What I Love About Where I Live

Right now I'm far from home, on the other side of the world.
From this distance its easy to find many things I love and miss about New Zealand. Its a beautiful place, after all.
The clean'n'green, the mountains and beaches, bush and countryside... what's not to love?
Of course I love to travel, and there are many beautiful spots in the world, breathtaking sights and fascinating places... but in the end there's no place like Home.

I've been gone a while now, so I thought I'd give myself a little piece of home and write about why I love where I live.
And then I thought I'd invite you to join me.
Write a post on what you love about your town (or country).
Introduce us to where you live... and then link up.

So here's What I Love About Where I Live...

Wynyard Quarter, Auckland Viaduct

I've traveled enough to know that in comparison to the world's great cities, Auckland is really a small town. And I like it like that. We don't have millions of people living in high-rises. Most of us live in stand-alone homes with a garden.

Volcanic cones, Mt Eden & One Tree Hill

There are sheep grazing on One Tree Hill and cows up Mt Eden, for goodness sake! Where else in the world do you find that? How many high schools in London or New York have a fully-operational farm on-site? Well my local high school does. In the middle of central Auckland.

City Centre, Britomart Station, Quay and Queen Streets

Auckland is small enough that when we go to the Mall, we will almost always bump into friends.

Auckland is large enough to host big concerts {like U2 and Katy Perry}and major sporting events {like the Rugby World Cup Final}... but small enough that I know my neighbours over the fence.

Rainbow's End

And along with this small-town feel we also get the benefit of all the amenities that go with living in a larger population. Awesome libraries. Big concerts. Great shopping, cafes, restaurants, schools. Rainbows End might not be Disneyland or MovieWorld, but the kids don't care.

To me, Auckland has the best of both worlds.

School Assembly

You could say that Auckland is a melting pot of the world's people. Not many places in Auckland are mono-cultural. Some see this is a bad thing. Me, I like it. My kids rub shoulders with children of different colours. Children who speak a little differently and who come from all over the world. They learn how to get on and respect others who are different from them.

Our class photos look like an advertisement for the United Nations... and yet... brown, black, pink, yellow and white, these youngsters stand to sing the national anthem at assembly, in Maori, English and Sign Language and they know it off by heart. Their singing sends shivers down your spine. They chant, "Aue, Aue, Aue-ah! Nga Tamariki! Nga Tamariki!" and your hair stands on end.

For all the multi-cultural mix in Auckland, our kids are kiwi kids. They run barefoot and climb trees. They chase the sheep in Cornwall Park and collect shells from Pt Chev beach. Then we come home and have curry and naan for dinner...

Okahu Bay, City Centre

Being surrounded by water, Aucklanders love nothing better than a day at the beach.

We can head over the bridge and take our pick of Narrow Neck, Takapuna, Milford, Browns Bay, Long Bay and all the little nameless beaches in between...

Long Bay, North Shore

In Auckland we have so many great beaches to choose from - without leaving the city.

Waterfront Walk and Cycleway

We can bike along the waterfront and stop off at Mission bay for icecream, let the kids play on the awesome seafront playground, have fish'n'chips under a pohutukawa...

Visit the viaduct, with working fishing port, cafes, restaurants, playground and even a Tramway... and we can recycle our rubbish. Aucklanders are very good at recycling.

I love that in the city there are people wearing gumboots, jandals. Blokes napping on benches, construction workers playing the piano.

I love the waterfront mini-golf. The cafes and restaurants. The awesome Zoo. Kelly Tarlton's Underwater world. The Sky Tower with revolving restaurant.

Pt Chev Beach, picnic with the neighbours

My favourite hidden gem is Pt Chevalier, biking distance from my house, lined with pohutukawas, perfect for picnics, BBQs and breakfast while the kids play at the park {which has an awesome flying fox of course}

Then there's Oakley Creek. At the end of my street a bush reserve which makes a joke of living in the city. As I drop below the treeline, I disappear into nature. There's a bike path, eels and ducks to feed in the stream... and a waterfall. All at the end of my street. in the middle of the city. Where else in the world do you find that?

I love that my kids can walk 200 metres from our gate to a a great playground. Best of all, this playground is nothing special. Auckland has awesome playgrounds for kids wherever you turn. Even at the viaduct.

I love that we are part of a community where we know our neighbours. We can go down to the local football club and see people from school and next door, having a beer, talking about sport, while the kids play.

We can bike over and knock on friends' doors, see who's at home. Ask the neighbours to collect the post, mind the spare keys, come for a BBQ, have a few wines at sunset.

I love my neighbourhood. I love the old houses, the views to the West, the leafy trees everywhere.

September Sunshine 2010

I love the climate. Swimming in September? Auckland is warm.
OK I can do without the humidity, but I love the long-lasting summers and early springs.

Sure those that don't know Auckland like I do can look on and think its just another big smelly city with bad traffic and pollution.
But to me, Auckland is home and I love it.
Oh look I've gone and made myself homesick.
But that's OK, cos I'll be home soon.

Now it's your turn.
I'd love you to write a post about where you live and link it up, so I can find out all the great spots to visit and things to do when I come visit you.

Postcard from England

Tap tap tap, go the keys on Grandma's keyboard.
Thank goodness that a picture is worth a thousand words because otherwise we'd be here all night...

We've been hanging out on the beach. With family.
Somebody got a haircut.

England enjoyed Summer's last gasp. We enjoyed it too.

Enjoying having a giggle at the English and their sun-worship tendencies. Mystified by people setting up their chairs facing away from the sea...

Why are they facing the wrong way? I asked.
Oh, they're not, they're facing the sun! I was told.
Ahhh. Of course they are. They are English.
The sight of the sun is a rare and treasured thing.
We Kiwis may slip-slop-slap and run for the shade, but a true Englishman dare not return from holiday without a tan. Or at least some ouchy sunburn.

So while the sun shone we delighted in family and strengthening the ties that bind...

...while generously sharing our food and impressing everyone with our charming manners. Ahem.

We've been treated to superb meals. Cooked by wonderful relatives.
We've all gained a few pounds - and not the kind you can spend either.

To work off all that good food, we've gone walking in the English countryside...

...where we learnt the valuable lesson that nettles {which sting} and dock leaves {which soothe} grow handily side by side. Isn't nature wonderful?

We flew a kite on top of a hill overlooking picturesque farms and villages.

Of course my camera batteries run out at the stupidest of times.

{The kite was a dinky £1.95 keyring that Grandma kept in her handbag for just such an occasion. It flew perfectly. Brilliant.}

We left behind the bustle of the city, headed for a village in the Midlands.
Reunited with dear friends, who indulged us with superb hospitality and fabulous company.

Our Kiwi friends taught our children Croquet...

...and took them on at Cricket. So very very English.

We've known these friends for so long, and sometimes don't see each other for years... but when we meet up, its just like it has always been. Easy. Enjoyable. Delightful. Superb. AJ & Vic. Maya. So many funny stories, so many shared memories.

AJ is a mad-keen photographer. You can find him on Flickr.

My gorgeous friend Maya {photo by AJ}; we've been friends for twenty years, flatted together, been bridesmaids for each other and though we live on opposites sides of the world when we get together its as if we've never been apart. 

Picnicking at Calke Abbey. Photos by AJ. We like to spread a rug and eat under the oak trees...
but the locals seem to like their picnics eaten in the carpark!?!?!? 
{NOTE: This group were not the only ones. I just had to snap them, another cute English quirk}

Miss Fab and Maya's sweet girl

Cricket turns into rounders...

Scrag and Maya's Little Joel {to distinguish from Big Cousin Joel}

We enjoyed al fresco lunch and dinner in the garden. A picnic at Calke Abbey. Up talking half the night. Our kids and their kids hanging together. The next generation of world-traveling pals.

Don't you just love friends like that?

I also love it when my husband launches an impromptu game of Statues in the courtyard
where we're eating icecream. He's pretty amazing that way. 

Tickle tickle. Who will crack?

Sigh. We must say goodbye.
Until next time.

We must move on, this time to a new adventure at CentreParcs, Whinfell Forest.
Grandma kindly treated us to a week at this fantastic place.
A bit like a holiday park, but in the woods. Nothing at all like Hi-de-Hi Campers.

We get our own log cabin in the woods. With open fire. And bikes.

We bike everywhere. I get lost often. I just can't seem to find my way to the Sports Plaza without touring half the forest. Its like I've lost my ability to know where I am when I am in the Northern Hemisphere. My magnetic poles are all out of whack {I tell myself this, it makes me feel better}.

There's a giant indoor waterpark. Think Wave Pools on steroids. You can bet my kids loved that. {Yes, I did actually swim. In my burqa rash top. Just once, but it was all day.}

There is so much to do at a place like this. My favourite bit {apart from getting lost in the woods and swimming all day} was a morning just wandering alone through the village. Buying a magazine at the Parc Market. Reading peacefully over a latte and carrot cake in a French Cafe.
That and the superb facial my hubby treated me and Grandma to.
Bliss.

I am sure that we will be back to stay at CentreParcs again, if ever we venture back to the UK again.
Thankyou Grandma for your kind generosity and great idea!

That's about all I have for now.
We have nine days remaining of our holiday. Nine days to pack in as much fun and family as we can before we head home.
The kids are getting a wee bit tired. All the packing and shifting and changing is a bit unsettling.
They're having fun but missing home. Missing their friends.
As am I.
I do love to travel, but I also love my home.
I've got a post scheduled for Monday I hope you'll all enjoy.
Its a linky. "What you love about where you live".
I hope you'll join in. Share what you love about your home, as I share what I love about mine.

And also on Monday... I'm off to Ireland with Mr G. A dream come true.

Our Trip So Far

• Postcard from Newcastle
• We Explore Roman Vindolanda
• A Very Sporty Day
• A Postcard from Scotland
• Our Trip Plans & Itinerary

PS: Mrs Readalot has been very busy reading some fantastic books. She is terribly sorry that she missed posting on the 1st of October... but she will have her post up with some great holiday reading recommendations ASAP ♥ 

The linky is being hosted by my lovely friend Lyns {who I miss a lot} over at Once Upon a Time

Guest Blogger: Marketing to Milk on Craft & Baking

Welcome to this week's guest blogger, my lovely Henri from Marketing to Milk, all the way from the UK. Henri has the distinction of being one of the only bloggers I read who "doesn't do pictures"... which means that her words are enough to draw me in and keep me coming back. It was this post {or one very much like it} which got me hooked on Henri's blog at a time when I was wrestling with my own aversion to baking and craft. A kindred spirit. {Really. When I do it, I post about it. You do the maths.} So here's Henri... complete with some photos I managed to find of her, plus of a few of some cakes I baked - which Henri wanted in her post as the condition of her being a guest blogger. Hehe.
Enjoy...

This is a subject that bugs me a lot.

Just how much craft, baking or other happy family activities are most mothers doing with their children?

The thing is, I don’t. Well I do, sometimes. But it’s usually in short, guilty bursts.

I’m not saying I leave my kids 24/7 to roam the house while i put my feet up and eat muffins. I take them out somewhere every day – indoor play, children’s centre, playground, pub (oops, did I say that?), but when I’m in the house they’re usually either a) watching television or b) playing on their own.

I have visions in my head of all the other mums replete with “kids and hers” aprons, baking cakes, brownies, quiche as the children whoop whoop with delight and lick the leftovers from wooden spoons. That, or finger painting, play dough competitions and vegetable growing demonstrations all before lunch. (which obviously consists of said home grown and home baked food).

The thing is, I’m utterly convinced that this is what all other mothers are up to. While I’m there saying for the 50th time, and oh so innocently “You must be tired darling? How about some quiet time while mummy clears up the lunch things?” As if a) quiet time in front of the tv is a novel treat and b) he hasn’t realised yet that “clearing up” takes mummy at least an hour, and usually involves a lot of time typing on the computer.

Rationally I suspect this is probably another example of me measuring myself up against the “better mums” that I fear I’m losing out to on a daily basis, but that don’t actually exist.

The problem is that when I visit other people’s houses, there is mabel’s artwork on the kitchen wall, out comes the biscuit tin “would you like an apple scone, archie baked them with me this morning”, or there sits impressively a toddler-size car made out of boxes (believe me that has happened to me).

As I mentioned in Get Confessing, I have a sneaking suspicion that some other mums might not be being entirely honest (the biscuits are Annabel Karmel’s and the car was made by dad under duress last night).

Problem is that the rational side of my brain gets overriden by the irrational wonderings of a guilt-ridden mother.

That, and obviously having too much time on my hands to think while I put my feet up and eat muffins.

.........


A deep thinker is my friend Henri.
Short, sweet, to the point. I find myself often snorting, laughing, nodding in agreement... but never ever bored. Even without pictures!


I just wish I could have arranged a bloggy meet-up with her while I'm in the UK. Nothing I would have liked more than sharing a glass of wine and a laugh with this girl. 


♥

It's a Cat's Life

by Dave the Cat

Meow.
That's how we say hello in Cat-ese.
It's Dave here, Dave the cat.
Surprised? You should be.
Not many moggies are as computer-literate as I am.
I have spent hours pretending to laze in the sun while my owner tapped away on this machine. I learnt her tricks and now I am ready to take over the world...

Hahaha. Meow.
That was just a little Cat Humour. As if we Cats have plans to take over the world!!!!
We are far too lazy.

So. This machine is abandoned while my owner is away.
It sits gathering dust. The other humans who are feeding me don't seem to know what to do with it.
But I must say that while they are here it is so peaceful.
For once there is no banging, stomping or slamming of doors.
No screaming, yelling, squabbling or crying.
No need for me to run as soon as I see that little one - the one with the cheeky grin.
Yeoooow, but he can pull a cat's tail hard.
I learnt that the hard way.
Now when I see him coming, I scamper before he gets the chance to chase me.

I found a safe place up on the neighbour's roof.
I use my claws to climb up the cabbage tree; from there it's an easy leap from the fence to the roof.
Up on the roof I can take note of the comings and goings, enjoy the view undisturbed.
When things get crazy down below, I come up here where the air is clear and all I can hear is the birdies tweeting.

I do sometimes wonder what I was thinking when I chose this family to adopt.
Sitting on their back step for four days, urging them with my big soft eyes to "feed me! love me! take me in!" I got a pretty good view of what life would be like with them.
Noisy. Chaotic. At times Perilous {they do have small children, after all}

I mean, I could have hung around that old lady's back door, the one with the peaceful roof.
She probably would have fed me tuna and milk, not that crunchy stuff this lot feeds me.
She would never have pulled my tail or chased me or tried to dress me up like a doll.
And I'll bet she would have given me a better name than Dave.
Dave!! Come on!
I'm a female cat for yowling out loud!
At least I was. I know I once had girlie bits before that trip to the vet, but now I'm just confused.
Surely they could have thought up a better name than Dave, though.
Even Fluffy would have been preferrable. Or Stripes. Mog. Or Betty.
But I'm stuck with Dave. And I'm used to it, I guess.
The same way I am used to the noise, the shouting, the chasing.

I mean, I could always leave, I do have a choice.
I thought about it once; in fact I actually did leave at one point.
I got as far as the end of the street and it started raining. So I slept the night in a box and didn't wake up til dinner time the next day.

When I turned up there was so much excitement. Those short humans all came running, though the Daddy with the deep voice did not look too impressed. Apparently I had interrupted some kind of celebration and he was a bit miffed.
He said, "Great. Upstaged on my birthday by a Cat. Twice."

I don't really know what he meant by that, but I think he forgave me pretty fast.
All it took was for me to jump up on his lap and start purring. He's really a big softie, that one.
Loud and boomy his voice may be, but his heart is as soft as a road-kill sparrow's guts.

So, here I am wondering where my noisy humans have gone to. They left those silver-haired ones here to look after the place; they feed me and let me sleep in the sun, and really don't disturb me.
Its very peaceful round here, as I said.
Peaceful... but a little boring.
I'm starting to miss my noisy humans and wonder when they'll be back. Even that little one.
Running from him is about all the exercise I get these days, now that I have my own family and guaranteed food. Even if it is that boring crunchy stuff.

So yeah, I don't regret choosing these noisy humans for my family.
They're a bit crazy, but that's fine by me... after all a female cat called Dave who climbs trees and writes blog posts is crazy enough to fit right in.