A Fond Farewell

Final photos at the airport.

 

Baggage checked in, last coffee and muffins finished, last-minute shopping completed....now comes the hard bit, saying good-bye.

 

 So we each had a photo taken with a big handsome bloke from Lord of the Rings, then I wandered off into the sunset and Sue wandered off to the car.

 

I flew home with many happy thoughts of a very special fantastic fortnight absolutely packed with many wonderful moments.

Thanks to Sue and Greg!

 

 

Ferries across the water.

Auckland Harbour is a busy, bustling place. Small boats, water taxis, ferries, magnificent yachts, and cruise ships, all add to the atmosphere of the place. Sue and I took a couple of enjoyable ferry rides when poor Greg had returned to work.

 

Two cruise ships were berthed in the harbour as we took our ferry to Devonport. They are so huge and grand!

 

Our ferry was not quite so sumptuous, but we didn't mind at all!

We had a delightful day in Devonport....risotto for lunch at the Esplanade Hotel....a mooch around the shops....a walk along the waterfront.

Then back to sit in the garden with a good book,

A perfect day.

 

 

Another day--another ferry. This time early morning to Waiheke Island, where we had a delicious breakfast, then discovered this beautiful beach at Onetangi.

 

We had it almost to ourselves, and spent a couple of hours soaking up the sun, reading, paddling and shell-seeking.

 

 

On the return journey, I couldn't resist this photo of the Ferry Building (the small brick building in the centre) which was the venue for Sue and Greg's wedding. When it was built, it was the tallest building in Auckland!

 

 

 



A Day at the Zoo

Allan and I watch a programme on British television called 'The Zoo', about Auckland zoo, so it's good to catch up in real life!

 

I'm glad we were up on the bridge. These are not stone statues!

 

 

In 2003, Iwani, a siamang gibbon, was rejected by his mum.

We watched on t.v. in England for many months as the keeper, Christine, raised him herself and finally introduced him back into the family.

Lots of Aaaaah moments especially while he was tiny!

It was an unexpected joy to see and hear him in the flesh ten years later. 

 

The highlight of the day.....the feeding of the spider monkeys.

One big happy family!

 

This fella just couldn't resist posing!

 

Wharever you think about zoos, Auckland zoo does a lot for conservation,

And it's a great place to be on a warm Summer's day.

 

 

 

   

 



In and around Auckland.

Here are a few photos of people, places, and animals encountered during my enjoyable stay with my family.

 

Pointing skyward behind me is the new bridge, raised to let a tall-masted ship enter the harbour, which leads to a new development of the Harbourfront. Here we sampled the delights of the fish restaurant, attached to the fish market. You can't eat fish much fresher than this!

I had brill on the bone, a kind of flatfish, and delicious!!

 

Auckland Harbour Bridge in the distance.

 

Whatever is Susan sitting in?

 

One of these.

 

A different district in Auckland.

The James Weller art centre displays some stunning art, but we actually went for the food in the restaurant,

There were some unusual sculptures in the gardens.

 

I don't know what has caught the attention of this metal family.

It looks riveting!

 

Posing with a couple of birds....and a giant salt-pot?

 

Another day, another venue.

The Thai restaurant, Mission Bay.

The meal was wonderful......

.....and so was the company.

 Friends who also hail from Britain, but now live in New Zealand.

This was followed by a visit to 'Kiwiyo', a frozen yoghurt self-serve,

an experience I would recommend to everyone, especially on a sweltering hot day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Home and Garden

Sue and Greg live on a Heritage Street, so called because all the houses are original villas built in the early 20th century.They do look very special and eye-catching.

This was my home for two weeks. ... .a delightful place to stay!

 

The back garden is a cafe and spa for numerous birds; sparrows, thrushes, mynah birds, golden-eyes, to name but a few. The lawn can be full with 20 or 30 bird customers at any one time!

There were often more birds than this in the bath , but you know what happens when you get out your camera.....a mass exodus!

 

The front garden has a bright array of summer colour, but has also been newly planted with small bushes (I forget what they are) which will  grow to a good hedge height and have lovely red flowers.

 Ready for my next visit?

 

When I arrived there were a number of these creatures in the garden...

....which then changed into these....

....then became very transparent...

But, sadly, I never saw a single one transform into one of these....

....a magnificent Monarch butterfly.

It always happened when I wasn't around to see.

 

Inside the house, Sue made us some delicious meals, we read, chatted a lot, played Scrabble, and watched t.v.

 

And we did this amazing jigsaw.

There are 85 cats in the picture, believe it or not!