Morning with a King

Each year I attend the commemoration the celebrates the life of Sir Māui Pōmare.  Today was extra special as we were joined by the King of Samoa and members of the local Samoan community.  They brought with them this huge, wonderful tapa cloth that was gifted to the marae.

The sky may be blue but it was about 2 degrees and by the time we came out it was raining.

It's all about context

I think I have said before that my most successful vege gardening is the self-sown.  Well, just to prove the point the cauliflower that didn't flower has produced.  I got rid of the unsuccessful ones ages ago but obviously missed something because when I went down the back to see how the herbs were doing in the cold (ok) I discovered this...

Impressive you say?  Well here it is, cleaned up and in context - that's a teaspoon!  So, one small serve but a fresh, organic, homegrown serve.

Happy Birthday to us

Yesterday Puke Ariki turned 10 so we threw a party.  There was singing, dancing, sushi demonstrations, kapa haka, a brass band and bagpipes.  There were tours, dressing up and craft.  There was also cake, was being the operative word.  It was masterfully crafted to look like the museum and by the time I got close enough to take a proper photo it looked like this...

 all that was left was the front facade.

Ups and downs

Going up - a new boutique hotel

and around the corner the old Red Cross building has come down to make way for the new Len Lye Centre, an extension to the Gallery.

Winter has arrived

including a light dusting on the Puakai Ranges (to the right)