Heritage Week

Went on a tour of Myers Park and Greys Avenue with good friend Marlene, and Dieter.

It was a brilliantly sunny day and great to be out and about in it learning some interesting history along the way. The walk was conducted by Edward Bennett who dressed for the part.  We congregated in St Kevin's Arcade where the early history of the arcade provided a fascinating introduction to life in those times.  

On the original site there was the residence of the Nathan family who donated the land and money to realise their wish for a park to be donated to the city and they shifted out to their country residence in Manurewa , now called the Nathan Homestead.

The old arcade steps provided easy access to the park  as they still do today. Later the flats were added and unusual for that time had sleeping verandas for warm humid Auckland nights.

We heard all about the kindergarten built  in the park near the YWCA which provided accommodation for single mothers and their children, who enjoyed the access to a beautiful kindergarten in close proximity as do the children of today who were happily engrossed in play.

Wandered down past the paddling pool, now a sunken garden and up Greys Avenue past the council and State housing blocks one of which in the Modernist style designed by the Austrian emigre architect Plischke.

Repaired to Giapo's for an icecream which was doing a roaring trade what with Graduation and sunny weather. 

I had a hokey pokey icecream of the most crunchy superior kind.

Sunday the 13th of September, an auspicious occasion

13 September is E's birthday, celebrated this year in Sydney.  We will celebrate en famille when he gets back early this week.  The weekend was pleasant with us getting out and about.

 First a leisurely walk up the road to the library to return the McCall Smith I have been reading, "The revolving door of life", the latest in the 44 Scotland Rd series and quite funny. Bertie's grandmother comes to look after Bertie and his brother Ulysses while his mother is detained in the Midde East in a harem somewhere and life takes a turn for the better.  He gets a kilt for a start and is allowed to go and play with a friend.  

Spring is in the air and the camellias are now in full bloom.  Here is nicely shaped one In Cowan St which I stopped to photograph with my trusty iPhone. I was invited by the owner to help myself to some blooms if I would like some, which was nice of her.

But not before stopping to chat with neighbour Joy and her cute little dog, Katie.  Joy feeds the birds each day and they wait on the telephone line for her to do so. She too has a wonderful garden and lives in a nicehouse that once belonged to us.  

In the afternoon went to a high tea to meet Indie Rose, Pamela's little granddaughter.  She is oh so sweet. Met the other grandparents and the parents in their lovely home in Northcote.  Then there were Pamela's brother and sister, Rick and Christine and other family friends like us to catch up with.

We had a sociable week as D was feeling better so we went to the library concert on Thursday  - Schubert Lieder - followed by an icecream at Giapo's, this time chocolate afghan in a little tub with a caramel chocolate top with crunchy cornflakes and a chocolate cornflake disc on top - and two spoons.

Friday, we had a trip to Orewa to see what needed doing round house and garden up there.  We hadn't been up there for some 5 months but Tim has been keeping the place in order for us.  June was there with dogs in tow, one of three extra ones being her own new acquisition and two others being dog sits.  

Today being Sunday we went to Mass locally, walking there in the breezy sunshine.  This afternoon we took in a film from the German Film Festival,  Lola on the Pea, about a young girl, Lola who lives on a boat with her mother.  She befriends a young Kurdish boy whose family lives illegally in the village.  All very pertinent with the current refugee crisis in Europe at present.

Didn't feel like cooking so finished off the evening at a Ponsonby Indian restaurant, a delicious lamb curry with naan bread and raita.

Spring is in the Air

Out and about in Ponsonby - peach blossom in Cowan St, tulip tree in Pompallier Tce and white orchids in our front porch. 

My life In Objects No.2. Baby Photo

This studio photo of me and my teddy would have been taken at about 14 months old, I reckon. I believe the photographer had espied me and asked my mother if he could take a photo of me to display in the Dunedin Railway Station to advertise his photography business.  

My Life in Objects no. 1

 I have just finished my big mug of tea from my Friesian teacup with its lovely blue and white design. Dieter gave it to me on one of our trips  to Wilhelmshaven which is where his mother lived.

She lived in the Kingdom of Heaven, Himmelreich,  a lovely name for a suburb. 

They had a lovely little cottage there and a spacious garden. Mainly  lawn and fruit trees and fruiting shrubs like black and redcurrants, gooseberries, and raspberry canes the fruit of which was turned into copious amounts of delicious jam and jelly and stored in the cellar in small jars until needed for the breakfast table.  

I suppose  that is where I get my propensity for making jam or jelly out of usually small quantities of seasonal fruit like cape gooseberries or guavas and  larger quantities of  jam or marmalade  using plums and citrus fruit.

Matariki

Today at the Y we celebrated Matariki, Maori New Year when the stars of the Pleiades are in formation.

First we had our normal gym session then the Never Too Old people gathered for some Maori culture and celebration. We were entertained by four lovely girls from Auckland Girls Grammar School who sang some waiata for us , then they  showed us and taught us the intricacies of Maori  stick games and poi dances, both a lot harder than they look.  Don Soloman showed us how to weave a headband or tiara, also harder than it appears.

We then repaired upstairs to a beautifully decorated space for a shared lunch of foods that reflect our individual heritages .  I took along an apple tart made with lots of  cinnamon and sultanas which my mother always used when making an apple tart.  

Boomerang Boy

Boomerang boy did his washing yesterday - first time in 3 weeks which showed me how much clothing he has.  Had to resist the temptation  over the days, as it accumulated and overflowed laundry basket on to couch, bed, floor, to say I'll do it for you, otherwise I would be hanging it out and bringing it in too.  

Nearly took a photo of it hanging neatly on the line like an artwork but now it has been brought in and is overflowing airing cupboard and washing baskets awaiting ironing , that's if he gets round to doing so before it is needed. 

Celebrated the first couple of weeks board by buying myself a lovely blue merino jacket and a black long sleeved top with it!  I plan to do the same next week too and the week after!

Concert in the Church

All Saints Church at the top of Cowan Street in Ponsonby is a church I often go past or wait in front of for the bus but every so often there is a concert there and I take the opportunity of going in and enjoy not only the music but the architecture and atmosphere of the church, a Richard Toy church completed in 1958 and restored  in 2008. http://www.hbarchitecture.co.nz/all%20saints.html

Look at this for the history of the earlier church and the present church. http://www.allsaintsponsonby.org.nz/history/

The concert was at 5pm so it was already getting  dark and gloomy outside and the church was dimly lit inside too which added to the whare-type experience.The first three items by the One Voice  Choir were Maori songs and fitting openers to this evensong experience of song and music from around the world. 

The  director of the 25 member community choir, Olga Tarasenko is of Russian heritage so this celebration of music from around the world included songs from Bulgaria  and Macedonia as well as Israel, Italy and Bolivia.  http://www.onevoicechoir.org.nz

The choir members, dressed in black and red certainly were very accomplished and powerful singers and I came away uplifted and enriched again by another musical experience. 

Road Trip to Dargaville

After last Sunday's overseas trip to Devonport good friend Frances had the bright idea of a midwinter trip to Dargaville where her mother was brought up many years ago.  It was the anniversary of her death yesterday so this trip was a way of recalling her life and times. We motored up in chilly sunshine , first stop in Wellsford for a browse in the Hospice op shop where I succumbed to a huge jar of crabapple jam and an equally large jar of apple  and tomato chutney for $4 each.  And a CD of the Carpenters whose song Sing a song is one of my favourites and one we sometimes sing in the choir I go to.

My pictures are a bit jumbled and the last shall be first and vice versa. After a lovely lunch  of ploughman sandwiches  - beef, pickle,cheese,lettuce and  mayo and an extra hot cup of coffee at a lovely cafe we pressed on to Matakohe where Frances went into the museum and we looked round this lovely old church, the first in the area I believe and its beautiful garden of heritage roses, some of which are still flowering bravely in the winter sun.  There was also an old Post Office museum in an old Post and Telegraph office with interesting displays of old telephones, post office furniture , books and the ilk.

Onwards from there to Dargaville crossing the muddy river which also borders the township which,was a nice walk.  Browsed the main drag and its shops without succumbing to any more purchases on account of a full car, however hope to buy some kumara tomorrow for a big pot of soup when we get home and a big 2kg  bag of mandarins which I saw for $4 outside a bakery.

By this time it was time to hunt out our accomodation a couple of kms out of town, Leslie's Place, a self contained cottage, attached to the owner's,house which was purpose-built for her father-in law who has since died.   It has some very retro furniture, including a lovely bedroom suite, a blast from the past.  

Time for a cup of tea and a slice of bread and this new crabapple jam which has a beautiful colour and delicate flavour.  Just as well I got the big jar as it won't last long. After a bit of a rest drove back into town for dinner at Jo's Kitchen.  Seafood chowder with lots of shrimps and a hint of curry in it, served  with a long slab of garlic bread was my choice. The others had mussel fritters with fries and cole slaw and lambs fry and bacon, a bit too retro for my liking, but delicious according to Frances.

Matich's fish restaurant is another place we had in mind.  Their pan fried snapper with crumbed prawns on top with a lemon hollandaise sounded very nice for $19, half of what you might pay in Auckland. Pity they close at 7pm which is  early for travellers.

Today we will go to the Dargaville Museum which has excellent displays on gumdigging and the Dalmatian settlers before motoring on home unless one of us can be persuaded to stay on an extra night.

Devonport

This museum is worth a visit if you like local history.  It is tucked away in Suburban Devonport and is an enjoyable walk from the ferry. There are lots of old well-preserved villas with lovely gardens to keep one interested while getting there, a 20 minute walk on a windy day, also the odd church including the one that the museum is housed in, an old one relocated where it is for that purpose. 

Displays include maritime history and brickworks and all the usual domestic bric a brac of yesteryear.  Friendly locals staff the place which is a hidden gem.

Home again, home again jiggedy jig: Eli's side of the story

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11462764

Crowded house or empty nest? 6 pros and cons.

First the pros- 

1. It is quite nice having a mature adult son home again, while his house is repaired and altered,  as opposed to the stroppy teenager of way back who was was last here for any length of time.

2. In-house computer, iPad and printer expert.

3. Great source of news of the outside world.

4. Casimira, Scout and Whitey, the  3 accompanying cats who are part of the package provide tlc on cold Winter evenings as they snuggle up on  couch or bed. 

5. Having a young person in the house again distracts from the fact we are getting older and somewhat set in our ways.

6. Provides the opportunity to cook memorable meals from "fine 70s cuisine" for  old time's sake. And to enjoy some of the yummy takeaway leftovers which are delivered  to the house while the parentals sleep! 

And the cons -

1. Wasn't bargaining on having the vinyl collection  and cartons of gear not to mention the huge shirt and t shirt collection (obviates the need for washing and ironing every week!). Must add they have now been tidily stowed in his own former bedroom and present bedroom ( at the other other end of the house, good for peaceful coexistence) with a bit of an overflow into my study cum computer room.

2. The accompanying cats make a bit of a mess with muddy paw marks on pale flooring with cat biscuits scattered around. Our  stretching exercises at the gym make bending  down and replenishing their food and water supplies, lifting and washing their dishes somewhat easier that it might otherwise  be for peeps of advancing age.

3. We are indeed somewhat set in our ways to have a flatting situation on our hands.  Bathroom, toilet, kitchen, housekeeping etiquette is largely still unspoken two months down the track.  

4. Ditto meal preparation and food shopping. ( Did appreciate unexpected chocolate and Lewis Road chocolate milk on a couple of occasions though) 

5. Having visitors and conducting one's social life is somewhat different, requiring notification in advance so that one or other parties can vacate the premises for the other.  So far so good, I might add, though a third wet weekend is looming.

6.  Our computer/technology whizz is often too tired or time-strapped to be of assistance when first needed, and as prone to procrastination as we are.

On the whole I would recommend the experience to others in a similar situation as it is quite enriching and rewarding from a human point of view. Indeed I have grown accustomed to his face! 

Home For a Change

Winter has set in with a vengeance  - cold, dark and wet which has meant more time at home and even time to do a spot of baking. Made a small Dutch apple cake so I could make the right amount of pastry in my cute little Mini Whizz without doing it by hand or getting out the food processor.

The date loaf is easy to make too and can be done in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Last week I added fresh Christchurch walnuts I got from the Orewa Farmers Market , this week I used some Central Otago dried apricots as a taste or texture contrast. 

Went to the lunchtime concert in the library this week.  It was St Mary's College girls with their sweet voices , conducted by the ever-enthusiastic Carmel Carroll. ( Any relation, A?)  

I enjoyed their rendition of various  Rutter  songs and borrowed some CDs from the library afterwards to extend and savour the experience at home.

Went to the movie Woman in gold yesterday , all about the quest to get back a Klimt painting which had been stolen by the Nazis.  I remembered seeing several Klimt paintings, probably not this one,on our visit to Vienna some years ago when on a Danube Cruise.

Must read more about Klimt.  

Queen's Birthday Weekend

We spent the weekend on Waiheke as usual.it got off to an inauspicious start with the ferry breaking down and having to return to Auckland after we had almost arrived at our destination.

Good friend Fr came with us for company and another friend K joined us on Monday for the day. We had a nice lunch at the bach and then went to the local museum on the island between Ostend and Onetangi. It is a collection of 3 or 4 baches  and their contents plus one bigger building and outside bits and pieces, and I always find something new to look at or notice.  I bequeathed our old copper from the washhouse a few years ago and probably have more stuff from the olden days to donate.

The day before we went to a photographic exhibition of blokes at the Red Shed in Palm Beach. The little gallery was packed on a Sunday afternoon as some or all of them were local identities,only one of whom I remember having ever seen, a busker with a funny straw hat and a lei, outside the Four Square.

It was Dieter's birthday yesterday  but as we had been away I didn't get round to baking a cake. Will do though, one of these days. Made a nice meal of beef roulades, a long time German favourite of ours.

Waiheke Again

Always something new to see or do, or old familiar things to experience yet again.

It was a dry but nippy weekend but the bach was cosy once the woodburner had been lit on the Saturday evening.

 May is NZ Music Month and there was a performance by the Hip Op- eration, a hip hop group of Waiheke oldies, aged from 68 to 95, who were performing in the library courtyard, a lovely open-air performance space.

Investigated the Community Art Gallery and discovered the annual small piece exhibition was on. Lots of lovely paintings by some of my favourite local artists - Gwen Rutter,(blue hydrangeas )Katie Tringle-Legge ( plums, and other fruit) and Danielle Fillion ( seascapes) 

The lower painting is the original one by Jan Nigro that hung in the gallery foyer for many many years.  It has been joined by two others garnered from other public buildings where they have had their day.

As usual the craft shop is full of tempting beautiful pieces which I resisted.

Down the road after that to pick up a pie at Waiheke Fruit and Vege, a seafood one for moi which was absolutely delicious.

Did the usual clean up at the bach Sunday afternoon but managed a walk along the beach too and enjoyed the ferry trip home past Rangitoto.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is drawing to a gentle end after an energetic start with participation in the annual 5 and 10 km walk or run organised by the YMCA round the leafy streets of Epsom close to Cornwall Park.  Several hundred women took part from 5 years old to 92.  There were 6 of us from the Never2Old program and good friend Marlene who has been on the walk 2 or 3 times before with me.

Caught up on the news of the previous few weeks since we saw one another and enjoyed a more leisurely walk than the others! Sat in the Autumn sun and had a coffee and muffin while waiting for the presentation of prizes to the various winners and hoped for one of the spot prizes or main prize of a trip for two to Sydney,  but it was not to be for any of our group.

Was tired after that and was pleased D had prepared a nice salad to go with the ham and cheese croissants for lunch. 

Eli  was there for lunch bringing me some Lindt strawberry chocolates, a Metro and a NZ House and Garden magazine and along with Dieter's lovely bunch of flowers it was just perfect.

I hadn't got round to baking that elusive cake so enjoyed a bought lemon and almond loaf from up the road for afternoon tea.  The chicken casserole is bubbling in the oven and so the day has ended.   

Up in the air and back down to earth.

Ok

Work has started on the worst house in the best street, or at least one of them, in Herne Bay.

The historic villa dates back to the 1870s the architect thinks, judging from the old weatherboards.  The old totara piles have been removed, the lean-to at the back and the verandas have been demolished to make way for a big studio room with ensuite, new kitchen, dining and sitting plus double garage and storage.  This will take several months but at least 16 weeks.

  Week 3 is drawing to a close and they tell me the house has been lowered on to its new piles. Next they will create a temporary bathroom in the new bathroom space and a kitchenette so that Eli and Tim can move back in. 

Have paid big bill no. 1.

Iconic

60s artworks by Jan Nigro hanging in the Waiheke Community Art Gallery  along with the original  one which I will photograph and add next time I go there.  

Bayswater and Back

Yesterday was a lovely congenial day out with three good friends  and a change from Waiheke and Orewa for us.  First of all we went on a different smaller  ferry  which  leaves from behind the Devonport Ferry and there were just a few people going over at 10.10am.

 A bus meets the boat and leaves quite smartly once stragglers like us have disembarked. Sue galopped on ahead to make sure he didn't leave before we got there. I think we were the only passengers.  I think it is mainly a ferry and bus service  for commuters and shoppers who leave their cars at the carpark there or get the bus.   

There is a lovely peaceful marina there but unfortunately I was fumbling around with my iPhone and didn't react quickly enough with my photo taking. Unfortunately they are in reverse order for some reason, starting with a colourful Massey University, Albany Campus  graduation procession in Takapuna which we watched before getting the bus home.  

Anyway The  bus we got from the ferry wound its way through Bayswater with its nice tidy streets of houses, many of them navy houses, and we made our first stop in Belmont at a delightful cafe, Little and Friday, for coffee and donuts, cinnamon ones, or the traditional jam and cream ones. They make them and other cafe food, quiches and other goodies for their two cafes at this site which is in a block of three  former suburban shops.  You can watch them making pies, donuts and pastries through the old shop windows.  

We sat outside at a long trestle table in the Autumn sun, enjoying our coffee, missed the next bus and got the following one on to Takapuna.

Walked along the beach but didn't go for a swim,  just had a paddle through the water which was refreshing enough.  After that lunched back on Hurstmere Rd at one of the several cafes dotted along it before busing back over the Harbour Bridge to Victoria Park and from there on the Link to Ponsonby. All in all a lovely day.

Sent from my iPad

Giapo, artisan icecream maker

Today we delivered  the last few kilos of plump dark red guavas from our prolific guava tree to be turned into NZ Garden icecream.  It is a sorbet mixture of beetroot, guava, mint and passionfruit flavours and comes in a tub with a slice of beetroot as a cap and this in turn is piled high with edible micro greens and marigold petals. Yum! Just a little difficult to eat but is delicious.

Giapo was there in his trendy glasses and shook our hands mournfully, bemoaning the fact that that was the end of them for this year.  I didn't even keep any of them back for guava jelly for us this  time.  

Queen St was a buzz with interesting looking people, great to observe, while waiting for the Orange Link from Wellesley St. It is usually a long wait, but this afternoon, sitting in the sun with our icecream vouchers for a few ice creams in return for our labour of love, in retrospect,picking these fruits off the ground"didn't seem quite so onerous.