Matakana Farmers Market

My word, the last time we visited here it was delightful, this Saturday after just 2 years, it is a stunning outing. About 40 minutes North of Auckland this is a wonderful place to buy fantastic food. It is a living working deli with local and national produce. Last we came the Photo was about it. But Now



This stunning new village center full of restaurants, art galleries, and epicurean delights. We had one of the best coffees we have ever had at the Natural Ice Cream Shop next to the roundabout. The blue berry and vanilla cone were a temptation my will power (still dieting) only just resisted.

They may not look like it but the twins loved it.



And the lovely board walks are wide enough for a double buggy, they lead to the river where there are ducks to feed.



I hesitate to publish the map or advertise the place because the settlement already suffers from its own popularity, it can become overcrowded but it is one of the Joys of this country too good to miss.



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My Mums Birthday

Its my Mum's birthday. She was born in 1929. I was born in 1959 and my father died of Leukemia 12 hours before I was born, he was in St Barts in London, she was 25 miles away in Harpenden Cottage Hospital. I have always wondered how that came to be, wouldn't you have put them closer? It would have meant a lot to me if he had lived for 13 hours and just wen me once before he passed away. In separate hospitals, that was never going to happen.

On my 36th birthday I stood at his grave, my birthdays have always been sweet and sour as you may imagine, I just stood in amazement at as I began to live longer than him. He was so very young.

Now I am 12,000 miles away from my Mum in New Zealand and it is a hard phone call, to wish her a happy birthday, we should all be together, I know that would make her day.

We are not together but what dosen't change is that she did a good job for the 16 years she was on her own. Sure, I wasn't much bother, but as every parent knows, either single or together, it is hard to bring up children, an emotional rollercoaster. My Mum did ok.

Happy Birthday Jx

Boston Legal McDonalds Illegal

Now I simply love Boston Legal it has replaced The West Wing in my heart as the best drama on TV, from the opening titles, brilliantly edited, to the fantastically written end scene on the balcony, I'm hooked. however, I am going to have to give it the flick (kiwi for not watch anymore) they have been sponsored by, of all things McDonald's. Now don't misunderstand me I like a burger and the big breakfast does its job, their shakes - unlike burger king - don't actually taste of the revolting chemicals they are made from. What I resent about Mcdonalds, as I have ranted on about before, they get into NZ schools to do road traffic safety. They build their poisonous outlets near schools to grab the kids early, fattening them up for the kill, well sorry but it is what they are doing. The fact that the cynical outlets offer chopped fruit and salad to tick the "we're trying to solve the problem" box is as sick making as the video below.

The joy of the sponsor ship deal was that the first time McD's fronted the New Zealand Boston Legal was the show where the comedy case was about Danny sacking a woman for being fat because "obesity is catching", the joy of the irony.

Fush and Chups

Not a spelling mistake but an accurate phonetic version of a Kiwi Sunday evening tradition. One that thus far Becca and I had not enjoyed! It is of course the Sunday evening eating of Fish and Chips anywhere near water. The weather has been glorious over the weekend, not sticky just clear warm air and very little wind. I feel guilty as the storms lash the UK. But these are the pictures!
Once again we are in Devonport at the Tunnel Trees, so called becasue of the lovely trees and great climbing frame!

This is the Best Fish and Chip Shop in Devonport, Snapper and Chips in a light sunflower oil,



This is the Tunnel of Tunnel Trees fame, better known as Victoria Park.



Pick a spot and don't forget the ketchup! Not quite healthy enough for the girls who had already eaten, the time is 6:30 pm



And enjoy the view, the big thing in the back is an added bonus! The Sapphire Princess en route to Sydney



The view as we left at 7:15pm from the Pier looking across to the CBD

Some views from around the North Shore

The weather has been perfect today and this evening was delightful. The temperature was walk without being sticky. We stopped at Spitfire for a quick Drink while we waited for our Thai takeaway from Manna. the Sunset was lovely as you can see. This week has been blissful, why oh why can't grandma move here! Becca and get to really enjoy the place together as two adults, it is also staggering how much of a place you miss with children in tow. Do not misunderstand me I am not swapping the kids for anything (see previous post to understand why!) but we are allowed one break in 4 years!!



Now that I'm using Picasa as my photo server I'm going to post more photos! I will get board soon so please don't stop reading my blog!

My Kiwi Girls -18 months but who is counting!

My Girls are at the 18 months stage. They are just the best and this is my record of them.

Red Shops

I know this is a bit experimental! This is My Red Shops Project, better known as messing about with my new camera!

Auckland Cup

Today I was at the Auckland Cup a great day at the races. It was lovely weather and we had a track side table. all very Glam. The great thing was that it was all very manageable. There were no queues for food or drink, getting there was a breeze and my dread of finding a taxi at the end was unfounded. As soon as it finished I walked to the gate and was in a taxi, no problem. I've been to similar events in the UK and the resulting traffic Jams have delayed the journey home by Hours.

I was lucky enough to be there with Candy Lane who is currently co presenting Dancing with the Stars in New Zealand. In fact representing the company and playing host I was the only man to Aja Rock, Louise Wallace, Candy and many of my very lovely women colleagues. It is a hard job but someone has to do it.

Housing Slump Begins

The sun sets on a gloomy Sunday for home owners, waking up to the headline in the Sunday Star times Snapshot of a Slump about as catchy as a New Zealand Headline gets! It is actually no laughing matter, people will lose money

ANZ National Bank chief economist Cameron Bagrie said the market was 25-30% overvalued which meant it would take about five years to correct. This year's expected tax cuts would not make a dent in mortgage repayments, he said.

A 30% drop in the value of a home is major. This fact that

With households spending $1.14 for every $1 they earned they would need an "astronomical" tax cut to feel comfortable about rising mortgage rates and increases in living costs.

Will mean a considerable lowering of the standard of living as people struggle to cope. All set against a background of rising costs of utilities and fuel. Personally I'd say the picture isn't great.

But you know you have to analyze the reasons for coming to New Zealand. Was it to make money, to live like a king, to be as consumerist as you were in your former life. Probably not, the scenery, the pace, the wide open spaces, the water none of these things are going away.

Living a simpler live being content to just B. Finding a voice and using the basic right the greatest human gift, choice. (Yes I am reading the 8th habit!)

For those of us here already if may be a little interesting, for those thinking of coming it may be an opportunity. If you market doesn't decline at the same rate you should get a great deal if your buying in a year!

Becca noticed to day a huge number of new homes to the market in Devonport, people trying to beat the worst of the downturn.

Their is an upside always!