family
Wine with friends
Sam, Emile, Tim & Ben joined Bill and I for family dinner. Some nice wine was drunk.
Bill’s 69th Birthday Dinner @ Jano Bistro
We were lucky enough to be able to celebrate Bill’s 69th birthday with an eight course meal at Jano Bistro, one of Wellington’s three Michelin Star restaurants.
The Menu
Selecting a drink
A Negroni, of course!
First Course - Venison Terrine
Second Course - BBQ Brussel Sprouts, Walnut, Lemon, Toasted Yeast
Third Course - Lewis Farm Asparagus, Pistachio, Garlic, Mint
Fourth Course - Line-Caught Fish (Kingfish), Mills Bay Mussel, Broccolini, Grapes
Fifth Course - Conscious Valley Lamb, Smoked Eel, Cauliflower, Hazelnut, Prune
Sixth Course - Soft Meringue, Mandarin, Honey, Ginger, Kawakawa
Seventh Course - Whittakers Chocolate, Raspberry, Pear, Oat, Hojicha
Eighth Course - Chocolate Coated Ganache & Raspberry, Hokey Pokey
Family time in Wellington
A gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon in Wellington. Lovely to have the Luffs down for Ellie’s 21st weekend.
Farewell to my dear Aunt Jenni.
It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with you and the family in Wanaka.
Here’s to your bright eyes.
Bush walk at Venman Bushland National Park, Southeast Queensland.
Birthday book haul
Thanks to Mum, Dad, and Bill for the Unity Books vouchers 🥰
- Atlas of the New Zealand Wars (Vol I) (Derek Leask, 2025)
- The Monastic World: A Thousand Year History (Andrew Jotischky, 2025)
- The Revelation of Ireland: 1995-2020 (Diarmaid Ferriter, 2024)
- Bodies of Men (Nigel Featherston, 2019)
- Patria: Lost Countries of South America (Laurence Blair, 2024)
Ode to empty can of Kingfisher found on a windowsill at Middlemore Hospital
In shaded light, up in the corner
Royally perched on a sill
Not in the middle, to the side
A pale resemblance of itself
The sparkle’s gone; the fizz, no more
It’s empty now, its job is done
This one won’t fish for compliments
But don’t kick the can
Just let it rest a while,
Respite; in dusty repose
(Requested by Victoria Luff)
Eketāhuna walk Exploring the small country town of Eketāhuna
