Week Two-ish

For most of this week we were mainly at home. On Thursday, having gone down to do some shopping, I persuaded Irene to indulge in some mince pie ice-cream.

The girls went off to 'Guides' camp on Saturday morning and so in the afternoon the four adults went off Christmas shopping at the Albany, Westfields, shopping centre. We had our evening meal at the Thai restaurant in St Heliers. Having experienced how hot their curries were we more careful with our ordering than when we ate there in 2014.

It was good to be able to talk to Joe and Julia on Skype the next day.

We did succeed in having a picnic by the beach in St Heliers.

Pohutukawa tree in blossom
New Zealand's Christmas Tree

The girls broke up for the long summer holiday on Wednesday. During the afternoon Irene and I went up to our favourite seat in Glover Park, overlooking Brown's Island. I was able to take a few pictures before the wind and the the threat of rain sent us back.

Brown's Island

Rangitoto and Brown's Island

Part way back we crossed the road to have a close up look at a vivid purple flowered tree. It is not a lilac and the leaves are fern like.

It is the end of the school year here. Both girls bought home good school reports and information about which classes they would be in when they return to school in February. Our first day of child minding started on Thursday. Zoe had play-dates booked for the first two days of the holiday and so our work was quite light with mainly Emily. 

We were free to use the car on Saturday. Irene had an errand to run. Teresa, our friend from Leicester House, had given us a calendar to deliver to her cousin in a retirement village about thirty minutes away. She is an interesting lady but has no family. Her rooms in the home are very spacious and she has a private veranda. On her floor there are two lounges. One is very large and the other is smaller. Both are very well furnished. Having said our goodbyes and promised to visit again after Christmas we made our way back. 

 Cornwall Park (given to the people of Auckland by a man of the same name) is right next door so we parked up near the restaurant. This was not available as it had been booked by a private party.

After ice-cream we visited the main house to learn something of the man who gave the park to the people of Auckland. It seems that back in 1840 Cornwall and his friend, Brown, took over ownership of an island. (This is one of our favourite islands to look out at.) Later they landed on the mainland and decided that they would own Auckland.

Ice-cream near colourful flower beds

With time to spare we chose to do one of our walks consisting of half an hour out and then turn round. Cheerfully we began the walk out of the park and in to the 'One-Tree Hill' domain. The next thing we knew we had walked to the top of the hill. It was quite windy so we were not long before we made our way back.

Stone writers in the sacred crater

The afternoon was short as we, Ian, the girls and I, left to be at the cinema for a 5.30 pm start of Star Wars. The theatre was. itself, an interesting experience. We started by ordering beers and food for all four of us. Our seating was couches with individual, powered, recliners. During the movie our food arrived. It was the first time that I had seen a movie in 3-D. It worked well.

From the cinema looking over Silvia Park

 I remember that it was about 40 years ago that I took Tim and Sally to see the first Star Wars. Back then we queued. The first time we did not succeed in getting in. Even 40 years ago the movie was spectacular. I do not intend giving anything away, but the two hours passed remarkably quickly.

Sally and Irene had enjoyed what was, by all accounts, a first rate meal down in St Heliers.

The next morning Irene and I set of for the 'Auckland Domain'. The Winter Gardens are spectacular every time we go. It was interesting to notice the different collection of flowers to those were used to in January and February. In particular I noticed the lack of Hibiscus plants. 

Using my old knowledge of Auckland I left the domain with SAT Nav off and found my way to the garden centre and then on to 'New World' supermarket before getting back.