Our trip to New Zealand for Joseph’s big day. Great event with the processional entrance, artistic performances, the filing of thousands of of new graduates with all the interaction from the families in the audience.

Joseph looking good and looking proud when receiving his certificate. Loved it all.

Then to the parade:

The last day is done for us, spent cleaning by someone and packing the car and stuff by someone else.

So just about 20 years to the day.

The view still looks good.

So I am writing this sitting in France.

I spent Friday and Saturday, the first two days, at the Basin Reserve. The second day with Joseph. The second test of three between NZ and England- the first well won by England with help of the Black Caps not being able to catch the ball.

Both days were good to watch, more so the first. Sitting on the bank was a bit hard on the backside after two days. The sun was strong but thankfully there was sunblock available at the ground for idiots like me who forgot their own. There were however a few middle aged blokes worse for wear by the end of day one- I am not sure how you can afford to get pissed at those prices!

I was hoping for a NZ win in the hope they could make it to the test match series final at Lord’s in June. Alas- no. England were the dominant team and won with ease in the end.

It was great to go on the field during the lunch break- the surface is like a carpet. Kids playing and adults playing like kids.

A trip with Shaz and Murray to the Michael Fowler last night.

We sat in row A- as I think we have done before. It does allow a great view of watching the very skilled performers close up- though it does give some neck ache and you do miss out on the members of the orchestra at the back.

Listening to ‘The Planets ‘was a great experience. So many ‘hits’ and so much t enjoy. Very much a proof that seeing music live provides something more and better.

The final movement -Mystic- contains errie voices singing at the end. So well done with the NZ Chamber Choir.

And this man played Elgar violin concerto.Again we could see his work close up in addition to the sweat coming down his face with all his work. Amazing to see. Remarkable skill on view. The music was good but I would need to listen again to see if a ‘grower’. He was featured on TVNZ during the week- teaching up and coming violinists.

A trip to Napier to experience better weather and a change of scenery for a few days. The weather was a little better.

The environment was good, a small house (caravan) to stay in, situated in a quiet, small farm. I partook in the ‘fish and chips’ tour.

A nice place to be. It has changed a little from our last visit, of many I think, about 10 years ago. Not sure it is a place I could live in however.

Well, time to move on.

It was sold by auction- though there was only one bidder. So in reality negotiation done by the auctioneer.

The current market is certainly cooler than it has been. The local effects of the public sector job cuts seem apparent.

To the next phase.

A selection of views of our two days of walking from Sip Cove to Punga Cove via Furneaux Lodge. Beautiful scenery as ever but disappointment with the change in accommodation sites and their costs and the expense of the water taxis.

The walk and lodges were busy even this time of year. I assume somewhat intolerable in January and February.

And while we were waiting for the taxi back came the people with clearly too much money.

And followed for us by the great views from the boat.