Post-Holiday Mode

Seem to have been a bit lax in completing the holiday blog, but hey there is always next year to have a better go. This past week celebrated birthday and wedding anniversary, both in a low-key way which is the way I like it. Have had several goes at baking a cake but each time the eggs and butter go back in the frig. Today I ground the hazelnuts so that is an advance.
Spent the long weekend, Labour Weekend, at Waiheke which was very pleasant after having it let for 3 months while we were away. Walked to the market and stocked up on local spepcialities like Maureen's picallili and a delicious herb spread from another stall. Celebrated the birthday with a restaurant meal at Bowlers across the road.
Have been catching up with friends in Ponsonby, usually for lunch and a browse in the shops along Ponsonby Rd. Bought myself a filmy black and floral jacket/blouse which I will be wearing over summer and also a nice recipe book full of old-fashioned reccipes from yesteryear which I am looking forward to trying out, once I have restocked the pantry.

Today after our gym class our YMCA social club paid a visit to the synagogue across the road and had a guided tour organized by one of our members. It was interesting to hear about their festivals and the stories behind them.

Later Dieter and I went up to an art gallery and looked at some before and after reunification photographs of Berlin and other East Germany cities. It reminded us of when we lived in Germany in the late 60s-early 70s and went to some of these citiies on our travels.

Elisabeth did this public art in nearby Cox's Bay.

France

On the next day to La Rochelle which was some distance from town so we opted for a tour to the Ile de Re, Island of Light instead. It is a very low lying small island with 5 or 6 villages and earns its money from tourism (never got to the beach which was the main reason I wanted to go on the tour there) and sea salt production. Didn't buy any as it was too dear and too heavy. And to me, salt is salt. We did walk up winding streets with lots of souvenir shops to an old church where there was a lovely view of the island. In the little village of Ars there was a statue of the Cure of Ars in the church. Somehow I think he came from another place with the same name. There wasa lovely little marina lined with cafes where you could buy icecream and waffles. Back to the Azamara to be serenaded by old French sea shanties by a group of locals dressed up for the occasion.

On to Bordeaux up the river with its old bridges and buildings. It was Sunday and there was not much doing apart from a farmers market near where the ship was anchored. We had a glass of bordeaux there in the afternoon, not quite the drink of choice for a sweltering day. The locals were out as there was some sort of festival on with dancing of the tango and group variety. We did a couple of long walks of about 3 hours each so was pleased to get back on board again.

Cruisey Pics - Rouen

Our stateroom was on the main deck very handy to the main reception area, big enough andwith plenty of storage. Our butler turned out to be a glorified steward in a suit, pleasant enough. He organized my early morning cup of tea to be brought to the cabin by room service.

We sailed off into the night and traversed the canal linking the Baltic and North seas from Kiel to Hamburg. It was idyllic with a lot of birdlife, lush green landscape and tidy brick houses with their gardens facing the canal. Most cruise ships are too big to get through the canal and ours was not so people waved, stopped their cars to take photos of the ship.

On to Amsterdam (bikes everywhere) the next day where we spent the morning in the Van Gogh museum - mindboggling with its great variety of paintings on display and other exhibitions of works by his contemporaries and documentation on one of his patrons.

From there a day at sea then on to Rouen where we visited the cathedral which Monet painted so many times. Sought out the art gallery and took the photo (permitted) and looked at several others of his paintings. Rouen had narrow streets of beautifully painted old houses right in the centre, a famous gateway with a very old clock, a very new Joan of Arc church with amazing architecture inside and out. Dieter took lots of ordinary photos as he lost his digital camera a few weeks before we left, so it is all (still) only in "my mind's eye"

Copenhagen

Dieburg Rellies

We are staying with D's cousin at present which is nice for him. His nephew came over from Bad Soden, about 50km away to see him and with him we went out to a wine festival in a nearby village last night. Enjoyed our glasses of wine and pieces of schnitzel.
Today we went to mass which was at the local church, a pilgrimage church. There was a big group of former refugees there from what was Silesia and East Prussia who were on pilgrimage from the Mainz area. It was an open air mass at the back of the church in the church yard. The lime trees were losing their leaves and they were fluttering down and reminded me of tears. Dieter of course left his home land at the age of 5 and still remembers bits and pieces of that time and how they had to trudge through the snow with a laden pram plus 2 week old baby, Dieters sister Barbel.

Day in Worms

Nice day again today.Met old friends from Frankenthal,Ilse and Irene for lunch in Worms.We had liver dumplings, sauerkraut and mashed potato which were very filling and tasty.After a rest and a bit of a walk round town and to the cathedral went to a nice cafe for coffee and cake.I had plum tart with cream which was very nice.
Dieter has gone off to find the Liebfrauenkirche to take a photo of it and the churchyard near it where the original Liebfraumilch wine came from.

Germany

Had a lovely day with my cousin Gabi today.It was specially nice as her son Dominik, a doctor in Berlin was there too as was her brother Joachim and his wife Ellen who picked us up from the station. Went down to my aunt's grave and for a walk around the village. The grape harvest is in full swing and the grapes look lovely hanging on the vines. Ellen made a lovely chocolate and hazelnut cake which I will make again some time too. My aunt used to bake it too. Staying in a hotel in Worms nearby and will be meeting my friend Ilse here tomorrow. Being very restrained with my shopping and will do some only at the very end to save carting heavy baggage around.

Barcelona

Just been to the very colourful market for bread and fruit, not to mention nutty nougat and a type of figgy panforte. Had a tiring day yesterday walking for 8 hours but seeing the Gaudi work in progress the Sagrada Familia church - the interior will be finished after decades of work next year, the exterior in 2030. Went to the Picasso Museum too - a thrilling experience. Off to the Miro Museum now.

Mallorca

Enjoying a day in Mallorca - just been to the big cathedral with its Gaudi interior. Very warm here. This is our last day and we disembark in Barcelona tomorrow. Have thoroughly enjoyed shipboard life. Lots of lovely food and entertainment and nice people. Made some English friends.
Gibralter was basking in its national day with everybody dressed in red and white and milling around the very small downtown. Made our way through to the cable car up the rock of Gibralter and saw the famous cheeky Barbary apes, one of whom had snatched somebody´s bag of potato chips.

Viga in Spain

In Spain today - the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain and not here. It is 29 degrees and very warm. It is the siesta time so I am out with the mad dogs. The Spaniards are enjoying their paella and other seafood in open air cafes nearby. We are having a Spanish night on board tonight with seafood no doubt. I had my first swim on board today. Had the pool to myself so didnt feel too self conscious. Had a long walk this morning up narrow streets and lots of steps to an old fortress with wonderful views over the harbour. Not much to buy though there are a lot of fake Prado bags and other labels being sold on the footpath by African traders. Might succumb to and buy one.

Rouen

Joan of Arc territory today. There is a beautiful modern church here where we have just spent some time. Looks like an upturned boat, and has beautiful stained glass windows. Went to the Museum of Fine Arts this morning and saw some beautiful Monets one of the cathedral which dominates the inner city and some of the Seine which our boat sailed up to get to Rouen.

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).

Winter Woes

We have been hunkering down trying to keep warm with heaters on a lot of the time, and warm clothes. I suffer from cold hands and feet and it makes me quite miserable. Today my normal routine started again with the Y for tai chi and then knitting at Art Station. I am knitting a little tea cosy shaped house but bigger than a teapot. It is for our next group exhibition in 2010. It was nice seeing the "ladies" again.

Went to the op shop beforehand and bought myself a pair of navy shoes for $4,a black shiny cardigan for $1 to wear in the evenings on the cruise and a book Tis byFrank McCourt. I have read it before but will reread it . He died yesterday.

Bought some ciabatta rolls for our lunch then Dieter and I went round to Salisbury St so we could do some pruning back, always very satisfying. Got a bunch of orange and yellow flowers for the vase - red hot pokers, some hibiscus and other flowers. Bought some daffodils yesterday while out and about.

Met friend Janet for lunch in St Heliers, overlooking the beach and Rangitoto. It was a glorious day and I enjoyed the bus trip there and back after my morning at the gym.

Have been selling the odd thing on Trademe and making three or four sales a week. Prices are about half or less of what they used to be so there are bargains for buyers. I will press on in this vein and keep on giving a bag of stuff to the op shop each time I buy something. Friend Frances has offered to help me clear out and up which I will cautiously agree to one of these days.

Well off I go and get the dinner out of the oven. A tasty vegetable casserole with rice. Made some marmelade this afternoon. Found some pulp in the freezer. Got some more grapefruit from Orewa last weekend so will slice it up in the food processor and make some more to give away another day. I don't put too much water with it and it turns out nice and chunky the way I like it.

The picture was taken way back in 1978 or 1979 at the library . I am in the middle!

Monday Excursion

We had a little jaunt today over to Waiheke seeing it had been raining all weekend. It was lovely as usual - just had 4 hours there - went in to Oneroa and had lunch at a cafe then walked back home along the beach and through the bush. It was lovely. Only bummer was that Dieter left his bag with his new digital camera on the Link bus this morning. It was an expensive German one. Our next big holiday, the cruise will be fun, but I had been hoping to see my Aunt Anne-Marie but she died suddenly last week. She was 91. She was my mother's sister and lived all her life in Germany , except for a spell in France during the war before she was married. She was always very good to me, especially when I went to Germany the first couple of times and used to get a bit homesick from time to time, really only the first time I went. I used to go to their place for Christmas and Easter and some of my friends visited me there to0. I learned how to bake and cook German specialities - a delicious hazelnut cake, I made in her memory and for Dieter this weekend, and a nice chocolate and hazelnut cake. She was a typical German Hausfrau with very high standards and didn't approve of my shortcuts or slapdash approach to some things!
Her daughter lived with her the last four or five years and looked after her as well as holding down a part-time job lecturing in theology at the University of Saarbrucken. It will be sad going back to the village this year.

Cruising Down the River

Well how about a canal. We have succumbed to temptation and decided to go on a cruise to get away from the chilly winter we are experiencing. The only warm place is bed at present.

Anyway at the end of August we are going on a 14 day European cruise from Copenhagen to Kiel via the canal that links the Baltic and North Sea , then along the coast to Amsterdam, 3 French ports, Viga in Spain, then Gibralter, Mallorca and finally Barcelona. Will follow this with a week in Germany. We are very excited about it. It is a luxury cruise on the Azamara complete with butlker service and other frivolities. The price is about half of the normal price - the recession and swine flu are probably combining to put some people off travelling.