We're Going To The Zoo...!

We spent the day at Auckland Zoo and took part in National Frog Day! All the animals were out and active and the tigers were especially playful - they are the cubs born last year, and they're huge now.





The frog population is in serious decline and New Zealand has the world's rarest frog which lives on Stephen's Island called the Hamilton Frog..there are only 300 left in the world!



In usual NZ style, the 4 types of native frogs that live here (3 went extinct last year) are unusual even for frogs. they have tails and nine vertabrae, they make no sounds, have no eardrums, and use chemosignals to communicate with each other. Even the frogs are odd!



The cockatoo at the zoo said 'Hello Mate" to me and chatted away to the girls, we have yet to find the talking tui!



We quite liked this sign on the blue penguin enclosure..



The lemurs and monkeys were out in force and one of them had a plaster cast on its leg..



So much to do, and so little time!



The giant toroise was looking well considering his most private part was on display in the museum..



And this meerkat is for our friend Emma! He was definitely on guard duty..

ALBERTON HOUSE !

We visited Alberton House, a romantic timber mansion with fairy-tale decorative balconies and towers, to partake of tea on the verandah..the girls love ‘high tea’ and this British pastime occurs very rarely here! So, we dressed up, donned gloves and hats and set out!


Sophia partaking of tea

The tea was delicious and served on tiered plates. Each teacup bone china. Last year the Hall ran an appeal for bone china cups and acquired a 1000 of them. They were so pretty!


reclining on the lawns



Historically, for those of you who are interested, and you’ll see how we miss the National Trust, this house began as a farmhouse in 1863 and then expanded to 18 rooms as more children arrived. For New Zealand, this is extraordinarily old!


The sewing room


Girl's bedroom

It was owned by the Kerr Taylors, a leading family in Mount Albert. Mr Kerr Taylor (they added the Kerr because Taylor was a common name!) was important, but his wife more so! His wife Sophia was an outspoken advocate of the vote for women, as well as a singer, gardener and mother of 10.


Balcony


Greg at tea

In its day, Alberton was famous in the 19th century for its balls, hunts, garden parties and music. The girls who inherited were into racing horses!


Girls at the front of the House


Back of Alberton House


Girls at the Entrance

We had lots of compliments for our hats and the Morris dancers turned up and explained this ‘odd, pagan’ English pastime to everyone!


Dining room


Writing desk with quill pen

Tea consisted of layers of pastries and quiches, chocolates and tartleys, asparagus rolls and cakes, scones and sandwiches, all served with pots of tea or coffee.. we were full!








Beautiful teacups


Girls sat on the roof bench


Bedroom where 10 children were born


Bathroom with modern claw foot bathtub


Silly moment

KON-TIKI !

We took the boat and a picnic out for the day, and decided to have our lunch at Takapuna.



When we arrived we discovered a waka stranded on the beach - quite a strange sight!



The owner/carver came and sat with us in the shade and explained that the captain, from the Bahamas, had misjudged the tide and they were stranded!
(Typical Bahamian!)



The boat was handcarved and there are 4 of them in NZ, specifically for young people to learn navigation the old way, by the stars, like their ancestors.

CAKE CREATIONS !

We've been SO busy this month that I haven't had time to blog!!
So, one of the things I did was go on the 2nd course of cake decorating (I'm building my way up to Wedding cakes!)
It sort of combines my love of baking with art..
Anyhow - here's the result and we have only just finished eating all the sugar flowers!!



The basket weaving effect with icing takes absolutely ages.. thankfully we spent a whole day making the different kinds of flowers for the decoration and only had to ice and place on the second.



I only managed photos this far - the next time I looked - it was half eaten, so I gave up and joined them! I came home with tubs of iced violets, pansies, roses and apple blossoms - so I shall make cakes for everyone's birthday.

AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY DAY !

The ferries stop running their usual routes and are given over for the day to the public - and they venture to areas forbidden to shipping usually. We boarded on a gorgeous day and went for a ferry ride around the ports and the terminals.



There were some amazing views of Auckland and plenty of photo opportunities for Sky Tower as you've never seen it before. The weather heated up rapidly and we were glad we'd brought the sunblock!



The Seafood Festival tents were lined up along the dock and we could see the floating bridges being put into place and the bottles of wine being put out for everyone, in anticipation of their arrival.



There were some interesting ships moored up, including a Japanese 'research' station (just as well Jess wasn't there or she'd have boarded it!)



The ferries were full and when we got back to the quay, the next lot of eager spectators was waiting. I hadn't thought it would be so popular.



The cranes and machinery were huge and impressive - it seemed strange to think that our container, with all our worldly goods had come this way, only 5 years ago. Hasn't time flown!



Then off to find the seafood, wine and a decent coffee. On the way there were plenty of 'street artists, musicians and displays to celebrate the day.



Of course, the anniversary is to celebrate the arrival of William Hobson, later the first Governor of New Zealand, in the Bay of Islands in 1840.Just another thing to thank the British for!