My New Favourite Thing

I'm just back from 3 weeks in Canada visiting friends, family and most importantly, relaxing and seeing new things.  My best discovery? Poutine - essentially fries, gravy and cheese curd, sometimes fancied up with other things, sometimes not.  Sounds gross, tastes fantastic and turns out to be the perfect lunch to sustain sightseeing.

Also very good with beer.

Festivaling

It's Winter Arts Festival time again and it's a good thing it's only on every two years.  So far I've ticked off theatre (x 2), music (x 2; a trio of guitarists and a quartet of singers), live cinema (silent film with live soundtrack) and an author talk.  This afternoon its more music (choral) and in the coming week magicians and a beat boxer (that's more music).

This was our very civilised afternoon yesterday, glass of wine, dessert platter (yet to arrive) an author talk (also yet to arrive) in the Libri Lounge.

Under Construction

Things have been crazy and busy and crazy busy over the last few months but I have kept up with the weaving.  Kind of anyway.  I currently have 3 kete/baskets almost finished, just waiting for inspiration to strike about handles and one just started.  I'm on a deadline too, two of these need to be finished in the next two weeks so they are ready to give as thank you gifts to friends I'm visiting.  Nothing like a bit of pressure to assist the creative process.

And as you can see Huia is still intensely interested in anything that a) might be fun, b) takes attention away from her good self or c) both.

A New Icon

Yesterday the new Len Lye Centre opened its doors to the public and New Plymouth welcomed a new icon to sit alongside the Mountain and the Wind Wand.  So what makes it instantly iconic?

This.  A highly polished, curved stainless steel facade that is already one of the most photographed buildings in town.

Two views

It's been a while since I posted, mainly because, apart from work stuff, not a lot has been happening.  But yesterday I had the chance to go around the mountain.  It has been cold and as the day was clear I got some fantastic shots of the mountain.  In the morning from the north ...

 and just on sunset from the south.

Spot the Difference

Thursday night

 and Saturday night

Rain and a larger crowd on Saturday but the most significant differences are the goal posts and line markings.  The stadium staff had 36 hours to change the pitch from Football (soccer) for the FIFA U20 World Cup games to Rugby for the Chiefs v Hurricanes match.  Btw, Brazil won against Uruguay 5-4 on a penalty shootout and the Hurricanes won 21-13.

Not quite Rutherglen

Normally at this time of year I'm in north Eastern Victoria enjoying some fabulous wine and a seriously flash lunch.  This year I'm at home but there is still food and fun involved - the monthly craft market that also has some great food and live music.

Enjoying a fine day between the showers and Dutch donuts