#8am-6pm.. just washing dogs all day

[hashirun]

I'm just so tired, stressed, and anxious right now. My best friend's 5 month old husky Zeke died due to parvo last Wednesday. I know how much she loves him and can only imagine the pain she's feeling. I have grown quite attached to him myself and couldn't believe it when I found out that he died.

She arranged for his cremation in Pet Valley which is located here in Silang, Cavite. She asked me if she could stay here Wednesday evening as she didn't want to be alone on the first night that Zeke is gone. Also it'll be much easier to go to Pet Valley the next day from my place compared to coming all the way from Los Baños. I replied that of course she can stay here. But I've already Googled parvo and I was panicking at the back of my mind because my dog Mochi stays here with me and I learned that the virus is very resilient - it can survive months, even up to a year in the right environment. Most household cleaning products are not enough to kill it. To make things worse it is highly contagious and can easily contaminate objects such as an exposed person's clothes and shoes.

I wanted to support my best friend in whatever way I can, and I didn't want to seem insensitive and callous, so I refrained from asking her to make sure she disinfects before coming over here. Instead I decided to keep Mochi all alone upstairs since Wednesday evening - I avoided approaching him while my best friend was here.

My best friend and I stayed up til 4 in the morning talking about Zeke - the onset of symptoms, his trip to the vet, and his death just two days later. We talked about his life, which was short but well-lived. We cried and laughed and ate cookies and drank coffee and smoked cigarettes in between - it was our small private memorial service in honor of Zeke.

We slept in a different room far away from Mochi. I woke up around 8am to do some chores around the resort and cafe. By 9am my best friend woke up as well, we drank coffee and smoked cigarettes and continued talking about Zeke while she readied herself emotionally to go to Pet Valley. By 10 am her friend got here to give us a ride to Pet Valley. We met up with her boyfriend somewhere near the town center around 1:30 pm. We got to Pet Valley by 2pm, where we paid our last respects during his final viewing before his cremation. When she saw Zeke in his little coffin, wrapped in a white blanket with that serene look on his face, my best friend broke down. Soon I was crying as well, heartbroken for both my best friend and Zeke.

My Thursday didn't end there. We got back around 6pm. I tended the cafe til 10pm and was ready to turn in to bed, exhausted. But then a friend from my previous company messaged me to hang out, and I knew she was going through something so I said sure. She got here past 11 pm and we stayed up smoking and drinking and chatting until 5.30 in the morning.

After she left I made sure to wash myself thoroughly to make sure I wasn't carrying any virus when I finally approached Mochi. But I can't shake the feeling of unease - what if he still somehow gets infected? The virus can stick to shoes, so what if the ground here in our place already got contaminated? How can I ever walk Mochi in peace again with this thought hanging in the air?

Mochi howled when he saw me, I could tell he was upset with the fact that he had to sleep two nights without me. I guiltily apologized while I agonized over his health and well-being. I just can't bear the thought of him dying.

I fell asleep to these thoughts, then was jolted awake barely 3 hrs later by my pending errands for today.

So yeah here I am now, still tired, still stressed, still anxious.

[husband]

I know I literally told them in the interview Id work full time but I was just kidding it was just a goof

#8am-6pm.. just washing dogs all day #my back hurts so bad from leaning over the tub and im so exhausted from dealing with unruly dogs #like i didnt actually want to work it was a joke i just want money #i just want to be a recluse in the woods or something not wasting most of my day doing #this shit for a minimum wage check #now i only have like #6 hours of the day to myself and all i want to do for it is sleep #but i cant

[mundane127]

fridays with 127.

taeil: 8am mornings were the hardest especially when it is a friday and taeil could already smell the weekends at the tip of his nose. he wakes up first, in his pajamas and house slippers , he walks to the door to pick up the morning newspaper first and then trudges groggily into the kitchen as usual since the both of you took turns to make breakfast while the other gets extra shut eye time. he sits on the chair, waiting for his coffee and toast to be ready while he attempts to read the newspaper. moon taeil will always be moon taeil - he dozes off midway until the smell of coffee tickles his senses. he stands back up, fixing his bed hair. he sets breakfast and coffee for 2. 'babe, time to get up.' he rubs your back and shoulder gently, slowly rousing you from slumber.

taeyong: dinner and grocery shopping! taeyong picks you up from your office and the both of you take the rush hour subway downtown at 7pm and enjoy a meal at that coffeehouse that served all-day breakfast and amazing fusion food. with tummy filled, the both of you took a short stroll down to the supermarket. his chest against your back as he hugs you and push the trolly as the both of you glide around the premise, filling it up with all kinds of goodies and taeyong might even sneak in a pack of uno or a cluedo under the heap of snacks. the bus ride home was quiet as you leaned on his shoulder, watching us the cars speed by and traffic starting to die down as the night deepens.

johnny: johnny doesn't fail to take you out on a night drive after dinner on fridays. 10pm when everyone are at home and enjoying the company of their families and significant others. he would drive outside the city, where the highways are never congested. he holds your hand as he drives, slow and chill music filling the accepted silence between the both of you. anywhere is perfect and he would just stop his car where he think the view is nice and the both of you would just admire the stars and the moon in the dark sky. even when it rains, the both of you would just enjoy the beauty of how the lightning appears and the pitter patter of the rain against the car windows. a very relaxing experience where the both of you just chat, share and joke around before turning home.

yuta: both of you took the day off so you could have an early headstart to the weekends. a lazy morning and breakfast at 1pm and the both of you got out of bed, dressing up warmly even though spring has made its presence known with the blooming cherry blossoms. yuta holds your hand, and you snuggled close to his side, admiring the pink hues of the park. he takes more pictures of you than you take of him and yuta (being the braver one) even asked a passerby to take a picture of the both of you and the picture turned out so cute; the both of you smiling while sitting on the park bench, your hands in yuta's, placed above his lap while the pink petals rained above your heads.

doyoung: busy with his schedule, he unlocks his phone at 10am. doyoung knows how you often skip breakfast and have coffee right away on your to work. so he goes onto his delivery app, ordering a bouquet of flowers, a box of donuts and a warm cup of latte to be sent to your office. every week is a different treat, sometimes sushi or even lunch bentos and he would always cheer you on with his message, 'don't forget your meals and work hard today! the weekends are minutes away~ specifically, 1440. can't wait to see you soon. love you!' or on good day, he might even pick you at lunch time and would just go to a nearby to have a light snack.

jaehyun: he joins you at work at 8pm after he gets off his job, knowing how fridays were your closing days at the bakery. jaehyun helps you to sort the remaining bread and handle the cashier while you clean up the kitchen in the back, sweeping the floors clean so no bugs have a picnic during the weekends. you take one last look at the store and you switch the lights off, locking the front doors and even tugging it once more to make sure. 'no one wants to steal flour and sugar yknow?' jaehyun teases. he holds your hand and the both of you stop by the empty convenience store, opting for just cup noodles and a nice bottle of soju to end the week as he shares his day with you excitedly, dimples and his eye smile in full glory.

jungwoo: cycling down the river, as the sun sets at 6pm, the orange hues splashed across the sky as the both of you enjoyed the breeze, passing by cute little dogs on a walk or children playing at the playground. jungwoo loves to take you outdoors after work to help you unwind, sometimes they were hikes up to the peak of hills or the exercise corner in the neighbourhood. this was rather therapeutic though sometimes your legs would hurt from walking but rest assured that jungwoo would offer to carry you up for the remaining of the journey. and when you reach your destination, the both of you would just admire the calmness of sundown, his arms around your waist and he plants kisses on your forehead.

mark: reading books in bed at 11pm. our little bookworm would be settled in bed, with you by his side, his left hand holding onto a copy of 'the alchemist' as you lay on his chest, also reading your favourite series. occasionally, mark would twirl and scrunch your hair as he reads intently. his slow and calm breathing lulls you to sleep; slipping your bookmark into your book, you set it down by your bedside table and returned into his embrace, arm around his torso as you hugged him to sleep. when mark feels his fatigue slowly tugging on his eyes, he does the same. saying a small prayer as he always does, he is thankful for you and for the day he gets to live. he slowly rests you on your side of the bed and makes himself comfortable, hugging you to sleep.

haechan: taking advantage of the school day at 11am when everyone's at work and class, haechan takes you on places where it's usually crowded with the younger crowd. he would take you to the amusement park, zoo, aquarium and comic book stores. and after a day of fun, he takes you for a light dinner before sending you off for your shift at 5pm. he kisses your hands as the both of you refuse to let go. he keeps waving and waits for you to enter your workplace before he leaves. he would run along and do his errands and be back by 12am to fetch you home and the both of you would enjoy a tranquil journey home, empty streets and only the moonlight washing over you.

#nct scenarios #nct scenario #nct imagine #nct imagines #taeil scenarios #johnny scenarios #taeyong scenarios #yuta scenarios #doyoung scenarios #jaehyun scenarios #mark scenarios #jungwoo scenarios #haechan scenarios

[notmuchofatail]

Has your pet jumped into the mud again? Or perhaps it’s just time for that regular trim. In any case, Vinny’s Ruff to Fluff Grooming Etc. is here to provide your pet with quality grooming and care. Need to take a vacation? Ruff to Fluff Grooming Etc. will also provide a kennel for your pet to be provided the finest of care. 

Ruff to Fluff Grooming https://ruff-to-fluff.carrd.co/ 10 Main Street, Swynlake Establish March 10th(?), 2019.  Ownership Transferred to Gregory Eeyore July 29th, 2019

Hours: 

Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm Saturday: 12pm-5pm Sunday: CLOSED

Available Grooming Services:

Full package grooming of all breeds big or small! This includes but is not limited to; dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. 

Bathing, brushing, hair trimming, etc. 

Nail trimming, filing, capping and/or painting. 

Teeth brushing and scraping for plaque removal. 

Shedless treatment. 

Gland Expression

Pet-Safe Dye Services

*Full grooming packages include a seasonal bandana for them! 

Animal Spa & Post-Disaster Pampering:

Ruff to Fluff offers a relaxing pet spa for when your pet needs a good pampering! We also provide post-disaster comforting and kenneling for animals with anxiety disorders or general post-disaster angst.

Kennel & Boarding

Ruff to Fluff offers luxury boarding for your pet while you're away! Comfortable and stylish kennels provide your pet with comfort during their stay, equipped with clean bedding, toys and privacy!

Pets will be provided with enrichment, exercise, and plenty of owner-approved treats during their stay! Mainstreet Park is right next door and a perfect place for outdoor time! If applicable, your pet will also have the option to join others in pet play dates throughout their stay*

Pets must be non-reactive and good with other animals in order to be eligible for play dates

NOTICE

All pets must be up to date on their vaccines in order to stay at Ruff to Fluff. A dated record must be provided before arrival. All allergies, medical conditions, and temperament must be disclosed before a pet's arrival as well. Please bring enough of your pet's favourite food, medication, and treats to last the duration of their stay. A house kibble will be provided in emergencies, however we prefer to keep a pet's diet as close as possible to normal. Switching diets can cause tummy issues and more anxiety. Medications must be LABELED with names, dates, instructions and more.

Adoptable Pets

In memory of Vinny Santorini, the owner & founder of Ruff to Fluff, we decided to bring in adoptable dogs & cats from the NTO shelter for another chance to find their fur-ever homes! These adoptable pets are sponsored, meaning adoption is FREE with an approved adopter's application. Say hello to our current adoptable pets here!

Fill out an Adopter's Application to get approved for adoption here!

Adoption Application

Pet supplies: 

Custom Bandanas, Collars, Leashes, etc.

Small animal hide-aways, hamocks, and corner covers.

Homemade Dog, Cat, and small animal treats

Special Birthday Treats

Toys, pet-safe dyes, and general supplies

Headcanons/Aesthetic listed in the Ruff to Fluff Server: 

Lena’s OG floorplan:

The reception is a small corner desk at the front and the 'pet shop' stuff they sell is on the wall/on a display between it and the couch. This top picture is a good idea of what I imagine it looks like (minus the door behind the desk) and maybe a lil.. less fancy. The grooming room is a mix between these fancy tubs and normal grooming tables (2 and 2). So there's a place for full grooming with baths, and just a place for nail trims or what have you. The rehabilitation center is the biggest change since Vinny's ownership. Greg spent a lot of time trying to revamp it a bit to make it a very cozy area for animals and where adoptable animals stay (max like... 5 at a time, usually overflow from the NTO shelter), where animals stay when owners are on vacation or where animals needing a get-away after disaster or rehabilitation stay. The kennels are roomy and cozy and Greg makes sure to keep them stocked with blankets/beds/toys that he washes and disinfects every few days/between different occupants. There’s also access to an outdoor yard from here and a connection to Mainstreet Park. This room is basically a smol doggy day-care area now really. The kennels are floor to ceiling like in this picture but again... a lil less fancy. but general idea. 

There's a wall in the rehab center where Greg puts up pictures of all the animals  that have been adopted out with their owners to remember them & say thanks! There's more, but I'm only listing the in play characters/animals here, so - so far this wall consists of:

Tiny, previously known as Rusty - Adopted by Tito.

Frito, previously known as Amber - Adopted by Tony.

And don’t forget to say hi to the animals that tend to either stay at the shop or frequent it often! Clifford is the resident Betta fish hanging out in reception in front of the Rehab/Kennel room. You can also expect to see Tucker curled up in a bed behind the reception desk most days, or maybe even Evie (Greg’s rat) curled up in a smaller bed tucked safely atop the desk in a little nook. 

Random Headcanons: 

Greg removed the bell that used to be above the door because it would drive the dogs crazy whenever someone came in. There’s an electronic sensor now that either will vibrate Greg’s phone (or whoever’s working) in case they’re alone and no one’s at reception - or will sound off a much calmer alert noise within the grooming room. 

There’s one someone wrote about for a Wrimo where Ruff to Fluff’s building growled at people which I wanted to include but I can’t find the Wrimo it was in so I’ll update this when I sort through all of them and find it again. 

#x; Ruff to Fluff #Ruff to Fluff #about #x; R2F #I wanted to compile everything from before and now into one post since... I have all of this listed in the business server but #not everyone can see it #I will continue to update this post as things change #as there's a link to show the 'adoptable animals' #as well as a link to a fake adoption form #if your character is actually interested in adopting!

[loadingluke]

Day of stage one RFF phalloplasty

Recovery days 1 and 2

FRIDAY 1/2

5:18am: I woke up 2 minutes before the alarm. Maddy and I woke up about the same time, I gave her a hug and we got ready for the day.

5:25am: I had a shower, my last shower before surgery. I washed myself with some antibacterial cleanser and brushed my teeth.

5:47am: Mum and Maddy had some coffee and tea, and I had nothing. We had a little bit of a chat before surgery.

6:03am: we left the house and headed to the hospital. We were all a little in shock by how bright it was. The sun was up when we woke up at 5:20! No daylight savings and just being a little more tropical I guess. There were heaps of people out and walking their dogs.

6:46am: we made it to the surgery check in counter- we got a little lost! Just waiting in line to check in. It was mainly done online so it shouldn’t take too long.

6:55am: everything is all sorted. I paid for my excess and now I’m just waiting for the nurse.

7:18am: I went in for my questions. Mum and Maddy waited outside. Then we went to the bay area and I changed out of my clothes and into my gown. Dr Goossen came in and went over everything again, so everyone knew what was going to be happening. He said he’d ring mum once i was out to keep her up to date.

7:32am: I was wheeled down into the anaesthetic room and met my anaesthetist, Dr Booth. He went over my history again and put an IV in my hand. I was wheeled into theatre, but due to some issue the surgery was delayed. I was given something to relax me while we waited to get the go ahead. I’m not sure how long I was waiting for or when the op actually started because of that, but I believe it was about half an hour? (edit: I found out later that it actually was an hour and a half, it definitely didn’t feel like that) The nurses were really nice, we talked about game of thrones, trashy TV and Harry Potter. By pure coincidence, thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran was playing- the same song that was playing when I was going under for my top surgery!

~5:20pm: I came to in recovery. I wasn’t in too much pain, my arm was all wrapped up and there was a lot of padding around the phallus. I felt surprisingly good. I had a button to press for fentanyl if I needed it. They did the doppler on the phallus to check blood supply, and I could hear that it was nice and strong. Hans and Scott came down to see how I was going and I got to actually see it....and I cried a little. Not my finest moment and probably to do with the meds, I was just so happy that It’s THERE! My pain was sitting at about a 3/10, and it was mainly sore on my butt incisions and my groin incision on the right side. I could wiggle my fingers well. My hand was a little cold so the nurse wrapped the gallows in a warm blanket to warm them up a bit- worked a treat! I was taken to my room.

~7:20pm: I got to my room, mum and Maddy were there. I was able to chat to them for a bit. I wasn’t allowed to eat anything but I had a little bit of water.

Overnight I had some routine obs done every hour. This involved my blood pressure, temperature and pulse being taken, a doppler on my phallus to check blood flow, wiggling my fingers and checking blood perfusion and finally my pain out of 10. Surprisingly, even with all of that every hour, I still had a pretty good sleep! My pain never got higher than a 5/10. My arm didn’t bother me too much either which is good. It was really weird sometimes. It felt like my arm was in a different position to where it actually was, for example in my head I thought it was lying across my chest when really it was in the sling hanging up. I would sleep pretty much from when the nurse left until she came back again.

I’ve got quite a few bits and bobs coming out of me, this is the setup we’ve got going on: My right arm is up and in a sling. I have a lot of padding around my groin, including a drain from my abdomen. There’s a drain coming out of my phallus and a catheter in my new urethra to keep it open, as well as one in my current urethra for voiding. In my left arm I have two IVs- one with my saline and fentanyl and one spare. I’m on oxygen for the time being as well. I have to wear compression socks and pumps on my legs as well to prevent swelling . A lot is happening and going on lol. My night was just sleeping and having my obs done.

SATURDAY 2/2

8:40 am: Hans came in with another urologist to take a look at how I was healing. He said I will probably get the drain out of the phallus on Sunday if it continues with how it has been healing which is good. He is happy with how the blood supply is going. He said the nerve hookup went well and that I should have pretty good sensation once the nerves grow back. We discussed the incisions behind the bum and I asked if they were stapled like how it’s done in the UK. Huzzah, sutured! I thought they would be but it was comforting all the same. The last thing I’d want would be to have staples removed from below my butt. He said that depending on who was around on Sunday I may be allowed to get out of bed which would be amazing. Fingers crossed.

9:00am: catering came by and I was given some breakfast. I had some toast and jam, and some orange juice.

I was also moved to be in right position as I couldn’t reach my breakfast properly. Two nurses moved me further up the bed so I was in a more comfortable position. First they laid the bed flat then slid a red-silk piece of material underneath me by getting me to roll onto my side and sliding the material underneath my butt. Then I rolled back onto my back, they pulled the material through so it was properly underneath me and then used it to pull me up the bed. I wasn’t strong enough in my legs to push myself up the bed.

9:20am: I had some blood taken. The guy who was doing it seemed a little confused as to why a 22 year old man was here all the way from Melbourne. I just went with it lol.

~9:30 am a nurse came in and have me hot towels for sponge bath. She left me to my own devices and wiped down face and body as that was all I could reach. It was refreshing. The nurse said she would change sheets later, probably tomorrow (Sunday) and I didn’t really think anything of it. Relaxed for a while and waited for Maddy, mum and a friend from school who happened to be in Brisbane to come and visit.

11:30 - just as my visitors arrived, two nurses came in and were confused as to why my sheets hadn’t been changed earlier and offered to do it for me. It was a similar process to how they move me further up the bed earlier with the silk. I rolled onto my side, they removed the old sheets and tucked the new ones under my butt. I then rolled onto my other side so they could pull the sheets through. They also replaced the absorbent sheet underneath me as I was oozing from my incisions a bit (perfectly normal but a little gross).

I had some time with my girlfriend, Mum and a friend from school. We hung out and had a bit of a chat which was nice. I felt quite awake and alert and was able to talk quite freely. They stayed until about 1:00pm, and also came back later at about 4:00pm. I had a nap in between. Throughout the whole day I also continued having hourly checks from the nurses.

SUNDAY 3/2

Overnight Saturday was similar to the first night but I was more restless so I didn’t sleep as well. It was very warm overnight, i has the fan on but my legs were still quite sweaty and itchy as a result of the combination of compression socks and the pumps on my legs as well as my leg hair. It was very itchy and hard to sleep because it kept tickling.

~8am on Sunday I had antibiotics and after that I had a sudden wave of nausea and felt like I would throw up. I told the nurse and she gave me a bag right away and I just allowed the wave to pass. I didn’t end up throwing up but I did come close to doing so. I was given some anti-nausea medication intravenously and that helped a lot.

~9:30am I asked if I could have my sheets changed as I felt really sweaty and clammy. It was pretty busy though so I had to wait for the nurses to be free. At about 10am Hans’ registrar came in and had a look at the phallus. There was minimal swelling and it was looking good so he removed the small drain from it. I couldn’t feel it. Once it was removed there was a little bit of bleeding coming out of the tip, but not much at all. He said everything was looking good. I video called some friends in Melbourne and then called Maddy to see what they were up to today.

~11:30am, a nurse came in to change over my sheets and give me a sponge bath. Boy, it was worth the wait! She wiped down my legs and changed my compression socks over, and then changed my sheets. It made me feel so much better, but did tire me out a bit. Maddy and Mum came over to visit me, and I had some fruit. Since Maddy is leaving Monday she got to stay for the day. We watched some TV together, but I was very exhausted so a lot of the time was spent with me asleep and her holding my hand (I love you for that Maddy, sorry I was so boring xx)

~3:30pm: Hans called me to see how I was traveling. He said I seemed to be doing well and said my blood work came back normal. He said he’d be in Monday morning to check up on me, and that I should be able to get out of bed then! How exciting!

~6pm Mum came back and her and Maddy helped get me some dinner. I had some decaf tea and juice, and that definitely helped give me a little more strength. I’ve got some fruit next to me that I can pick at overnight if I’m feeling peckish.

~6:30pm mum and Maddy left. Dr Ingram came down to check on me and he was also happy with how it was all going. He said he would touch base over the next few days and to let him know if I have any questions.

7:13pm: my last hourly check! The past 48 hours have been absolutely exhausting, mainly because I had to be woken up every hour for my check ups! Now that it’s been 48 hours I can drop down to checks every 2 hours. Doesn’t sound like much but I’m very keen for that.

9:27pm: I had the second spare cannula removed from my hand- it was just getting annoying at this point. My IVs also were falling off due to the tape, so a nurse has given me a little glove to keep them in place, and it’s worked a treat.

10:03pm: I’ve just finished off these notes and I’ll post them ASAP. All in all, pain has stayed consistent at about 3-4/10. Still have an IV and my arm in the sling. Still have my fentanyl button and oxygen. Legs are still in the pumps. I still have a catheter but that should come out tomorrow, along with my abdominal drain.

The catheter in the phallus will stay there, along with all the padding around it and my arm until I leave the hospital. I’m feeling a little more mobile, I can move my legs a little and scoot up if I’m too low on the bed, but that’s all the movement I’ve really been allowed to do for now. I’m gonna sleep now and will update in the morning hopefully when I’m allowed out of bed!

Thanks for all the kind words and support and I hope this has been helpful/interesting 😄

#phallo #ftm #trans #transgender #trans man #trans guy #dr goossen #phalloplasty #stage 1 #rff #rff phallo #lukes phalloplasty

[branfordcarwash]

Expert Interior Cleaning in Branford

While keeping the exterior of your car nice and clean is important, the interior is just as crucial. As we continue to see weather ranging from the 30s to the 50s, we must be prepared for snow or rain this time of year. This weather can leave the inside of our cars covered in filth with mud or salt. When this is the case, Branford Car Wash can supply you with the interior car cleaning services that your vehicle needs. With the car wash being located off of Main Street in Branford CT, your car will never have to go another day with a dirty interior.

The importance of keeping the inside of your car clean is just as significant as keeping your outside is as well. At Branford Car Wash, they hope to educate you on the importance of both but with their interior car cleaning, they are able to successfully increase the life of the car on top of making sure you’re driving in style.

We’ve all been there. We get into a friend's car and instantly meet dog hair, dirt and trash. The dirt and trash can actually increase the fading of the car mats which then decreases the value of the car. Along with that, the longevity of the car mats and seats can decrease as the dirt will eat away at the surface of these mats. Branford Car Wash brings special cleaning procedures that help limit the effects of dirt in your car along with their numerous other services.

These special cleaning procedures include bringing the best supplies to your car and properly wiping leather interior. Sometimes people just vacuum the inside of their car and call that clean. However, Branford goes deeper into the mats and cleans the interior completely. This attention to detail by Branford Car Wash helps you keep your car happy and healthy.

Interior car cleaning continues to be an important aspect of keeping your car healthy. With Branford Car Wash supplying an express wash service, your car will be done in no time! The Branford Car Wash is conveniently open from 8am until 6pm and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sundays. Which leaves you no option but to get your car washed before that next work meeting.The great team at this car wash will help make your car look like it just came from the factory! Car washes have always been important but with the industry evolving, so is Branford Car Wash. They have continued to use the best treatments possible for each car they wash.

Branford has continued to safely supply your car with the cleaning services it deserves. Colder weather is coming and with that colder weather comes more dirt within your vehicle. Let Branford’s experts take care of your car the next time you are in town. For the best interior cleaning in the area, go visit Branford Car Wash at 938 W Main St, Branford, CT. Looking for more information? Their website can be found here, or call their location at 203-481-2770.

#interior car cleaning #branford car wash

[assortedmoneydiaries]

a week in NYC on a $80,000 salary

Day One

5am: I wake up, snooze for 10 minutes, and do my morning face routine: rose toner, bronze eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrows. I make a fried egg over easy (a dozen for $1) and drink some peanut milk (homemade with peanuts, water, and sugar). 

6:45am: I get to my monitoring appointment for my egg freezing process, and I get bloodwork and an ultrasound within 20 minutes. I pay for lupron, a trigger medication for the egg retrieval process scheduled for this weekend. I’m getting my egg freezing reimbursed, but for now I’m paying this out of pocket. $85. 

7:50am: I get to work - it’s a Sunday, but I have a 12 hour shift ahead of me. I immediately get a sign-out about a patient with a weapon in his rectum, so this day is already wild. 

12:00pm: The day hasn’t been too bad, actually; I microwave my pre-packed lunch - white rice with eggplant, chicken, and thai basil. I briefly entertain buying a drink from the vending machine, but it passes. 

6:00pm: After a day of answering pages and browsing furniture, it’s dinner time! I microwave my pre-packed dinner - pesto chicken bread pudding that I made with my brother’s leftover sourdough bread. Back to work. 

8:00pm: Time to go home! The night ended with a patient who caught a goose in Central Park with a fishing net and decapitated it. The police confiscated the knife and the goose. 

10:00pm: Because it’s the weekend, my normal one hour commute becomes two hours. I talk to my prospective roommate about our housing plans, inject myself with follistim and clomiphene for the egg freezing, and pass out. 

Daily total: $85 (to be reimbursed). 

Day Two

6am: Same routine, but an hour later! Wash my face, get dressed, and an egg and peanut milk. Not having to think about breakfast makes my life easier when I’m already so groggy. 

8am: I’m still on the subway, but we have virtual morning lectures from 8am-9am, so I just join on my phone. I get to the hospital at 8:10 and continue the lecture on wifi. I drop off the black sesame milk buns that I made over the weekend in the residents’ lounge. 

9am: We have morning rounds for 30 minutes, and I go see my patients and write their notes. One of my patients is someone I saw in the ED yesterday, and she’s very sweet now that she’s no longer intoxicated. 

12pm: Lunch time! I microwave my pre-packed lunch, same as yesterday, and chill with the other residents for an hour. 

3pm: I count down to 3pm for the donut drop from Kora; within 3 minutes, the donuts are sold out. Thankfully, I made it - 2 sets of the Sari-Sari (leche flan, ube, churron, halo-halo, and keso). All set for pick-up on Friday. :) $65. 

4pm: I get out of work, and go home to chill, work on the apartment rental application, and work out. 

7:30pm: Dinner with my mom eating leftovers, and then Stone Age (a free online board game with friends). 

10pm: Follistim and clomiphene again, and off to bed. 

Daily total: $65 (hopefully will be reimbursed for $56 since I’m sharing with 6 other people) 

Day Three

5am: I have to go for monitoring again today, so I wake up early ... and do the same routine, except with hot HK milk tea instead of peanut milk to warm me up. 

7am: It’s 50 degrees outside, and I decide to cancel my dinner plans (outdoor dining with a friend) because I’m not dressed appropriately for the weather. I go in for monitoring and it turns out I need to take a medication as soon as I get home from work, so I have an even better excuse to cancel.  

10am: I discharge two patients, one of whom is my age and is one of the nicest patients I’ve ever had. I have medical students now, so I bring them along to see my patients. 

12pm: Lunch time - I microwave my pesto chicken bread pudding that I brought from home. I was hoping to snack on a black sesame milk bun, but they’re all gone. :(

5pm: I go home instead of going to dinner, but it turns out that I don’t have the medication after all. I contact the ob/gyn, but it’s not available at any pharmacies; I’ll just pick it up from the clinic tomorrow (for free). 

7:30pm: I eat leftovers again for dinner (peking duck and steamed dumplings). The rest of the night is pretty low-key; lazing in bed and scrolling through social media. I get myself to do a few squats, but I feel so meh that I don’t really end up doing much and call it a night. 

Daily total: $0 

Day Four 

5am: It’s getting pretty tiring waking up early for these appointments - can’t wait for them to be over! The follicles are growing nicely :) I pick up the medication and make sure I don’t lose it this time. 

10am: I discharge another patient, who is legit one of the most motivated patients I’ve ever met; he called his pharmacy to make sure that his medications would get sent properly. 

12pm: I remembered that I had some leftover beef rendang from dinner last week, so I microwave that for lunch. I also take the medication ... vaginally, and I lie down on the couch for 10 minutes awkwardly while my co-residents come in and out of the lounge. 

5pm: I catch up with a friend through FaceTime, and we talk for 2 hours about self-quarantining, socializing, therapy, and being tired introverts. 

7pm: Duke is hosting a free private screening of Miss Juneteenth with a panel of speakers (including the film director and producer), so I watch it while eating dinner with some college friends. I didn’t immediately love the movie, but the panel definitely made me appreciate it a lot more. 

10pm: Medications again, and off to bed because I have ANOTHER early appointment tomorrow. Oof. 

Daily total: $0

Day Five

5am: I press snooze and I basically get out of bed at 5:30 and leave at 5:50. I’m coughing a bit this morning, and I’m 99% sure I don’t have covid, but I don’t know for sure. 

9:30am: I talk to my attending and program coordinator about my very mild symptoms - slightly running nose, dry cough - and they recommend that I just get tested downstairs. It’s very efficient; I sign up for a patient portal, and I get bloodwork and the nasopharyngeal swab for the PCR. I really do not want to get swabbed again unless I have to; it does not feel good. 

12pm: Microwaved lunch again - rice with tofu and beef, which my mom made last night. 

2pm: I’m negative for antibodies! 

5pm: I take a quick trip to Chinatown to grab some snacks - drinks at Bambu for two, which I have 20% off for ($14) and a set of 6 cheese tarts from Pink Lady ($16). $30. 

6pm: My fertility doctor calls me and tells me that we have to reschedule my egg retrieval until I get my covid result back. :( 

7pm: I meet up with two friends for dinner at a Korean-Uzbek restaurant near my house; it turns out that they do outdoor dining! We were originally planning on doing takeout and eating in my backyard, but this works, too. We get lagman (a hot Uzbek beef noodle soup), kuksi soup (a cold Korean noodle soup reminiscent of naemgyung), 4 pieces of manty (Uzbek beef-lamb dumplings served with sour cream), and a Korean beef bun. $17

9pm: We go back to the teahouse in my backyard, and eat cheese tarts and finish our drinks. We lose track of time talking about furniture styles, dating, splurges, and money diaries. I regretfully have to end the night at 10:30pm because it’s time for my medications, and I have to go to sleep. 

Daily total: $47

Day Six

6am: I didn’t have to go in this morning, whew! We also don’t have lecture this morning, so I had a leisurely morning reviewing my patient charts. 

9:30am: Negative covid test, yay!!! Egg retrieval is on for Sunday. 

12pm: Microwaved rice with eggplant, chicken, and thai basil again. I still have 2+ weeks worth of this and the pesto chicken bread pudding at home; I really should freeze it. 

2pm: I try to talk to my new admission, but apparently he refuses to talk for the first three days every admission. So ... just chilling. 

5pm: I go to my bank to get certified checks, but it turns out they’re $12 each and money orders are only $1 at the post office ... so I go to the post office. I get two checks for $1200 and $750 and pay $4.75 in fees. They’re supposed to be reimbursed, but I have to pay the application fee for my rental building up front. $1954.75

6:30pm: I give one donut to my brother and I sell one to someone else, so I get some money back! 

7pm: I meet up with friends for dinner at Tradisyon, where we split a bunch of entrees among 5 people: squid, lechon, sisig, mackerel, and kare kare. Everything was delicious :) We shared the donuts, but they were actually really dense, so we only ate 5. Idk what I’m doing with the 3 leftover donuts :x $15. 

10pm: We continue hanging out but it gets too cold and I need to inject myself at 10:15pm, so we end up going to someone’s studio apartment nearby :O First time hanging out indoors for some of us! 

Daily total: $1969.75 ($1950 to be reimbursed)

Day Seven

8am: I go in for final bloodwork, and I pay for the egg retrieval procedure for tomorrow - oof. I’ve never had to spend so much at one time, and I was mortified when my credit card was declined. We put half on my credit card and half on my debit card. $3250. 

9am: I hang out at Chris’ apartment because I need to wait until 10:15am for my second injection, and I may or may not need to have the procedure today if my bloodwork comes back indicating that I may be ovulating. We chill and wait for Daniella to arrive. 

11am: We decide that it’s way too cold outside to go biking in Central Park or eat out, and we ultimately decide on spicy hunan food from the restaurant right next door to Chris’ apartment. We order a LOT of food - mapo tofu, eggplant with green beans, chongqing chicken, hot and sour soup, beef noodle soup - and eat at his kitchen counter. I drink some of Chris’ tea with his maple oat milk from Trader Joe’s. $24. 

2pm: After a lot of conversations while chilling on Chris’ couch (and a 15 minute nap), we decide to go for a short walk outside so that we can feel slightly productive on our free day together. We check out some cool recycled trash sculptures of dogs that are ... kinda ugly. 

3pm: I go home and spend the rest of the day freecycling (posting stuff I don’t want anymore for other people to pick up from my house) and chilling. 

8pm: It’s Saturday night, which means my dad makes sushi for us. It’s a decadent, delicious, and free meal for me :) 

9pm: I go to bed early for my procedure tomorrow! 

Daily total: $3274 ($3250 to be reimbursed)

Weekly total: $5440.75 ($5317.88 to be reimbursed, so actually $122.87). 

#laubster

[kellyinboston]

Day in the Life

Hello there! How goes it? Did everyone have a nice holiday weekend? If I am being honest (which, when am I not) holidays are hard for me out here, especially since Neil had to work all weekend I felt a little lonely. Mike and Cheryl were kind enough to have me and Snoop over for dinner on Sunday, so that was fun. Let’s continue with these negative thoughts...I have just been down in general. I am not sleeping great, work is very busy, Neil is very busy with work which means he is working long hours, I haven’t been eating the greatest (darn holiday candy) and I am missing Terri’s wedding next weekend. One of the most important days in her life and I won’t be there. So all of this equals a bummed out Kelly. I’ll get out of this funk, don’t worry, but just like to keep things real here.

I thought I would share with you guys a normal “Day in the Life” for me right now because in 2 months this will be a distance memory. I do want to warn you that feelings of jealously will emerge when you see how glamorous my life is.

6:01am - alarm goes off (although I have been most likely tossing and turning for the past 3 hours) 

6:01:30am: think about how tired I am 

6:02 - 6:35am: get ready for work (take a quick bird bath, brush my teeth, wash my face and put on the clothes I put out the night before - I currently have like 5 outfits I rotate through, because they are the only ones that fit) 

6:35am: feed Snoop

6:35-6:45am: finish getting ready, give Neil a kiss goodbye (he never remembers me doing this so always accuses me of never doing it, but I do, every morning!)

6:45-7:10am: take Snoop on her walk. Most of the time we run into a couple of her friends which she loves - sometimes I just want a quiet morning walk and not have to talk to anyone, but once I see how happy Snoop is to run around with her friends instead of walk in silence with me it changes my mood. And I actually like the dog people so that is nice. 

7:15am: drop Snoop off, grab my stuff and head into work 

7:40am: arrive at work 

7:45-9:30am: emails, emails, emails, coffee, emails, emails

9:30am: breakfast (lately it has been oatmeal with fruit) 

9:30-1pm: work

1-1:30pm: lunch

1:30-4:45pm: work (+ some socializing, snacking and sleeping...just kidding regarding the socializing) 

4:45pm: leave work

5:09(ish)pm: get home 

5:20-6pm: out with Snoop (sometimes longer, depending on who we run into)

6-7pm: local and nightly news (I prefer David Muir) 

7pm: text from Neil on whether he is coming home or working late

7-8am: start dinner/eat dinner

8pm-10:15pm: read, watch TV/Netflix, play with Snoop, be productive, talk about baby names (still no boy name ideas), talk about how we are not ready for a baby, freak out because never going to have a good night sleep again, prepare for next day

10:15pm: take Snoop out for last call

10:20-11pm: read 

11pm: lights out (sometimes a little earlier) 

This is a VERY typical day for me. On Monday’s I used to do Barre class at 6:15pm, but I cancelled my membership effective April 1st because I have a hard time bending over and I pee a little when doing wide legged squats (just kidding...kind of). Tonight I am going to the library after work to spice things up. But this is my day. I was telling Neil last night that I feel like my life is groundhog day sometimes and it can be deflating. This is coming from someone who LOVES routine. It’s funny because Snoop is VERY routine as well, takes after her mom! 

Work has been very busy (cannot remember a time when it wasn’t) and I am also training a colleague to take over some of my “duties” which I am out, so that has added to my workload. But...with work being busy my days go by pretty fast. I used to be good about getting outside for 15/20 minutes over lunch, but now I just don’t have the time. But that’s okay! 

Alright, have to get back to work! 

Thanks for reading! 

[travelonlinetips-blog]

New Post has been published on https://travelonlinetips.com/a-foodies-ultimate-long-weekend-in-the-scenic-rim/

A foodie's ultimate long weekend in the Scenic Rim

It might seem unlikely to find a foodie’s paradise on the edge of an ancient volcanic rim, but head south-west of Brisbane for just an hour and you’ll land at the Scenic Rim region – a spectacular landscape packed with culinary surprises.

From speciality seafood to award-winning cheese and world-class fruit, the Scenic Rim is an endless buffet of fresh produce and the ultimate spot for experiential diners. Devour the best it has to offer by digging into this long weekend itinerary.

Day 1

12PM: Spicers Hidden Vale

If Brisbane’s backyard has a best-kept secret, Spicers Hidden Vale is it. The true hero of the property – set on 12,000 acres of working farmland in the Lockyer Valley region – is the Spicers’ signature restaurant, Homage.

Head chef, Ash Martin, makes paddock to plate look positively perfect, with a menu incorporating products from the local area and herbs from the onsite market garden. By day, sweeping views of the Scenic Rim are complemented by a gourmet picnic of tomato and goats curd quiche or antipasto vegetables with olives, or seasonal two and three-course lunches.

To cap it off, Homage has been awarded one chefs hat in the 2019 Good Food Guide Awards – so you know it’s going to be worth the pitstop.

2:30PM: Freshwater Australian Crayfish Traders

Driving between Hidden Vale and Tarome, you’ll see why this area is so keen to celebrate its farmers – but stop in at Freshwater Australian Crayfish Traders’ 80-hectare property and you’ll be treated to an even more unique perspective.

Packed with over 70 freshwater dams, it’s home to some of Australia’s best crayfish with this local trader selling up to a million redclaw crayfish each year, as well as a range of other freshwater aquatic fish and shrimps, to the restaurant trade all over south-east Queensland.

Pack an Esky and grab yourself some takeaway crays at a great price.

6PM: Spicers Peak Lodge

The twists and turns your wheels will take to make it to the top of Spicers Peak Lodge are well worth it when you arrive at 10,000 acres overlooking the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park and Great Dividing Range.

Peak Lodge might be Australia’s highest non-alpine luxury property, but that’s not it’s only claim to fame – the property’s restaurant, The Peak, was also awarded one chefs hat in the 2019 Good Food Guide Awards.

With a focus on ‘The best of Australia’, you’ll be feasting on uniquely Australian goodness with luxury trimmings. The Peak’s menu sates appetites with ingredients such as Fraser Isle spanner crab, Moreton Bay bug and Bowen mangoes.

Rest your head here and all meals and beverages – including the celebrated degustation dinner menu – are included in the price tag.

Day 2

8AM: Stay right where you are

Whatever you do, don’t skip the first meal of the day at Spicers Peak Lodge. The breakfast game is strong here – especially the dressed-up avocado on toast with goats curd, sumac and dukkah on house-baked sourdough.

Or, you can dig into other delicacies like the “Funghi Feast” served with poached eggs, mushrooms, parmesan custard, marinated grains and soft leaves.

11AM: Kalfresh Vegetables

Veggie lovers should make a beeline for Kalfresh Vegetables, Queensland’s largest supplier of carrots. You can stop in at their Kalbar base to see where most of Australia’s carrots, onions, green beans and pumpkin start life as seedlings.

Aside from observing produce and packing, you’ll also stumble across one of Queensland’s most unusual creations – carrot beer. Made with 16 per cent carrot juice, it’s surely the healthiest beer around.

12PM: Fassifern Valley Produce

Heirloom tomatoes have never looked as good as the ones that come out of Fassifern Valley Produce. With colours befitting of such exotic names, brace your taste buds for flavour bursts from their Green Zebra, Tigerella, Ida Gold and Black Cherry varieties, plus the Mortgage Lifter – a tomato named by its grower in recognition of this ruby red fruit being his ticket to a debt-free life.

Bring your reusable shopping bag and stock up at their roadside stall on Boonah-Fassifern Rd, which turns over more than a tonne of fresh tomatoes each week.

1PM: Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm

Dig into a scrumptious lunch prepared by the chefs at Kooroomba Vineyard & Lavender Farm. While seasonal vegetables are prominent on the menu it is, of course, lavender that plays a starring role in dishes like lavender confit duck leg and lavender crème brulee.

You’ll also find a cellar door and lavender shop here, all overlooking six acres of vineyards, fields of lavender and the Scenic Rim Mountains.

2PM: Naughty Little Kids

Move over Italy; Boonah is serving up some of the best gelato this side of Rome. Dig your sweet tooth into a scoop of Naughty Little Kids gelato on the farm where it’s actually produced.

They’ve put their own spin on the traditional gelato recipe by using goat’s milk instead of cow’s, which makes this ice-cream lactose friendly (not lactose-free), and 100% gluten-, egg- and nut-free to boot. Sensitive tums, rejoice!

3PM: Bunjurgen Estate vineyard

Ah, rosé; the lovable grape combination that merges the crispness of a white with the body of a red and goes down as smooth as a bubbly. If you feel the same way about rosé, make tracks to Bunjurgen Estate Vineyard for their award-winning pink drop.

Wine tastings are conducted in either an undercover outdoor cellar door or beneath a jacaranda tree, allowing you to take in the breathtaking Scenic Rim vistas with every sip. The kind folk at Bunjurgen allow BYO picnics (or fresh Fassifern Valley tomato hauls) too.

5PM: Scenic Rim Brewery & Cafe

Operating out of a heritage-listed old general store, the small family-owned Scenic Rim Brewery & Cafe is dedicated to brewing craft beer with the best ingredients.

There’s a café smack bang in the middle of the brewery’s factory floor, so you can wash down your glass of Digga, Shazza or Fat Man with a tasty treat from their Dutch-inspired menu.

7PM: Ketchups Bank Glamping

You’ve got to love a destination where even the accommodation sounds like something you can eat! Enter Ketchups Bank Glamping and their luxury eco-tents near Boonah, where you’re promised unparalleled mountain views and a relaxing evening in a rugged Australian bush setting.

They offer up BBQ dinner hampers for two, packed with locally-sourced cuts of meat and fresh vegetables ready to toss on your private BBQ or campfire; plus a country breakfast hamper for the AM.

DAY 3

11AM: Towri Sheep Cheeses

Ditch the traditional morning tea and lunch meals and dedicate this day to grazing – on sheep cheese!

Towri Sheep Cheeses, just outside of Beaudesert, won’t just let you devour the cheese, they’ll also teach you how to make it with their ‘art of cheese-making’ class (takes place every second Wednesday).

With 350 sheep on site, there’s no shortage of supplies to make hard and soft varieties. And you certainly won’t leave hungry with morning tea, light refreshments and lunch all part of the package.

3PM: Witches Falls Winery

Follow the ridgeline of this ancient landscape towards the coast until you reach Tamborine Mountain, timing your route to catch the cellar door at Witches Falls Winery before it closes.

Get to know their signature drops with a tasting paddle – a flight of wines will leave you with change from a tenner. If you order in advance, you can pair your tipples with a delicious platter from local deli, The Vintage Pickle.

6PM: Witches Falls Cottages

  Stay within arm’s reach of the winery at Witches Falls Cottages – all about location, and offering up a secluded setting for a romantic getaway.

As for food, if there’s still belly room, you can have take-away delivered to your cottage from many of the local restaurants on the mountain or the Witches Falls team can pull together a BBQ dinner hamper complete with dessert.

Day 4

A day of hunting and gathering

Make today about stocking up on local supplies before leaving the Scenic Rim. While most of the suppliers don’t have their own farm gate, they use cafes, restaurants and boutique shops to sell their produce.

Look out for these grocery essentials:

Scenic Rim Olives: The region even produces its own olives. You’ll find them in brine, olive oil, tapenade and dukkah for a salty fix.

Dewar Honey:Making the Scenic Rim all the more sweet, these jars of liquid amber are the work of a third-generation beekeeper.

Farmer Joe’s Garlic and Produce: Warding off vampires this side of the Gondwana Rainforest, Farmer Joe’s garlic business is one of only 30 garlic growers in Australia.

Tamborine Mountain Free Range Eggs: These chickens are so special they have their own guard dog who keeps them free from predators on the 80-acre farm.

4Real Milk: If you’re enjoying a cup of coffee in this neck of the woods, chances are it’s made with 4Real Milk, a pasteurised, non-homogenised full cream milk.

The Lime Caviar Company: The Scenic Rim happens to be home to Australia’s premier grower of native finger limes. They pick-to-order and supply local and international fine dining markets.

Want more? Scenic Rim Eat Local Week is your backstage pass to the farms, wineries and food stories of the Scenic Rim. Eat your way around the region through a range of experiences from long table lunches to carrot-picking!

Have you done a foodie weekend in the Scenic Rim before? Let us know your finds in the comments below.

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[bojk87]

Day 29 - Sunny last day in the Big Apple

I am getting back into the swing of things, mainly the waking up early. Usual routine of saying goodbye to my hosts for the morning and then calling the loved ones back home. I decide to take myself out to breakfast which is my now familiar order of an egg and cheese everything bagel which is a good twenty minute round trip.

With that done it is time for exercise, and I am certainly glad that the rain has moved on and that the sunshine has come back to NY, which inspires me to go for yet another run. I manage to improve on my running time from last time by twenty seconds per kilometre which I am very happy with, especially for the fact that after the run I feel pretty good and not tired at all.

Now comes the time to be a boring adult and ensure that my laundry is done and that everything is folded so it can be packed properly. I put the laundry to get done and go to grab a shower only to realise that there is only cold water running. I give it a little bit of time but nothing changes, so I assume it could be the fact that the washing machine is running. So I take my I showered self and watch some Netflix while my laundry is being done, keenly aware of the fact that all of shirts are in the wash. Finally the wash is completed, so I put all those clothes into the dryer and head on back into the shower. This time around I am treated to absolutely no water at all. Realising that I am not meant to have a shower today, I wait for my clothes to finish drying before picking a shirt and heading downstairs to see if the concierge knows anything about this. Lo and behold, there seems to be some emergency plumbing work being done and the water supply for the building will be interrupted from 8am to 2pm, with the current time being around 1:15pm.

Feeling somewhat hungry and with nothing else to do, I head down to the local cafe to have some lunch and pass away the time. For lunch today is a nice a healthy bowl of falafels and a cucumber tomato salad, which end up being very refreshing as well as delicious. Upon my return to the building, it is slightly after 2pm and I am incredibly glad that when I turn the tap on, the hot water comes gushing out at a fast, shower like pace. I indulge in the feeling of cleansing the filth off me, and after getting out of the shower proceed to pack for my flight to Seattle tomorrow. That goes quite smoothly and then it is time to finally leave the apartment for the day’s adventures.

Being the last evening in NY, it obviously has to be treated with great respect. Respect and cocktails. So I head to the first place and realise that I have perfectly timed the use of my metro card given that after the trip into Manhattan I have $0.30 left on it. I get out at 14th Street and see that quite a lot of people are just hanging out at the park, sitting in the sunshine and chatting with their friends, so I decide to do the same. I sat in the park, people watching and enjoying the warmth for some ten minutes before moving on. It is quite interesting how the city of NY transforms as soon as there is any sunshine. People take any opportunities to sit outside, cafes make tables available on the sidewalk and you see people smiling everywhere, which is rare sight indeed in NY.

I take a quick walk down to 9th Street and end up walking past Forbidden Paradise which is a geek’s heaven, and I first ran into when I was in London several years ago. The store has all manner of books, comics, shirts, figurines and all manner of artefacts that was fun to explore and indulge my inner geek for a few minutes before moving on. My destination was a hidden bar by the name of “Please Don’t Tell”, which in this case is hidden inside a hot dog shop.

To get into this place you have to call a number at 3pm and request a seat, which didn’t work for me because I couldn’t get through to them. You then have to get there at 6pm when they open and may have to wait for up to an hour to get in, so trust NY to hide a bar really well and then be totally arrogant about the process of getting in. Even knowing all of these things, I nearly missed the entrance inside the tiny hot dog shop. Imagine the toilet doors on an aeroplane and how they fold inward when you push them, but these particular ones are made from wood and glass. Inside those doors is barely enough room for one person to stand, and there is an old pay telephone. The rest of the tiny space is poured concrete so you are meant to pick up the telephone and press the number 1, at which point in time if there is space inside, someone would open the door.

Even though I showed up just before 6pm there was already eight people in the line in front of me, and by the time I got to the front of the line, Heather was able to join me at the front which we could not have timed better if we tried. We are let into the small bar which seats probably thirty people,and given a table near the front, with the rest of the place looking fairly empty. We spend the next hour or so chatting away and drinking cocktails, with me having the Smokey Old Fashioned as per usual, before we move on to the next place which is only a quick Uber drive away.

The next place of choice goes by the name of “Dear Irving” conveniently located on Irving St, and somewhat less hidden than the previous place as it did not have its name plastered anywhere, but had an easily accessible door on top of a stoop. For those like me who have no idea what a stoop is having never lived in a house, it is the several steps that lead to a door of the house and feature very heavily in any shots of NY where people are just hanging outside and chatting away, as well as numerous music videos.

There we meet Dmitri and head inside to a beautifully decorated which reminded me of King Henry VIII’s bedroom with the heavy use of wood frames, stunning decal walls and very classy leather and cloth furniture strewn about, with lots of space between.

Heather’s friend joined us as well which made us a merry quartet, with a joint aim of exploring the world of cocktails. The service is good, but I have a little secret. I was told to ask for a specific bartender who my friend was served by about six months ago, and I do exactly that. It was a funny scenario where I was messaging her back in Australia, and she was messaging him in NY, and he was standing no more than ten metres away from me. Such is the power of technology and the world is truly a small place. His name was Thomas and he came by to say hi, with no idea what we looked like which made it a very funny interaction that we all had great fun with, before we were treated to more delicious and very strong cocktails.

Feeling somewhat hungry and realising that it was almost 10pm and that we had missed our dinner booking at 8:15pm, we headed to the nearest well rated place which turns out to be a hotel bar kind of place, complete with nice marble columns and proper white table cloths. Being fairly happy at this stage, the natural menu choice for me was a beef burger with the meat being done medium rare of course, to extract the most juice when biting down into it.

We grabbed another drink there amidst our burger, pasta and chicken schnitzel feast before ordering an Uber home. In typical US fashion, a humongous SUV comes to pick up the three of us, and in typical NY fashion we get stuck in traffic which makes me realise that it would have been easier and quicker to just get the subway home. We arrive home safely after 11pm and head straight to bed, which for me will be the last night’s rest I get in the Big Apple.

A day of food, exercise, shower issues, hidden bars and connections around the world leading to delicious cocktails sums up my day quite nicely, and what a set of adventures for my last day here. Tomorrow, I will be writing to you from the rainy Seattle, so let’s see what adventures are to be had there.

Until then, your now showered adventurer,

Boj

[eclectichippieca]

A Week in the Eclectic Hippie Household

On most Thursdays we have 3 kids under 3 during the day. It's busy and fun and ultimately a blast! But it has its challenges when it is really the only day we have at home in a week. A little look into a week in the Eclectic Hippie Household!

Monday's are fun!

I wake at 6am to make sure I have some alone time/husband time before kids start waking and getting to our house. My first Dayhome kiddo shows up before we are even awake. She is put back to bed by her mom in my step daughter's room each morning, or she spends the night if we had an event the evening before. 7am our house gets noisy. I wake up both girls and our second Dayhome kiddo arrives. Our little guy, F, is usually up around this time too.

We spend our morning getting ready for school and playgroup. 8am the Bigs are sent to school with my homeschooler, A, she walks the dogs and the kids to school. A gets home, dogs get kenneled and we grab our lunches and jump in the vehicle to head to playgroup. Playgroup is planning and time of its own as well, that time comes out of my quiet time usually. Home from playgroup by 1ish (sometimes closer to 3 if there was work to be done in the classroom.) We have lunch, homeschool, reading and spend time together, just me and my kids (sometimes we have extra toddler who don't go to school on these days too.)

Just before 3pm A leaves for the school to pick up the 4-5 kiddos who come after school. Monday's are “Chill Day” as decided by me and the kids in September. We have snack, watch tv or play video games. Toys, puzzles and games are always an option.

Most of the Dayhome kids are gone home by 430-5pm. Our friends come over for Friends’ Dinner. Usually 5-830 or 9. Kids go to bed. Hubby and I have some couple's time at this point. Usually in bed sleeping by 10 or 11

Tuesdays are school focused.

Tuesdays are similar to Monday's to start, the kids are the same, the schedule is similar only I get up at 630 and don't have playgroup prep.

A walks the kids and dogs, she gets home and we start school work. Math, reading, baking, science experiments, crafts and art, etc. Whatever we had planned for the morning. Piano practice. Snacks…. All of the snacks! F plays with flash cards, matching etc. He is learning french when we work with those flashcards for A.

Piano lessons are at 1pm. We drive 20kmseach way for lessons. When we get home around 2 we spend some time just chilling or reading.

A goes back to the school for 3pm. Library day, the big kids who can read go and enjoy half an hour of reading and a treat, while the Non-reading Bigs come home with me. No screen afternoons. Lego, outside, puzzles, games, crafts etc. 4:30-5pm everyone goes home.

Family night. Some school, some reading, sometimes a movie, lots of playing, cooking meals together etc.

Tuesdays are mine and the hubby's gaming night together. We pretty much exclusively play Destiny 2. Him and our clan help me rush through the weekly needed things to help me keep up with our group. This is when new things are released as well. We always run new content storyline stuff together. Its neat to have someone who is willing to help you through even though you can't do it as much as everyone else. I definitely never feel left out when we game on Tuesdays! In bed by 11 at the latest.

Wednesdays are straight up wacky!

Mornings go the same as Monday only we don't leave the house until 8:30am.

Home from playgroup around Noon. Lunch, piano practice, school work, of course some cuddles. A heads to the school just before 3. Except on 2 Wednesdays a month when we go to the Hall at 2:30pm to set up for a Gym Program that we volunteer for. She goes to bring the kids to the Hall at 3. Wednesday is a Video game day if we are home.

On Gym Program day, we spend from 2:30pm until 5:30pm playing, running and having a blast with friends. Also full set up and clean up.

5:45 we are in the vehicle heading to Lacombe for youth group. It starts at 6:15pm until 8pm. I go out with a friend or a few friends once a month for Mommies’ Night Out, which I organize, during this time so that I have some time out of the house alone. Daddy stays home with LO. At 5:45 while leaving town we pick up 3 extra kiddos, one of which who spends the night every Wednesday unless there is a holiday.

8:45pm we are done drop offs and home and getting ready for bed. Wednesday nights are hubby's gaming night. I usually take the time after the kids go to bed to do some crafts or I will game if I feel like it. Wednesdays are about kids and self care. We go to bed around 11pm. Most Wednesdays I'm in bed before then.

Thursday are full of toddlers!

Like Tuesdays, we have a bit of a slower start. Once the bigs are off to school and my little lady is home from her walk we have about half an hour before the house fills with toddlers, sometimes 4 plus LO. Little lady starts school work right away on these days, she can get more concentration time that way. Then it starts! A day of her helping me with the littles; we do the cooking, she helps with chores and bum changes, and playing etc. She bakes with my instruction, we cook lunch, play with babies, read to them, she loves to imagines with them (one of my favorite things about her!). We keep busy! But we don't leave home all day other than school pickup trips! We have so much fun and find our most learning in these days.

Movies and treats are common during nap time on Thursdays. 3pm A gets the kids and most Thursdays go to Craft Time at the library. They get home around 4 to have snack and play for a bit. Another no video game day. Everyone goes home 4:30-5pm. Youth group number two is on Thursday nights at 630pm. This one is in our village. This is when LO gets an evening of one on one with both parents. We pick her up at 8pm, we read, get ready for bed and it's bedtime at 9. Hubby and I spend time together, usually in bed by 10 to be well rested going into the weekend.

Fun, Funky Fridays!

The school in our village has Proffessional Development days almost every other week. So on PD days, we have all of the Bigs at our house. If we have enough seats for us to travel, we all go to a Homeschool Gathering where kids of all age play games, do STEM and STEAM activities, group activities and so much more, from 1-3 in the same town as piano lessons. PD days vary in what we do to fill our time. Sometimes the kids had a busy week and just need a rest day, other Fridays we need to be going non-stop to keep everyone busy.

On school days, mornings are like Tuesday and Thursdays, not too busy, slower starting. This day we do meal planning, grocery lists, house cleaning, playgroup planning, linen washing, general household catch up and so much more. School work is a priority on school day Fridays. A will generally do 2 math lessons, and LOTS of reading and writing, on top of everything else we do.

After school A picks up the kids and we either all go to Free movie Friday (once a month) or home to enjoy some gaming or tv time. We generally have popcorn and a special treat in these days.

Dayhome ends 4:30-5pm. 6pm we jump in the vehicle to go get T and K 3 out of 4 weekends a month. They are my bonus babies, Hubby's kidlets. Home for just before 7, eat quickly and bring T to youth group. F goes to bed, Hubby games, I spend girl time with the girls, K and A. If the girls want to play alone I let them, I will then game with Hubby. 10pm one of us goes to grab T from youth group. Bedtime for the kids after a late night snack. On Fridays we don't have T and K we typically have at least one other child who comes to spend time with A, or A will go somewhere for the night or weekend (that's rare though, probably once in every 3-4 months.)

Weekends are for family.

With a week like the one we have, when we get the time to be just a family it feels so good and so right. We all crave to be together, so our weekends are now our family time. This time used to be filled with appts, events, friends, family, camping, etc. But since having another little in the house and life has been getting busier and busier with these new ages of the big kids, we now take this time to be grounded at home. We don't shop over the weekend, we wait till drop off on Sunday, or sometimes we will go in 15 minutes early on Friday to grab a few things we missed for the weekend. We don't leave the house unless we have to. We no longer go out for dinner, we don't go to friends houses unless there is an event we have been invited too. Not because we don't want too, but simply because our life in simpler this way. We are so busy all the time with the things WE feel are important to our family, that we have to limit the things we don't hold at the top of the list of priorities.

Weekends can still be busy in their own ways that get us out of the house, traveling to see grandparents, birthday parties, friend invites, church gatherings, local events, but these things we keep to a minimum. If friends can come to us we will always have an open door. But with 4 kids, 13, 10, 9 and 2.5 it's hard to be anywhere that suits all of their needs. Home is just best for us right now! There are not many of these years left. “The days are long but the years are short” I read it in memes all the time, but it's true. It's profound and it's real.

So this is what our general weeks look like. We are busy and on the go all the time. But we are putting family at the center as much as we can in this crazy life! I'm so incredibly blessed to be able to do all of these things and have my children be as happy as they are with the busy, chaotic life we lead in the Eclectic Hippie Household.

Peace and love!

God bless!

Eclectic Hippie

[rehnro]

Today: 110km |Total: 596km

Tired. Satisfied. Blistered. Wet. Happy. Some of the words that just came to mind after two truely demanding days covering 57km over from Morvich finished off with a train ride and two hitchhikes to Ullapool. But another 110km closer to Cape Wrath and now close to the 600km mark and ‘only’ some 160km to go to Cape Wrath.

I left my campsite around 9am yesterday and hiked 6km to resume the trail. Unfortunately my phone was dead and solar charging not an option on this grey morning. So i stopped at a hotel half way to get a charge. As usual, very helpful the scottish people.

The first half of the trail leads you up the hills with great views of the valley (fog permitting). Down on the other side you’ll find the falls of glomach. Quite cool. Conditions were wet throughout though.

Just before the fall i met Celia, a french solo hiker. She had already completed the west highland way and was now, at least for a bit, on the cape wrath trail. We continued the hike together.

As usual when you walk with others, time goes past quicker. No difference today and so we made good ground amidst talking about theatre (her chosen field of studies), hiking experiences (iceland etc) and other travel stories such as her time in india and china. It was nice to talk to someone about the latter, as i haven’t met many travellers that have been there.

By 6pm we reached the Maol-Bhuidhe bothy. Sadly no firewood to dry clothes (boots were completely wet… again), but still nice to have a roof over the head instead of a small tent. Dinner, few more stories and it was bedtime early.

The next morning looked surprisingly good and the sun was out. We hit the trail already 8am after a slightlty restless night for me (as so often up here). Views and colours to die for!

Three hours into the hike our trails separated, as I headed alone to Craig. Quick selfie, all the best and goodbye! Alone from here.

I was admittedly pretty tired and my wet feet hurt. I changed socks twice (having one pair drying on the go) and was glad to reach craig by 3.30pm.

From here i had to find a way to Ullapool to meet laura. Hiking would take me two more days and we wouldn’t make it to Cape Wrath. Thankfully i met two walkers and their dog that gave me a lift to a station in Achnasheen and hence made it to Garve by train.

No more public transport from here on Sunday! So hitchhiking. First two cars that stopped went to other destinations and so i walked a bit. Soon though a man from Ullapool had a heart for hikers and gave me a lift to Ullapool. Quite cool conversation. Most interesting was the story about the East German Klondykers. Have a look here.

Once in the hostel to usual routine kicked in… shower, washing, some care for feet, dinner, sleep…

Off to Cape wrath!

Scottish National Trail: Tough terrain, great views (day 14/15) Today: 110km |Total: 596km Tired. Satisfied. Blistered. Wet. Happy. Some of the words that just came to mind after two truely demanding days covering 57km over from Morvich finished off with a train ride and two hitchhikes to Ullapool.

#Cape wrath trail

[roseknows20-blog]

Days 5-10 Pelorus River Track, Richmond Range, and so much more!

Day 5 We make our own TA-Captain Creek Hut to Roebuck Hut January 14th, 2017 We set our alarms early so we could get the F away from the murderous sandflies! Actually, we didn't even have breakfast, brush our teeth, complete our morning duties, or change clothes. Gee wilikers. The sandflies are legit little man-eating menaces, and they're impossible to avoid! I swear the repellent doesn't even work!? Dyl and I even started the hike in our pjs. Not the most ideal way to start your day! And as a result of not having breakfast, I was also a bit of a hangry/cranky girly. I can't emphasize enough that your day is so much more pleasant when you can leisurely make the most of your morning. The good news was Middy Hut was only 5kms away, which was where we planned to stop and properly get ready for the day ahead. It wasn't a strenuous walk, but we were both eager, irritable, and wanted to get to the next hut ASAP. It took us about an hour and 15 minutes to get from the first to the second hut, and the trail notes said it would take 2 hours. We usually complete the sections in about two thirds of the time the trail notes/DOC suggest. Anywho, when we finally arrived at Middy Hut (small yet sufficient), we took a load off, had some yummy oatmeal/tea, and set aside time to complete our morning routine. Groups of other hikers came along, some TA, some just day hikers, so we also socialized with them for awhile. Rowan, a 25 year old jolly American from the great white North in Alaska, and who we briefly met at the first hut, decided to walk with us for the day. We were delighted to make a new friend and delve into interesting conversation topics! There's a sweet swing bridge that we crossed right after Middy hut, and then a steep climb until you reach a junction with a DOC sign that directs you to go left for Roebuck Hut, or right for Rocks Hut. The TA trail goes towards Rocks hut, but we decided to forgo the immensely steep ascent to Rocks Hut, and headed towards Roebuck instead. We figured that the trail to Roebuck Hut would be less exhausting, and only required a few more kms then the section to Rocks Hut. Bottom line is, we do what we want. It was pleasant chatting with Rowan, and it made the kms go by fast. He's the kind of person that you instantly trust. However, I was feeling exceedingly lethargic, and wanted to call it quits at the next hut instead of continuing on for the day. I tell ya, those 5 weeks off definitely did a toll on me. It was good to know that Middy hut to Roebuck was only 6.5 kms though. When we made it to Roebuck hut, we were the first ones to arrive, and thought it was best that we stayed there and not go on to the next hut. One reason being that we might not get a bunk spot at Browning Hut. Secondly, we were also knackered from crushing the Queen Charlotte Track in 2.5 days, and thought we deserved to treat ourselves to only a half day of walking! We like to call these days "nearo" days, not a full zero day (days we don't hike), but also not a day where we hike as far as we can. A half hour or so later 2 German girls showed up. They told us there were a lot of people at Browning Hut when they had passed by, which made us feel relieved we chose to stay at Roebuck. We chatted with the girls as we made our new pasta dinner concoction, and thoroughly relaxed. We also got to do river laundry and some mending. Moments later, a guy with silly glasses and a brown dog appeared at the hut. He was a young kiwi tramper named James. James wasn't doing the TA but seemed friendly and his dog Chester was chill too! Dyl had started a fire pretty early though, and turned the hut into a sauna. As a result, the German girls ditched us and decided to sleep outside. The boys and I/Chester the dog then ended up hanging out for the night in the hut. #hutpartayyyy. (11.5 kms) Day 6 Chester is too chill-Roebuck Hut to Starveall Hut January 15th, 2017 After an astounding night sleep, we woke up relatively early and got the ball rolling. I was well rested and feeling energized. Unlike our mood we had the previous day, because of the sh*tty sandflies, we were excited and empowered to see what the day ahead would bring. Rowan started walking before us, as he's new to the TA game and wanted to get a head start. Meanwhile, Dyl, James, Chester, and I headed out from Roebuck together shortly after. Roebuck hut to Browning was 9kms. Firstly, we passed over a dodgey swing bridge, which Chester didn't seem very fond of. He was nervously shaking and hesitant to go across the bridge, what a poor lil doggie! I don't blame him though because those bridges are real sketch. Yet, I was overtly impressed by Chester's ability to keep up with us throughout the trail, and wanted to shout out to one hell of a dog! After the bridge, we began a steep and rigorous ascent up a hill. The forest was dense and lush, offering a wonderful feeling of solidarity. Once at the top of the hill, we then followed a narrow path along the ridge for the rest of the way. FYI, there were numerous opportunities to filter water at the small stream crossings and Pelorus river! The track itself was simple to follow, even though the "sidling" parts are extremely bothersome, and I twisted my ankle a few times. As we tramped along, we chatted with James and became acquainted with our new quirky amigo. After 8 kms, we reached Totara saddle, and then it was all down hill from there to Browning Hut. At Browning, we took a baby break, and mentally prepared for the next few sections to come. Once we set off back on the trail, Browning to Hacket Hut was only 4.7kms. This section of the trail was mostly dry and flat, with signs and trail markers well posted. Hacket Hut officially ended the Pelorus River Track and started the Richmond Alpine section. Also, if needing to resupply, there's a road here that will lead you out of the rural forest to the town of Hope. After almost 13kms, we thought a dank tuna lunch break was in order. So, we took an hour or so to indulge, and continued drying out our wet mildew smelling laundry. I'm dumbfounded as to why we bother trying to wash our clothes when they end up smelling worse after we wash them, as they usually don't have time to dry properly! Certainly, were too much of DBs to actually use a laundry mat. It would just make too much sense. Anywho, twas a glorious, sunny day though, and just the right temperature for tramping. As we chilled at the hut, the only downer was the sandflies, which we can never escape! Hacket to Starveall hut was a long 6km climb up hill. The beginning of this section follows the river, crossing it back and forth numerous times. Dyl, James, Chester and I had toasted sweaty skin, and were smelling real putrid, so we agreed to go for a refreshing plunge in the chilly river. A cold plunge is also always a great way to get the blood flowing! FYI, as you make your way along the river, make sure to follow the orange trail markers- this section can be a bit confusing at times! We happened to take a few not so purposeful detours off the trail. After the river portion, we started our journey up the steep hill, which felt like we were heading upwards for forever. In total it's a 900m elevation gain from Hacket to Starveall Hut. Unfortunately, I was feeling heavy and slow in the scorching mid afternoon sun. The up hills are just not my forte, yet I dragged my sore legs and groggy mind along anyway. Dyl ended up going ahead, and James and I walked together, taking several "tactical" breaks to snack and converse. Around 6pm, we finally arrived at the hut after a reaaalllyy tiring and strenuous day. The Starveall Hut is in a superb location, just above tree line at 1180m. The hut has 6 bunks, a toilet, rain water- everything you need. Additionally, it offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and peaks that we would be "tramping" over the following day. Out of the blue, we heard someone calling "Morepork" from outside the hut. It was Rowan! We were all thrilled he made it to Starveall, and enjoyed watching the array of colors pop into the sky as the sun set over the valley. Dyl also decided to give Rowan the trail name "Wet Back" because of how much he sweats. Lolz. We all ended up cooking dinner, chillin out, and having another hut party, including our new friends, an older German couple, Fred and his wife. Muhaaaa! (19kms) Day 7 Spontaneity isn't so real anymore, but sweet views still are-Starveall Hut to Rintoul Hut January 16th, 2017 Today, we started pretty early to try and get after the toughest part of the Richmond ranges. Rowan generously gave Dyl and I some instant Starbucks coffee sachets, so we were extra buzzing and ready to rock out. After our yummy brekkie and packs ready to roll, Dyl, Rowan, James, Chester, and I ventured off together from the hut around 8am. We ascended from the hut up hill, following the poles with orange markers. The trail was super rudimentary to follow, and above tree line most of the time. There were also plenty of cairns to assist in guiding us as we strolled along. Once you get to the top, we dropped our packs, and we did a 5 minute mini side trip to the summit of Mt Starveall. Dyl and James enjoyed throwing big rocks down the hill and watching them roll down the steep mountain side- anything to keep us entertained as we hike for hours on end. We also got some phenomenal photo opportunities and bellowed in the picturesque landscape. After the summit, we descended from above alpine into the forest, and followed the ridgeline to the next hut. We made things fun by playing camp games along the way and exchanging stories. Starveall Hut to Slaty was only 5.5km. When we got to Slaty hut (1400m), obviously, we had a mini snack break. Food is life. We also wanted to suss out where other trampers were planning on sleeping for the night. Unlike the North Island, the South Island is overly packed with trampers, and unfortunately we have to worry about getting to a hut at a reasonable time in order to get a bed. Especially, because Dyl and I only had one sleeping pad, and James didn't have a tent. Although it's great meeting new people, it also makes life a bit more difficult having so many people on the trail, and you can't hike the TA as spontaneously as we did on the North Island. From Slaty Hut, we followed the poles again, as we made our way up along the ridge. Then, we rode the ridge, hitting some rock scrambling sections, and passing wild mountain goats, trekking all the way up to Old Man peak. FYI, just past the summit, there's a water barrel for agua refills, which wasn't mentioned in the trail notes. The weather started to turn on us and it became exceedingly windy. Although, the sun was still shining bright, and we appreciated being mostly exposed- allowing for spectacular views of the rolling mountains, the "city" of Nelson, and the teal colored Tasman Sea. Dyl and I agreed that we prefer hiking above alpine more so then through the "bush", even if the terrain tends to be a bit more rigorous. There were definitely some sketchy rock scrambling sections throughout this section though. But, we actually get a thrill from sketchy climbing, and find such trails quite exhilarating- feeling as though we completed a jigsaw puzzle from nature. Eventually, we headed down through the forest to the junction for Old Man Hut. The hut was about .5 km off trail, and down a hill, so we decided to not detour and continued on. From Slaty to the junction was approx 10kms, and from the Old Man hut sign junction to Rintoul Hut was approx 5kms. After the junction, you climb through the native bush until the saddle right before the big kahunas. Then, we mentally prepared ourselves for the rocky steep climb to Lil Rintoul (1643m). It wasn't as horrible as others claimed it to be, but you definitely still have to take care and be cautious about slipping on the scree. Once we conquered Lil Rintoul, we made our way steeply back down the loose scree, and then ascended up again to the notorious Mt Rintoul (1731m). Although definitely a workout, we felt victorious after reaching the top! I found this section to be awesome and one of my favs of the TA so far! I'm gonna throw in the towel if I have to walk another long mundane road section, or hike through cow poop galore ever again. FYI, Mt Rintoul is actually the highest part of the Richmond range that the TA goes through. And as I previously mentioned, this segment of the trail may cause vulnerability to some, as it's mostly loose scree/rocks, your highly exposed above tree line, and the paths are quite narrow- do take care! The trail notes also exclaim that this section is the most strenuous of the whole Richmond Alpine section, I'm assuming mostly because of the elevation gains and drops. We were fortunate with excellent weather though, and breathtaking panoramic views. A few hikers we met before said they had experienced rain and not such perfect weather. So, we decided to chill at the summit of Mt Rintoul for a bit, soaking in the blissful scenery, and being mesmerized by the eclectic natural beauty of the landscape. I also appreciated the strong "gales" flowing through my hair, and rays of good ol vitamin D on my skin. Taking a break gave Rowan time to catch up as well, as he was a bit unsettled about going over the scree by himself, and we wanted to make sure he was feeling comfortable. We all did a wonderful job sticking together, motivating, and looking out for one another. Team work, oh cheyah. Eventually, we carried on, staggering in and out of the poles, down the steep scree, and then through the thick forest to Rintoul Hut. The quaint little hut has only 6 bunks, but provides ample rain water, an outdoor picnic table, and a toilet offering great 5 star views for when nature calls. We were enthralled to get to the hut after such a challenging day! However, unfortunately, the hut was full but one bed open. So, we compromised and James and I shared a bed, "hand and towel", and Rowan/Dylan slept on the floor. Chester got his own doggie hut outside and was just as pooped as we were! We met some more TA walkers, like a fellow American army dude Matt from Oregon, an introverted french couple, and highly intelligent botanists from Canada named Geoff and Lynn. As we watched the sun set and the bubbly white clouds turn to shades of orange and pink, we delightfully scarfed down our fulfilling pasta meal, and hit the hay after feeling a mixture of triumph and over exhaustion. (21kms) Day 8 Storms are a brewin'- Rintoul Hut to Top Wairoa Hut January 17th, 2017 As we had cell phone service at Rintoul Hut, we checked the weather, and realized that there was a severe storm warning throughout the Northern top of the South Island. Rob Waiken, owner of the TA trust, actually announced the storm via the TA Facebook group, telling hikers to stay tight for a few days and to wait out the bad weather. Like the responsible hikers we are (uh kinda), we evaluated and discussed the situation. Luckily, the rain wasn't supposed to start until the afternoon, and we had the opportunity to get an early head start to try and crush as many kms as we could. So, Chester, James, Rowan, Matt, Dyl, and I started our journey south through the Richmond range. We tramped along the ridge, trekking through mud and hopping over obstructing roots, eventually making it through the dense dark forest to Purple Top (1532m). Once we reached the start of the Purple Top section, the trail became quite exposed and rocky. It was also hazy out and the visibility wasn't too great. However, I did acknowledge the sensational shades of the purple ravishing rocks! Hehe. Soon after the summit, we came to a track junction and headed left towards Tarn Hut. We were really cruising, trying to get to our final destination before the bad weather hit. Even though, we weren't exactly certain of our final destination. Eventually, we departed from the rocky terrain and returned to the omnipresent bush, all the way down to Tarn Hut, which was 8kms from Rintoul. It only took us 2 hours to make the journey, although we had left our fellow TA trampers Matt and Rowan behind. Of course, we had a snack break, checked out the hut book, and lounged around for a bit. FYI, there was unfortunately no water at the hut due to lack of rain! The next hut was Mid Wairoa, which was 6.5kms away. So, we set off, and ventured up hill from Tarn Hut to a junction sign, veering left and making several up and down climbs through the forest. The last zig zagging descent down to Mid Wairoa Hut was especially steep! We also passed DOC guys along the way who told us about the sh*t weather, and warned us not to cross the rivers after 11am tomorrow. Gee wilikers, if they had only realized what their words of advice would do to us! When we got to the swing bridge right before the hut, we found Chester anxiously trying to get down from the bridge! James gave him some words of encouragement and a push though, and he jumped from the bridge. What a chill pup! There's also a sign that directs you to Wairoa Road, which we deliberated heading towards and out of the Richmond ranges because of the poop weather. Instead, we decided to keep on carrying on and risked having to wait out the weather in a hut. We also contemplated staying at Mid Wairoa Hut, but were determined to get as far through the ranges as possible. So, we kept on keeping on for the additional 7 kms to Top Wairoa. The track was fairly simple though, and followed the pristine raging river all the way up the valley. We also crossed the river multiple times, passing by many spectacular water falls and hidden swimming holes along the way. James and Chester went ahead and arrived to the hut first, while Dyl and I discussed our next moves and itinerary for the sections to come. The final ascent to the hut is steep, and was made up of wet slippery clay. Top Wairoa Hut is at the 1900km mark and 830m high- oh yeah, almost 2/3 of the way through the trail! As we scurried up the last 100m or so to the hut, we met kind kiwi Adam and giggly genuine German Luzie, who were also TA SOBO trampers! We all hung out at the hut, and were grateful to have shelter from the storm brewing in the ominous sky above. Although the river was freezing, we decided to wash the sticky sweat off our skin, taking a traditional river "shower", and soothing our aching muscles. Fire tamer Dylan started a toasty fire, and we all sat tight in the warmth of the cozy hut. After an hour or so, Omurican Matt arrived! Then, Rowan showed up too- wahoo! We were surprised yet content that they made it safe and sound! Geoff and Lynn ended up strolling in as well, and we had 9 people sleeping in a hut that accommodates 6. I felt bad that some of us had to sleep on the ground, but as the DOC states, "first come, first serve." That being said, we all crashed relatively early after our tasty meals, and slept comfortably with a dry roof over our heads. (21.5km) Day 9 Top Wairoa Hut Shenanigans January 18th, 2017 After hearing the pounding of continuous rain on the hut roof, and cracks of thunder throughout the night, everyone in the hut decided to take a zero day and enjoy sleeping in. The poor weather continued throughout the day, so we made the most of it by socializing and taking it easy in the hut. In the afternoon, the french couple and Katrin, a solo TA woman from Ireland, arrived at the hut, and it ended up being 12 of us staying there for the night. I don't think the new comers appreciated us taking a zero day. But, we were surprised people actually hiked in the heavy rain, and/or risked crossing rivers after 11am. How ludicrous of them! I think we all needed a day of rest though, especially after throwing peaks in the bag for several days in a row. We did leave the hut briefly to go for a swim in the river, and stumbled upon some chill swimming holes and majestic waterfalls! Aside from that, we spent most of the day being lazy bums and playing "thinking" games (instead of "drinking" games because we unfortunately didn't have any alcohol). As for the rest of the story, I'm gonna keep it PG and keep it at that, but Dyl and I were grateful for new friends to be silly with ;). It was truly pleasant getting to know our amigos nuevos, and even decided on a few more trail names, such as Destiny for Matt, and Camelsaw for Luzie. All in all, it was a pleasant day spent frolicking in and out of the hut, as the weather continued to be poopppaayy. Day 10 Don't cross the rivers past 11am-another zero day January 19th, 2017 As we woke up relatively late, we teetered about moving along to the next hut. Most of the other folks were moving on, however, the seven of us were on the fence about making moves. Eight if you include Chester the dog. We were especially concerned with the volatile weather and high wild rivers. Uh, kinda. What really worried us is that we wouldn't get beds if we hiked to the next hut. So, we decided to keep it real and hold down the fort at Top Wairoa for our second full day and third night in a row. Lolz. Plus the DOC guys told us not to cross the rivers after 11am, and it was definitely past the eligible crossing time. It was most certainly the longest any of us had ever stayed at a hut before, but it was an unforgettable and new experience that we all enjoyed together. We ended up having a confidential hut party, and were thrown into the vortex within our minds! Woooo man. What a long strange trip it's been. Well kinda, this being our 10th day on the trail and 2nd zero day in a row doesn't seem like we're making good progress. Lolz. At one point, when we noticed the sun had shone through the billowing clouds, we escaped the hut to explore the surrounding landscape. After a few days of rain and gloom, we all felt grateful for an idyllic taste of natural color and vibrancy in our lives. The sights of the deep green forests brought forth a pleasant contrast to the bright blue afternoon sky. We also spotted the red rolling hills in the distance- leading to discussions and appreciations for the wonders of nature. When we got back to the hut, Chester had gotten to the cheese, and ate about half of what we had left! Silly stinky Chester dog, cheese is for da kids! Later on, seven other TA walkers showed up, and there were fourteen people in the six person hut. Gee wilikers, it was crowded to say the least! We made it work though and worked out fitting all of us under one roof! Two of the new seven trampers were the German siblings that Warrick and Keitha had mentioned to us, so we were stoked to surprisingly meet them! Although a bit of a blur, we were pleased by our decision to stay and chill out in the hut for another day!