telboy2 – Page 52 – A Few Quirkes

We have lived here for twelve years and this activity has always been on the agenda. Now it has happened. A scorching day, with lots of energy needed and aching feet the result.

Sara came down the massive shale
escarpment pictured above. High fives.

Boxing day in the sun. After a Christmas day spent at home with lots of food and the company of the children,this morning involved a communal run along the waterfront. From the needle by St. Pats to Point Jerningham in the sunshine, though little wind, we ran. A beautiful way to spend a beautiful morning despite the physical discomfort.

There was an eye opener.Age is catching me. Finally all three children were able to out run me. The peak is well gone though one must keep going. I was pleased to do the the 7.5Km in particular, that the foot injury was quiet.

All again tomorrow.

The Messiah

Saturday evening comprised our annual trip to see the choral event of the Christmas season. The first time we went to see a performance was a long time ago at the Albert Hall. Since we have lived in Wellington we ave been maybe close to ten times. This one was quite a big event as it was being held at the Michael Fowler Centre. The NZSO and I presume big soloists and a famous conductor. Not famous to me but that does not count.

Unfortunately we found the performance a bit flat. We were sitting at the sides of the stalls ans so under the upper level which may have blocked out so of the sound. Was the choir a bit small? The male voices seemed a little overpowered by the the female ones. I found the conductor a little ‘showy’.

So good but not great.

Sara requested that we go see it a performance in New York. Nice idea but not easy.

NZ hits the front page of the BBC website again over the flag

New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winner – BBC News

New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winnerThe design titled Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) came out topsNew Zealanders have picked a blue and black design with the silver fern as the preliminary winner in a referendum on a possible new national flag.The runner-up is a similar-looking red, white and blue design.The final result will be announced on Tuesday after late and overseas votes are counted, and may change as the winning margin is narrow.A second referendum will be held in March to decide whether to adopt the new flag, or keep the existing one.

Source: New Zealand chooses new flag as preliminary winner – BBC News

About 50% turnout and effectively 10% of votes spoiled.

I do not like this design though slight less painful on the eye than the similar “weet-bix” flag.

Maybe the debate will heat up now that there will be a clear choice between the current and the alternative.

Wellington hits The Guardian

48 hours in Wellington, New Zealand: where to go, what to do

It’s cool-as, cute, culinarily blessed and compact. Wherever you are in the Kiwi capital, chances are you’re a 10-minute stroll from the next place you want to be

It’s cool-as, cute, culinarily blessed and compact. Wherever you are in the Kiwi capital, chances are you’re a 10-minute stroll from the next place you want to be