The Last Week of January 2016

The week following was to be mainly child care duties. On Sunday morning it was our usual trip to the Hillside Community Church. After this we set off to Point England. I have to say that at about this time the temperatures began to move to extremes. More than one person said that the temperatures were at the highest that they had known.

Last time we visited Point England was two years ago on the evening before we flew to our adventures around Christchurch. This time it was a very hot Sunday afternoon. Large family groups of Maori families had set up camp and were busy barbequing. We walked further than last time and caught a glimpse of the rear of the spit. From this view point it is hard to believe the amount of business around Mt Wellington. It looks quite idyllic.

On Monday we had our best ever visit to the zoo. Both girls were fully occupied. Zoe drew up a list of animals to be found. A very kind lady (Zoe’s words) pointed out that there were passports to collect animal stamps as we walked round the zoo. After seeing the animals on our list the challenge was to collect the remaining stamps.

The next day was more domestic. The first thing was to take the girls for a hair do. While they did this I went shopping at PAK'nSAVE. My next task was to take Emily to her tutor. Earlier Emily had reported ear trouble and so the next thing was to drop the girls off at the doctors. There was nothing serious and pain killer was prescribed. This gave us time for Zoe and Emily to have an hour at ‘Skate’. This is roller and in-line skating.

Simone, the nanny, collected the girls on Wednesday morning to take them to ‘Rainbows End’. This is something like Alton Towers. While they did this mum and I went to the end of West Tamaki Drive. There is a car park and an entrance to Tahuna Torea Reserve. This proved to be a good place for mum to learn tree names as there were many interpretation boards. We also saw the remains of an old Maori settlement. Among the remains are pipi shells. Last night they were cooking them on Master Chef.

After we got back we managed a short dip in the pool before the girls returned and then we played Muggins.

The next day there were some health issues with the girls and we were in for the day. Zoe had a stiff neck and the doctor attributed it to the possibility of over-cooling by air-con in the night.

It was an exciting start to Friday I drove her to endless dairies in search of jam for the pancakes. This ended in failure as all the strawberry jams had pips. Then I had a drive to take Emily to her tutor.

We had a much more interesting afternoon. We took the girls to Cornwall Park. On the way we called into a remodelled McDonalds. Mum thought it was good that you could view all the products and make an easier choice.

The trip to Cornwall Park was to the Star Dome. We were early for the 2.00 pm show and the girls had time to play. Once more there was a flying fox. We were fortune that at the swinging tyres a young mum was able to supply the energy needed.

 Star Dome is what it says. The show was about the work of an astronaut. It was followed by a presentation of the night sky tonight. At least 4 planets would be visible and these appearing to be in a straight line.

After this was a surprise. Apparently we had arrived for the last holiday session and we were taken over to the laboratory were the children played with scientific things. The session ended by an outside display of rocket launching.

Muriwai was our Saturday morning destination. It is on the west coast and we have been numerous times to see the gannet colony. After taking more photographs at the colony (I am particularly pleased with a couple) we drove down to the café for lunch. There was nowhere to park and we were obliged to drive along the road towards the beach. It was the last weekend of the summer holiday, it was hot and it was very busy. In places it was about as crowded as Blackpool beach in July. Unlike Blackpool the sand was volcanic black rather than oil black, the sea was blue and the waves white and ready for surfing.

On the way home we stopped for ice-cream in the café on the edge of Muriwai. Later we stopped for shopping in a large supermarket. The signs asked us to ‘Please enjoy the 90 minute parking’.

The last full week of the summer holiday ended in our usual way with our visit to church. In the afternoon we drove off to see Hobson’s Bay board walk.

The bay had gotten cut off from the sea, firstly by the railroad and secondly by the road. There were channels through to the sea. Consequently mangroves are taking over and the water level is dropping. However there was a small beach and speed boats skimmed across the water.

The board walk is a triumph of wood engineering. It is quite beautiful to look at. Along each part of the board walk was art work done by the local state schools.

And that ended the first month of 2016 which is, in this country, the last week of the Summer Holidays.

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.