Well, it’s evident I didn’t get back to update the last blog post. The ‘couldn’t be bothered’ attitude continued and has extended elsewhere. I put it down to seasonal depression or SAD. I got fed up with Facebook, finding most of it either depressing or pathetic (not the right word – more like too trivial or overly sentimental to be bothered with) and the rest I just “couldn’t be bothered” reading, skipping most. I seriously don’t think anyone noticed the sudden quiet on my page and anything I’ve since posted has largely gone ignored. Facebook is the worst possible webpage to go to if you’re feeling miserable or lonely.
One of my older cousins in Australia (Brisbane), Hl, popped over last week. I picked her up from Wellington airport and we headed over the Rimutakas to my brother’s place. There was still snow on the roadside. I had kept a watch on the road and was thankful that it remained open. (It had previously closed after the dump of snow and it was possible there would be more.) My brother had never actually met H. She’s that much older than us that she was off on her own when the rest of us had gathered around on previous visits.
So, we had a lovely evening meal of home-kill roast lamb (apologies to any vegos out there). Very cold night but bro had his log burner going and it was very cosy.
Next day we headed out to Castlepoint and it was a fabulously sunny, still day – barely a breath of wind. Took the stairs up to just below Castle Rock and did the loop, then up to the lighthouse.
We had lunch at the nearby pub where we met a gorgeous young ginger cat (catten I like to call it – neither cat nor kitten). Hl and I continued on to my place and arrived just before dark. Unfortunately, there was an unpleasant sight to greet us – a dead white and grey cat under the carport. I don’t know whether neighbours thought it belonged to me or whether it just went there and collapsed. We’ll never know. I put it on the roadside in case its owner spotted it. It was gone the next morning. Perhaps the rubbish collectors took it or someone came for it. Not a great welcome for my cousin!
I was anxious about feeding said cousin as I am not a confident or imaginative cook. I was prepared to cook a stew or pork steaks or a stir-fry with rice but Hl just wanted vegetables without any starch (ie no potatoes, rice or pasta). Not having a clue (where’s my daughter when I need her?) I just stir-fried some vegetables. It wasn’t great. Never mind. We played Scrabble and drank wine. Another very cold night and Hl had her winter woollies out in force, heater and hot water bottle as well.
The next day was another sunny one, so I took Hl for a “tiki tour” around the town: Esplanade (coffee at the café), Plaza (where we had lunch and she bought a merino top), wind turbine lookout and the local domain. We went out in the evening for another roast dinner (at H’s request) so I took her to Rosie O’Grady’s pub and we had a wine with our roast pork).
Finally, the next day, I drove back to Wellington to drop Hl off at the airport – a very brief trip, but she wanted to connect with her NZ cousins and have a break from work which she is currently not enjoying because of a finicky boss. I didn’t stay in Wellington at all, but drove straight back, as it was a normal working day the next day.
It was an interesting visit. H talks quite a lot (and mumbles!) so it was easier for me, not being a very sociable person in general. I heard about the sisterly friction (she has three sisters) and the abusive father (now deceased). She also told bro and I stuff about our father that we never knew – will have to ask my aunt (now age 94) before she’s gone! Hl was not religious at all (which was a relief) and was also quite cynical (a family trait, I think) but she didn’t seem connected to the natural world (didn’t seem impressed with scenery for example, but perhaps she just doesn’t express it), didn’t like birds, not a fan of dogs, etc. She does have a cat, however, and did like Jasmine. It was a nice change to have someone around anyway.
The next highlight is the return of daughter H, who will be visiting for a week. Yay! It will pass very quickly, sadly and I can probably count on another depressive episode afterwards.
Nothing more to write about. The dreary drudgery of life in winter continues.
Reflections 