Me and my friend May

Walking in the heart of Parnell Village

Dining al fresco in the most beautiful courtyard in Non Solo Pizza 

Non Solo Pizza
259 Parnell Road
Parnell, Auckland 1001
Phone: +64 (0)9 379 5358
Fax: +64 (0)9 379 5359

Cuisine: pizza.

I had pasta - the 'Ravioli di Pollo', a home-made ravioli filled with chicken and spinach served with fresh tomato, thyme, sage, basil and shaved Parmesan.

Cornwall Park, One Tree Hill, Maungakiekie, Auckland

Overview of Auckland city from the Summit, One Tree Hill - Auckland  

Cornwall Park is a landscape park designed for the recreation and enjoyment of all the people of New Zealand.

The park is renowned for its landscape design and its wide variety of mature trees. It is centered on a volcanic cone, One Tree Hill, with many interesting geological features. A pre-European Maori fortification (pa) was built on the cone, many features of which can still be seen. The park's donor, Sir John Logan Campbell, is buried at the summit of One Tree Hill alongside the obelisk and the famous one tree.

The Maori name for the hill is Maungakiekie - mountain of the kiekie. Kiekie (Freycinettia banksii) grows as an epiphytic climber or vine. Immediately adjacent to the Park is One Tree Hill Domain, administered by Auckland City Council. The two parks are run under different management but with very similar objectives. Visitors will experience them as one park.

Yours truly in a super-cool pose, in front of the Obelisk  

Me in front of the Obelisk on One Tree Hill

A brief write-up on the obelisk...

It was completed on the summit of One Tree Hill by 1940 – the Centennial year of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The unveiling of the Obelisk was delayed until 24 April 1948, after World War two was over, in keeping with Maori custom of not holding such ceremonies during a time of bloodshed. A number of dignitaries were present for the occasion, including the Mayor, the Maori King and various other representatives from both the Maori and Pakeha communities.

Although it was constructed nearly 30 years after Sir John Logan Campbell’s death, it fulfilled the terms expressed in his will and he had reserved money for that purpose. The Obelisk is situated near Campbell’s own grave, but it was not intended to honour him. It was built as a permanent record of his admiration for the achievements and character of the great Maori race. Campbell decided on the idea of an obelisk after admiring them during his travels in Egypt.

The architect who designed the obelisk was Richard Atkinson Abbott. The obelisk is 33 metres in height and is built from reinforced concrete covered in Coromandel tonolite. The base is formed from rusticated basalt blocks and rubbed stone wedges.

Me in Cornwall Park, smell of cowdung wifing through the air 

Me and Elizabeth flying a 'Barbie' kite, Eastern Beach, Half Moon Bay - 13 August 2005 

The Auckland Downtown ferry terminal

Aboard the Osprey ferry again departing Downtown Ferry Terminal, Pier 2 returning to Half Moon Bay - 14 May 2005 

The Downtown ferry terminal feeds all the Hauraki Gulf destinations. Ferries leave on the hour and half hour for Devonport which is one of the first developments on the Auckland isthmus, and approximately every 2 hours to Waiheke Island which is a popular tourist spot as well as an alternative urban residential settlement set in the middle of the Haurakei Gulf. Other ferry services to the North Shore, Great Barrier Island and Tamaki estuary area also operate from here.

Along with the passenger ferries that run from Downtown Auckland there is a passenger and vehicle ferry which services the islands of the Hauraki Gulf.

The America's Cup Village - Viaduct Basin, central Auckland

At O'Hagan's Irish Bar, Viaduct Basin Auckland Harbour - 14 May 2005 

The Viaduct Basin is a small harbour area on the west side of the Auckland CBD. It's just a short stroll from most of the major hotels in the city. In 2003 and the end of 2002, it was the home to the America's Cup Village. The America's Cup is probably the most prestigous race in the yachting world. There were syndicates from Italy, the USA, Sweden, France, Great Britain, Switzerland (yes that's right - landlocked Switzerland), and of course NZ competing.

The Viaduct Basin used to be a rundown area of the waterfront where the fishing boats would dock. Now it's all apartments and trendy eateries. It has a great atmosphere on a warm sunny day. You can take $20, 45 minute watertaxi trips around the basin and see the syndicate bases and get a commentary on the place and its history. Often there are free concerts in the area too, especially in summer. Stroll around and have a look at the superyachts belonging to the "other half". The Maritime Museum is on Hobson wharf at the east end of the basin.

In front of the Cin Cin Restaurant, Viaduct Basin Auckland Harbour - 14 May 2005 

Half Moon Bay Ferry Terminal, East Auckland

Osprey ferry departing Half Moon Bay marina to Downtown Ferry Terminal, Auckland - 14 May 2005 

A bit on the Half Moon Bay Marina...
Half Moon Bay Marina
PO Box 54021, Bucklands Beach, Auckland
Phone: +64.9.534 3139
Fax: +64.9.534 1035

First developed in the early 1970’s, is an advanced leisure boating facility and home to over 500 boats located a short distance up the Tamaki Estuary, in the heart of the Hauraki Gulf

A lively French farce, 'Apres Vous'

Movie poster 


Daniel Auteuil in a scene from "Apres Vous". 

Rialto Auckland
Movie Info Line: (09) 529 2218
167 - 169 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland
Fax: (09) 522 5889
Email: newmarket@rialtocinemas.co.nz

In French director Pierre Salvadori's very funny and surprisingly poignant "Apres-Vous," an amiable waiter, Antoine (Daniel Auteuil), takes on the unenviable task of befriending a suicidal sad sack (Sergio Garcia) and helping him mend his miserable life. What ensues is classic French farce -- both predictable and unpredictable -- quickened by excellent performances from the two leads and their respective leading ladies.

USEFUL TRIVIA

One viewer who is visiting Paris, has asked the name and address of the restaurant in the film. The query was passed by the distributor onto the director. The reply from Pierre Salvadori is that in fact the restaurant does not exist: it was a set!

However, Salvadori recommends the following Paris restaurants which most resemble the one in the film:

Chez Bofinger, 3 rue Bastille as his first choice

Le Wepler, Place De Clichy

Le Terminus Nord at the Gare du Nord railway station

Chez Julien, 16 rue Faubourg St Denis 75010

Cockle Bay Beach, Howick - 13 May 2005 

This is a lovely old and quiet location of Cockle Bay, one of five beaches in the Howick area. Howick Township is just two miles away. Watch the sun rise over the Coromandel Peninsular, and see our fantastic sea views to Little Barrier Island (60 miles away), Waiheke Island and many other islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Howick is an old Settlors Village built around 1840 on the eastern side of Auckland,

Orbit Restaurant Sky City, Auckland

Dinner with May at The Orbit (a revolving restaurant) Sky Tower, Auckland - 16 April 2005 

Stunning views and food to match
Orbit Restaurant Sky City
Located in the Sky Tower Cnr Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland City
Phone: (09) 363 - 6000
Fax: (09) 363 - 6032

Located up Sky Tower, Orbit revolving restaurant provides brasserie style a la carte New Zealand cuisine in intimate surroundings.

With stylish decor and a stunning new menu to go with our famous views, Orbit stands out as Auckland's top dining experience.

Reservations are required.

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 10.00am-12 noon
Lunch: Daily, 11.30am-2.30pm
Dinner: Daily, 5.30-10.00pm
Dessert: Daily, 10.00-10.30pm

A minimum charge of $25 per person applies for lunch and dinner and $20 for breakfast. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to the main and outdoor observation levels before closing.

My house, "Xev" my beloved motorbike and me 

Robin and me fishing with maggots. It was a good day, that was. Newlands Hall - July 2004

Tarren, Luke & Craig, Harlow - July 2004 

April and Dad at Southend - July 2004 

April and Mom outside the Science Museum, London - July 2004 

man with carp 

Friday, 29th April 2005

We went aboard the Wellesley Harbour Cruise Ship for dinner and a 2.5 hour cruise around Wellington Harbour.

All harbour cruises usually follow the harbour-side motorway around to Petone or over to Oriental Parade and Evans Bay. This is always at the skipper’s discretion and is wind and tide dependent.

We boarded at 6.00 pm on Taranaki Wharf for a departure of 6.30 pm

Around 7.30 pm, we helped ourselves to a most delicious full buffet dinner consisting of breads, salads, vegetables, meats and chicken dishes, followed by ice cream.