Good morning from Wellington - walking to work

Another beautiful day...

Walking to work is always interesting and inspiring.  Especially when you've got a fantastic route.

Walking to work this morning from Mt Cook I passed the carillion 

 Down Tory St past Te Papa the museum to the harbour and the sun was blazing on the buildings

 looking across the harbour,

 and one of the newest artworks on the harbour called reflections.

Hot Saturday, Houghton Bay

Another nice summer day.....Tennis in the afternoon then a swim on Wellingtons South Coast, Houghton Bay to cool off.

Fab Fri Feb 19

Great day in Wellington on Friday.

Lunch at Dockside Wellington Harbour, then a short walk to Te Papa and later.....a night out in Cuba St, S&M Bar, watch the laser show in the car park then on to the Bucket Fountain.  Home just after midnight - not too late....

 

 

Day at Domain and Museum Feb 13

Several days in Auckland for conference then couple of days R & R in hot and humid weather...Enjoyable day at the domain and museum.  It would'nt be summer without cricket....

  

And then into the museum - it has to be one of my favourite experiences...

 

  

  

 

Waitangi Weekend

Waitangi Weekend in NZ and Welly in particular has been crazy and lots of fun.

Sevens Rugby on Friday and Saturday.  Fiji beat Samoa in the finals in a fantastic game with Samoa being denied a try in the last play of the game to win.  The city was one big fancy dress party - it's like nothing you've ever seen.

Waitangi Day on Saturday 6th February is a public holiday to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi,  a treaty between Maori and the English in the 1840's.  Its a cornerstone of present day New Zealand and its great to hear young New Zealanders celebrating it vocally.  Lots of events during the day with a fair at Waitangi Park, One Love public concert in Hataitai at the Velodrome featuring lots of NZ artists including Sola Rossa.

Summer is well and truly here and just to prove it I've got some pictures of plums picked from the trees in Martinbrough, some best for stewing (yummy) and some for best for eating straight away.

Pinot Wellington

Wednesday morning Feb 3 Wellington.

Walking to work and the hills and city on the opposite side of the harbour are blanketed in low cloud and mist.  The clouds cleared to become a beautiful day.

This was good because it was the 2nd day of the Pinot conference being held in the city.

Pinot Noir 2010 is a celebration of great wine, great food and superb entertainment wrapped around a four-day conference focused on the art of growing and making great Pinot Noir.
Pinot Noir 2010 is the most significant event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere bringing together our top 100+ Pinot Noir producers and exposing them to up to 400 of the most influential wine writers and buyers from around the world.

One amazing weekend (and it aint over yet)

Birthday party at Vista in Oriental Bay. A perfect balmy night with a full moon.

Saturday spectacular day with bro beach party in Breaker Bay followed by ACDC concert that night at the Caketin (Westpac Stadium). An amazing number of NZers will see ACDC perform in Wellington and Auckland. If you get the chance - go. Not only are their songs great but the stage and set is mindblowing. To top it off got comp tickets to the concert and stood in the control booth to watch the concert. How amazing is that!

Sunday - Off to Martinborough to welcome ACDC crew onto the Marae where is a bass training camp happening involving bassists from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy the pictures.