Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade, Wellington, NZ
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Friday, 30 December 2011
Blessings in the Botanicals
Today we have had some much needed, heavy rain. It made a coffee stop in the Botanical Gardens a rather soggy one. Somehow it felt like the vegetation was drinking and sighing with relief.
Thursday, 29 December 2011
Preparing to hunt
Half an hour after I took this photo, Cumin caught her first bird. The only evidence was the tiny black feathers on the end of one whisker and caught on both front paws. I was really sad - I was hoping she would stick to hunting cicada, weta and the odd stick insect.
Sigh - dry rations aren't even a punishment!
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Whimsical Windows Delirious Doors 4
These Ukelele were seen as THROUGH a window. I couldn't help but smile at their cheery colours. Very appropriate to the Pacific island culture, colourful, cheeky and whimsical.
Cuba Street, Wellington, NZ
Sunday, 25 December 2011
The inner bedouin will out
Ask me later how it tasted.
Wild goat, marinaded in allspice, cinnamon, and a Tunisian rub given to me by some Kiwi friends who work there. Then there is a leg of lamb and mushroom moussaka. Who is coming over for dinner?
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Whimsical Windows Delirious Doors 3
Thorndon Wellington
For the meme hosted by Toby at www.iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Beware what comes through the cat flap
From today's Dominion Post
Photo Annette Swoffer
A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.
"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.
It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.
Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.
"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."
Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.
"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.
The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed. It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.
"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.
"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."
Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.
Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.
He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.
Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.
He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.
Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.
"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway."
A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.
"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.
It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.
Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.
"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."
Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.
"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.
The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed.
It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.
"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.
"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."
Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.
Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.
He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.
Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.
He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.
Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.
"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway.
Photo Annette Swoffer
A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.
"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.
It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.
Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.
"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."
Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.
"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.
The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed. It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.
"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.
"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."
Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.
Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.
He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.
Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.
He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.
Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.
"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway."
A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.
"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.
It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.
Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.
"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."
Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.
"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.
The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed.
It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.
"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.
"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."
Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.
Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.
He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.
Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.
He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.
Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.
"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Hiding in Martha's Pantry
Sometimes "High Tea" is called for
And a painted ginger cat watches as you sip ginger spiced tea
Fairy cakes with fairy candles eye dance
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Only in Wellington
If your Christmas presents arrive late this year, blame the tipsy Santas on Cuba Street.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Whimsical Windows, delirious doors
A friend over at www.iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com has launched a new meme, to showcase architecture around the world. Here is my first contribution from Greytown in the Wairarapa.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Earthquake tonight
There was an earthquake this evening. It actually took place on the S. Island, but was a strong one. Our house shook and squeaked and the china in the cupboards danced around. I don't think there was any damage anywhere on our property.
When you don't get them very frequently they can really spook you. It is simply unimaginable how the folk of Christchurch and Canterbury have survived over 8000 of the suckers!
When you don't get them very frequently they can really spook you. It is simply unimaginable how the folk of Christchurch and Canterbury have survived over 8000 of the suckers!
Thursday, 1 December 2011
perspicacity
....now there's a word to conjure with.
Does it mean a city of cats who purr?
or that the cats who are purring pick a city to dwell?
Intercity, Perspicacity, letters that trundle, letters that dance, as per pick a city, pick a ditty, Piccadilly, Piccalilly.....
I probably need help, or perspicacity.
Does it mean a city of cats who purr?
or that the cats who are purring pick a city to dwell?
Intercity, Perspicacity, letters that trundle, letters that dance, as per pick a city, pick a ditty, Piccadilly, Piccalilly.....
I probably need help, or perspicacity.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
It depends on how you look at it.
This morning I traveled by train and found myself sitting next to a very large lady. Not large as in overweight, but LARGE. My guess was she was of Tongan blood, as the Tongans are often very tall and big boned. I felt small next to her. My hands looked like dolls hands as I knit next to her hands holding a mobile phone. She had tattoos on her forearms and was wearing skin-tight clothing, her hair pulled back into a disciplined ponytail.
Now you will have to trust me when I tell you that I was truly bowled over by her beauty. I am often shy of being tall and large, and in my own eyes, ungainly. But here was someone who could probably top my weight by another 40 pounds and my height by another 4 inches and she was beautiful. In another century she might have been painted by Gaugin. The fifteen minute journey next to her had given me the intoxicating perspective of being dainty.
Still recovering from the experience of skewed perspective, as if I had looked down the telescope the wrong way, I had another shock. This time it was a bus. Written in large capitals above the driver were three words that would simply never be uttered in many parts of the world.
SORRY, BUS FULL.
The life lessons you can learn from travelling on public transport.
Now you will have to trust me when I tell you that I was truly bowled over by her beauty. I am often shy of being tall and large, and in my own eyes, ungainly. But here was someone who could probably top my weight by another 40 pounds and my height by another 4 inches and she was beautiful. In another century she might have been painted by Gaugin. The fifteen minute journey next to her had given me the intoxicating perspective of being dainty.
Still recovering from the experience of skewed perspective, as if I had looked down the telescope the wrong way, I had another shock. This time it was a bus. Written in large capitals above the driver were three words that would simply never be uttered in many parts of the world.
SORRY, BUS FULL.
The life lessons you can learn from travelling on public transport.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Half Century
In 32 days time I turn 50 years old.
I’m excited. It’s a great milestone and I have much to be thankful for.
Over the last few months, people have asked me, was I throwing a big party (no), was I going away to celebrate (no), was I expecting a surprise gift (no).
I made my husband promise he wouldn’t surprise me with a secret get together of friends or any other kind of surprise. I think you get the picture, I’m happy for the birthday, but I don’t want anything happening unexpectedly.
A few weeks ago, I woke up and told my husband that I didn’t want any kind of gift, what I really wanted was to FINALLY start my own business. I’ve been thinking about it for years, tossed around lots of ideas, but never got around to doing anything about it, for a variety of reasons. But I’ve held on to the dream.
The beginning of my next half century seems a good place to start something new.
Curious? Well keep stopping by the blog, as there may be clues.
The first clue is “take me on a journey”
I’m excited. It’s a great milestone and I have much to be thankful for.
Over the last few months, people have asked me, was I throwing a big party (no), was I going away to celebrate (no), was I expecting a surprise gift (no).
I made my husband promise he wouldn’t surprise me with a secret get together of friends or any other kind of surprise. I think you get the picture, I’m happy for the birthday, but I don’t want anything happening unexpectedly.
A few weeks ago, I woke up and told my husband that I didn’t want any kind of gift, what I really wanted was to FINALLY start my own business. I’ve been thinking about it for years, tossed around lots of ideas, but never got around to doing anything about it, for a variety of reasons. But I’ve held on to the dream.
The beginning of my next half century seems a good place to start something new.
Curious? Well keep stopping by the blog, as there may be clues.
The first clue is “take me on a journey”
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Data Cat
Testing a database
Selling the database to another customer
Not sure if it fits the client's requirements.
Who says one size fits all?
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Purple palaces
We call our house "Foxglove Hollow". We have rather a lot of these "Bee Apartments" all over our property. One year, one grew to 7 feet tall.
I wish I was small enough to live inside one of these purple palaces, just for a day.
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Of Delis
For a capital city, we are bit thin on the ground when it comes to genuine delis. Oh sure, there are the upmarket "fleece you for 100g of anything" places, but the New York type, "make everything on the premises with the owner smiling at you from behind the till" type are scarce. Until now.
Craig Dunshea took a rather unpromising looking shop on a side street in a leafy suburb and turned it into the talk of the town. The ovens are two paces away from the counter and the coffee machine, and you see the pies being made as you are buying your latte.
It's a bit like sitting at the welcoming kitchen table of a large country house. The scrubbed pine table seats about 10 and you are surrounded with larder like shelves and dressers, laden to groaning point with food.
Craig's philosophy "We make the stuff we love to eat".
As my husband and I returned home, he commented he was feeling sleepy. My response "It was probably the pie - it has left you with that Sunday post prandial happiness" The good news is that we have another day to appreciate that we have been "fed to within an inch of our lives".
Dunshea's Deli - Khandallah, Wellington
Friday, 11 November 2011
Philyda Laterly's at it again
Always looking for that little treasure
Oh no, I've lost my contact lens
I thought I saw a Penny Red!
Darn it got away!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Linguistic miners
If you love the mystery, wonder and craziness of language, this is a book for you. I am a terrible linguist, but studied linguistics at degree level, so although I can't string a sentence together in any other language than English, I revel in the technicalities and science of language. This book has me going to bed early on a rainy evening, to read and read and read. And as tonight is one such night..........
Making the medicine go down
I HATE silverbeet. To me it should only be grown as a decorative vegetable and left to die an ignominious death in the veggie patch, or be gobbled by mice and snails. Small problem - it's good for you. So, tonight I tried to disguise its taste and texture by burying it under tahini sauce and very crisp fried onions.
The silverbeet still tasted hideous, but the topping was great!
Monday, 7 November 2011
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
The French Market
We are now blessed with a "French Quarter" in Wellington. It comprises La Cloche, The French Market and Bordeaux, all within five minutes driving distance of each other. Eh voila, our newest "discovery". The coffee was not as good as La Cloche, but it was nice to be able to buy French cheese and provisions in their store.
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