The final piece

Although the space out the front of the library has been open since before Christmas there was one thing that still needed to go in.  So Monday morning saw a group of us gathered for the installation and blessing of that final piece, thank goodness dawn is at a reasonable time at this time of year.  It's called Te Ataarangi and represents a method originally developed for learning maths but now also used for learning languages.  As usual for public art projects it has been labeled 'controversial' but most people seem to quite like it and so do I.

Festival fashion

On Thursday we were officially declared in drought, on Friday Womad started, on Sunday it rained.  This didn't stop the dancing, it just changed the attire.

and, because it's Womad, there was of course Hungarian fried bread & a beer.

Going to prison

Today New Plymouth Prison held an open day before it finally closes for business at the end of the month.  It was originally built in 1870 and, as a Category 1 listed building, hopefully it will have another, happier life in the future.

You have to really...

take a photo when you see something like this.  Chicken catchers - who knew!

Vegies

What can I say, my greatest vege successes have really had nothing to do with me. The things I have planted have been hit and miss but the ferals are doing great.

I have a totally rampant pumpkin (right) and a tomato (left) that has popped up.  Both are going gang busters to the point of producing fruit.  No ideas of variety but edibleness is ensured.

What's in the box?

It has been a long frustrating week for reasons that none of us can work out.  There hasn't been a full moon, there are no storm fronts coming, maybe it has been the relentless sunshine that has people out of sorts.  A treat seemed in order.  This is the smallest box that the French bakery has...

 slight overkill for this little treat, a smiley lemon tartlet in a chocolate case, but totally worth it.

The runners and I

Every Saturday morning I walk down the street, pick up the papers and buy a fresh baked muffin for breakfast.  The cafe where I get the muffin is also frequented by a mob of runners and I usually judge my timing for the day by whether I have beaten the runners there or not.  I don't know how long they have been ending their sessions there but when I do beat them the are tables set for them, jugs of water and piles of glasses ready to go.  They have reached the elevated status of The Regular.  Yesterday I was initiated into the club.  I arrived later than usual but still ahead of the runners and found that, not only did they remember my order (one muffin, take away, no butter) but it was bagged and ready to go.  If it happens again next week if officially in.  Yes.