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)

I'm back

I've been on holiday and part of that has been staying off grid as much as possible, I've checked my email a couple of times a week and that's been about it.

But I'm back so...I've been to London (for fun), Shropshire (to catch up with family), Glasgow (for my god-daughter's first communion) and Kuala Lumpur (because you can).  Herewith not the usual tourist shots.

The chandelier in the old stables that now form part of Camden Lock Markets

High tea at Brown's Hotel

The civic building in Glasgow, that's white Carera marble

They won't let you take Durian into your hotel because of the smell but you can get it in your coffee.
  No, I didn't try it.

When you do a tour in Asia you get stickered.  Above and below from the tour company, the Batik place,  the coffee place, the Selangor Pewter factory and another Batik place.

And one proper tourist shot.  I went up the Petronias towers, fourth tallest structure in the world.  The Airbridge is on level 42 and the observation deck is here, level 86.

Anzac Day - Dawn