February Wrap Up

I know, we are nearly half way through March and I'm finally doing a February wrap up. It has been so busy with one thing and another, I've had trouble keeping on top of this.
So a quick update.

Tuesday 18th February 2014

New artwork of Tiki Taane on the container at Queens Wharf, Sofia Minson

Monday 17th February 2014

This morning we went to 'Over the Moon', an Artisan Cheese shop in Putaruru.  What amazing cheese they have, and the best one 'O.M.G Black Truffle Brie'.
They make all their cheese by hand and it is very labour intensive.

The wall of 'Over the Moon'

O.M.G Black Truffle Brie

Sunday 16th February 2014

We have been in Putaruru for a couple of days. WHY!!! I hear you ask.
Well we went to walk the Blue Springs  this was truly magnificent, 70% of New Zealand's bottled water is sourced from here, the water is a constant 11 deg. It was a long and very hot walk, but so worth it.
It was supposed to take about 90 minutes one way, that must be if you don't want to stop and look at the scenery. It was awe inspiring.
(Sorry a bit photo heavy, I couldn't just choose a couple to show you from hundreds)

And as if we weren't devils for punishment we went for another walk this time in Sanctury Mountain Maungatautari

Self explanatory really!!

Sirocco the Kakapo

Beautiful Fern

How about this for a magnificent viewing platform, its like a tree house.

It is 16 metres high and has 91 steps

       

                 

Looking down from the tower

You can just spot the little Tomtit peaking out from behind the tree

Arapuni Dam and Swing Bridge

Thursday 13th February 2014

Today we went to the Silo, to check out the time lapse photography by Joseph Michael, called Dark Cloud/White Light. It was amazing, they had huge TVs set up and you could sit on beanbags with headphones to listen to the music that went with the film. One part of the Silo had TVs on the roof and you lay on beanbags on the floor.

On one of the other Silos was some artwork by street artist BMD.

Tonight the Lantern Festival was also on at Albert Park, what an amazing site.
I have put a small collage together below, but to see all the photos click on the link below to go to my Flickr site.

Lantern Festival 2014

Monday 10th February 2014

Today we went to Glendowie to walk the Tahuna Torea track, at low tide you can almost cross the Tamaki Estuary, when walking out to the point of the sandspit. But of course you can't as it is still quite deep as the car ferry to Waiheke goes through here, plus other boats.

Pukeko

A baby Pukeko

On the way home a quick trip up to Michael Joseph Savage Memorial

A homemade liqueur ice cream stack.

Sunday 9th February 2014

A photo of our frangipani flowers and a photo to make it like like a sketch.

How about this for the sky tonight doesn't it look stunning.

February

So much for trying to update this blog regularly! Four weeks have passed by already.
It has been a busy time, I have been studying for an exam which I sat last week. (Results not yet in)
It has been extremely busy at work as well, with the training of newbies, studying, training courses etc.
I have not been out and about much, but below are a few photos of what I have seen and done recently.
Some parts of this were going to be a bit photo heavy so have cheated and put them in a collage.

Thursday 6th February 2014

Today is Waitangi Day, a public holiday for all of New Zealand, a day for most to just chill out.
We didn't do much today, a good day to relax.
I did a bit of machine embroidery, it may be difficult to see but this is Cut work I did on a tee shirt.

I had some Feta cheese left over from a previous meal, so for lunch I did baked Feta with truss tomatoes (from our own plant) with olives and Ciabatta. Very tasty.

Sunday 2nd February 2014

Another baking day, this is Coffee, Hazelnut and Frangelico Log, with something extra, I had a go at making Spun Sugar, it didn't turn out too badly and the whole thing was simply delissimo!

Today I also made No-drip Passionfruit and Lemon popsicles.

Saturday 1st February 2014

Today we went to Waikumete Cemetery to see if there were still any Wildflowers about in the Wildflower Gardens.  We missed this in November. Unfortunately not much left, some Everlasting Pea, Daisies and Wild Carrot

Friday 31st January 2014

Today I went for a walk to Queens Wharf in my lunch break to see what was happening.
Every Friday they have Kai on Queens at the wharf
The cruise ship Seabourn Sojourn was berthed, the weather was glorious, music was playing, and there were artists at work.

Wish you were here container painted by Trust Me

Below is artwork by Erika Pearce, this was to promote Tiki Taanes new album.

Below the Seabourn Sojourn

Also on the fence were some more poems by New Zealand artists.

Tuesday 28th January 2014

They have been doing a bit of work at Waitemata Plaza this is where I usually go for lunch.

They have installed a beach, tables and chairs, umbrellas and an ice cream shop.

Monday 27th January 2014

Today is Auckland Anniversary Day, I worked today, so I can take time off at a later date.

It was pumping in the hood today, LOL.

There was so much on from the Seafood Festival, Buskers Carnival, a Carousel, Old Boats, Dragon Boat Racing and much more.

A couple of luxury Super yachts were also in today.

The Big Blue with ARTA Tequila helicopter owned by Tony Mayer who is the founder/owner of  ARTA Tequila

The Lady M II was also berthed

Backing into her berth

Wednesday 22nd January 2014

I made the following lantern using machine embroidery, it has an LED light in the middle which changes colour.

and as well as this I made a Yeti, isn't he cute.

More food!! This time a Nutella Berry Tartlet

Now how about a shot of the sunset tonight and my beautiful Petunia.

Thursday 16th January 2014

Two cruise ships in today, the Diamond Princess in for a good scrub down after passengers got Norovirus. YUCK!!

and the Sun Princess. (A healthy ship!!)

Wednesday 15th January 2014

I wandered down to the Silo today and on the way I saw this!

These are Pavegen tiles, at each step the surface flexes about 5mm generating up to 8 watts of power. Click on the link to read more.

The Hinemoana was also in port

Silo 6 were showing World's Edge Art Works, a manipulation of photographs by Douglas Moore. Quite fascinating how he did this. Apparently all photos were taken on an iPhone

View from inside the Silo

Malcolm went fishing today, bad day out only one fish a Trevally, but it tasted beautiful done in the smoker

 Monday 13th January 2014

How about this for a beautiful classic car. It is a Morgan and it and a few others were shipped here from England for a 16 stop New Zealand Tour