Entertained Leny on her way home from the wedding in Perth and showed her the sights of Auckland and environs and enjoyed seeing them ourselves with new eyes. First we went up to Orewa and unwound by going on long walks along the beach and through Eaves Bush, sadly now truncated now that Puriri Park is being developed as a new suburb. The latest thing to happen is that they have stripped the hillside of its contours and vegetation. Goodness knows what we will see there next - a clutter of houses I suppose. Hope they get a decent view. Enjoyed morning coffee at the Nautilus cafe after Mass on Sunday morning and got my farm eggs at the market afterwards ready for the baking I never got round to until after Leny had gone home. Made some peanut brownies and a dutch apple cake to keep my hand in.
On the Monday we did the op shops and I can't admit to buying anything memorable which is a "good thing" and just as well.
Tuesday was a lovely day so went for a drive along the waterfront calling in to Mission Bay for a stroll along the promenade, then on to St Heliers Bay, first to the library which was bustling with borrowers, then browsed the shops and lunched at a local cafe before returning via the Rose Gardens and the Domain to look at the glasshouses, complete with different varieties of eggplant, some looking just like eggs. Entertained visitors from Mt Albert to dinner in the evening and confess to watching Dancing with the Stars (What stars?) over coffee in the drawing room.
Wednesday to Friday I worked then it was off to paradise as Leny calls Waiheke for another relaxing weekend - nice to have our bach back for ourselves after having let it off and on since Christmas. Did the usual things - market, beach, art gallery with its wonderful display of small paintings, most by local artists, most sold. I have one done a coupled of years ago by my favourite artist - Danielle Fillion - of vineyards and wider landscape which I will photograph and post another time as it is waiting to be put on the wall in just the right place when I make up my mind where. I got her to do me some cards of our bach too, the new front view, with the pohutukawa and agapanthus flowering when she did her watercolour.
Back to Auckland on the Monday morning 11am sailing then off to St Luke's for a short burst of retail therapy, for me this time. These places make me feel slightly claustrophobic so I was pleased I got my two lovely shirts in the space of twenty minutes and escaped back to the comfort of home with goodies from Harvest Wholefoods for afternooon tea.
Tuesday was Leny's last day so made the most of the morning by going to K Rd for a walk along the strip, via the Rainbow op shop which used to be in Jervois Rd, purchasing a book on Bremen for Dieter and 2 bookends for myself, then having coffee and the perfect date scone at Alleluya in St Kevin's Arcade.
Bussed home and picked up my favourite vegetarian sandwiches and quiche from the Hollywood Bakery for our last lunch together. Got out the sewing machine which I don't think had been out since Leny's last visit 4 years ago and she kindly helped me sew some bias binding around a patchwork ovencloth I made. I have now entered a new phase of domestic craft activity so watch this space!
On the Monday we did the op shops and I can't admit to buying anything memorable which is a "good thing" and just as well.
Tuesday was a lovely day so went for a drive along the waterfront calling in to Mission Bay for a stroll along the promenade, then on to St Heliers Bay, first to the library which was bustling with borrowers, then browsed the shops and lunched at a local cafe before returning via the Rose Gardens and the Domain to look at the glasshouses, complete with different varieties of eggplant, some looking just like eggs. Entertained visitors from Mt Albert to dinner in the evening and confess to watching Dancing with the Stars (What stars?) over coffee in the drawing room.
Wednesday to Friday I worked then it was off to paradise as Leny calls Waiheke for another relaxing weekend - nice to have our bach back for ourselves after having let it off and on since Christmas. Did the usual things - market, beach, art gallery with its wonderful display of small paintings, most by local artists, most sold. I have one done a coupled of years ago by my favourite artist - Danielle Fillion - of vineyards and wider landscape which I will photograph and post another time as it is waiting to be put on the wall in just the right place when I make up my mind where. I got her to do me some cards of our bach too, the new front view, with the pohutukawa and agapanthus flowering when she did her watercolour.
Back to Auckland on the Monday morning 11am sailing then off to St Luke's for a short burst of retail therapy, for me this time. These places make me feel slightly claustrophobic so I was pleased I got my two lovely shirts in the space of twenty minutes and escaped back to the comfort of home with goodies from Harvest Wholefoods for afternooon tea.
Tuesday was Leny's last day so made the most of the morning by going to K Rd for a walk along the strip, via the Rainbow op shop which used to be in Jervois Rd, purchasing a book on Bremen for Dieter and 2 bookends for myself, then having coffee and the perfect date scone at Alleluya in St Kevin's Arcade.
Bussed home and picked up my favourite vegetarian sandwiches and quiche from the Hollywood Bakery for our last lunch together. Got out the sewing machine which I don't think had been out since Leny's last visit 4 years ago and she kindly helped me sew some bias binding around a patchwork ovencloth I made. I have now entered a new phase of domestic craft activity so watch this space!
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