Showing posts with label Devonport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devonport. Show all posts

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Jaz's brother came to stay!

A couple of weeks ago I got a text from my brother saying he had some leave from work and
was thinking about a long weekend up with us in Stanmore Bay.......was I up for it??

I very quickly jumped on skype and he booked flights on the spot!!!

Gee wizz I was excited.
Hey I love this place, but there is a limit to how many days a housewife and mum can spend talking to herself or the nine month old baby. I do occasionally talk to the fridge, but only when the neighbours are not watching.

So my bro gave me about three days notice.......which made it even more exciting, but then I realised that the poor guy was going to have to sleep on boxes. The spare bedroom being the last room to organise. In fact I hadn't even unwrapped the plastic off the new guest-bed ( buying of this outlined in earlier post).
Well,, there is nothing like having a guest arrive to get me motivated. I had the boxes sorted and new bed unwrapped in a day, clean sheets and room smelling fresh the next. Very pleased with my efforts I stood back and realised that now I was ready for any visitors.

Fantastic.........get booking flights friends!!!

I picked my brother up on Friday..my first trip to airport on my own, easy! I have sussed this traffic thing!!! I even negotiated the harbour bridge lanes despite a nasty accident throwing the lanes into havoc earlier.
Unfortunately I managed to very nearly getting him, Molly, Phoebe and myself lost on the way home. We did a nice tikki tour past one-tree hill instead LOL
But we found the motorway eventually and got home safe and sound.


Saturday we explored the beaches of Whangaparaoa. It was sunny but quite fresh. Very much like a Canterbury day, just a few degrees milder.
My brother and Caitlin combing the rocks at Shakepear Bay, Whangaparaoa

Our tribute to Michelangelo....lol

Lots to be found on the rocks for the Treacy family

Sunday we all ventured into Auckland to visit MOTAT, Museum of Transport and Technology. Fantastic fun awesome examples of engineering and New Zealand history. The kids thought it was great.

Mark and Molly using whisper dishes...Caitlin was listening at other dish a few metres away.



Luke and Molly on very cool old train.


Girls and I on tram.


Monday, the kids went off the school and kindy so Luke, Phoebe and I visited Devonport.
Northland really turned the weather on for us and the view from North head was incredible, looking out over Auckland city. We visited Devonport chocolates and wandered through shops and cafes. It was a gorgeous, relaxing day. A nice way to finish a great long weekend with my bro!

One last note:
This sign, spotted by my brother on a little side street in Devonport totally bewildered me..............the most hilarious thing I have seen in ages.
Doing what?????

I want to work there..............I can do stuff.

Monday, June 1, 2009

House-hunting, beach combing and brunch!

Mark's first week at work went smoothly.
My previous post described some of the activities the girls and I have packed into five week days.We have driven much of the North Shore now in hunt of the house that has what we need at the right price.

The long weekend came and we spent Saturday showing Mark Red Beach and then moved onto lovely Stanmore Bay. What beautiful views and peace and quiet. So lovely!
On a positive house-hunting note we found several properties to investigate out there as well! I'll keep you posted on the house front as it develops.

Sunday morning arrived, blues skies and sun (sleet and freezing windchill reported down in Canterbury).
We decided to treat the kids, and ourselves to a day without any real estate activities and drove over the harbour bridge, past the skytower and into the Viaduct for a lazy Sunday brunch.
The kids spent most of the drive looking upwards at high rises in awe LOL!



Filling up on blueberry pancakes, bacon and eggs we also got to watch some "rigging' in training on a cool little boat moored right beside our table.

We saw the ferries on the waterfront and found the "Hilton".



While bathing in sunshine we rang Mark's parents (North Canterbury) who didn't believe we had warmth and sunlight. While Mark was chatting on the phone to them I jumped up to take a photo to email them! Maybe they will be believe us now!!!

Following brunch we made our way over to Devonport to ogle at waterfront mansions....(ok so maybe a little property activity) lol
Then to Takapuna beach for handmade ice cream; Mixed berry, Licorice, Feijoa and Yoghurt. Delicious!

Phoebe enjoyed a little sand in her toes before the clouds rolled in for a typical Auckland downpour.

The evening brought dinner at with new friends at their house and a chilly night...Cantabrians will be pleased to hear.

It was nice to have time together, but back into house-hunting this coming week............



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