I'm Back...

Did you miss me???? So here I am and with lots of photos, I have added Flickr links to a number of these entries as they would be quite photo heavy otherwise. So sit back and enjoy.

Thursday 22nd May 2014
We have been waiting patiently now for about 8 months to go to Gibbs Farm as it is only open to the public one Thursday every month. The waiting list is sooo long and you have to book ahead.
In amongst the rain of the week, it was a beautiful day.

Gibbs Farm is 1,000 acre property privately owned by Alan Gibbs a NZ born businessman, entrepreneur and art collector. 
The property is dominated by the Kaipara Harbour (the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere), which occupies the entire western horizon.
After nearly twenty years of development, Gibbs Farm currently features over 20 artists from around the world.

It takes quite a few hours to wander around the farm, made up of sculptures and animals including Giraffe, Bison, Highland Cattle, Llama, Zebra and many more.

Check out the link for more photos. Gibbs Farm

Wednesday 30th April 2014
To end April we have been making mats. Mine is the lovely coloured one and Malcolm's the plain one.

Wendy

Malcolm

Monday 28th April 2014
Today I planted my Flanders Poppy seeds so they flower in the spring, they were supposed to be planted on ANZAC day the 25th April..I was only a few days late.

By the time they flower I am hoping they look like this.
Will keep you posted with how this is going.

Friday 18th April 2014 - Sunday 27th April 2014
My Dad had heart surgery on the 11th April, and it was a great success, my brother and I have been splitting shifts caring for him in Manugaturoto, while he recuperates. It is going to take 12 weeks of him not doing anything before he can even think about going back to work on light duties. (Difficult when you work on a farm!!)

Below are some photos I took while in Maungaturoto.

If you want to see more check out this link. Dads Place

Friday 11th April 2014 - Sunday 13th April 2014
I have been creating!
I used some Roof Strapping, Nuts and Bolts some Threaded rod and Power Tools, and made...
A sphere pot plant holder to go on my crooked pot, when the plant grows more (pitiful at the moment) it should drape down over the pot. Will let you know the progress on that one!

 

 AND....how about these for outside lights!! They look great at night with the LED lights glowing through the holes in the strapping. (Although this picture does not do them justice)

 

... and after all that I needed munchies to go with a beer.
Man was this hot and spicy, lots of chillies with cashews, limes,split peas (cooked) and shredded potato (cooked)..but oh so yummy.

Sunday 6th April 2014
Today we made a bird feeder, however the birds are yet to find it.
But doesn't it look great!

Thursday 3rd April 2014
We haven't had rain for soooo long and wouldn't you believe it the day I went for a walk the heavens opened and the rain was torrential.

The storm clouds they are a gathering!!!

I just made it to shelter

Here comes the rain

Saturday 29th March 2014
Today we went to the Harbourview Sculpture Trail in Te Atatu North. 
The Trail challenges established and emerging NZ artists to create artworks which respond directly to a unique site in Te Atatu Peninsula, consisting of a natural salt marsh surrounded by native flax, bust and ponds. With a spectacular backdrop of harbour and Auckland City views.

See the link for more photos: Harbourview Sculpture Trail

Tuesday 25th March 2014
Between the 21st March and the 22nd April, Whittaker's launched the Big Egg Hunt in support of Starship. This was the first campaign of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, with 100 eggs created by NZ artists hidden throughout Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Check out this link to see all the Auckland Eggs. Eggs Glorious Eggs A few of the photos in the link are copied images due to some eggs being in places that did not make for good photos and someone actually stole one of the eggs. Idiot.

Monday 24th March 2014
A random Mexican band downtown.

Wednesday 19th March 2014
The Sky Tower has been lit up for the Childrens Cancer appeal week, the colours representing the Beads of Courage

Galia Amsel had an exhibition of her glass work on at the Silo.
A very small exhibition!

Monday 17th March 2014
May the Luck of the Irish be with yee.
Today is St Patrick's Day and the Viaduct was humming, this is O'Hagans across the road from work.

Friday 14th March 2014
Cyclone Lusi is on its way and expected to hit in the next couple of days. Honestly this is what the sky looked like this morning, it was like it was on fire, absolutely unbelievable you knew something was about to happen.

 

The colours slowly petered out to pink and then mauve.
Stunning.

 

 

I walked down to Daldy Street today as I have not been since they upgrade, and what a transformation if was amazing.

 

 

Across the road from the park is the Tram Station, and they have gardens all around the station.

There was even a pop up bar in the street.
The Rekorderlig

Saturday 8th March 2014

This morning there was an incredible screeching noise coming from outside.  When I checked it out there were 4 Spur-Winged Plovers. They are very aggressive birds and were making a heck of a noise

Tonight we had another beautiful sunset.

Friday 7th March 2014
We are heading into Autumn now but the weather is still stunning.
These photos taken in the 'sandpit' at Waitemata Plaza at the Viaduct.

Thursday 6th March 2014
Down at the Silo they have a pop up Fashion Museum, with some very interesting clothing from past years.