Books and art

Spotted this last week - the rumours are true!

 

 and a slightly different view from the smokers balcony - new public art.

I'm a bit of a fan generally but this one I really like 

Demolition

This is how the area out the front of the library looked this week...

That used to be our ramp.  We also used to have stairs and a paved area and parking, all well and truely gone.  So far it has just been demolition mode but in the next few weeks we are expecting to see the beginnings of a new ramp and a much better space out the front.

Getting around

My friend Deb has been with me for the last 10 days, including 2 weekends.  In that time we have managed to:

• walk almost the entire length of the Coastal Walkway
• go up the mountain to both the Egmont Visitor's Centre and the Stratfort Mountain House
• go right round the mountain stopping at some scenic cliff top viewing spots
• go over Mt Messenger to Tongaparutu

All pretty darn scenic even if the weather hasn't always played along. 

Look what was passing by

Work has started out the front of the library and down the side street next to my office.  This week has seen a parade of diggers, each with their chaperon, going up and down.  A nice change from the buses and as you can see the guys are friendly too.

Machinery!

Trust me, this is very exciting.

New Plymouth is currently being 'wired' for ultra fast broadband which means they are digging up all over the place and laying optical fiber.  And then from Monday we will have a construction site out the front of the library for 12 weeks while they do a total makeover - it's going to look wonderful.  The other exciting news is that there is a rumour going around that Poppies will be reopening!

When Your Week Goes Pear Shaped

Wear outrageous shoes.

Budgets, nightmare HR paperwork, school holidays and the weather packed it in.

Thank goodness for the wonderfulness that is John Fluevog.

They really do make you feel better.

Surviving a 7

Yup, last night, just after 10.30 while I was watching the news.  It took me a bit to work out that it wasn't just the usual jiggle when a truck goes past but an earthquake.  Everything and everyone is OK and it was really a quite gentle rolling.

Totally missed the 4.9 aftershock 10 minutes later.