The Week and Weekend that Was.

Went to the museum to look at the Darwin exhibition after Mass this morning. Auckland City staff could get entrance, two for the price of one and as it was $15 entrance fee it was quite a saving. It was a great exhibition from the American Museum of Natural History with interesting biographical details and a clear exposition of the science behind evolution, selection and adaptation. There were a couple of actors enacting scenes from his life and travels - one a discussion between Darwin and Admiral Fox of the Beagle on their opposing views, and another a conversation between a missisonary, Baker , in the Bay of Islands, and Darwin on his impressions of New Zealand which were not very complimentary.

Had a late birthday celebration here at home with family friends Pamela and Christine which was very nice. Started with an old fashioned afternoon tea with all the customary treats - coffee and cake, savouries, meringues, followed by strawberries with a splash of brandy in a glass of bubbles. Our mothers and fathers were very good friends - our fathers worked together in the Inland Revenue. Mum and Gwen were lifelong friends and after Mum's death, and her return to New Zealand, Gwen moved to Mum's beach house where she lived for a couple of years.
She made a special home for herself there and created a beautiful garden with her green fingers. Last weekend when we were up there, her rose bushes and irises were in bloom and a b eautiful reminder of a special person.

Had a phone call and visit from another childhood friend, Pat from Dunedin. She was up on business and I met her at her hotel after work, had a walk through Myers Park on our way to the busstop and met up with Dieter and Elisabeth at the Ponsonby foodhall, where we each had our favourite ethnic food - Turkish hummus and pita bread while we chose - Chinese, Thai and Italian dishes. Went back home for a cup of tea and chat before taking her back to her hotel.

Our knitting group, Knitterati met at a large public building, Vero in Shortland Street this week. It has lots of beautiful artworks which we looked at after coffee then we got out our knitting needles and blankets and knitted in public as part of our Shelter Exhibition which is to take place next May. The group are gathering at our place next Tuesday morning so I am having a sociable time.