July

July has been a fairly busy month for work, I have been to Christchurch twice, Thames twice and also out and about locally on numerous occasions. 

Sunday 24th July 2016
Today we went to Giapo for ice-cream. This place is so popular people queue to get in, which we also did, but we did not have to wait long, you also received a caramel and chocolate hot drink to keep you warm while you waited.

The ice cream, Malcolm had his in a cone and I had mine in a cup

A sculpture by Gregor Kregar 'Bronze Thinker'

After this we went to the Art Gallery, I had a wander around the exhibit 'Space to Dream' recent art from South America.

I will update this in a separate post as it will be very photo heavy.

Saturday 23rd July 2016
Today we made Cheese Scones, and you only need 3 ingredients and they are beautiful and light.

For dinner I made Curried Kumara Soup after trying this when I was in Thames recently.

Thursday 21st July 2016
Back in Thames again today for training.

Sunday 17th July 2016
Today Nikita had her 5th Birthday party, and as both her and Malcolm's birthday fall on the 16th July, they had a joint party.

Nikita waiting patiently for her presents

Soon after this I flew out to Christchurch

Friday 15th July 2016
Looking out of my window today I saw the beer bike going by.

Wednesday 13th July 2016
Tonight I made Baked Gnocchi, Brussels Sprouts and Cheese Casserole.

Tuesday 12th July 2016
A beautiful morning down at the Viaduct, isn't this glorious

Off to Thames today.

Monday 11th July 2016
Sun set over the Viaduct

Tonight we had Gnocchi Ragu

Friday 8th July 2016

A foggy morning in the city.

Wednesday 6th July 2016

Sculptures at the Re:START

Flying out of Christchurch

Tuesday 5th July 2016

Speak to the hand!

It's crafty and clever and a bit creepy. Christchurch Art Gallery's newest addition is a giant hand with a grim face that peers down at the city below.

The hand and face are based on the artist Ronnie van Hout's own, but now belong to the gallery's growing collection of outdoor installations.

Next we headed off to the Cookie Time Factory.

Monday 4th July 2016
A beautiful sunrise over our Hotel this morning.

Sunday 3rd July 2016
So..I am off to Christchurch again with a lovely lady from work.
It was a beautiful day for flying.

Flying over the Manukau

The West Coast of Auckland

Farewell Spit top of the South Island

'We bought a beach'

Flying over the Southern Alps

We have landed

New Regent Street

Street Art

Looking down over Lyttleton Harbour

Looking towards Diamond Harbour

Corsair Bay

Friday 1st July 2016
One of the ladies in our office was off on maternity leave today, how about these for cool cupcakes for morning tea.

June

Friday 24th June 2016
Yesterday afternoon I flew to Christchurch for work, where I stayed at the Heartland Hotel Cotswold on Papanui Road.
A beautiful old Tudor style Hotel.

My room

My dinner:

Thrice cooked chips, with a Lamb burger, Petite Fours and a glass of wine. Yummmmmmmmmy

I managed a quick jaunt around the city, I had not been back since the Christchurch earthquake and it is very sad to see this vibrant city looking so desolate.

The rebuild is still a long way off.

Re:Start is a Container Mall, where shops have moved into funky shipping containers.

Looking down Cashel Street

The Chalice in Cathedral Square

Very sad, The Cathedral after the earthquake

The Cathedral before the earthquake

After a very quick wander, I headed to the airport where I caught the very civilised Koru flight and had wine and cheese.

Monday 20th June 2016
Today I was in Whanganui (Wanganui)for work.

For lunch we went to the 'Yellow House Cafe'.

Friday 17th June 2016

What beautiful flowers... late in May I was working in Wellington, the Clinic I was working at sent me flowers....awwwww

Woohoo..... I won tickets to Evita
Evita is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.  It concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron, the second wife of Argentine President Juan Peron.
This was a really great show.

Night photos of Auckland City from Westhaven Marina

Looking towards the Auckland Harbour Bridge

Wednesday 15th June 2016
Looking from my office window.... a storm is brewing!!

Friday 10th June 2016
Sky Tower

Wednesday 1st June 2016
Today I have been in Tauranga for work

Tauranga Bridge

Tauranga Harbour

Pilot Bay

Sad Day...

Saturday 4th June 2016
Today our Kitty Cat passed away, she was almost 17 years old.

She passed peacefully enjoying the warm winter sun.

Now at peace with her best mate.

Smokey

21 October 1999 - 4 June 2016

Tyro

7 March 2008

Lazy Me

May has been a very quiet month (or maybe I have just been lazy!!) 
But maybe that's not a bad thing, for in the next few months work is going to be unbelievably busy.

So only a few photos to show you.

Some Parakeets in our tree

I made some Banana, Peanut Butter Ice Cream.
YUMMY

See told ya, not much