tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235377462024-03-05T06:32:30.992-08:00Tinned BeetrootSnaps, slaps and good times from the land of tinned beetroot and other delightsHelen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-77154390058873501522013-12-19T20:24:00.001-08:002013-12-19T20:24:45.036-08:00Len Brown's peccadillo<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The online Oxford dictionary defines a peccadillo as a 'relatively minor fault or sin" and gives this example '<em>the sexual peccadilloes of celebrities aren't necessarily news'. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Well around the espresso machine that's what a lot of people thought at first and they talked emphatically about how Len Brown's private behaviour had nothing to do with his public position as Mayor of the Auckland supercity. It was a matter for his wife and family, not for us. His private behaviour was completely separate from his public behaviour. There was a bit of chuckling and some really good jokes about the Ngati Whatua room profile being raised and a few winks and links to Clinton and Monica. Yes, we are a first world city with a naughty public leader. It's all a bit of manly fun and has nothing to do with his performance (ahem) as a mayor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I dispute that. Any man who is prepared to successfully and systematically deceive his wife for two years is highly likely to deceive his colleagues and all stakeholders in the Super City including of course, ratepayers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After extensive media interest there has been an audit by Ernst and Young (EY) who trawled through 10,655 test messages and 3,142 phone calls to find that 1222 texts had been sent to the other party and that 153 calls had been made. Not exactly <strong><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">a smoking</span></strong> <span style="color: white;"><strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">gun</span></strong> </span>given that Ms Chuang was a member of the ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel. The findings of the expensive EY audit, costing a ball park figure of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">$100,000</span></strong> have brought up a short list of hotel room upgrades and a few free hotel rooms. Only nine nights out of 74 were freebies. <a href="http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Independent%20Review%20Report%20FINAL%20131213.pdf">Read the full report here if you like.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Right now His Worship the Mayor is feeling beleaguered and very down in the mouth but according to the New Zealand Herald (NZH) of Monday December 16, 2013 'Mr Brown said he would pay his personal costs for legal advice from Phillip Skelton QC, but would not pay any costs of the review.' Mr Brown also comments in the NZH, "However, I accept that as Mayor I am subject to a higher standard of public accountability, and in this context I should not have accepted the free rooms offered to me, and should have disclosed when I was asked about it in October." <span style="color: #ffe599;"> <strong>Yes - but you didn't.</strong></span></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The office of the Mayor is a big one and in many ways his team separates him from his council. Apparently it was designed that way to enable the mayor to make more rapid changes and was seen as being a necessary part of the new strategic structure. This positioning also makes him isolated and vulnerable. He is vulnerable, as we have seen, to blackmail and snipes from his detractors. But the isolation has left him in a bubble where he no longer feels responsible for his actions. he is almost untouchable and that often makes people feel more powerful than they ought to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Did he really think he could get away with it? Was he naïve and easily seduced <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11175342">or is it another version of an old, old story?</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">The review has resolved nothing, his reputation is neither in tatters nor has it been restored. But is this a man who you can believe, let alone <span style="color: #ffd966;">believe in</span>? It is <strong><span style="color: #ffd966;">more</span></strong> than a peccadillo.</span><br />
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Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-77603952363050499232012-07-05T21:10:00.002-07:002012-07-05T21:10:16.924-07:00Recipe treasure: Biddy's Marvellous marmalade<img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="194" data-width="259" height="194" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyJI1WVv14NC3wsTROacusyDbdQV_zUsfx_5-ntblNFjQNGaM" style="height: 194px; width: 259px;" width="259" /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/4270202369/" title="Marmalade 30 by L. Marie, on Flickr"></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is an inherited and brilliant recipe from Biddy in England. It is ridiculously simple to make with none of the usual cutting, shredding and so on. Try it and see.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Biddy’s Marvellous Marmalade<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 litres water<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4lbs grapefruit (approx 4 big ones)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8lb sugar/3.6kg<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 lemons</span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put in a saucepan with the water and boil slowly with the lid on until the fruit is soft (about 2-3 hours)<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take out the fruit and cut up with the knife and fork – liquid will run everywhere so watch out!<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Measure liquid in pan and make up to 1 and a half litres<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add sugar and fruit<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bring slowly to the boil and dissolve sugar<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then boil fast for 20 – 30 minutes, adding the juice of the 2 lemons about half way through<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour into sterilised jars<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-66410427401565793592012-05-26T22:11:00.003-07:002012-05-26T22:11:59.591-07:00Welfare opportunities.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkFehPSjWCPzVf8FMYDehFyr02vaJCD_pFmRlpTQWNWVFikdbwEqWQqAWT3Rawq24QFcDegbj2PmyI_KQvcerAj5C4JFc8hriIjQwyPiCjBbZdvKjFjU-olX6OSMo6NQ7OTmJA/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkFehPSjWCPzVf8FMYDehFyr02vaJCD_pFmRlpTQWNWVFikdbwEqWQqAWT3Rawq24QFcDegbj2PmyI_KQvcerAj5C4JFc8hriIjQwyPiCjBbZdvKjFjU-olX6OSMo6NQ7OTmJA/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaek9qLNPPf4-p4cN_HjjOXurKRrRUT9C1yZwZQiY5CWNWeKmqS5DECE4zTrbnakYQuJ8QSXd17k9sYshJ5AKBFHaL-NCmwD4vfKNC9KjuMb_JcQXk0jsrYMHuYTH3X1r1hHupw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaek9qLNPPf4-p4cN_HjjOXurKRrRUT9C1yZwZQiY5CWNWeKmqS5DECE4zTrbnakYQuJ8QSXd17k9sYshJ5AKBFHaL-NCmwD4vfKNC9KjuMb_JcQXk0jsrYMHuYTH3X1r1hHupw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaek9qLNPPf4-p4cN_HjjOXurKRrRUT9C1yZwZQiY5CWNWeKmqS5DECE4zTrbnakYQuJ8QSXd17k9sYshJ5AKBFHaL-NCmwD4vfKNC9KjuMb_JcQXk0jsrYMHuYTH3X1r1hHupw/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Yeah well they’re
living off the pig’s back aren’t they, about time they got a real job, just bringing
up kids and don’t even know who their dads are or where they are?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Single parents on the DPB are a soft target
and the arrows have landed on them once again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a much more expensive group of beneficiaries who
are living off the taxpayer and these ones also get generous travel and housing
allowances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They get subsidised food at
the staff canteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They get generous
superannuation and there seems to be no requirement for them to rejoin the real
world of work after 5 years to refresh their understanding of what it can be
like looking for a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of them get
these benefits even after they have left their jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their salaries always go up without them
needing to negotiate or strike or beg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you getting it yet?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmk3O5gYPvMmvW3jpZUAGQwiaTtvlXJLrBTWDI31llBV1u3ABitOgJ-pNXS1Ktov5RGps53zuo4oTLFJp2ZQKBvMe_LzigB8bVHY0RNyJPaOJiK0WKxolsDnstsBIgvWiIUxk7A/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmk3O5gYPvMmvW3jpZUAGQwiaTtvlXJLrBTWDI31llBV1u3ABitOgJ-pNXS1Ktov5RGps53zuo4oTLFJp2ZQKBvMe_LzigB8bVHY0RNyJPaOJiK0WKxolsDnstsBIgvWiIUxk7A/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The murmurs are getting louder, the gulf is widening between
those who have and those who don’t, those who have a sense of entitlement and
those who are entitled to nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are those who have a job and those who want one and can’t get one because, like
the emperor’s new clothes, the jobs don’t exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong>Welfare opportunities, the ones you never hear. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Please hum or whistle to the tune<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Career Opportunities’ by the Clash).</strong></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZHNqvWhBn2Uziaup764U3u4BbR7gMZ9euiddvOXMF_aNowAnnIqnvTgF11Hz_hh4Neia8rEZ078HtRhs9wp1Cz64XVvCMk263Xp4dLUK4a4E0qV_pcmcWI7ZyqIsZWT9ZHwZ_w/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZHNqvWhBn2Uziaup764U3u4BbR7gMZ9euiddvOXMF_aNowAnnIqnvTgF11Hz_hh4Neia8rEZ078HtRhs9wp1Cz64XVvCMk263Xp4dLUK4a4E0qV_pcmcWI7ZyqIsZWT9ZHwZ_w/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While out and about mulling over the state of the nation I
found these messages and like them a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure
they won’t change the world but let’s amp up the discontent until everyone
starts to give a damn and dial down the apathy to what is happening around us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFq-Z-14v0iUVsPwQn-SSq-qYNlUg9F_-mMAH7YW_fyWG6Z_Iq9hcFFpGhpJHQsY7qdYwPcIXQBIJxNoP6meWTsfFqJbNHqopIrKPP8cybP2CMBg7_NbaNfyxfAmten_vv1SoA/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveFq-Z-14v0iUVsPwQn-SSq-qYNlUg9F_-mMAH7YW_fyWG6Z_Iq9hcFFpGhpJHQsY7qdYwPcIXQBIJxNoP6meWTsfFqJbNHqopIrKPP8cybP2CMBg7_NbaNfyxfAmten_vv1SoA/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<br /></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-2723479523090814892012-05-18T22:05:00.002-07:002012-05-18T22:05:51.606-07:00Don't come and see our new ensuite, we don't have one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB0fQ5xqR-jq8uKe3U0PoATlVYas0z81eOP63QB_ykPcw6XNL4iaKF94y5GJvrlMAn5HqqLCO5HJJ9AwMBqtHmSVHJZROhh41Xu7JyJ5CqyB92qs3seOFQksvScMx7Bx-lyt3wA/s1600/DSC03431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB0fQ5xqR-jq8uKe3U0PoATlVYas0z81eOP63QB_ykPcw6XNL4iaKF94y5GJvrlMAn5HqqLCO5HJJ9AwMBqtHmSVHJZROhh41Xu7JyJ5CqyB92qs3seOFQksvScMx7Bx-lyt3wA/s320/DSC03431.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went through a phase of visiting open homes recently and
was staggered by the large number of bathrooms <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and ensuites which renovated and new houses
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where does this obsession with
plumbing and cleanliness come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is
it the new modern to show friends your ensuite or kid’s bathrooms?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How about only having one bathroom in your house, or should
that be in realestatespeak ‘your home’? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
consider a return to the one family bathroom and the luxury app of a separate
toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have hordes of kids then
put in another toilet which is accessible from your backyard/garden/deck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This isn’t nostalgia talking, there is likely to be an
environmental cost for each additional bathroom or ensuite. At the very least
these bathrooms require more plumbing, more drains, more whiteware, more
cleaning, and more maintenance and add thousands to construction or renovation
costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not use the space in a
different way, to create a separate study ,music room, homework centre, small
factory for child labour making crafts to be sold on the wayside in these
straitened times or anything else you can think of?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it is all about the matching towel sets
required to furnish these spaces? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I write this I realise that any family will not shit or
wash more if they have more than one bathroom but that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>family members could do it all
simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that enough of a
reason to add another bathroom?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
don’t need another bathroom – you just don’t!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Don't come and see our new ensuite, we don't have one.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Note: Own snap of real bathroom</o:p></span></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-6467016658830668352012-05-11T19:49:00.000-07:002012-05-11T19:49:20.226-07:00Goodbye Graham Viskovic<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few weeks ago a friend of mine died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Happens all the time right? Except I didn't know until yesterday when I thought I would post something on his wall as I hadn’t seen anything from him for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got there it was clear from the messages that he had died about a fortnight ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I worked with him about 10 years ago. He was
very bright, very funny, about 12 feet tall, a rascal who wrote the book on
Commercial Law in New Zealand and had a varied and wonderful career in the law
profession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a wonderful
storyteller and regaled me often with many stories of wild nights and even wilder
parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talked about law firms and
how they worked and had been an important figure in the Law Society.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When our paths crossed he tutored individual students in
Commercial Law in a tertiary institution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was his manager which really only meant that I organised his time so
that the trip in from Huia was worth his while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had moved out to Huia and renamed himself the Huia Hermit around the
time he developed diabetes which for a while made absolutely no difference to
the way he lived. A bit further on he stopped drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used
to keep bananas around on his days to keep up his blood sugar so that he didn’t
turn into a complete shouting raver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even when he did he was fun and kind and lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far, so good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I left that place of employment and ran into him once at
Lynmall when he ventured in to town and I went down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moved to the North Shore, worked on the
North Shore and he was my friend on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He asked me out for a visit to see the Spring but I didn’t go, not
because I didn’t want to, I just didn’t get around to it.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This started me wondering once again about the nature of
virtual friendship, we think we are connected but we are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I take snaps and share them online but is it
because I want to share the experience or is it because I want to have my
experience, possibly my competence validated?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I go to Cuba and don’t put up any snaps, does that mean it didn’t
happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t post, does it mean I
am not doing anything virtually worthwhile?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What's the take home message?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love your friends and hang out enough with them so that you know when they die.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See you round Graham.</span><br />
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<br /></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-28584886383685172532012-04-20T22:56:00.000-07:002012-04-20T22:56:00.465-07:00Back to it, the impact of reality.After the halcyon days of the hols with bonus sunshine and most excellent good times with a couple of family birthdays as well, it is time to ... get back into it.<br />
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I feel a bit wintery and diminished as a result but I look forward to adaptimg to the impact of reality - unitl the next break of course!.<br />
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<br />Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-53891041498094756102012-04-05T14:33:00.000-07:002012-04-05T14:33:07.156-07:00Cracked but not broken - end of term.Here is a favourite cup and saucer which was given to me by Shirley who lives in Port Waikato. It was after a happy overnight stay with her. I wrapped it in clothes and tenderly packed it. Got home and in a woolly dog rush of enthusiam tipped out the contents of the bag.<br />
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Cracked but not broken.<br />
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A bit like all of us at one time or another but it is Good Friday with clear blue skies, hot cross buns and a day of pure idleness ahead. Oh yeah,the beginning of the school holidays too full of promise with lists and reading to catch up on. For Easter I am reading Roger Ebert's <em>Life Itself </em>and Martin Edmond's <em>Dark Night Walking with McCahon. </em>The latter is a follow up to my visit to the McCahon cottage in French Bay which was a wonderful experience.<br />
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This is from outside and catches some of the second growth bush around. What you need to imagine is the birdsong and the sound of fat wood pigeons gorging themselves on the puriri tree.<br />
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The deck was the party space, with lots of 'dally plonk' being drunk. At least one person fell off it into the bush below. <br />
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<br />Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-33283551607685332322012-03-16T21:41:00.000-07:002012-03-16T21:41:00.052-07:00More treasuresThe next two snaps relate to recycling wood from <a href="http://www.farmers.co.nz/100timeline.html">the old Farmers Trading Company building</a> in Hobson Street, Auckland. The building has since been turned into apartments but it was once a glorious department store. Its rooftop playgound was a mecca for kids to hurtle around on while their mothers planned which sandwiches to have with their afternoon tea in the tearooms.<br />
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I used to work just up the road at the Regional Engineer's Office and walk down at lunchtime to fossick in the bargain basement. I also witnessed Nixon resign on a small television set in the store. <br />
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This first snap is of one of two bedside tables recycled from kauri saved from the old Farmers building. <br />
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On top of the cabinet is a rimu turned container made by Geoff Addison of Putaruru in about 1991/2. At the time I lived in Putaruru and taught at the local high school with Geoff. Underneath is room for all seasons footwear, a pair of boots, barely there summer sandals and sturdy wollen slippers. The small blue and white pottery ornament is from Edge City in Westmere.</div>
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The second snap is of a section of the mirror frame which is also made of recycled matai from the old Farmers Trading Company building. You can still see the nail holes. </div>
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The full length mirror was a gift from Leo Hunter who also made the side tables in 1998. Leo dropped the mirror off just as I was putting on my wedding dress so I could see what I looked like on my big day. </div>
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In those days Leo worked his magic with recycled wood at Unitec in Mt Albert in what used to be the Carrington Hospital boiler house. He also made wooden skateboards out of kauri. His company was called 'Rustic Rumours' and does not seem to be trading any more.<br />
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People like Leo and Geoff are artists who make beautiful things which are purposeful and elegant.<br />Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-29761396489125463022012-03-08T17:24:00.000-08:002012-03-08T17:24:02.915-08:00Treasures, the mini seriesThis blog is really on the way out. As part of a gradual process of closing I will occasionally post a picture or two of a treasure or two. The occasion today is that the weather is fine, I have a cold and time to look properly around me. <br />
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Sometimes objects which have been part of a domestic landscape for a long time get passed over for the latest little thing from foreign parts. They are<strong> little</strong> too as I am the queen of cabin luggage - paper objects generally; a city in a matchbox, a postcard, a little catalogue, a card from a cafe or funky store. <br />
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Back to today's topic.<br />
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This is my teddy bear who has lived with me longer than anyone else. He must be about 60 by now and well loved to the point of serious fur loss. His eyes are brown and beady and he used to make a noise most like a groan and unlikely to be anything at all like the sound of a real bear. I don't remember ever giving him a name, he was always 'my teddy'.<br />
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He used to wear a pair of shorts sewed by my mum out of some grey serge trousers of my dad's with a red stripe. Now he lives on top of the bookcase and thinks about the good old days.<br />
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The second item is a little younger and was originally bought by me as a birthday present for my mother from Cato's, a hardware store in Te Kuiti. I thought it was beautiful then and had no idea about Crown Lynn or collecting. I just wanted something nice and a bit glamorous for my mum who didn't even wear earrings, lived by a river which flooded and ruined our house and who taught many kids in Te Kuiti at both of the primary schools there.<br />
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I still think it looks like a strapless dress, I still think it is beautiful.</div>
<br />Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-41673809233585413032011-12-29T19:50:00.000-08:002011-12-29T19:51:49.639-08:00Happy New Year 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Open to offers</div>
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It may or may not be over your head<br />
It may get tricky<br />
It may surprise you<br />
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<br />Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-85533842694644174632011-12-18T19:07:00.000-08:002011-12-18T19:07:40.933-08:00Hey hey holidaysI have just spent a week in Wellington with family and friends and had a wonderful time. This goes some way to describing just what I did on my holiday.<br />
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<strong>The Swim Meet</strong><br />
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This was an entirely new experience for me - the whiff of chlorine, mandatory goggles and caps, no divas and wooden clapping blocks to start each race.<br />
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Diving in </div>
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Going like the clappers</div>
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After the race</div>
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<strong>Kindergarten Christmas Concert</strong></div>
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This was such a misty eyed event that there are no snaps and you will have to imagine the assembled mini Santas and superheroes along with some very fine party dresses and saris. This person was all ready to sing her heart out.</div>
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... and eat some of the MASSIVE feed afterwards.<br />
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<strong>Transport</strong><br />
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I spent a lot of time on suburban trains some days four trips to take the two girls to school and bring them back home. All went well apart from the now legendary time when Ms 8 and I were so captivated by the charming French family opposite that we both missed our stop and went all the way to Wellington. I also walked a surprising amount both in the city, around local footpaths and in the Otari-Wilton bush.<br />
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There was also one magic night galloping alongside a tall person using crutches to try and make the train to Johnsonville. Didn't make it. We <em>were</em> able to fossick around in the Tardis of the New World Metro at the station. Great liquorice allsorts, ate the lot because we needed the energy after the manic walking.<br />
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<strong>Eating</strong><br />
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No surprises that this happened and included delights from the Nada bakery in J'ville, breakfast at Floyds in Island Bay, the best pizzas crafted in Crofton Downs, kebabs in town and a glass of fizz at the hairdressers. Coffee at Mojos, coffee at Mojos.<br />
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<strong>People</strong><br />
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They were the whole point.<br />
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Proud parents awwwwwwwww</div>
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An uncle and an aunty. One has a stylish haircut and the other has crutches for a sprained ankle, you guess.</div>
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Mery Xmas to you and yours and best wishes for good times, good health and good fortune.</div>
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<br /></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-1839158393277508342011-10-18T19:50:00.000-07:002011-10-18T19:50:46.857-07:00Winter encore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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St Clair beach looking out at strangers. </div>
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St Clair beach looking out at waves.</div>
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These snaps were taken on my recent trip to Dunedin and hark back to winter which has struck again today. They have that long Sunday afternoon feeling of waiting for something to happen and are a complete contrast to the happy family time I spent getting to know grandies and their parents.</div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-15947442768213158152011-07-29T15:07:00.000-07:002011-07-29T15:23:26.259-07:00Constellation prize<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtC1ITFsp_XqujHrWA-GL-9RO_NWuPUok6ubjdt2HJYvKtx55lUx1WGx2PbIvl1almambZjb_G6HPpYbiLK1A1RH5rcKIfQm-mA8hEfseABM3dqeuc3s4RHyemNiyCK_MEUBBYA/s1600/Gardenanddelights+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634902304287256178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtC1ITFsp_XqujHrWA-GL-9RO_NWuPUok6ubjdt2HJYvKtx55lUx1WGx2PbIvl1almambZjb_G6HPpYbiLK1A1RH5rcKIfQm-mA8hEfseABM3dqeuc3s4RHyemNiyCK_MEUBBYA/s400/Gardenanddelights+011.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left">When I was a kid</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Selwyn Toogood used to travel<br />New Zealand bringing his show<br />'It's in the Bag'<br />to small towns like the one I grew up in.<br /><br /><br />There was a big prize<br />usually a trip to Honolulu<br />which sounded so foreign,<br />exotic and glamorous.<br /><br /><br />Even now I am thrilled<br />to imagine Honolulu<br />from the perspective of<br />my landlocked childhood self.<br /><br /><br />The constellation prizes<br />were a <em>consolation </em><br />for missing out on<br />The Big One<br /><br /><br />glamorous whiteware<br />labour saving devices<br />of every description<br />in those giddy post postwar times.<br /><br />This constellation prize I bought myself<br />a reward for enduring<br />the coldest tiny movie theatre<br />watching a French film<br /><br />Romain Duris did not keep me warm<br />but these antique glass earrings<br />warmed my spirit. </div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-91118809822789729072011-07-28T15:26:00.000-07:002011-07-28T15:38:59.520-07:00Oh so lovely!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTolTwR_e2T-cO4liej9kY9qq_wr-jNoiKs3ucaN97oZ0LPe1DAggpXdaNl2-ob_756iLK1l_btlWfXk2pnnnmEsWoWFdKDCoSFIl_8J0JGlbzdE8EO6cKVYP2jRHUttR2FLDXg/s1600/Gardenanddelights+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 328px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634535451198287154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTolTwR_e2T-cO4liej9kY9qq_wr-jNoiKs3ucaN97oZ0LPe1DAggpXdaNl2-ob_756iLK1l_btlWfXk2pnnnmEsWoWFdKDCoSFIl_8J0JGlbzdE8EO6cKVYP2jRHUttR2FLDXg/s400/Gardenanddelights+006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi533-Qap3vWrRU8qnIwNFFoN3AifGr8J68R4s7bwucRSsq5eY1Ix5QikuTrXrRVr-lNqSXMpOR9EhM1TTdF64vDGhSVjXCa7zmlku10flFhsCQeQVXzJREbH2-KyZrVCa3n5vEmA/s1600/Gardenanddelights+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634535112638301378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi533-Qap3vWrRU8qnIwNFFoN3AifGr8J68R4s7bwucRSsq5eY1Ix5QikuTrXrRVr-lNqSXMpOR9EhM1TTdF64vDGhSVjXCa7zmlku10flFhsCQeQVXzJREbH2-KyZrVCa3n5vEmA/s400/Gardenanddelights+007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Although I was captivated by these <a href="http://www.fashionologie.com/2011-Spring-Footwear-Trend-Flatform-Wedge-Sandals-Shoes-13324912">crazy-ass height adjusters</a> online, I went for these more conventional laced up beauties from <a href="http://www.tangosshoes.co.nz/">the local shoe shop </a>which were ON SALE too. </div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-36904879328259114802011-07-22T19:30:00.000-07:002011-07-26T22:50:06.338-07:00Going to New YorkYes well here we are in July already already which means that I am one year older and that it is winter and the school holidays. This added up to the need to GO OUT in Nature and take in some art as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhsZED6zP5DFXHpCY54OR3vjFpDfDfX8tZT8wvxTSQjyttuy61ncM5yF7u221MPfy83LizvOZ55N9Fmri23vazdxAREL0WnPe7qaPg9Ul7Y3oN9od7Eu9zCDEHX-p9XEKQMLCMg/s1600/20July2011+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632371668966817186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhsZED6zP5DFXHpCY54OR3vjFpDfDfX8tZT8wvxTSQjyttuy61ncM5yF7u221MPfy83LizvOZ55N9Fmri23vazdxAREL0WnPe7qaPg9Ul7Y3oN9od7Eu9zCDEHX-p9XEKQMLCMg/s400/20July2011+001.JPG" /></a> Here is some manicured nature outside the window of the Pah Homestead.<br />To get inside, number three son and I bravely walked around the building from the car park. He was back from warmer climes and looked resolute but frozen by the time we battled our way through the brisk breeze. </p><br /><br /><p>I wore wollen dress, cashmere coat and scarf so found it more thrilling than chilling. There is only one entrance and it is <strong>not</strong> at the top of the steps in my snap. Go figure!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQXHRoAEYkSWiZjHX97hx_LT3ph2sUk6E-xr8cTJTh2UMiLRKYSBSQZ1MVFB62KNIvZhEY52VPo5M_qUQrUtWj9RLMcP6gU0ZgjMmrldGyxwD8kkDnQ5Ws6OZD9vkoHEu7lkzIA/s1600/20July2011+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632370859288937474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQXHRoAEYkSWiZjHX97hx_LT3ph2sUk6E-xr8cTJTh2UMiLRKYSBSQZ1MVFB62KNIvZhEY52VPo5M_qUQrUtWj9RLMcP6gU0ZgjMmrldGyxwD8kkDnQ5Ws6OZD9vkoHEu7lkzIA/s400/20July2011+004.JPG" /></a><br />Thanks Toss, love your work.<br /><br />Going arting at this <a href="http://www.wallaceartstrust.org.nz/?s1=HOME">grand restored house </a>was a little fraught as I was so alarmed at their hectic website that I did not look for the opening hours. After all - who closes at 3pm on a week day in the holidays?? Yep, you got it.<br />There is a silver lining to this cloudy tale as we lucked into a screening of 'Bill Cunningham's New York' in <a href="http://www.capitolcinema.co.nz/information">a gorgeous setting</a> in Dominion Road.<br /><br />..and this is the story of how I went to New York for my birthday.Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-81097679220314436002011-06-22T00:08:00.000-07:002011-06-22T00:25:14.261-07:00The Flood Plain<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvNOktDfoT8pL6EbSlCWIQlnrSLS-jz9VZqde-gZb2BYA3d15iKOYiAGFAUBTXPEEnxPQ8p2tS8CeUbCncEXPvfYSoqbN6c2U0tklca6zD_swjDCbrYMi7M3YEZeq8GaJbTcn3w/s1600/Saturday+18+June2011+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620940143054737634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvNOktDfoT8pL6EbSlCWIQlnrSLS-jz9VZqde-gZb2BYA3d15iKOYiAGFAUBTXPEEnxPQ8p2tS8CeUbCncEXPvfYSoqbN6c2U0tklca6zD_swjDCbrYMi7M3YEZeq8GaJbTcn3w/s400/Saturday+18+June2011+002.JPG" /></a> 'Do you know it floods?'</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiLtSmqJQRneM1V1yId5QdxGHCHY-ALZck95incBdxTe9U-MepK49Fmfg3lBVv76Q3N2RIM48D0fScpcAuW5laC-Sa0tJM3JDBHFVFdaYsEMcFLWRJxWGgbjaKJYEK2JwniRF4Q/s1600/Saturday+18+June2011+003.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620939403574990802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiLtSmqJQRneM1V1yId5QdxGHCHY-ALZck95incBdxTe9U-MepK49Fmfg3lBVv76Q3N2RIM48D0fScpcAuW5laC-Sa0tJM3JDBHFVFdaYsEMcFLWRJxWGgbjaKJYEK2JwniRF4Q/s400/Saturday+18+June2011+003.JPG" /></strong></a>'Well I do <strong>now</strong>.' </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9B_peFkfeudchmry-5M7W7ySk14KmzHZduMDAOGZL_jBIiKROahlGSlpT_r4wpg2bQKXOUf2bue444-6jWNfs960n3SZ5ikMZINRdbtGM_CIgtkd4Z_cJQ-qTok71q365hbKWg/s1600/Saturday+18june+2011+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620938490357607314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9B_peFkfeudchmry-5M7W7ySk14KmzHZduMDAOGZL_jBIiKROahlGSlpT_r4wpg2bQKXOUf2bue444-6jWNfs960n3SZ5ikMZINRdbtGM_CIgtkd4Z_cJQ-qTok71q365hbKWg/s400/Saturday+18june+2011+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="left">This is not the 100 year event that one neighbour said that it was, it happens every time we have relatively sudden rain. The little stream merrily tumbling past at the bottom of my garden turns into a raging torrent which detours surely across the 'lawn' then runs back to rejoin the stream.</div><br />These snaps were taken the morning after Stormy Weather so there you go, yet <strong>another</strong> post about the weather. </div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-56559744556259397802011-06-16T23:12:00.000-07:002011-06-16T23:31:43.563-07:00Stormy Weather<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqKJ6odbWQtGKgN26AQYNVBTXTXLPF7QrGhPxCOeVEfnTOhy25_OAc9sRs0CBT0rlTJHAC7zOVcFlRvyPw-1codczmzURaX25EkSoXUBGR8F1mtL141QyKku3WyCEEQemiFXmiA/s1600/CastorBay17062011+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619069494488544338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqKJ6odbWQtGKgN26AQYNVBTXTXLPF7QrGhPxCOeVEfnTOhy25_OAc9sRs0CBT0rlTJHAC7zOVcFlRvyPw-1codczmzURaX25EkSoXUBGR8F1mtL141QyKku3WyCEEQemiFXmiA/s400/CastorBay17062011+001.JPG" /></a> Friday night at Castor Bay with wet weekend in view.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V07jZXjxcbpo_TJ0y0T44-JugIlcxms2dkBwXPlAUnMIFaxp2NQ5X4Cagdtoa-fVO_fiEeAbJlms_9YvgMp_daBR-LXgt5FmVy03O_5KX61Q2E18ifJ7PD25IEL5tFjfEON2EQ/s1600/CastorBay17062011+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619069493873974818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_V07jZXjxcbpo_TJ0y0T44-JugIlcxms2dkBwXPlAUnMIFaxp2NQ5X4Cagdtoa-fVO_fiEeAbJlms_9YvgMp_daBR-LXgt5FmVy03O_5KX61Q2E18ifJ7PD25IEL5tFjfEON2EQ/s400/CastorBay17062011+007.JPG" /></a>Milford in the distance<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5s-HqzLMjGArVLZn9dGncGZd-1x5nmMPUMLzreTUm0qUODfYRiczjLe8VjeHgboG_QfJJnUufr68IcV9Jx2gIA7-mpAqKxDofkfcihd8WjoZE7UM1l3fd9oCOv-M-q_nsBgHmw/s1600/CastorBay17062011+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619069485161266834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5s-HqzLMjGArVLZn9dGncGZd-1x5nmMPUMLzreTUm0qUODfYRiczjLe8VjeHgboG_QfJJnUufr68IcV9Jx2gIA7-mpAqKxDofkfcihd8WjoZE7UM1l3fd9oCOv-M-q_nsBgHmw/s400/CastorBay17062011+003.JPG" /></a>Rangitoto overseeing evrything and impossible to hide from around here. I know it's another slightly off centre snap but that is what my camera loves to do.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-t2fJCYF9-Xk8FXIR_TzZa3HbHx96RM7Qw7XBsU90K3fZp7Dwo3F65lRpQwpAGFAaHXVmeJklq_fu5fZIqRRwZYVGFW9jZEETaaSglysLtvQIkaA3UohYsqRtHf9ARjiPKfJEw/s1600/CastorBay17062011+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619068547019651090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-t2fJCYF9-Xk8FXIR_TzZa3HbHx96RM7Qw7XBsU90K3fZp7Dwo3F65lRpQwpAGFAaHXVmeJklq_fu5fZIqRRwZYVGFW9jZEETaaSglysLtvQIkaA3UohYsqRtHf9ARjiPKfJEw/s400/CastorBay17062011+008.JPG" /></a>Almost west coast wild.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Grey skies<br />drove home </div><br /><div align="center">grabbed the camera</div><br /><div align="center">scurried to the beach</div><br /><div align="center">sand got in my eyes</div><br /><div align="center">took some snaps</div><br /><div align="left"><br /><em>Stormy Weather </em>is also a jazz standard and this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxj5wlXY9No&feature=related">rockabilly queen would do it proud. </a></div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-543602314990469282011-04-28T22:43:00.000-07:002011-04-28T22:54:58.332-07:00The Guest Room is OPENYour verdant view.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeeGz7zSov1_VEVaUwEGRyAoEOtxclp7u1LHr3WtwSMOx8PtvtbZYdmBxQrqEw3m7exZU_Jfp3q2p-NPJMnEW4tPjl7S_ep23EH0JALErb3uVlBXuU7A5AQ-VZ8yDPrA_db7xAQ/s1600/April+2011+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600878629302636114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeeGz7zSov1_VEVaUwEGRyAoEOtxclp7u1LHr3WtwSMOx8PtvtbZYdmBxQrqEw3m7exZU_Jfp3q2p-NPJMnEW4tPjl7S_ep23EH0JALErb3uVlBXuU7A5AQ-VZ8yDPrA_db7xAQ/s400/April+2011+002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfQTXtiC5JLmTfk6GYaFr94bYeC5SbpwojfTIvOUM17M1-9CSZ3WZUQ4HqDXaRw7Z4o58i78Hl30t08Cb8oLtJ242rGYqyocDSdwa1jiWPzN-lSTyuSR7PdZwYp03yQYp9A1pGQ/s1600/April+2011+001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600878117395165490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfQTXtiC5JLmTfk6GYaFr94bYeC5SbpwojfTIvOUM17M1-9CSZ3WZUQ4HqDXaRw7Z4o58i78Hl30t08Cb8oLtJ242rGYqyocDSdwa1jiWPzN-lSTyuSR7PdZwYp03yQYp9A1pGQ/s400/April+2011+001.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A view of another kind.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleFtWCz37zt52h1fBI7UnRcuQkSHkINYL-UGDvEhG_rhyphenhyphen8rtaEWiuTl04lQLDofN2ik39jUWv441oZRXTX1Fdjg4xtYwE6ZC-eXtFzzQGB6jijSvRt7ZnYnkrsqJsjG4Z98JF4g/s1600/April+2011+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600877670197688210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjleFtWCz37zt52h1fBI7UnRcuQkSHkINYL-UGDvEhG_rhyphenhyphen8rtaEWiuTl04lQLDofN2ik39jUWv441oZRXTX1Fdjg4xtYwE6ZC-eXtFzzQGB6jijSvRt7ZnYnkrsqJsjG4Z98JF4g/s400/April+2011+003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Inviting huh? The kimono dog is pretty excited.</div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-19531431317717772032011-04-23T14:59:00.000-07:002011-04-23T21:44:37.372-07:00Holiday trifecta<p align="center"></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYPjyDuBK-s-coURXs1dC64nA0yAHjzYFbhF2S4-K9tXkjDbbctcr7_vbKzVwzDymRZ8tqmUj31V9Tk5x0d7VahMr4oc15rIpJkz__OF_xBfxYaecc2OBmqqzcS7y2PSnAxjexA/s1600/Easter+Saturday2011+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598910550669251890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYPjyDuBK-s-coURXs1dC64nA0yAHjzYFbhF2S4-K9tXkjDbbctcr7_vbKzVwzDymRZ8tqmUj31V9Tk5x0d7VahMr4oc15rIpJkz__OF_xBfxYaecc2OBmqqzcS7y2PSnAxjexA/s400/Easter+Saturday2011+001.JPG" /></a> Anzac Day coincides with Easter Monday this year. This is the memorial in Takapuna which will be covered in wreaths tomorrow.<br /><br />I don't have any war stories from my parents so I rely on Gaylene Preston's <a href="http://homebychristmas.com/">Home By Christmas</a> and her other work to get a sense of what it may have been like. If you haven't seen that film, I recommend it. There will also be more of her work projected LARGE at the <a href="http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/1588/anzac-events">Auckland Museum</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQxGuKvLwlgYktG17pSxOVnKBDoXESrYHSENqN1VFUF0-25MrAP6dL2YY7E5Mdd_Jd3_2tKIRjnOJW_ZIMwDyghkGToFhRefoDbXUVgvIUn9bVN6ddgQCE2-kdI9SKLMzWDWRMQ/s1600/Easter2011+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598907713618238802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQxGuKvLwlgYktG17pSxOVnKBDoXESrYHSENqN1VFUF0-25MrAP6dL2YY7E5Mdd_Jd3_2tKIRjnOJW_ZIMwDyghkGToFhRefoDbXUVgvIUn9bVN6ddgQCE2-kdI9SKLMzWDWRMQ/s400/Easter2011+007.JPG" /></a><br />In the meantime I will eat another Easter egg off the installation in the living room. The ones above are very pretty, solid china and plucked from a White Elephant stall.<br /><br />But Easter is not all about chocolate and marshmallow is it? No - hot cross buns are also important. Ate some pappy supermarket special chocolate ones and they didn't really taste of anything and dissolved instantly. But <a href="http://www.wildwheat.co.nz/">Wild Wheat </a>made some wonderful ones although I feel sure that the Number One Son probably made some beauties of his own to feed the rellies.<br /><br />Got out and walked around the Centennial Track in Milford to shift some of the damage.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Try not to<br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvefB_BQlI-KSm1FCy2Ja40v9RccGqeFzZqJntCWrVPbVYNUVwQsVgDqoxct_iaxJ4xYpjVluR6nGhjCv6SJmRdng-U-5rHrsELhoijluiOFk5yw4ON0WlBglt3IdIjLOXeumDg/s1600/Easter+Saturday2011+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598903698452639778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvefB_BQlI-KSm1FCy2Ja40v9RccGqeFzZqJntCWrVPbVYNUVwQsVgDqoxct_iaxJ4xYpjVluR6nGhjCv6SJmRdng-U-5rHrsELhoijluiOFk5yw4ON0WlBglt3IdIjLOXeumDg/s400/Easter+Saturday2011+002.JPG" /></a> about the past .<br /></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-39149601073194411722011-04-02T18:20:00.000-07:002011-04-02T18:50:33.785-07:00Mellow fruitfulness and all that<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8yNBBOf91aHOxRGkD3h8762W2rD4n5dxLt-3LMMlDFk1t_W7Mq8o1U3GBl4tWFFX4WHY-wJioWulPU8BxGc_sehTRo46HwQB3lNtbHpV-XW4jcOicMD9dQLkbFlnGYL3i570Yw/s1600/Autumn2011+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591162839907147762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8yNBBOf91aHOxRGkD3h8762W2rD4n5dxLt-3LMMlDFk1t_W7Mq8o1U3GBl4tWFFX4WHY-wJioWulPU8BxGc_sehTRo46HwQB3lNtbHpV-XW4jcOicMD9dQLkbFlnGYL3i570Yw/s400/Autumn2011+003.JPG" /></a> Down on the flood plain of 'The Water Runs Through it' formerly known as the bach, there are loads of leaves from the two poplars which may once have been a fence line. There are a few leaf haters out there I realise but I <strong>love</strong> them. Deciduous trees drop their leaves and reveal as much light as possible and perhaps more of the neighbours across the ditch in the winter. I just wish I could rake them into little mounds and set fire to them and then go indoors and eat chestnuts or knit something complicated by a fireside. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEkHJvXkQDSuhNKyeA2pBlTkWaWQrJJmq4A5l7Vpb_a4uHvjMmXk07jwgm9B2njhV8pFSKWxoIPuI_mGxYXL8TyvPcf36ZO1nJY8uU-4rsfC1UbUBLRy64jj1MUFNCMY_fzqTHQ/s1600/Autumn2011+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591162368976745346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEkHJvXkQDSuhNKyeA2pBlTkWaWQrJJmq4A5l7Vpb_a4uHvjMmXk07jwgm9B2njhV8pFSKWxoIPuI_mGxYXL8TyvPcf36ZO1nJY8uU-4rsfC1UbUBLRy64jj1MUFNCMY_fzqTHQ/s400/Autumn2011+004.JPG" /></a> Autumn brings out the cosy or <em>gezellig </em>in me. I have not gone down the preserves road although there has been baking. The days are still warm and there is enough political intrigue and good cricket to keep everyone amused. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANMxd66uey6WstT2-DUcxx-AYucSTIKOeVmya8Gum11sVh_e1Zxrli7QDXJasLHoiwehbb4OQcEDlKFpTwk_B_Ddho2PPNDcX4AmwUjhhmFmWiT6CYlm-dsbcHS2VKmfuKie55w/s1600/Autumn2011+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591161879219049138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANMxd66uey6WstT2-DUcxx-AYucSTIKOeVmya8Gum11sVh_e1Zxrli7QDXJasLHoiwehbb4OQcEDlKFpTwk_B_Ddho2PPNDcX4AmwUjhhmFmWiT6CYlm-dsbcHS2VKmfuKie55w/s400/Autumn2011+002.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>It has been a long time since the last post and in typical Kiwi fashion I make my re-entry talking about the weather. I attribute this to my dad who wrote diary entries which were about nothing but the weather. He also had a few pinups which were not trees or leaves.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Soon it will be the school holidays and time to write a few more entries which may progress beyond the weather and move on to people and places.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-38411513384778840032011-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:002011-01-30T21:33:16.343-08:00Instament 2, outside and downstairs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT6jD3oppjs5v2XJTDOOs65ehKeGw67ilg07-hXiDsStHgkEclLn7PaWb5emZJjNC-m3V4F5ZCA6kJTeLldGKCVBD-t06krQ2o9gfP_VsJaEnsFqqh67YLuTNKwJZGXrfDRHUNw/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568212955491379282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuT6jD3oppjs5v2XJTDOOs65ehKeGw67ilg07-hXiDsStHgkEclLn7PaWb5emZJjNC-m3V4F5ZCA6kJTeLldGKCVBD-t06krQ2o9gfP_VsJaEnsFqqh67YLuTNKwJZGXrfDRHUNw/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+022.jpg" /></a> Side view. This gets morning sun, outhouse looking part is the bathroom and the kitchen is on the left hand corner and the lounge bit on the right hand corner. Window down the bottom belongs to the spare room which is crammed with everything else that you can't see in the pictures.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSqo1F6HMjh80C4S0JsT2dWgy95EZWaiY6iPu6LGKdvSzusLJFvI0vklrOaeIyB6ikOeb69Jv4wHVdxJrPj_mZ8TzwzGkFBtpSqnPC1Gmj0yLl5l1KsWvZdZhmJJWPCAoVNfG_w/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568211731051843538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUSqo1F6HMjh80C4S0JsT2dWgy95EZWaiY6iPu6LGKdvSzusLJFvI0vklrOaeIyB6ikOeb69Jv4wHVdxJrPj_mZ8TzwzGkFBtpSqnPC1Gmj0yLl5l1KsWvZdZhmJJWPCAoVNfG_w/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+024.jpg" /></a> View from the road. There is room for another car and the front door is ajar. <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rkCKmV0M4FFhjkq1OB9s5rQvvmfIogu2wbJ1rYEIldGjOsJVe6ccZp4FtcXf94PKoLs-qHKVLQ9YQp9VfBzD5Mt-pTVpGcHsBK0b5DBaVqASuoov4tNqfomarS2JF9Y1AKaTtQ/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568208744842252210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rkCKmV0M4FFhjkq1OB9s5rQvvmfIogu2wbJ1rYEIldGjOsJVe6ccZp4FtcXf94PKoLs-qHKVLQ9YQp9VfBzD5Mt-pTVpGcHsBK0b5DBaVqASuoov4tNqfomarS2JF9Y1AKaTtQ/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+021.jpg" /></a>Back view with newly installed clothesline. The overflowing stream comes up to the green pole.<br /><div>Left bottom window is the one in my study, the one on the far right isn't there on the inside as it has been sacrificed to have a shower over the bath. The deck upstairs looks great and gets the afternoon sun.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjxd1CFnrAtA0sUF48gNArOniYOvWBiLYUe_UlXCCoi4KDMrfwA__ZHTaMhFwfXgVx21R3gtLUqQivKxLBGl-Q9vbHkBBVnqCWalYgJnf6pYITK2Cb3Nt0tw15aBQAUiOLsqxXw/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+025.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568207665733621394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjxd1CFnrAtA0sUF48gNArOniYOvWBiLYUe_UlXCCoi4KDMrfwA__ZHTaMhFwfXgVx21R3gtLUqQivKxLBGl-Q9vbHkBBVnqCWalYgJnf6pYITK2Cb3Nt0tw15aBQAUiOLsqxXw/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+025.jpg" /></a> Going downstairs, first flight.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKVFgNTqoUkQWDwbeUaQKCH6dXnTc_TfP6WKs4nt_spfe6oxmTcVqoKYZ8GjwrCE7xZHNiaDTqix6NY_UiSwrPGs7mD68fy3pg_2ilhPMBMtqO-zDtD1iscUCyMEYJW7ETjj4oQ/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568207276118652146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKVFgNTqoUkQWDwbeUaQKCH6dXnTc_TfP6WKs4nt_spfe6oxmTcVqoKYZ8GjwrCE7xZHNiaDTqix6NY_UiSwrPGs7mD68fy3pg_2ilhPMBMtqO-zDtD1iscUCyMEYJW7ETjj4oQ/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+026.jpg" /></a><br />This is what is at the bottom, two little steps up to the main bedroom and the spare bedroom. The laundry, study and bathroom are on the same level below the steps.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pg_P8-YtOXQj3Y1xn-D0qhWOrge014Jr76vYdulUkZcQfZMLORlwPVmWZyFwSxst2Stvl7vWNn5QweY1E5FcNDmh_3yPVAZFfuJuh3TTvjFUFuYLG3PKjJyoDnjvH9HYP0O2Wg/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568206861850885346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Pg_P8-YtOXQj3Y1xn-D0qhWOrge014Jr76vYdulUkZcQfZMLORlwPVmWZyFwSxst2Stvl7vWNn5QweY1E5FcNDmh_3yPVAZFfuJuh3TTvjFUFuYLG3PKjJyoDnjvH9HYP0O2Wg/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+017.jpg" /></a> If you were confused, this may help to sort the levels, to the left the second flight of stairs, in centre stage is the laundry complete with sink.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6Mrc1hmw74fGENfxbWAyrtGmjRFv1Jhimg0tA7W3TNA_Hrpk6UHzRnQBJqvn1_Rm3kyni_mYG_jyaHC4RjB-Ymk7Xs_9a54rbxdKEw8SieDRJgbbPUDF_3n95drYslCWjv5b0Q/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568206479684161554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6Mrc1hmw74fGENfxbWAyrtGmjRFv1Jhimg0tA7W3TNA_Hrpk6UHzRnQBJqvn1_Rm3kyni_mYG_jyaHC4RjB-Ymk7Xs_9a54rbxdKEw8SieDRJgbbPUDF_3n95drYslCWjv5b0Q/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+018.jpg" /></a><br />My study which is much smaller than it looks here and much darker too. The bookcase is one wall and the edge of the desk is the other.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4sKKHNVtgjzIdQ9oEp_LHdOx7w2qZb0B9F8yChuyTYCFTV8mEUzx7GhYFb3-rcVxz_AxuOr-Z7OkOBDxsAZqZQaAtNlENLr2_8a-7uZsppOVVu3VYQ5jvaadgF6eOo-yDQVs_Q/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568205506933681714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4sKKHNVtgjzIdQ9oEp_LHdOx7w2qZb0B9F8yChuyTYCFTV8mEUzx7GhYFb3-rcVxz_AxuOr-Z7OkOBDxsAZqZQaAtNlENLr2_8a-7uZsppOVVu3VYQ5jvaadgF6eOo-yDQVs_Q/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+027.jpg" /></a><br />Close up of the steps and just an indication of how much stuff is crammed into the spare/guest bedroom. Not quite ready for sleepovers yet. Lino to the right is the bathroom and there is a toilet just before you get right into it. Visit and see. To the left is my study.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7fEzw9stNTcF3eDzVOTHhL6Eoc49wz1Z4Fj3clrWFG8DsRqTOtzJc8a-ae8Cltx_BOptBBlD7BehAlkyB1VsOsCILeYcoNMYxF63swSI1PlIcfDXjjXoIRGJmD-wlGo_oW40Tg/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+028.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568204944352845826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7fEzw9stNTcF3eDzVOTHhL6Eoc49wz1Z4Fj3clrWFG8DsRqTOtzJc8a-ae8Cltx_BOptBBlD7BehAlkyB1VsOsCILeYcoNMYxF63swSI1PlIcfDXjjXoIRGJmD-wlGo_oW40Tg/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+028.jpg" /></a> Bathroom. There is also a vanity with a large mirror which faces the right end of the shower/bath.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7-axR-QnarqYiRRkLYbunRglOdpKeHhLmom0YQNE1ZYcsXDNQ9DK4_8XGF8tjnFwLM8btfpu0k24YefDHoR_g9ouQoEyV_VX9mk9FCotoMed-S4zefSkZTXQkH6-DYXlZ5PveA/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568203594920482306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7-axR-QnarqYiRRkLYbunRglOdpKeHhLmom0YQNE1ZYcsXDNQ9DK4_8XGF8tjnFwLM8btfpu0k24YefDHoR_g9ouQoEyV_VX9mk9FCotoMed-S4zefSkZTXQkH6-DYXlZ5PveA/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+030.jpg" /></a> </div><br />The main bedroom, I just can't call it the master bedroom, the chair marks the edge of the room. The wardrobes work well but we are getting more sets of drawers as there are still little piles of things left over.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>So there you have it - upstairs, downstairs and outside of the new downsized bach. </div><div><br /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-29702013167458478132011-01-28T20:34:00.000-08:002011-01-28T21:48:28.757-08:00Here it is, instalment one, the top storey<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qlO312j803YCEN4Z9JsgLoRiUSJNwR9qoLZvR5fAoQE3Ft419g8F2TUtU0_ymYP0PRIb1o_OoiIkDjFHQwv683bsdYC065CZpVvMKQYqZ8gyLfZeUdCRTmt19W3HFkYY6nCUeQ/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567474818139293314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qlO312j803YCEN4Z9JsgLoRiUSJNwR9qoLZvR5fAoQE3Ft419g8F2TUtU0_ymYP0PRIb1o_OoiIkDjFHQwv683bsdYC065CZpVvMKQYqZ8gyLfZeUdCRTmt19W3HFkYY6nCUeQ/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+008.jpg" /></a> View from the front door last week, more typically there would be a runner and a couple of cyclists and a few cars. We are on the other side of the street from these mansions and are much more modest in appearance. There is a great cliff /walk/ park beyond them.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3EwXXFLa1Ydeeen6ITHpxNCCxQ-_zwS8k-hGabI6MxffHNFr3bdjVk5yiXBqzlFvtXaiDq6iggWNGavFdTF4ZN2-TxWziy2CvMXqCwTwV_di43w1GDbpQGtKh6hNCIGV2nue8Q/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567473670796659186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3EwXXFLa1Ydeeen6ITHpxNCCxQ-_zwS8k-hGabI6MxffHNFr3bdjVk5yiXBqzlFvtXaiDq6iggWNGavFdTF4ZN2-TxWziy2CvMXqCwTwV_di43w1GDbpQGtKh6hNCIGV2nue8Q/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+001.jpg" /></a> Front door is to the left and this is the TV/music lounge which gets the morning sun.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBI3Ycf1dwx6g_NDz3qwejjfZuQMny9bfj-fGoQkl_tp-hvMJKlO8gAAYnCt9YYJyRDMIzoABzJL0LsM2KHmGp7zEoKau6OrYyqYaNNseT4TVysT38_PwMeDGcExwHDeIVwJQ9w/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567471637783405170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBI3Ycf1dwx6g_NDz3qwejjfZuQMny9bfj-fGoQkl_tp-hvMJKlO8gAAYnCt9YYJyRDMIzoABzJL0LsM2KHmGp7zEoKau6OrYyqYaNNseT4TVysT38_PwMeDGcExwHDeIVwJQ9w/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+007.jpg" /></a> Turning a little you can see the stairs to downstairs in the distance and to the left of that, is the kitchen. Stripes from the venetian blinds have turned the sofa into a zebra.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCYW_eij0OXzbJLQ9_2z0ms2LMhmCgqxke38SzJ7hmC4gBz8coAgp97pSn144wUW7qaX-xUSEhJn8n0-NZ7sEoPv1CoWqd0cQ35TzAFvDFiX5uBSaSqhpKuRCBgddZZMy7ynvw/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567471183096425058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVCYW_eij0OXzbJLQ9_2z0ms2LMhmCgqxke38SzJ7hmC4gBz8coAgp97pSn144wUW7qaX-xUSEhJn8n0-NZ7sEoPv1CoWqd0cQ35TzAFvDFiX5uBSaSqhpKuRCBgddZZMy7ynvw/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+009.jpg" /></a><br />Getting the picture? Magically everything fits. I think we will be happy here.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mCLF9BN6LKkxMUBg5dmRG5Py4w1aHzbGiTIYGM3r7msrSC2DH6qek-Lzl-L5zJt69VGniteBFT6iX2LoE75AGojAVWvA07nY9KVbJzEm4X6lEme2WbKT5VMEUGhkuKLle_l3SQ/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567470504268942370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mCLF9BN6LKkxMUBg5dmRG5Py4w1aHzbGiTIYGM3r7msrSC2DH6qek-Lzl-L5zJt69VGniteBFT6iX2LoE75AGojAVWvA07nY9KVbJzEm4X6lEme2WbKT5VMEUGhkuKLle_l3SQ/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+010.jpg" /></a><br />Kitchen in all its glory, the stove has a booklet which is just as well as I couldn't figure out the symbols by Bosch.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BLMrhbT5BGb9jg_oAgdTB_izRE4IY-QD0GnB2ZefZZEteTbYJn7ReoO36b-Psx7ORDRN8PuDL4hZVDmC2GNTDP4qqdlXXyrQxkZccWg8Yb3qD-aH-XaM7ruIBXKJCyJpol8leg/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567469994048037842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BLMrhbT5BGb9jg_oAgdTB_izRE4IY-QD0GnB2ZefZZEteTbYJn7ReoO36b-Psx7ORDRN8PuDL4hZVDmC2GNTDP4qqdlXXyrQxkZccWg8Yb3qD-aH-XaM7ruIBXKJCyJpol8leg/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+004.jpg" /></a> View out the kitchen door to the morning sun deck.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSZbyAEk-S2ylseXNALPUTM2ontOCvU2Ayk0QRUAOvzQCDeOk1k5iUS3heWGgO_DniRlLDALbJVDcKzpq206p7co-qU4mpI9Nnl-iZmRFdVn1Run44QxIpeGKTKxcthRodmmzWg/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567465972870480274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSZbyAEk-S2ylseXNALPUTM2ontOCvU2Ayk0QRUAOvzQCDeOk1k5iUS3heWGgO_DniRlLDALbJVDcKzpq206p7co-qU4mpI9Nnl-iZmRFdVn1Run44QxIpeGKTKxcthRodmmzWg/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+011.jpg" /></a><br />Now you can see the afternoon sun deck with a familiar table and more plants are out there. We will go downstairs next time, just turn around a bit more.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZjpBoOIQdHcgWokRQU-QaT8izcJUgfXCnriMoh0RV-fXdaty5hUNc2AXlk5gBI8npvvtAwnnvcyeWtQ7MaZTUZYEAfMdUn1jteMzNems0cZ2x0fGCVEJLU2OtWwjOIxVjnK9sw/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567465158751243842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZjpBoOIQdHcgWokRQU-QaT8izcJUgfXCnriMoh0RV-fXdaty5hUNc2AXlk5gBI8npvvtAwnnvcyeWtQ7MaZTUZYEAfMdUn1jteMzNems0cZ2x0fGCVEJLU2OtWwjOIxVjnK9sw/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+012.jpg" /></a> </div><br />Yep, room for these and the deck runs along to the end of the window.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlQZsqI4BnqKCRfukqR3hk0u-gXHlIy6LTfF1XxZeXHE165XKJxV_w5rGvwOBVl7WeNwGvUOebDiAnogM0fZ7Y7MCADuR-c1FaMI9DaX55eRvSJd2jDucp_n36kpKu9_TGp8ujg/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567464492997119698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlQZsqI4BnqKCRfukqR3hk0u-gXHlIy6LTfF1XxZeXHE165XKJxV_w5rGvwOBVl7WeNwGvUOebDiAnogM0fZ7Y7MCADuR-c1FaMI9DaX55eRvSJd2jDucp_n36kpKu9_TGp8ujg/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+013.jpg" /></a><br />The dining space.</div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQMyMxLXjFFzqZqO3azetT4VwhbWMRzXonrLL0hE0_564OdalGhkh_IH8lOGqNM-qTCbZ7DIIF7toi_bZU4nTP9Od_rOsFfZt-vRAdARbeHcoAOAVLA6msP4l-25pDEvjbRFTaA/s1600/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567463214649883970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQMyMxLXjFFzqZqO3azetT4VwhbWMRzXonrLL0hE0_564OdalGhkh_IH8lOGqNM-qTCbZ7DIIF7toi_bZU4nTP9Od_rOsFfZt-vRAdARbeHcoAOAVLA6msP4l-25pDEvjbRFTaA/s400/First+shots+88+Beach+Road+014.jpg" /></a><br />So I have been standing pretty much in the middle of upstairs and showing you around. On the right is the telephone table which used to be in the hallway and is now opposite the front door. Cougar cardi at the ready with Crown Lynn treasures and opshop tray.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>It has been described as 'cute' and 'pretty unique' by the SKY technician. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>The upstairs part is a great space which works well, downstairs is a little curious and will be in the next instalment. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>Probably some pix of the outside may be helpful too.<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-45694567209243527362011-01-10T13:41:00.001-08:002011-01-10T18:20:05.471-08:00No snaps, no news, no life?Hammy New Year to you! Actually it has been a very hammy and desserty holiday up until today which started with a strict walk and no dawdling to shift some of that ham and dessert. <em>'It's not what you do <strong>one</strong> day, it's what you do <strong>every</strong> day'</em> so I am in for a lifetime of walking!<br /><br />In this house there are no cameras and so there are no snaps to share until Tower insurance send me a letter. Good things take time and I have been waiting a while now. Oh well better get some perspective, at least I haven't been in an earthquake and had my house demolished.<br /><br />So if <strong>you</strong> can't see what <strong>I </strong>have been doing<br />does that mean that <strong>I</strong> haven't been doing anything<br />or does it mean that what <strong>I</strong> do doesn't count<br />unless <strong>I</strong> can show <strong>you</strong>?<br /><br />I think it means that I prefer to put up a snap and a sentence or two rather than rabbit on about My Holiday.<br /><br />MH started with a very warm, relaxed Xmas at the beach with family which involved getting the new togs full of sand boogie boarding at Ohiwa and the treasures of the Opotiki retro shop. I can't go on in that linear way so here are some other stars; the Mercer cheese shop which deserves a whole entry of its own, the fabulous dinner at The Chateau which rescued the formulaic 'welcome' from the terminally disinterested receptionist who seemed to be having a tiff with the porter, the foresty drive home along the edge of Lake Taupo with a quick dash past Tok and Tirau to Hamilton and home on the expressway.<br /><br />What is the difference between a <em>motorway</em> and an <em>expressway </em>anyhow?<br /><br />Wellington was eating and drinking on the new deck and marvelling at the Brian Brake exhibition at <em>Te Papa </em>with a number of other touristic things to entertain the Netherlander in our midst.<br /><br />And did I mention New Plymouth? Catching fish, walking the entire walkway in the sunshine and seeing the fairy lights at Pukekura Park. No. Well I did them all.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for making it all so great, a wonderful start to the year which kicks off with <strong><em>three</em></strong> of our households moving. Spooky. It is obviously time for shifting.Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-49504494736610138552010-10-09T23:16:00.000-07:002010-10-09T23:21:06.827-07:00End of holiday comp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh419QWFIk_TWhrT7pis-vISwTJUl65MgoH2iy6p3WFFW4_vYczQtQJB5L2gGoeNgbrujAZleZonyyHe82K7KMJWypm7GFsyA7uNRBqeiPOoVNYgjwnqSV8jJJamV1Nyb11U2ax6A/s1600/DSC04855.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh419QWFIk_TWhrT7pis-vISwTJUl65MgoH2iy6p3WFFW4_vYczQtQJB5L2gGoeNgbrujAZleZonyyHe82K7KMJWypm7GFsyA7uNRBqeiPOoVNYgjwnqSV8jJJamV1Nyb11U2ax6A/s400/DSC04855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526298132191899186" border="0" /></a><br />Where is this?<br /><br />Prize of my choosing for the winner. Good luck!Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23537746.post-8188637366480051972010-10-05T22:20:00.000-07:002010-10-05T22:27:33.785-07:00Malling, not squalling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy9ucPRltAUmodiEWjrfVFatd91Jdwy6sIqW6rVYGA6ikNkX4ot4YoQUoJa2KN-CcqhTD_1fq9aA2h9ipheNuYFD4TtBxKdsINlGxWkJOYawoSDD41M4Nvvu08ynCaEBHk8V32A/s1600/DSC04837.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipy9ucPRltAUmodiEWjrfVFatd91Jdwy6sIqW6rVYGA6ikNkX4ot4YoQUoJa2KN-CcqhTD_1fq9aA2h9ipheNuYFD4TtBxKdsINlGxWkJOYawoSDD41M4Nvvu08ynCaEBHk8V32A/s400/DSC04837.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524799394485715906" border="0" /></a><br />The end of the school holidays feels like this.<br /><br />Retail, it's war out there and prisoners are being taken in the malls.Helen Backhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13338826810466467745noreply@blogger.com1