Copenhagen

Had a very pleasant interlude here in Copenhagen and now looking forward to joining our cruise early afternon today. The port is close to town so we located it yesterday and know where we are going today. The weather is still nice and fine though there is enough of a breeze to harness for those big metal windmills you see dotted around the place where we are staying, in a big youth hostel on the outskirts, but near an exhibition centre where we are going today at look at a Danish design expo. Walked around the place for 6 hours or so yesterday and found old haunts from 40 years ago. Denmark is still clean and green. We are enjoying the food - had those lovely open sandwiches for lunch yesterday and are enjoying the buffet breakfasts - lovely creamy joghurt , nice cold cuts, marinated herring and crusty rolls. Walked for 6 hours yesterday so felt exhausted at the end of the day but fine again this morning. Nice comfy youth hostel.

Home Sweet Home

Have had a quick trip to Waiheke on my own to tidy up and away for a lady who is renting the place for a few weeks until she shifts in to her own place. Looking forward to enjoying it ourselves in the Spring when we get back, ditto, Orewa which we also visited on Sunday enjoying a walk along the beach before the rain set in. Colleague Gerard is sharing it with us which works out well for all concerned.

Today we went to a good movie Bride Flight all about three young Dutch women who emigrate to NZ after the war to marry their Dutch fiances who had preceded them, a really good movie.

Yesterday we had a trip into town to look at the Rita Angus exhibition at the Art Gallery, a very satisfying exhibition of art works from right through her career.

Brizzie landmarks

Dieter's favourite store

Took a long bus trip out to a suburban shopping centre so Dieter could indulge his penchant for chocolate biscuits and Haribo wine gums from his favourite German foodstore.

Brisbane

Had a wonderful few days in Brisbane, staying at Rydges near the river where we went walking each day. This is the cultural centre of Brisbane with the museum, art gallery and State Library all close to one another. Each had very interesting exhibitions and we spent several hours looking at them. The highlight was the American impressionism and realism exhibition with the Sargents, Whistlers, Childe Hassans among many others. Over 70 paintings on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and quite a few corresponding Australian examples.

Off to Brisbane

Have given up on the bad weather here and decided last week to go to Brisbane for a few days to warm up. The last fortnight has seen a few decisions - the major one being to retire in a couple of weeks time. Dieter will follow suit in his own good time. I will prepare the way for a life a deux again, which I am looking forward to. Have a lot of house and garden maintenance plus clearing up and out to do.

Went to a sports day at the Y last Friday and had a fun day lots of group exercises, games, skittles and folk dancing ( not agile or strong enought this time for badminton or volleyball).