Auspicious Occasions

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Had a very pleasant birthday on the island as usual.  Went out to a French cafe in Surfdale for a galette with a chicken, bacon and mushroom filling, followed by a nice cup of strong  coffee.  The weather was great on Saturday too, and passable the other two days.

Today is our 36th wedding anniversary so remembering that happy day in 1978

Anniversary spidery chrysanthemums in an old Hungarian Toby jug vase bought in Hungary in the 1960s.

Dieter picked this fragrant rose and rosebud and the first sweet peas for the lunch table today.

A splash of colour in the front garden - one of several yellow flag irises.

The very fragrant heavy double roses are about to bloom too.


Eli finishes his information and communication studies  course at Aut this week and has a three month full time job starting on Wednesday. That house of my mother's where he has been living for the last 7 years is about to be renovated. 

St. Francis and the Blessing of the Pets at Surfdale Reserve

Stayed a bit longer on the island so we could attend the Blessing of the Pets ceremony and liturgy conducted by the two Anglican ministers, held conveniently down the road near the beach. 

 Sat next to friend Colleen and her elderly poorly tabby cat , Purrsia who reminded us of Malkovich, R.I.P.  Next to us on the other side was a lovely white dog who was very interested in Purrsia but was kept away from her by her owner.

Solar Cafe in Oneroa

Is one of my favourite places on Waiheke Island.  It is part of our Sunday ritual when we are over.  First we go to Mass which this morning was taken by a Franciscan Father Bernie Thomas, who is called the Assisting Priest.  He used to be a relieving priest but liked it so much that he is sharing the ministry down here.  His sermons are straight from the heart and always interesting. 

Then we get the bus into Oneroa, these days going to the new library which is open on a Sunday too.  Picked up a Patrick White novel to read today,  "The hanging garden" which from a cursory glance is an unfinished novel of his, set in Sydney 1942, about two children spirited away from wartorn Europe to spend the war years in Australia. 

Following the library we go to the Community Art Gallery which  this week has three different exhibitions - one of recycled art, a Jeff Thomson corrugated iron one and one other.  Liked the artworks using recycled materials and hope to make my own for an exhibition next year. Knitterati are having one out at Corbans in Henderson.

Then finally Solar for a ginormous streusel muffin for me and a savoury one for Dieter. Mine had grated apple, white chocolate, berries and cinnamon; Dieter's,  red onion, cheese, fetta and sundried tomato.  

By this time it is time to pick up some fresh Turkish bread made on the island and get the bus home for lunch.  My mouth is watering and off I go to buy the bread.