Niue is a tiny emerald island set in the deep blue and grey of the vast Pacific Ocean. “The Rock”, as it’s called by Niueans in Aotearoa, is a coral atoll twice raised by underwater volcanic action, and now encircled by a 64km coastal road. The coast is indented with coves and chasms, and just […]
A local journey..
August 19, 2018 by 2 Comments
For Tanya’s birthday on 16 August, we went on a voyage of discovery to Onekiritea/Hobsonville . We caught an early morning Richmond Road bus to the city, walked to Pier 4 near the downtown Ferry Buildings and caught the 9.00am commuter launch on its return to Hobsonville in the upper Waitemata Harbour (plenty of […]
Ngā Maunga o Tāmaki Mākaurau
May 18, 2018 by 2 Comments
After two months in our apartment we feel settled, and are increasingly appreciating the environment around us. Tāmaki Mākaurau is a city of fifty volcanoes, nestled between two harbours. The rooftop deck of our apartment building offers amazing 36o degree views of volcanoes, harbours and islands. Tanya has captured views of some of the […]
Closer to home…
May 18, 2018 by 2 Comments
Closer to home… The rooftop provides other interesting views… …and then there are the birds, of course, announcing themselves from steeples and other high perches To our surprise, the most obtrusive birds on our rooftop are not the expected urban pigeons and mynahs, but our loud friends from the paddocks at Awhitu- the gurgling magpies and screeching spur-winged […]
Our neighbourhood…
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Grey Lynn neighbourhood is diverse, colourful and fascinating. We go to the Farmers’ Market at the Community Centre every Sunday morning for our weekly fresh produce, and every Thursday for a Tai Chi session; and relish a coffee at one of the many cafes now and then. Charmaine walks, reacquainting herself with plane-tree-lined avenues, […]
Gardens at Home and at Church
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Some friends were worried when we left for the central city- “what will you do without a garden?” they asked Tanya. Six pots on the deck!” she answered confidently. And here they are…providing all our salad greens and herbs. But we’d also explored the Saint Columba church grounds next door, and Tanya started taking our […]
Our first week in the city…
March 19, 2018 by 9 Comments
We moved into our new urban apartment- in Ockham’s Isaac Newton project in Grey Lynn on Saturday 10 March. We feel very lucky to be here. The environment is exciting and stimulating; The apartment is white, crisp, modern and lovely- our challenges include remembering how to use our “swipe keys” for entrances and exits, […]
A Summer Like No Other..
March 19, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Christmas 2017 in the Waitakeres We spent Christmas week 2017 with our friends Farida and Shila in the Waitakeres, being treated as honoured aunties and fed delicious meals from many different cultures. On Christmas Day we drove to the waterfront together and walked from Kohimarama to St Heliers and back, enjoying the vast crowds […]
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