TGIFriday

Before you say anything - yes, I know it's not friday!

Last Friday Wellington turned on the charm.  It's become a chiche but cliches become cliches because they are true - You can't beat Wellington on a good day.  I woke up to blazing sunshine, clear skies and warmth.  I become a different person when the sun is shining - relaxed, positive and motivated (no change there you say!).  I went for a swim at Kilbirnie pool (the best in Welly, if you're looking for one) and came out energised and happy.  As it was so near, I decided to go to the beach; so I got a pizza from Mediterranean Food Warehouse and headed down Lyall bay. 

What more could I want? a good book, a great pizza, sun on my face and the sound of waves in my ears.  This was my view of the world for at least a couple of hours:

Ok, this stupid app has 'corrected' my photo so that it's upright - this is supposed to be on it's side, so please tilt your head to the right and imagine lying on your side - cos that's how I ended up, snoozing on the sand.  Ah Wellington, I loves ya.

Wn On Board

Yesterday a hoard of about 11 people invaded my place!  I didn't even know half of them.

Yesterday was the inaugural meeting of the Wellington On Board gaming group.  For years WN has been short of a central place for people to find out about what's going on in town in the way of games.  As it says on the website

 http://www.meetup.com/WellingtonOnBoard/:

"This is a friendly gaming group with the aim of enjoying meeting people and having fun. Anything to do with gaming - playing, designing, creating rating, collecting - we're into it. Board games, role playing, table top gaming, war-gaming, whatever your favourite flavour - here you can meet people who are into the same things."

So a group of random strangers turned up at my house to play a selection of stuff - some from my collection, some which people brought with them.  We played:

• 7 wonders - to introduce people who were new to games
• Dominion - the classic
• Marrakech - cute little rug-laying game with cute little rugs
• Galaxy Trucker - if you haven't played this, get hold of someone who has it immediately!

The atmosphere was convivial and I think everyone had a good time.  I certainly enjoyed it.  Thanks John for the bubbly to open the show with and thanks everyone for coming and making a success of it!  Here's to many more!

I have really great friends

It's my birthday coming up, yes another 10 years on the planet - let's celebrate!

So I decided to book a batch and do the weekend away thing.  I found a really great, and cheap, place on the south coast.  After being totally shocked at the prices peopel want to charge for a weekend cottage I found Ann's Abodes, a lady who just advertises on her own website (not through the holiday homes websites) and therefore is a bit cheaper than average.  Of course I had no idea what it was going to be like inside - no pictures of the rooms - but it was toally wonderful.  Wood fire, huge living area and amazing view out over the beach.  Very calm and tranquil and NO cellphone cover. 

That was a bit of a shock, to realise there are still places with no cellphone coverage - but we got over it very quickly :}

I'd just like to say a huge thankyou to the 7 people who spent the weekend with me playing games, walking up to the light house, and eating vast quantities of food, I had a fabulous time with you all.  I really enjoyed the startrek crew we became - great costumes even if the mystery itself was a bit convoluted!

There's only one question remaining - how do I get through all the leftover humus, chicken and cheese without ending up twice the size I am now??!!

Thanks James, Sarah, Sharon, Brent, Adrianne, Lisa and Paul, I love you all.