SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED YOUR GIRLFRIENDS!
- Annemarie Rawson
- May 8
- 4 min read
I’ve been absent for sometime but that’s what happens when you’re doing stuff and just getting on with everyday life! I’m sure it’s the same for most of you.
We’re in the throes of autumn and the colours are beautiful. Still having glorious days but the mornings and evenings are definitely chilly. Winter is knocking at the door and soon I'll have to let it in.
In preparation for cooler times, I've been making soups for the freezer as well as some breads. Steve loves Paul Hollywood's Irish Soda Bread and it's just so easy.
A little tip: don't bother buying buttermilk as so often the rest goes to waste, so just add the juice of a lemon to the milk quantity. Leave for 15 mins, then stir and add to the dry ingredients.
Another loaf I made yesterday is a Seeded Loaf from Deryn at Running On Real Food. It's perfect for those following a keto or gluten-free diet. I made the 2x size recipe, waited until cold, then sliced and packed it tightly in a bread bag and popped it in the freezer. I can now take out slices as needed. It's fabulous toasted.
Apart from planning the next trip away (a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Cape Town and safari in Botswana), I’ve finally made a decent dent in the next book - Further Late Life Adventures in London & Beyond. It won’t be completed until the end of the year though as I’ll have eight weeks separation from my laptop from mid-August. I get so distracted while writing too - looking back on photos to jolt my memory takes me off on many other tangents and it’s hard to get back to the storyline! I’ll get there.
I don’t know about you but I couldn’t live without my girlfriends. We just seem to talk about EVERYTHING, solve problems and have a naughty laugh which we might not do with our husbands/partners. It can get a little outrageous! I'm blessed with some pretty special women in my life, dating back to my Auckland days and also from my time overseas. Sometimes you just want to hang with the girls, so recently four of us from our Walkie Talkie group disappeared for a great weekend away in the New Zealand town of Whanganui - a three hour drive from our homes here in Hawke’s Bay.
Our Walkie Talkie group is a little different to the norm. We meet every Wednesday afternoon at 4.15 p.m. on the village green and walk (and talk!) for about 45 mins before arriving at our destination - a local bar, where we continuing the talking with a well-deserved glass of wine! I've made some life-long friends from this group. All of us are very different but so companionable.
That weekend in Whanganui was a big arty one and many galleries and artists had opened their doors to the public for longer hours. Not just painters/artists but potters, sculptors and jewellers too.
On Saturday mornings a market sets up at the bottom of town, alongside the meandering Whanganui River. It’s busy and in such a beautiful spot. Apart from the delicious wafts of street food on sale, there’s plenty of seasonal local produce, plants, artisanal food and loads of arts and crafts to stop and look at or buy. Weaving in and out of the stalls with a coffee in hand, you can’t help but jig along to the live music that’s on offer in different spots.
Lunch was a quick bite before finding our brilliant Airbnb - brilliant for us as it had a full kitchen, meaning we could sort dinner for ourselves on the Sunday night. It was also spacious, comfy, plenty of wine glasses and had two loos! Important details …
What a great weekend! We walked and talked, wined and dined, heading out for pre-dinner cocktails before eating at the highly recommended Hi-Kut Bistro. The food was wonderful, with three of us choosing the Frenched lamb racks which arrived with cauliflower purée, broccoli, cheesy kumara (sweet potato) croquettes and a red wine jus on the side. All beautifully cooked and washed down with a shared bottle of smooth, Central Otago Pinot Noir.
The following morning began with a ride in the 105 year-old elevator up through Durie Hill to the Memorial Tower at the top. That was an event in itself! It only takes four as well as the elevator operator - an American woman who was an absolute hoot! I was pleased to see there was an emergency button if it broke down.
The spiral tower climb of 176 steps in the tower was easy enough giving great views from the top. From the base of the tower we descended the fairly steep 191 steps to town, stopping in a great cafe/homewares store for coffee and a hot-out-of-the-oven cheese scone, ready to attack our river walk, bridge crossings and journey back to the car.
Our afternoon was spent wandering the newly re-opened Sarjeant Gallery. It’s small but beautifully crafted and all of us loved it. Afternoon prosecco at a local bar was included followed up with evening drinks at home, dining on a rotisserie chicken and salad. Chocolates and a girly movie finished our time away perfectly.
Do you have special women in your life? Ever get away to just have some fun with them? Leave a comment and let me know.
Speak soon!
Annemarie
xx
What a fabulous weekend with the girls, so important to have such good friends to relax and enjoy with.
I see there is a girls duck shooting group in the Hawkes Bay... That looks fun( not the bit shooting the ducks though!)
You sound very busy with your book, I'll be looking forward to reading another one. Good for you.
Love Gill xx
It’s just a lovely place all round, especially walking beside the river. There’s an old steamer boat you can ride up the river on too. Plenty of things to do, if you want them. Thanks for messaging!
sounds like a fabulous w/e away & time spent with your girl friends ..
Whanganui sounds like a lovely interesting town to visit,with lots to see & do..