Friday, 17 January 2025

Memories


 This was Pirate with Izzy...who was mostly Huntaway breed.

She lived with people we stayed with a couple of times, just up the hill from where I am now...they moved to a smaller house, so, we ended up staying here.

This was our visit before last...no walkies that time, she really was an old lady. When we took her for walks we were her Herd...and we had to stay together or she would insist on the one at the front stopping and waiting.. Usually waiting for me and my camera!

Thursday, 16 January 2025

Thursday a sun day

 








Ok, that lot landed in reverse....a little later than hoped, I started in Kowhai Park near where I am staying an kept to the bike path most of the 10½ km to Upokongaro...where there used to be a ferry years ago..and now reunited by a bridge.

Brunch in the café there then retrace steps to the river bridge...and carrying on into town where the water sculpture is, quite discreet but beautiful.

And blogger has decided to.park the video at the top!!

After a rest, over to the velodrome to watch a training session 


Then an hour watching and listening to music in an open mic night, celebrating the boat being restored and working....a steamboat paddle driven....

The musicians are on the paddle steamer Waimarie, the lounge is the Green Room.

The audience sat on the riverbank enjoying the music and the sun, people of all ages and types...a pop up bar served drinks, a good van had all sorts of savoury pots plus salad, chips, drinks.....

I could have stayed longer but I was tired..and thinking of supper back at the Stayplace!!

I tried to put a video up, but at two minutes it said it was too big!

Tuesday, 14 January 2025

To the sea!

 Along the last bit of the Mountains to the Sea trail















The bike and walk path isn't complete yet, but not far  off. Just about 7km I think from the middle of the city...the River City.

A nice ride, quite a few other cyclists, walkers, scooters!

Sunset

 Last night's was quietly beautiful 



Monday, 13 January 2025

Definitely a good day

 First job this morning was to sort my debit card....off to the bank and I found a very helpful...and senior I think...worker in the bank. We worked out that one problem is that non NZ cards don't do Paywave (love that...better than Contactless!) and even though it is a debit card I have to press Credit, even though it is a debit card! Relief!!

Then down to Mud Ducks for coffee to celebrate!






I was intending to go back and go for a ride...but a message from a friend changed that!

So I waited to be collected by her husband in their car






And spot things whilst waiting!

It was a great get-together and catch up, and gardening talk and lunch....and a lift back to the Stayplace with fresh fruit and veges from their garden plus preserves!

The roads were too busy for a ride, so a good walk around the block...which took an hour with camera stops!! And was definitely hill work!!













Kawa kawa..a very useful plant





Bastia hill water tower..no longer with water 



The owner of that green Morris Minor pickup lent it to us for a drive a few years ago!