family dropped her off - they say out of the mouths of babies cones the truth - her 5 year old told me she was lending me her Mum to drive me to Taupo before they dig me in the dirt - took me a wee minute or two to realise she was signalling she thought I was past it! Actually my car needed a decent run - first time I have been over the Taupo Road since the 80km speed limit was placed on the road including the Rangateiki plains - kilometres of straight road no pot holes with wide shoulders so of course nobody sticks to 80km except my driver who happened to be a lawyer so wouldn’t break the law .When we finally got to Taupo it was completely gridlocked - which is normal for Taupo in the holidays but the problem has been compounded by the $60 million Covid money that was spent on redeveloping the city centre - Hunni do you remember all the eateries along the front of the lakefront at the end of the Main Street - the one way traffic now goes right past their shop fronts and their out door seating is across the road - the staff have to bring your coffee or meal through the traffic - stopping on the lakefront when passing through to have a coffee or a sandwich was extremely popular but there is no longer any parking .So we decided to head up Kaimanawa Street to bypass the town and head down Spa Road - which you may remember Hunni were both wide well used streets but now they have put traffic lights where two lanes have to merge into one with no turning lanes .No wonder the locals are complaining - we finally made it out to Kinloch and have stayed put - we won’t be spending any money in the town
The neighbour popped over with a side of smoked trout - which was lovely - I found a bag of Orzo pasta in the pantry - must be at least 4 years old but made a lovely orzo trout salad - orzo makes a lovely salad it’s like flat grains of rice - cheap as chips - soaks up a dressing like French dressing
Kiwimade the thrush is stunning - another lovely family heirloom
Heading out to the glass blowing place this afternoon - I find it absolutely fascinating watching him work - better check before we leave he is open
My son and his family loved their holiday on Stewart Island even though they had Covid - said it was a real chance to unwind and leave the world behind
Have just watched Poldark again - it’s just as beautiful and enjoyable as it was 20 years ago