But Stop Cafe 2

But Stop Cafe 1

Yesterday's discovery sits near the car park of the park and cemetery outside Riwaka/Motueka. It must be the new local haunt because there was a continuous flow of people who knew each other coming and going. According to them, they have the best pies (savory/meat) in town, our fish and chips weren't shabby, but Ben said the coffee was truly enjoyable, even in a paper cup! Services was friendly and lovely, too.

If you are driving from Nelson/Motueka, it's past Riwaka township, after the last big bend, on your right, before the Kaiteri Road turn and the one up Takaka Hill.

Strongly recommended; upon until 7 for the time being; possibly until 8 later in the season.

Red, Again

Friday was wheel realignment day. Red sure gets far more nit-tuck-spa treatment than I, but I admit, the new (to us) seats are harder and nicer, so I'm not complaining.

(She was sitting so pretty even I rushed to take a few pics. See her color matching the realignment computer thingie base?)

Joy!

Found in the NMIT Library. As someone who fluffed through this very novel to get her BA, I am allowed to roll on the Library floor and laugh hysterically in a fetal position.

But on to the joyous part. Today, in 1994, we arrived at Auckland for the third time as visitors; it was scheduled to be a 9 month stay, Ben going to school to learn English and I to be a woman of leisure. It turned out we never left, except for "visits". And while we miss our friends and family back home, I don't think we'll ever live anywhere else.

It took a further 2 years, 1 month and 12 days before we moved down to Nelson to live.

Scotters and Postie

I first thought to take this shot because I saw the shiny scooters. But then I realized there was a postie in the frame, a subject I've been intending to capture from nearly the start of NDP.

In New Zealand, a great majority of postal delivery personnel are women, most often on bicycles, even in many of the hiller cities. So they are the fittest women, alongside the guys on rubbish trucks.

I tried so many times to shoot the Postie who comes to our street, but by the time she reaches the top of our hill, she's usually having a fag (cigarette!) and, well, that doesnt' go down so well with me.

Still, three cheers to all the Posties in New Zealand. We appreciate your services.

A Quickie

Wednesday morning, before Ben went to work; he loves this girl. They (Ben and Red) have two new car seats (identical to the current ones) coming down from Auckland soon.

Dear Bill, sorry this has been the only picture we've taken so far of the new roof. But Ben has been reminded.

26000

At Stoke. It's the ex Mac Brewery.