Happy New Year

 Hi there

Well, its New Year's Day here in New Zealand (regardless of what this US website might tell you).  And, yes, last year was definitely a rubbish year.  So, in celebration of this new year, let's put on our dancing shoes, find our favourite happy music track, play it loud, sing with gusto, and dance around the house to welcome in 2021.  Nothing will upset us today; we are so prepared for good times.  Right?

New Year's Day, 1 January 2021

I went to Scorchng Bay today. It was cloudy, then it wasn't, then it was, then not ...

The beach was crowded -

Boxing Day in Wellington

 Hi there

I decided to go to the Boxing Day sales in town. I thought I'd take my car because it was a little bit cold and there was a hint of rain  Waiting at bus stops wasnt inviting.

I couldn't find a park down the Lambton Quay end of town, having to finally get a park in Tory Street.  I took the bus down to the Quay (free thanks to my Supergold card , thanks Winston).

The  pavements and shops were crowded.  I tried on lots of clothes in lots of shops but didn't buy anything; I am so proud of myself.

.

above:  this guy was saving a parking space for a friend who I think was about a dozen cars behind me.  The drivers of the cars in front and behind me were so angry with this guy.   

Another holiday

 Hi there

Yes, I've just returned from (another) holiday.  One week in Nelson.  I stayed at Tahunanui, just across the road from the beach.  

I went across to Kaiteriteri for a day, and got my back sunburnt!  Oh dear, for the next five days I had to wear a jacket when I was swimming or beach-siitting. 

I hired a car.  A beautiful white one.  It was so beautiful that I told myself "The next time it's parked in a good position, I'll take a photo of it in all it's magnificence."

And the time came.  I'd returned to the Tahunanui beach parking area and my car was glistening snowdrop-white in the sunlight.  I took a photo from this direction, and that direction, purring over what a wonderful photographer I was, and how great the car looked.

"Excuse me - "  A guy came up to me, his partner and two kids trailing behind, like ducklings.  "Why are you taking pictures of my car?"

Oops.....

Loaded in embarrassment I explained the situation, we all laughed and I slunk away to my (suddenly) quite plain, smaller and more dust-laden car.

above:  low tide at Tahunanui Beach (a 20 minute walk to the sea.  Can you see the sea?)

above:  Tahunanui Beach, dog-friendly area.  This dog was obviously digging for his bone!! 

above:  in the grounds of the River Cafe in Nelson, there is a water pistol.  I figure it was there to scare off the birds determined to filch food from the outside diners' plates.

Weeding

Hi there

My back garden is a jungle again.  I only ignore it for six months and I can't understand why the weeds are now at hip height.  

As I was hanging out the washing last week, I suddenly decided to try to tackle the garden, there and then.

I waded into the weeds in my dress and panda slippers.  I struggled to pull out a dozen hardy plants.  Then gave up.

That evening I discovered I'd been bitten.  Again and again.  Arms, legs covered in bites.  Ants, spiders, weta, tuatara, who knows?

Bring out the aloe Vera...

David Jones Department Store, Wellington

Hi there

 Recently, I was in David Jones Department Store, here in Wellington.  The mother store is in Australia. 

They have notices on every floor, giving all the Covid-19 rules as pertaining to their stores.  Now, you have to remember that New Zealand has been community-free over covid transmission for months - 

As a shop assistant approached me, asking to be of help, I  hurriedly glanced at my watch and said "Oh goodness, no, I've been in the store 35 minutes.  I have to leave, right now, immediately - I don't want to be arrested..."  I made to race away from the assistant.  It turned out that the assistant wasn't aware that, according to the notices, David Jones' 30 minute rule for shopping in the store was still officially operating.

I think I'm the only customer who has read the rules in a long time.   The rules were probably made for the Australian stores.  Everyone stays in the Wellington store as long as they like, the cafe is open, and keeping one's distance is a thing of the past.

above: christmas tree in the square beside David Jones Department Store, Wellington 

PS:  Its three days since I wrote the above.  In that time David Jones have taken down all their signs.

Drinking water in cafes

 Hi there

I've been to quite a few cafes lately.  They all deliver water to your table or the customer gets up and pours their own from a jug or an ice-cold water tap. 

I remember a hundred years back when I (okay, it could have been forty years back) was at the boutique style restaurant 'The Country Life' in Waikanae, about an hour away from Wellington.  

"Could I have a glass of water, please?" I asked the waitress.  I don't drink tea or coffee.

The woman went away to talk to someone.

On her return, she said, "Chef said he's sorry, but there  will be a cost of 4 cents, because it costs to use the dishwasher to wash the glass."

I can only surmise that dishwashers were a new thing forty years ago...