Fifth Week

This week was always going to be a 'quiet' one. But as I write, on Friday afternoon, there is some noise, as both girls have 'play dates'.

The first day was very quiet. We had a short walk and sat and read.

On Tuesday we went off for a longer walk. This took us through the streets to Churchill Park. We entered by a way we had not used before. Along the start of the path were some beautifully kept houses and one had a very strange garden ornament. It was a very hot day and we struggled up a steep path to the open part of the area. I saw the stump of a large tree. It was flat and it looked like a good place to sit. Before Irene arrived I found sticky toffee-like stuff on my book and thought that it must have come from the sweets in my bag. Irene sat down and we discovered that the sticky stuff was sap. Irene is now looking for a method of rescuing our clothes.

Mr Bunny with mobile phone
and sneakers

Grey Heron - also found by the seashore

We had a chat with a retired individual before deciding that it was too hot. We really did struggle to walk back home.

The evening was very different. Our friends, Stefan and Debbie collected us from the house and took us down to Mission Bay for dinner in a restaurant called 'Masala'. It was an Indian restaurant. I was surprised how busy it was for a weekday evening. I think we all ordered chicken tikka masala. It was delicious. This we washed down with Bunderburg ginger beer. Stefan generously paid for this part of the meal which was at the Tuesday special price of $10 (£5). I paid for the chocolate cake. This came on a long, white porcelain dish. The cake and cream were at one end and the remainder of the plate was decorated by a trail of red and chocolate sauce. Which was also delicious.

Sally invited us all to come back to the house for coffee. And this was an enjoyable way to end the evening.

We are very concerned for Stefan. He has been unemployed since August. However, he is planning to take his 'Noah's Ark' presentation into Ponsonby on Saturday. There is a Europe festival (Gay Pride Festival) in the park there.

Wednesday was completely unplanned. Emily had woken up with a pain in her leg. Ian wisely decided that if I went with them in the car I could bring it back so that if the school called we could go up to collect her. On the way back the text alert sounded and so, thinking that it might be a message about Emily, I pulled over. It was just a text from Vodophone. Annoying.

While we had the car we thought that it would be a good opportunity to do some local shopping. I bought more shoes and some gifts at the Warehouse before going to Pak 'n Save for some of our weekly shopping.

As it turned out, Emily was fine and there has been no recurrence of the pain.

The weather forecast continued to show it would be fine so we set off to walk to Bastion Point. I wanted to carry flip-flops to go in the sea and I also had a book and my usual camera bits. I borrowed a back pack from Sally.

We set off, cutting across Vellenoweth Green to the trees which Irene now knows to be Moreton Bay Figs. These are of Australian origin and so do not appear in books naming NZ trees.

A private monorail (A photo for doubters)

The tide was well in and we were able to cut across Kohimaramah Beach, eventually arriving at Mission Bay. It was time for morning coffee which we had at Bar Comida. The blueberry muffins were very different from what is usually served. They had a more level top and were moist and fluffy. They were served warm with butter.

I paid. This is the place were the trouble starts. A senior moment was on its way. I walked out of the cafe putting the change and receipt into my wallet as I walked.

Across the bay it looked like serious rain and we felt a few spots. We saw a sign pointing to an art exhibition. Nothing came of it. We crossed back to the flight of steps which would take us to the top of the cliff and on to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. You may remember from a previous blog that MJS was NZs first labour prime minister. We read more about him on the plaques and it would seem that he was instrumental in securing Bastion Point for the Maoris. I shall return to this.

The gardens are beautiful and the views spectacular. I also enjoyed watching a professional photographer strutting about with a young couple and their children. It was hard to know what the occasion was. As always there were the swarms of Chinese people. Along the drive to the monument there were two long strips looking like newspapers. The text was mostly in Chinese and the English told us that it was all about denouncing the Chinese leadership and encouraging people not to become party members.

I wanted to see if I could find the Maori memorial which I mentioned in a previous blog. We were the only visitors prepared to make the upward trek. As we did so we noticed what seemed to be a group of school children being spoken to as they stood around a Maori Marae, which we had not known about before. 

To the left was the memorial. We made our way across. It was here that the senior moment began to move up a gear. I patted my pocket to find that my wallet had gone. The main issue was that the wallet held my credit and debit cards. Irene said that she saw me put the wallet in my pocket.

We retraced our steps to the MJS memorial and searched everywhere, including the litter bins. There were a lot of people around and we concluded that someone must have picked it up by now. We made our way down to Mission Bay and the Community Police Office. A kindly man took our details. He asked us which part of the UK we had come from. He told us that he was from Surrey. I asked him how long ago. He said that it was 50 years ago when he came here on holiday, but he had got a job married and now had seven grandchildren. I told him that he was really a Kiwi. You don't have conversations with wonderful people like this unless things go wrong. He then told me that a short time ago someone had stolen his wife's purse and had immediately used the card to get phone credit.

We said our good byes and went off at speed. The distance on the flat seemed endless, but there was no let up on the steep hill. Back in the house I switched on the computer with the intention of finding a number to ring and report a missing credit card. While I waited I decided to check the bag. There was the wallet. I rushed outside to wave it to Irene who was still some way off. How it got into the bag is still a mystery. Who had the senior moment?

This is a complex day for Sally who has one girl to get to Pippins and another to Netball with quite an overlap. My role to go with her, drop Emily off at Pippins and go with Zoe to netball in order to stay with her until she returned.

You might be bigger and older but I'm
not afraid of you.

It was quite windy, with a threat of rain like last week. And, as last week, the opposing team were much older. A cry from someone in St Heliers team was that the opponents have got boys and boobs.

Zoe made a commendable performance. She focussed all the time and did some good interceptions and throws. However, once the scorers and broken free they were unstoppable. St Heliers did score this time. Suddenly they broke free, found the space and scored a goal.

Sally returned just before the end and we went home via McDonalds, where apart from kid's meals we ordered portions of 'The Return of the New Zealand Legend'. This meant 'Georgie Pie'. It is a steak mince and cheese pie. Apparently McDonalds bought out this pie company when then came to New Zealand. People here can remember them being $1 (50p) a pie.

On Friday the hot weather returned with a vengeance and threatened to be in the high twenties by the afternoon. We planned our walk for the morning to go to the seats at Glover Park. One of the seats was in the shade and so we headed for this. Irene complained that she was too cold so we moved to the third one; giving the centre, rocky one a miss.

After some photography and reading for an hour we moved off. We went down to the park and up to the other part of the cliffs. The path from Glover Park cliffs to there must have fallen into the sea some time before.

At the corner of Cliff Road is an area with Maori monuments and a short pier which gives good views, especially of the nudist beach on Ladies Bay. All we could see was seemed to be a man sunning his rear end. Despite having my telephoto lens I showed the right courtesy of not taking a photograph.

We carried on walking down to St Heliers, across to the post office and up to the house.

St Heliers Beach

Hybiscus in a lovely colour

 The afternoon was peaceful, then play dates happened. For most part I kept out of the way until just about the end.

Often things just happen. On Saturday Ian and Zoe went off for a round of golf. After lunch Sally, Irene and I set off to do some shopping in a place called Albany while Ian had charge of the girls.

Albany is over the bridge on North Shore. To the west there was, what could only be described as 'angry clouds'. They were moving our way. Not only was it is was also very humid. From time to time there was precipitation. (It is hard to describe the warm, fine mist in any other way.) The forecasted thunder never came our way.

Since we last went, the shopping area of Albany has developed appreciatively. 

I had the task of shopping for some kitchen appliances but despite walking a great distance I was unsuccessful. At one point I was convinced that the sky was going to open. Just before re-entering the mall I thought that I would try an electrical store. It was one of those places where there are more staff than customers. I had a good conversation with a man who was about a year younger than me. He told me that he was working for one thing. He showed me on his phone. It was a very large cabin cruiser on which he had spent $60,000 last year.

Back in the mall I waited for the ladies to return from their shopping. Before leaving we had coffee at 'The Muffin Break'. Sadly they had no muffins.

Sally drove us home where we changed and then were taken down to St Heliers for a meal. This we had in the Thai restaurant overlooking the bay. It was a delicious meal but the hotness labelling was a tad lower than what we have in the UK. Medium means medium hot.

Following the meal we went along for ice-creams. Having tasted two flavours I went for the honeycomb. We sat on a bench looking over a dramatic sky.

The evening temperature did not lower. At about 8 o'clock I went out of the air-conditioned house into oven-like heat.

By Sunday morning it was cooler and it passed quickly. I went off with Ian for some stuff. He took me into Bunnings. As I have said before, NZ DIY stores off a much vaster range of products than any UK stores. The area that Ian looks after has around 10,000 products. In the afternoon all the family had a party to attend. Irene and I went off to Sylvia Park where I was able to find the things that I could not find yesterday.

In the middle of next week Irene and I are booked to fly and spend a week touring the Canterbury area, starting and finishing at Christchurch.

Saturday's Missing Outing

Irene reminded me about the following visit. I did not remember or go through the image set properly, but we did get out to a beautiful part of the city. We had been earlier when the wind put us off but this time it was warm and sunny. Last time we went by ferry. This time I drove the car.

Devonport is on a peninsula sticking out into the Hauraki Gulf. It is at the lower end of that part of the city known as 'North Shore'. It is a long established place. Before the bridge there must have been a ferry since without the bridge the journey round must have been much more than the half hour it took us today. Even today it is a busy ferry terminal offering commuters a chance to avoid the rush hour traffic.

It has been almost eleven years since we first went to the place that I was heading, namely Mount Victoria. Sally drove us up it the first time we came in 2003. This time I had to try to understand the confusing road signs on the mount. I was very glad that there were no tour buses going up or down while I was making the journey.

On top are two car parks. The top and the view from it is magnificent. In the distance, to the north can be seen Great Barrier Island. Across the Hauraki Gulf is the city and the bays on which sit the various holiday towns. Westward are Waitekere Mountains. To the east, looking across Rangitito is the island of Waiheke. Beyond that are the mountains of the Coromandel.

The whole length of the harbour bridge
 can be seen.

Rangitoto 

Along the bays to the Tamaki inlet

Musik Point with the edge of Waiheke to
 the left and the Coromandel behind

Tall ships

Close to us were the sailing and speed boats. Among them were two tall ships racing yachts. On land cricket was being played on the village green. On top families and tourists were enjoying the space and the view. Chinese was the most heard language. The top was also the site of the 'disappearing gun'. This is a huge rotating piece of artillery which was put in place in case the Russians decided to invade. They never did. The gun was fired once, shattering many windows. Following protests it has been silent since.

We drove down and parked again so that we could walk along the sea front. After some photography we made our way back along the motorway over the harbour bridge. The motorway is quite wonderful. It so clean and spacious compared to any in the UK.

Fourth Week

On Monday Ian left for Australia for the week and we are pleased to be able to help with the girls. This generally means getting up at 6.45 (using an alarm) and supervising the girls breakfasting and getting ready for school. Mostly we carry the bags for the ten minute walk up the hill. There is only one road to cross. The drivers here are super considerate. They even wait while I cross to the school gate.

Having seen the girls in to their classrooms it is matter of carrying the scooters back home.

On Tuesday we took a car over to visit the friends that we had made in 2012. They have moved to an area of the city known as Botany. We started the journey by calling in to Pak 'n Save for food to take with us to share. Having found their house and arriving early we drove on by and found a park. We chose to use the underpass and go towards the large grassed area. In the middle of the area school boys were playing lacrosse. 

Along the path was a narrow water way with various pipes crossing it. Going alongside the bridge was a pipe with a huge tap attached. After the walk we performed a u-turn and went to our friend's home. They are renting a very nice bungalow. It is near the end of a cul-de-sac. They have a gate which leads from the back of their property to the same walkway that we had explored the other end of. We very much enjoyed their hospitality and conversation. Since we last saw them they have constructed 12 more arks and produced teaching packs to go with them.

At the end of the day Sally used a power sander to smooth off the plastering that she and Ian had done. I did my best to suck up the dust as it was made, but the air was just one gigantic dust cloud. Beer was a good way to clean the inner man and a shower for the outer one.

Our Wednesday visit was to Howick Historical Village. We have passed this a number of times, including yesterday on the way to our friends' house. We needed to buy some stuff from Warehouse, and there was one at Pakuranga on the way over. On our way to the store from the car park we passed the British Shop. They sell imported good which, it seems, ex-patriots are willing to pay a high price for. This attitude contrasts very much with the story of the founding of New Zealand which we were going to see unfolded at the Historical Village.

Having paid our entrance fee we were greeted by a lady in Victorian dress who spent a great deal of time telling us the story of the early settlers. As part of her talk she insisted on taking our photograph with my camera. To return the favour I took a photograph of her with Irene.

The village was quite a large size based on village streets. Most of the buildings were moved from other sites and others were built according to descriptions that had been found. Our guide was keen to start at the tent and use to explain how the government reneged on the deal that they had made with the incoming emigrants. 

A tent. Each settler could bring just one trunk of belongings.

A dwelling built with the help of Maoris. The family shared it with a variety of insects

Eventually better homes were built. Even then one building was shared by two families. The wall of boards between the homes had many open joints. Later some families used the newspaper to paper over the cracks.

Tea was important and for gentlemen with moustaches a special cup was needed keep the hairy bit dry.

Electricity arrived much to the confusion and concern of people 

It was not long before the country became wealthy and recognisably New Zealand homes were built.

Historical Note
Following the signing of the Waitangi Treaty in 1840 it was decided to move the capital of the country to Auckland. Earl Grey (of the tea) and later Lord Howick decided that he did not want the new capital to be subject to attack from Maoris as was Russell. He was also concerned that the French, who had a large presence in the Pacific, might invade Auckland. His solution was to set up villages occupied by experienced soldiers around the key areas of the city. To attract these soldiers he offered free passage to retired soldiers who were under 48 years of age and of good character. They could bring their wives and children and would be given a bungalow on one acre of land. These soldiers were called 'fencible' from the word defence. They were expected to take up arms when called on.

What the soldiers found when they arrived was nothing. At first the women had some shelter and the men often slept out in the open. Over time and with help of the Maoris they constructed  dwellings. And, after protests to the governor, proper homes were built.

These people were true pioneers. They had survived months at sea when many lives had been lost and they had seen their children die in a scarlet fever epidemic. They never saw their families in the British Isles again. They never did fight as they quickly made friends with their Maori neighbours. A large proportion were Irish and had come escape the potato famine. Teachers travelled on the ships and education was a priority from the beginning.

Our guide told about the 1877 Education Act which sought to establish school which were "free, compulsory and secular". In the insistence on school being secular the authorities were avoiding the religious segregation which would later cause trouble in Ireland. I think that the settlers had a strong desire to see that the friendships and support  from one another would continue in the new country which they were building. Our guide who was about our age was surprised that unlike her experience of school she had not started each day with a Christian service.

At the end of our tour there was a video. In the video a young couple of early settlers had met and married and the lady was particularly thrilled that her child, born as a native of this new country would have so much to look forward to. I found this quite moving.

Thursday was a totally different day. Emily went to have dental work. This meant her going under general anaesthetic. It also meant her arriving Auckland at 7.15 in the morning. Our day began at 6.15. Irene was soon off with Sally and Emily. My duty was to see that Zoe had breakfast, got dressed, brushed her teeth and applied sun block (sun tan lotion). I then had to carry two bags up the hill to school, deposit Zoe and carry one scooter back.

I spent the morning cleaning up the dust from the sanding and scraping paint off the wooden floor while keeping in touch with Emily's progress at the hospital. They arrived back at about 12.45 and Emily was still sleepy.

Irene and I drove down to the Bay to do some shopping.

After school we were called on to take Zoe to a netball match. The netball area was huge with dozens of well laid pitches and flood lighting.

The team Zoe played seemed to be older and taller. Zoe's school had little chance to score against such a team.

Our next job was drive off to the take away for fish, sausages and chips. 

On Friday Emily was still not fit for school and Sally stayed home. After Zoe had gone to school I went off with Sally to take one of the cars for servicing. When we got back I then drove Irene to a shop called 'Spotlight'. This was to purchase knitting wool and needles for Zoe and various other items of haberdashery.

In the afternoon we drove over to pick up the serviced car.

Saturday began with another trip to the Farmers Market in Auckland. Irene was desperate to buy more cooking apples. They do not seem to be available in the supermarket or even in 'Fruit World'. We went in two cars. The Clark family finished first and so, after tasting a few things, we had the opportunity to go somewhere else. 

I chose to go to the 'Domain'. This I was able to drive to unaided (a different word for 'without a SATNav - not that we had one with us).

The 'Domain' is where you find Auckland Museum and also the Winter Gardens. It was to the latter that we headed. Just below the gardens is a cafe. It seemed very posh and I was addressed as 'Sir'. After our coffees and cakes we headed to the gardens. It is in four sections there is a normal greenhouse and a tropical one. Between is a long pool and off to the side is a 'fernery' which goes below ground level. Here was the first place we have been bitten on this tour.

Straight from The Lord of the Rings (The tree I mean)

Fernery

 On the way out of the gardens we came upon a wedding party using the area for their pictures. I can't resist taking wedding pictures. Notice the car number plate.

I made a bit of a hash of finding my way back, but redeemed myself by driving straight to Eastridge shopping mall for supplies which included antihistamine.

Sunday was one of those beautiful warm Kiwi days. I went down to St Heliers with Sally and Zoe to see something of the kids triathlon. The boys were doing their run along the board-walk and were headed off to the cycle leg. The girls had just started their short swim along the side of the beach.

Many exhibitors had stalls set out on Vellenoweth Green and in one corner was huge enclosure containing the bike of the participants.

Irene and I had opted to go to the church at Greenlanes so we set of back to pick her up and drive off. We had been to the church twice before. There are about 1000 people in the church.It was a short but very polished event. There were the usual screens but also quality television cameras broadcasting live and many people had head phones so that they could hear the service in their own language. The main language other than English is Chinese. Some of the Samoan members of Sally's staff attend the church.

We sat next to an elderly couple who had driven a little way to church. Their names were Margaret and Ian. Having had a good conversation at the start and hoped to continue at the end. As we turned to leave we noticed that they had already left. We guessed that like other older people we know they had wanted to avoided being stuck in the car park.

We stayed on for lunch in their cafe. We chose the bowl of very tasty salad with two skewers of chicken pieces. This we washed down with a cup of tea and a cup of coffee.

While we sat at the table a man came to us carrying the remains of the contents of the 'grace table'. This is a table on which people put stuff that would bless others. They also have a table where people put non-consumable food to distribute to the poor in the area. We chose to take some tomatoes, cos lettuce and some short brown-skinned bananas. They were the first home grown bananas that we had experienced and they were very tasty; being a little sweeter that supermarket ones.

We still had time left so I drove us over to Sylvia Park to go to the Warehouse to buy clothes. It is easier to buy shorts in NZ than in the UK. I tried several. One pair I tried was made of heavy material but we decided that I would not wear them in the UK. In NZ men wear shorts much of the time and the weather never gets that cold.

The afternoon passed quickly and at tea time we set off to the Chinese Lantern Festival. Irene and I followed Ian and Zoe and we split up at Albert Park. Our first task was to find food. There must have been about fifty stalls selling oriental food and having been along them all we opted for the Thai. I had the lamb and Irene had the chicken. They both came with rice and cost £2.50 each. Apparently the chicken was not very good. We decided to was this down with melon slushy.

We spent more time enjoying the performances than we did last time. The music varied from quite high-brow Chinese to noisy drumming that went with the dragon dances. We did not stay until it was dark.

Once back we settled to watch another episode of New Zealand's Master Chef. It was a fascinating episode. They took the competitors to the Bay of Islands where they were taught how to open oysters. Then, in the open air, they had to prepare them. The winners were to enjoy a day in the luxury cruiser on the Bay while the losers were to prepare a first class dinners for 185 guests which included the winners.