Whip round

I left work early Friday to take the first train home. Thank God for Helen because if she wasn’t visiting then I might have just taken to my bed for the weekend. As it was, on Saturday morning I slept to 11.30, which I haven’t done in about 15 years; thank goodness for friends who like to read by themselves on Saturday mornings.

I’m not always so neglectful but just had a tiring week. This weekend felt restful and restorative and also full of the kind of tonic that boosts your spirit.

As well as eating at Cuckoo, visits (yes, plural) to the Greytown lolly shop, strolling Martinborough, reading magazines by the fire, eating cheese from Featherston’s cheese shop, buying local honey at Almo’s Books in Carterton, we did this…

A visit to The Village Art Shop in Greytown – always full of treasure.

Both Helen and I like to walk slowly and seriously around shops to make sure we don’t miss any treasure.

Helen’s very excellent Sunday vintage dress.

I love an old pie dish and this one was filled with old stamps.

Vintage buttons.

Mural outside the Masterton Cinema – I like Mrs Tuatara and her handbag.

Mr Owl is pretty good too.

Pretty walls at Cafe Trocadero. Go for the coffee.

Me taking a photo of Helen taking a photo of this beautiful old painted sign.

My life advice – get a friend that it’s easy to mooch around your neighbourhood with.

In other exciting old lady news – we bought cider at the Featherston bottle store (a whole four bottles) and I got IDed. Not only am I over 18, I am two times 18. I told the woman behind the counter she was very kind.