Feestpaleis/Wellington blog

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Spring! Weekend!

August 27th, 2007 by gert

Aloha all!

Spring is nigh! Sure, the winds will turn tonight and we’ll get a few days of brisk southerlies and some rain, but after last weekend, the Feestpaleis Board of Directors declare winter officially gone. history. see ya next year. Why? Because we had such a great weekend.

Wellington

Friday
In the afternoon, I joined Willemijn and our friend Shelley on a great little walk in the hills over Days Bay, on the other side of the Wellington Harbour, which we crossed by ferry.
Shelley and Gert on the ferry to Days Bay

Stunning views of our beloved little city.
Willemijn and Gert and the most beautiful city in the world in the background

Clear blue skies, bright and warm sun, hardly any wind, and native birds: Tui, Pīwakawaka (fantail) and Kererū (native woodpigeon).
Kereru

Saturday
I took it easy and woke up slooowly with coffee, my laptop and some relaxing music, while Willemijn was extremely busy planting natives, doing grocery shopping, playing ultimate, swimming and enjoying a sauna.
the Oku Reserve Planting group enjoying a barbie in Island Bay park

The weather was friendly and we sat outside on our lawn, soaking up some rays, before The Feestpaleis Liquid Chemistry Department (consisting of Willemijn and myself) headed over to our friend Cedric who celebrated his birthday with a cocktail party.
Gert shaking a fine drink

As I was driving that night, I drank only water, but had heaps of fun mixing Cosmopolitans, because they were so enthousiastically received, especially by our lovely friend Kat:
Kat enjoying a Cosmopolitan

Sunday
Hmmmmmm…. late breakfast in the warm sun, with the best views in the world. What more do you need?
Breakfast in the sun

While Willemijn went to play pickup (ultimate games where anyone who shows up can join in), I went surfing. YES YES YES! The south swell was still rolling in, and it had eased down to friendly longboard waves, highly suitable for feeble old people like me. It was fantastic to be out there again after almost two months. I had a few very fine rides and with a huge grin I cruised back home, where I found a note telling me to hurry up to Belgian cafe “Leuven” where a bunch of friends were enjoying mussels, Hoegaarden and Duvel.

After this weekend, we can handle even the strongest southerlies. bring it on!