Some people might be pleased to know that it has been raining quite heavily today. Luckily we had not planned a major outdoor event, just a shopping trip to our local town Takapuna.
We took the bus, the 813, that runs between Devonport and Takapuna every half hour. It is a well used service, particularly by older people and the young. It winds its way through the residential areas which are not quite as charming as Devonport. The area up to Takapuna has been developed in the last 40 years or so and the architecture relies more on brick and concrete rather than wood as we have in Devonport. Takapuna is a busy town with a small shopping centre housing all manner of small shops and Body Shop and Crabtree and Evelyn! We find the local art suppliers where Fogg stocks up and a Trade Aid shop that has excellent Fair Trade chocolate.
It is strange being in a country where familiar brands and shops are common. We have Coronation Street on the TV and the Christmas TV guide has the Coronation Street panto advertised on the front. NZ television seems to be based on UK and USA programmes. I watched Doc Martin last night and Michael Palin the night before. Yet the local news is totally unlike the BBC or ITV. Auckland news is first and it's usually politics/crime or sport. International news gets a small mention and there are adverts all the way through. I have to log onto the BBC news site on the web to find out what is happening in the world.
For me the most confusing thing is Christmas/December with temperatures in the mid 70s. The gardens here are full of English flowers - geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums, summer jasmine and roses. There are sparrows, blackbirds, starlings, kingfishers - kingfishers? - yes, sitting on a telegraph wire completely unphased by the traffic and people passing it by and mynah birds. Unlike Singapore the Christmas decorations are muted, this is the main holiday period and most families are concentrating on their summer break. There are trees in windows and lights strung round verandas but for the date you really would hardly think that it was nearly Christmas day.
Ab Fab has just started!! so I'll say goodbye.
Best wishes
Phileas
2 comments:
Hi there travellers!
All cold here on the Northern Front. Undecorated Christmas Tree awaits its baubles and garlands in the garden, the French family arrive Sunday next till 27th and a nice man is now installing a new aerial on our roof so that we can use the very expensive DVD and TV we have just bought from J.Lewis. I am going over to our butcher's to book a turkey and pre-Christmas preparations continue. Serge and I are going to London tomorrow just for the day.
All love and a Merry Christmas
Hi there jet setters.
I have enjoyed the details of the journey so far.
Christmas looms and I am now at the stage where I think I have it under control. We are opting for a bbq on christmas day we are probably in the wrong hemisphere but it seemed like a good idea after a few glasses of wine.
My bird spotting although not quite up to your standard has had me quite excited as we have some resident redwings, it really isnt bbq weather!
We are of to Barcelona on the 27th for a few days. Look forward to more of your blog on our return.
Best wishes for christmas
Kim
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