Aussies in Auckland hit the road

Guess what?
After last week’s massive Fiordland earthquake, New Zealand is now closer to Australia!
Yes, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake was the country's largest shake for nearly 80 years, and caused hundreds of years worth of changes in just seconds. The result? Puysegur Point, at the southwest tip of the South Island, is now 300mm closer to Australia.
Te Anau moved 100mm, Bluff moved 30 millimetres, Alexandra, by 20mm, and Dunedin, by 10mm. Christchurch also has believed to have shifted towards Oz, but only slightly.
I wonder if that means a reduction in airfares are in order?
And finally, here are the photos from our recent sightseeing jaunt:


Waiwera, where a Southern Right Whale and her calf have been frolicking recently. Sadly, they weren't there, but it was beautiful anyway.

North Island scenery

C. cut his leg on some barnacles. Yes, it did hurt!

C. dramatically collapses in agony as a rain squall closes in...

Stepping stones at Goat Island Marine Reserve

Simply breathtaking. Goat Island Marine Reserve

No. 18, Leigh Fish and Chips. We thoroughly recommend it! Friendly service, comfy surroundings, excellent food!

They use cholesterol-free oils and use local ingredients wherever possible. The beer batter is made to an old family recipe, and they claim all the food is made with that unique ingredient - love.

Seaside takeaways were never like this...

H. and I shared snapper and chips. Okay, I ate the snapper and she scoffed the chips.

C. loved his fish burger with tartare sauce, washed down with L&P

Meat-lusting Husband chose a classic burger - complete with beef pattie, lettuce, beetroot, gherkin, tomato, onion, sauce and Swiss cheese.

Leigh Wharf. A group of boys showed us a bucket of fish they'd caught and were planning to smoke for dinner. A quirky Kiwi proudly showed us a fish he'd caught right off the wharf, which was almost as big as the boot of his car! Sadly, I wasn't quick enough with the camera!

C. at Matakana waterfall

You never know when there will be a photo opportunity in NZ. Here, the kids are taken by a hand dryer, where you plunge both hands in and they are blasted dry in 10 seconds. It removes 90 per cent of bacteria on the hands too - very Swine Flu Friendly.

Husband treated himself to a practical souvinir at Devonport - gloves made of Possumsilk. Possums may be well-loved in Australia, but in NZ the cute brushtail critters are an introduced pest and cause enormous dmage to native forests and rainforest. Hence, the makers of KORU Possumsilk garments claim that by buying their products, you are also helping to preserve New Zealand's unique and beautiful environment. They are made of 40% Possum, 50 % Merino, and 10% Silk. They are really soft and warm, but I don't know that I could go there. Apparently you can buy Possumsilk hats, gloves, and cardies too.

Brunch at Manuka in Devonport - potato rosti, wilted spinach, poached egg, avocado and tomato. The service was friendly and efficient, and the food was divine.

The kid's menu featured a very popular All Day Breakfast

Let's go over there ... H. holds forth at North Head, Devonport.

Skytower Sunday and Wine of the Week

On Sunday, we treated L. and Nana to one of Kyle's famous Sunday roasts. As a prelude, we sipped on one of the wines we purchased at Ascension Estate at Matakana.
The Holy Cow! chardonnay was just right for a hot and humid Auckland afternoon. Apparently, they are designed for "udderly superb everyday enjoyment." The label claims a glass or three of Holy Cow is a very 'moooving' experience. Whatever, it was delicious.



Sunday roast - this time lamb with all the trimmings. And then it was on to Mission Bay, where we treated Nana to some fish and chips. But not just any fish and chips. At The Fish Pot, snapper, calamari and other seafood delights are treated with the reverence they deserve. It's cheap and cheerful, yet possibly the freshest and most delicious seafood I've ever had the pleasure of devouring.

Afterwards, we went for a walk on the beach (and I didn't fall over, not once) before enjoying gelati for dessert.

Out and about at the Viaduct. Notice the T-shirt.

At Mission Bay, after 'dark' (a case for daylight saving, at least in the city. And yes, the kids do complain, but we tell them it's bed time!)

Mmm - gelati!

Visitors at last!

I’ve just enjoyed the best weekend so far since we came to Auckland.
Here’s what happened:
On Friday, after weeks of anticipation, I picked the kids up from school (they got an early mark) and we set off for the airport to meet Nana.
Unfortunately, about 5 other aircraft were landing at the same time, so we had quite a wait.
Still, that just made the moment the kids spotted their Nana, even sweeter. With squeals of delight, they threw themselves at her.
We drove home, pointing out landmarks along the way, and while Nana settled in, I busied myself baking lasagne and getting the kids organised for bed. I was telling off the little Dude for something, when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye.
Imagine my surprise when I turned around and saw MY SISTER! I almost fell down the stairs!
Turns out, L. had flown from Brisbane to Auckland to surprise me for my birthday. Of course, Husband, who picked her up from the airport, was in on it all along.
It was a perfect excuse to crack open the bubbly we’d been given for looking after a lost Bengal kitten recently.
After a fun evening, the next morning we headed north over the Harbour Bridge to a gorgeous beach called Sandspit. Then it was on to Matakana, where the famous markets were on. L. and I thoroughly enjoyed tasting beer, wine and chocolate, but drew the line at mussel fritters!
We drove on to a lovely winery called the Ascension Estate on Matakana Road.
Those-sized bottles are what I'm talking about...

Gallant Husband was driving, which allowed Nana, L. and I to sample a few of their fabulous wines.
The kids played happily in a well-equipped, playroom next door – what a fabulous idea! We could keep an eye on them through the glass, but enjoy the wine-tasting without worrying about keeping them entertained (or knocking over something frightfully expensive in the gift shop!). Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the restaurant, overlooking the vineyards.
While we lingered over lunch, the kids joined a few other kids racing each other up and down the vineyards. The staff assured us that was fine, as long as they didn’t touch the grapes.
We were so impressed by the friendly but professional staff, the quality of the food, wine and service, and the surroundings. Even the kids thought their shared kids’ meal (hamburger for C.; chippies, boiled egg, and nibbles of my meal for H) was great. I thoroughly recommend a visit if you are ever in the area.
At home, L. and I visited the nearby Christmas shop and picked up a few provisions at the supermarket. She was delighted to find we were able to taste beer, wine, cheeses and organic fizzy drink as we made our way around the shopping aisles. Grocery shopping is more of a social experience in Auckland than back home.
That night, we enjoyed sampling some of the wine we brought at Ascension (watch the Wine of the Week for more details), with some of the cheeses and dips we picked up at the supermarket.
Next day, Nana and Husband took the kids off to his work’s Kids Christmas Party, while L. and I did the Victoria Park markets, took a ride up the Sky Tower, and enjoyed a light lunch (and a wine – surprise!) at a busy restaurant at the Viaduct. (Stay tuned for more photos – when I get around to posting again).
Then it was back to our place for a swim, and Husband’s Sunday night roast – lamb, Yorkshire puddings, and vegies. Divine!
Sadly, the next morning L. had to return to Brisbane, but it was after a weekend I shall never forget.

Lunch overlooking the vineyard was simply divine...







Even C. enjoyed his burger, while we loved the platter of Kumara chips, roasted baby potatoes, Israeli tablouli, cauliflower and egg which was placed in the middle of the table for sharing.

Wine tasting at Ascension Estate ... I'll drink to that!






Matakana markets ... even the kids got to taste organic apple and orange juices

That sister of mine always has a drink in her hand (unlike me!) Here she is tasting organic beer on behalf of her husband, sons and son-in-law.

Mussel fritters? Erm, not after my last experience with mussels...

Sandspit beach and surrounds

Puzzle Dude

Matakana market

Today, after a tip-off from one of Husband's new colleagues, we took the car on a run out of Auckland. Over the bridge – scenic in itself – we found ourselves travelling through the most breathtaking environment.
Rolling hills, tree ferns, bubbling streams, and because it is spring, the most gorgeous newborn lambs, calves and goats. Not to mention, breathtaking beaches.
Soon, we arrived at Matakana markets. Unlike the farmer’s markets we are used to, these were very small, yet charming (and busy). Hardly any fruit; things like chocolate, beer, wine and meats. Husband literally drooled at the local butcher shop, but without an esky or proper cooking facilities, we had to go without. But the kids managed a couple of bargains at a used toy stall. With our belongings taking longer and longer to arrive, they needed a few comforts to help them feel at home. The Princess nabbed a My Little Pony storybook and pirate game; Little Man grabbed a teddy and Hot Wheels game.
Husband splurged on a pair of stainless steel earrings for lucky me, made and sold by the artist herself. She couldn’t believe it when he said we’d take them – think we were her first sale all day! Later we were told that Kiwis have a reputation for being ‘tight’ – so most people probably um and ahh for ages.

The kids tuck in ...

In the afternoon, after a nap, the kids and I wandered into the CBD to finish off secret Father’s Day shopping.
On the way they nibbled at Donut Dude – this time Donut Dudette. And on the way home, Little Man talked me into a brief foray into the market.
There’s a guy there, whom the kids have dubbed

Puzzle Dude. He has a stall selling loads of puzzles aimed at kids, and grown-ups. I don’t know his name, but if you’re at Aotea Square on a Friday or Saturday, you must visit him. He’s the guy where dozens of big and little kids try their hands at solving puzzles.
“Don’t touch,” I said, as the Princess’s busy fingers reached for a nail and began banging it into a puzzle with a part of another puzzle.
“Excuse me, it’s fine if you don’t want her to do it,” Puzzle Dude interrupted. “But if you’re okay with it, she’s welcome to touch. That’s the idea, it’s engaging kids and getting them to learn through play.”
Anyway, with his permission, the L. Man managed to solve one of the adult puzzles very quickly. The guy said if the L.Man could do it again, he’d give him a puzzle. So Little Man did. I couldn’t believe it when the man gave C. a small version of the puzzle, and refused any money.
“I won’t take a cent from you,” he said. “The little bloke deserves it!”
It seems like in NZ you CAN get something for nothing.