Well, of course, I'm always 'here' it's just a case of where 'here' is. Today it's Kiwiland:
I arrived in Napier around 1800 hrs and, guess what? I was offered a celebratory glass of wine which, out of politeness, of course, I accepted. After dinner we decided that the pool, at around 35 ºC, was very inviting:
I'm not sure how long we were in there but it was pretty late when we all emerged, had some green tea and retired to bed happy and absolutely pooped!
I woke 0645 with absolutely no idea of the time (phones switched off and no clock!!), got up, showered and made my way into the living area of the house to find that I'd got up at 0645 - true Kiwi fashion - to another fabulous day:
Okay so I know that I've just lots a HUGE number of friends who are still languishing in Scotland's dreaich and dismal or cold, wet and windy weather but, hey, I'll just have to cope with it.
I'm sure you will cope just fine. Good to have you back. Here.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate. I'll be in touch shortly.
DeleteGlad you arrived safely and wow, what an arrival! What more could one wish for?
ReplyDeleteSerenata to be honest I couldn't ask for much more in life, I really couldn't.
DeleteGlad you have settled in. Have a wonderful time. We had a lovely day today and hopefully the weather will be kind for a few days. Enjoy.
ReplyDeletePat a few days might be all for the moment. It's forecast to be wet for Waitangi Weekend (the coming weekend) but it will be warm rain!
DeleteDon't think about us you have a great time and enjoy the lovely hot sun. Forgotten what that feels like!
ReplyDeleteCarol we are going to have a fabulouds summer! I've ardered one specially.
DeleteLooks like you got a well deserved reward for your long journey! Can see from the photos in the pool that you're happy to be there :) As usual I marvel at your ability to adjust so quickly to the time-travel...
ReplyDeleteMonica I'm remarkably fortunate that I've never suffered from jet-lag and it's psychologically easier to adapt to summer than to arriving in winter anywhere! Except, I suppose, for a skiing holiday.
DeleteAre you being a visitor in the big house or will you be in the cottage? Great to see you back - and in the sun :)
ReplyDeleteFi I'm staying in the big house (The Cottage is on long let). I've just been out and about and it's really good to be back in the sun.
DeleteSo glad that you have arrived safely and may I say you look darn pleased as punch to be in that warm pool far far far far away from the drab weather back "home".
ReplyDeleteVirginia 'pleased as punch' doesn't begin to describe it!
DeleteI hate you! I hate you! Tormenting me with images of that pool! It is so damn hot here at present...high humidity. We've been suffering through muggy, steamy, sticky, horrible, high humidity and you go and show me photos like that!!! Shame on you, Graham! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Yeah! A glass or more of wine was forced into your hand! What terrible punishment to receive upon arriving!!
Have a great time in a beautiful area...I've just wasted those words...of course you're going to have a wonderful time! Mad if you don't!! :)
Lee, my Dad always told me that I should never hate anything or anyone. So I'll take it that you just don't like me a very lot (which is what the young daughter of a friend used to say because I'd passed that piece of 'advice' on to her). You're right too that I'm going to do my darndest to have a wonderful time.
DeleteOh, you know how to rub it in. Enjoy your stay.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Red. It was a bit inconsiderate of me.
DeleteLucky bug**er. Meanwhile I'm enjoying the coolish, non-swimming, weather here in S W France.
ReplyDeleteYes Cro you don't have to endure the terrible winters we have in the (North of) Scotland. I could cope with S W France!
DeleteAh, how nice to have rich people with pools for friends or in one's family :-D
ReplyDeleteHere, it has just gone a bit colder again. But right as I am typing this, the sun comes out. I'll spend the day at the office anyway, so the weather does not matter all that much.
Meike old a very close friends have had a pre-meal toast when eating at their house. "To being rich." The full toast when they started this 35 years ago (to my knowledge) was "To being rich: we have food on our plates; we have wine in our glasses; and we have friends to share it with. We are rich." Yes it is nice having friends/family with swimming pools but fortunately they are also happy because they have friends (true friends) with whom to share them.
DeleteSounds like the right idea to leave the miserable winter weather for warmer climes.
ReplyDeleteDiane I cannot deny that warm, sunny weather is far more preferable to cold, wet weather.
DeleteIt's not been a bad winter here in Exeter, but the weather and the lush green vegetation at your other home does have me wishing for summer. Hope you have a lovely time, xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. You are fortunate in your winter weather. Scotland and, in particular the Islands, have had relatively warm weather but it's been very very wet and windy and the sun has been a rareity since last April.
DeleteHow lovely! And you look so happy (though why are you wearing glasses in a swimming pool? Just asking). Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteFrances I am blessed with being a relatively happy person by nature but, yes, being in a warm climate in a warm swimming pool after having had a wonderful welcome, lovely food and delicious wine did certainly fuel that natural feeling. Glasses? I waer them all the time and just forgot to take them off. It is a bit of a nusiance when one surfaces I admit. I do try and remember as a rule because I don't need them in the pool to see my way around!
DeleteMaybe I have got a little mixed up but did you just say you pooped when you were in the pool?
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to know you got there safely Graham. Have fun!
Thanks YP. It was an unfortunate combination of words now that you mention it.
DeleteLove your big smile in the swimming pool! And of course, you must accept that glass of wine, it is the only polite thing to do! HA! LUCKY!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay. You're right: it would have been churlish to refuse!
DeleteSuch an inviting atmosphere!!
ReplyDelete