peppers, onions, grilled eggplant, mushrooms, cheeses, and Carol's anchovies. Wine flowed aplenty as we chatted and shared stories. And then on to Midnight Madness at the town center. The main street of Howick was closed to traffic and filled with music and party goers. Stores put some of their wares on the sidewalk and Christmas displays were lit up. It is weird to even think about Christmas as the temperatures rise to 72 balmy degrees.
Saturday was a beautiful, sunny warm day so we headed to Waiheke Island for a long hike. I made another friend on the ferry. She is originally from Korea and has lived in Auckland for 20 years. She was going to bring her husband a picnic lunch since he went over early to go fishing. She told David I was beautiful so she is now my new best friend. I complimented her nice big visor so she is meeting me in Howick to give me one. We laughed for an hour as we shared stories. David said the ferry seems to be a friend magnet for me. Here is a pix of Lola, the first friend I met months ago on the ferry, who has become a close friend.
She is starting a garden in the yard of her flat and has just found more containers along the streets of Howick during inorganic trash week. (People get rid of all their junk and the city picks it up once a year - people usually scrounge through the stuff first) It's a great way to clear out your house and garage but the town looks bizarre while this is happening -- big piles along the sidewalks.
We discovered a couple of these arty chairs as we trekked to the start of our trail. Pretty much this is how we were feeling ---- a bit more like relaxing…
But we popped those backpacks on our backs and headed up the track by Matiatia wharf.
Another view of the wharf from atop the ridge across from this. Apparently I needed a break because I just kept taking pretty much the same picture. Hmmmmmm
I always seem to find a friend
What better place to stop for tea time!
Yes, that's me amongst the bush. Notice the pathways that are weaved in throughout these hikes. It was great to have some relief from the heat when walking through the forested areas. This became a very hot day. We came across a group of teens with an adult counselor that were really struggling with the steep inclines and the heat. (lots of whining as we passed by) Oh yeah we just scurried right by those young whippersnappers…
We finish the track and think an "iced something" is close at hand when you realize you have another hour walk into town. No worries. Of course a nice gentleman offered us a ride. But David declined it.
All I could say was "what? what?" as I watched our ride fade in the distance….
After dinner we grabbed the luxury ferry back to Half Moon Bay where I was lulled to sleep.
Sunday was recuperation and errand day. Another flip flops day --- so I guess we are moving into summer!
Here is a picture of some of the folks in my art class. This has become such a fun time of week. We enjoy each other's company and encourage each other's art. The perfect atmosphere for trying something new.
Here is the painting my teacher thinks I should enter into the student art show - contrasting a blind contour drawing with a water color painting of the same flower.
I don't know -- I'm playing with learning how to let the water and paints do the work instead of just coloring everything in ----- much harder than it looks.
Here's another one I played with during the week.
I can't believe I'm actually uploading these to this blog but it just gives you an idea of what I'm doing in the water color class ---- so much to learn and practice.
Kia Ora
Beautiful paintings! I am impressed. When you return we'll need to visit that student art fair again.
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