Walking

Photo taken in Orewa, Auckland - November 2023

Because I work nights it's not often that I get out for a morning walk it's nice to the see what's happening and what people are up to. 

I forgot my pair of jandals so I ended up buying another pair from one of the local shops. These are something that most people in New Zealand wear throughout the year. Such a classic Kiwi icon.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, All Seasons and Tom's Signs.

Christ Church, Waiwera

Just outside of Auckland and Orewa is this little seaside town of Waiwera. Once upon a time there use to be the thermal resort which has now been demolished. This little church is right next to the beach. Christ Church was built in 1914 as a private chapel by Major John Whitney and then gifted to the Auckland Anglican Diocese in 1915. It is still being used today with regular services being held.

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

Dodo Bird

 I like to take random photos while we are out driving, I think from memory this day we were venturing into the top of Queen Street when I spotted this mural on the corner of Pitt Street in Auckland City.

This Dodo was painted by artist Paul Walsh and is part of the utility box series.

Linking up with Mosaic Monday, Mural Monday and Blue Monday.

Take off

People watching can be amusing sometimes right? Waiting at Auckland Domestic Airport Terminal for our plane to arrive with so many people around, this was only a small part of the food court. The ladies on the left ended up getting on our flight back to Christchurch.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Wesley Bicentenary Hall

While strolling around Auckland City near the top of Queen Street and Karangahape (K) Road I noticed this rather imposing building hidden behind some of the more modern ones. Upon research I found out that the Wesley Bicentenary Hall was built to commemorate the 200 years since the conversion of John and Charles Wesley in 1739 and the founding of the Methodist Church.

The building was built in 1939 and opened in 1940. The architect was a Herbert Clinton Savage (1890-1957) and was designed in a modernised version of the Gothic style to harmonise with a nearby Pitt Street church. This structure replaced a wooden building dating from 1877 which was moved to Mission Bay and used as a school.

It was originally for the administrative offices of the Methodist Church of New Zealand as well as an auditorium on the ground floor. In the 1990s a lift shaft was carefully added to the front of the building. I'm not sure what it's being used for now.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Too early for Christmas

 

Lots of news this week from me. We have adopted this male Cockatiel as his elderly owner has gone into a care home. He didn't have a name so we have named him Hooligan. So far he's been pretty quiet but that's probably because he doesn't know us. Hopefully in time he will be a bit more talkative and noisy.

I was at one of our local stores, The Warehouse and noticed that their Christmas displays are up. Is it too early for this? Being November I think so. Mind you I am happy that there is no Christmas music being played just yet.

And this bunch of lettuce is what I harvested from my small vege garden. It's been so yummy putting bits and pieces into my lunch that I take to work. Speaking of work last week I handed in my notice to my manager. I've been doing supermarket retail for about 5 years now and working the hours of 12pm to 9pm has been pretty regular for me so I'm at the point where I'm a little bit over it. I am starting in a new job on New Year's day at our local RSA (returned services association like for veterans) doing barwork and admin duties which will make a nice welcome change and the hours are pretty good too.

You know how sometimes it's not what you know but who you know? Two people from the local RSA come into work regularly to buy meat packs for their raffles and a while back I got talking to 1 of them who said he was leaving. I mentioned that I was interested in working there and the next day he came back and asked me to go and see his manager which I did who then offered me a job there, so it's worked out quite well. I'm excited for a change.

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

Blue bus

Unfortunately while we were in Auckland I didn't get to venture into the central city which I spent years working in when I lived there - the traffic was just too heavy. It seems the bus system has been updated but New Zealand desperately needs a decent train/light rain system which I doubt is going to happen with our current government in power. The traffic regularly gridlocks and is literally bumper to bumper a lot of the time. 

Linking up with Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday.