Home and Away

The month of October has been spent getting back in to the swing of domestic things after the excitement of the trip to China and enjoying the convivial atmosphere in Auckland provided by the Rugby World Cup. I was very keen to avoid the hype associated by the big matches so we escaped to Waiheke and Orewa a couple of times, enjoying the peace and tranquillity of beach and garden,

though the latter required some serious action before we could do so. The lawn and onion flowers were flourishing and have been cut down to size now, showcasing the self-sown cinnerarias, a splash of colour in our rather shadowy back garden. Went over the Bridge to Northcote and met up with Knitterati friends to look at a textile arts, and very fine embroidery exhibition by Olwyn Horwood, beautiful traditional work spanning several decades. It spurred me on to get out my patchwork but also to think about making something creative of my own , recycling some old bed covers and a woollen blanket I found in the hut at Waiheke . I only want to make something very small, just a reminder of days gone by. The following week went to the Art Gallery with the Knitterati again and looked at the NZ art. Being the school holidays and with many visitors in town for the rugby the gallery was full of excited people enjoying the fabulous new building and its contents after waiting an eternity for its refurbishment. The cafe serves delicious food too. I am going back there in a week or two to catch up with two old friends who worked with me in the library which coincidentally was in the old part of the art gallery in those days. (1967-68). When I came back from my OE and had returned to Auckland Public Library to work after a stint in Hamilton and Takapuna the library was in a new building across the road. Over the ensuing years even that building has been extended and refurbished several times and is a hive of activity, industry and enjoyment which is as it should be. October is a month of celebration, first another year older but for me the chance to see all my friends over a week or two or three, then our wedding anniversary which we are spending the way we like best - making an excursion to one of the suburbs we haven't been to for a while. Today it is to be Birkenhead.It has history in the form of the Chelsea Sugarworks which we are used to seeing from the Herne Bay beaches , leafy streets with old villas (I hope) and a new library , which for me is the main reason for going there! Can't resist libraries.