Christmas memories

 

B decided to put up our Christmas tree last week then he discovered that some of the lights don't work so he ordered some more online. The decorations are probably over 10 years old so maybe time to buy some new ones at some point. I was surprised 1 of our 4 cats didn't take more interest in it.

And a couple of weeks ago B and I were invited to my oldest son's wedding in Auckland. On the left is my sister, my ex mother in law then me with my one grandchild. She is soooooo cute and I got to babysit for the night while my son and daughter in law went out and relaxed.  Edited to add: there were other family members here, they just weren't in this particular photo.

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Yuletide

 

I've been seeing alot of Christmas trees lately. These ones above and below were seen at Christchurch airport when we were there 2 weeks ago.

And this one was seeing outside The Warehouse in Pukekohe, Auckland. Nice to see places getting festive.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Ngāti Kohua marae

Ngāti Kohua marae - we drove past this one on the way to Auckland Airport in Mataitai which is between Orere Point and Clevedone so more South Auckland. It has an outer Urupa (family Maori cemetery) and the church is Anglican built in 1912. It was a very overcast day - we had visited B's sister in nearby Orere Point. Last time we were there was a good 7 or 8 years ago, I was hoping to get photos of the beach that they live literally 2 streets away but there was not enough Summer sun. I was expecting to see some more Pohutukawa trees too but the warmth has been late this year, the trees are known as New Zealand's iconic Christmas tree.

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Brunch

 

While we were in Auckland recently, we drove out to South Auckland, in particular Pukekohe after making a last minute decision to try and catch up with one of B's old school friends.

Unfortunately we couldn't catch up with him so we stuck around the town for a couple of hours and stopped in at one of the many cafes to have brunch. I ordered my usual Hazelnut Mocha along with a favourite meal of Eggs Benedict with Salmon. 

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X marks the spot

 

This is another one from a year ago of the surburb "Devonport" on Auckland's north shore. 2 weeks ago I posted about the restaurant "Vondel" which is at the bottom of this main road into town. There is an old theatre up the top of the road, not sure if it still gets used or not but most the street is full of old buildings from when the town was first populated. When I was in my early 20s I worked in this town as a legal typist for lawyers and I use to spend my lunchtimes browsing the shops.

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Frosty the Snowman

 

Seen guarding the entrance of the New World supermarket in Pukekohe - haven't seen too many of him around so far this December. I think you can just see the rainy sky in the reflection of the windows.

It's been an interesting last couple of weeks. New Zealand is meant to be having Summer right now but so far all of the country seems to have 2 sunny days then 2 days of rain. Myself and my family has had a nasty flu that's been going around. My daughter gets bad asthma and it sounded like she was about to get pneumonia so I rushed her to the hospital to wait for an appointment as they were fully booked. She ended up seeing a doctor who said she had a chest infection. Summer flu bugs suck.

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Crossing

 

This is one of my favourite inner city roads - Karangahape Road in central Auckland City has changed over the year. When I was growing up it was full of pubs, ethnic clothing shops etc and was a home for prostitutes to hang out in their various spots. After prostitution was legalised here in 2003, it became less common to see them walking up and down the road. Now K Road as it's now called is mostly full of bars, restaurants, cafes, artist galleries, businesses etc. It's becoming more upmarket.

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Wheel

 

Santa has been spotted in Silverdale Pack n Save Supermarket - seen last weekend while we were in Auckland for 4 days.

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Pohutukawa

 

I think the whole of New Zealand finally has a taste of Summer. There has been a rumour here that if the red Pohutukawa flowers come out befere Christmas then that means we will have a good Summer season. This tree is known as the country's official iconic Christmas tree.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's signs.

Britomart Christmas Tree

 

While driving through Auckland city over the weekend we drove around trying to find this giant Christmas tree in Downtown Square near Britomart train station. 

And on the other side of the square these Christmas balls - the same as you would put on your tree but alot bigger in size.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, All Seasons and Wordless Wednesday.

Vondel

 

I nthe heart of Devonport in Auckland is this little block of businesses. In my younger days I worked in this suburb as a legal typist for lawyers and to see it now as it is, it's made many changes over the years. This building is surrounded by older style buildings in the main street with businesses such as shoe shops, clothing shops, professionals, cafes, bars, restaurants etc. It's a very upmarket suburb with quite expensive houses along the waterfront. Vondel in the above photo is a restaurant but upon looking up their website, there wasn't alot of information about who they are.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.