Te Papa

Coffee at Havana to start the day. Too busy and noisy for my quiet European friends, they dislikedthe  Sydney noise and the Kiwis weren't much better. Sadly we could have sat in the calm of next door with no-one there except us. But happily we saw Tom who joined us for a few minutes before we chuffed off to see the marvellous  Te Papa. Unfortunately I think the Maori culture is just a little too strange for these two middle Europeans, or is it just they have been on too long a holiday, four months is a bit long for me, that's for sure.

At cafe Havana

Willi  paying...

And Willi chatting...

But first a visit on the way to meet Ron at BP, and CJ and Ailua. It was a lovely encounter however I think I may he putting them  both through some totally new experiences in Wellington, all for the good.

The Te Papa visit was good as always. We could have stayed longer but I saw fatigue setting in and soI phoned  Ti Kouka for a reservation at 2pm. Luckily there was one available and I accompanied them to the front door where I left with my need to home and prepare food for tomorrow's lunch to which I've invited them both. It won't be Ti Kouka, reputedly one of the best restaurants in Wellington for the price. But it will be healthy, simple and made with love. i will be interested to see how thyr enjoyed the Kiwi fare at this lovely restaurant which I have long wished to taste.

So tonight at Ti Whanawhana it will be just water melon cubes, seeded, of course.

Happily the weather has turnd good again, and it's warm and even a little humid, preparing me for Gosford and making me feel even more homesick.

Back from Ti Whanwhana and we have been invited to sing a new song at the Cuba Dupa festival on the 28/29 so my plans for the Neighbourhood meeting are even less likely.

This big Fest looks like it will be quite something with about five choirs participating in a walk towards the centre satge and then everyone singing the same song, specially created for the celebration, by the choir master extraordinaire, Julian. I look forward to meeting him, one of the great characters of Wellington I hear.

Willi's wet arrival

Well it had to change and just in time for Willi and Robert's arrival from the south island.

Wellington's weird weather is again here, unpredictable, windy and wet. But we make the most of it as it changes every half hour. Tonight we managed to get St James for the Ballet without getting too wet, and it was  an excellent production, small orchestra and modest staging, but excellent dancing as always. Italian Francesco Ventriglia is shown to be a good artistic director and was sitting not far from us in the stalls. He looked quite happy.

Before the ballet we had a light meal at Floriditas which was enough for the evening. Robert and Willi are both careful eaters, as you have to be when travelling. Robert is an IT man and had the latest Samsung  Galaxy phone and it certainly looked great. I am sorely tempted to change over for my next up-grade, as without Steve Jobs, Apple may have seen better days.

Tomorrow I am talking ECK at Clyde Quay School, and later I'll catch up with Willi and Robert at Te Papa and take them to the Newtown fair. Then later we will all go dancing at Thistle Hall. 

Another big day.

The Interfaith talk went very well and all were impressed with the Eckankar presentation.

It sure was a big day and it is not over yet. 

The Fair was gigantic and nearly too hot to enjoy. We walked and had a meal at  Pranah and bumped into Lesley and Wayne, Norida and Jack, and managed to survive.

Now for the DANSS tonight...

The program...

..the ticket

Clyde Quay School

History of the area

Walking to Newtown Fair

Waiting for bus..

The rain arrives...

Back at Havana cafe and I see front page St James is earthquake prone....oops hope Willi and Robert don't see this one!

Couldn't sleep well last night thinking about my cancellation of Neighbours Day function. Saw Jevon in bus this morning and she was disappointed saying all her friends said they would be interested...

...but 'saying is not going' I said. My decision rests, it is too much of a gamble. Jevon is a rarity in this world, a young transgender activist who wants to set the world right and find her rightful place in it. We are not all like her I'm afraid.

Ballet tomorrow...

White Kiwi, not yet extinct..

Havana luxe..

Book store closing..arrrgh!

Happy new owner..

The wind is up!

A movie at the Embassy....

Am indulging my senses yet again, this time at Sir Peter Jackson's other cinema I believe, right in town on Cambridge Terrace. It is to see a spy movie, 'Kingsman: the Secret', about MI 5 I can only presume. It is a gamble as I've read no reviews  but visiting this theatre is worth the eight dollars anyway. So I buy a Kapiti choc-top, fig and honey, quite delicious, and sit to look at the passing parade. There is quite a bit to see as some very vampish women arrive for a 20's Cocktail party for someone who is turning 21. This is in the downstairs Art Deco foyer, and another function is upstairs behind screens. The cinema does cater for a lot more than just movies.

Upstairs foyer at The Embassy

Art Deco mirror above winding staircase

L'Affare

Today realising a big mistake, but having a big release. 

Having a coffee at L'Affare I realised it was time to accept that I had made a mistake with the Neighbours day gig. It was just never going to work. So I am quitting it and am going today to see Phil from the City Council who gave me the original $400 to do it. He understood, was disappointed but also very nice about it. I feel quite relieved and now to write the perfect letter of resignation, a challenge,  but one I can meet.

The scene at L'Affare

More scene..

Morning coffee at Memphis

Another cloudy day but always busy. Coffee first at Memphis. Always good. Then meeting Ailua's speech therapist at BP for a chat, where she happily agrees that music is great therapy for stroke recovery and agrees also to write a letter in support for funding for a singing coach for Ailua. That was good news. 

Things are now also beginning to warm up for the Candlelight Memorial which needs quite a bit of work. I feel more relaxed now with my decision to quit Neighbours Day event, although it will doubtless affect my friendship with Jennifer. Such is life, but I am sure I am making the correct decision.

Tom comes into BP and we go out to have another coffee, this time decaff for me, sensibly, at the cafe Deluxe next to the Embassy Cinema. Great coffee and real Wellie vibes. Very Sir Peter Jackson territory.

Tom drops me home to rest before tonight and SCD, but before that, the HU at six thirty. Time to tweak the plans for Sunday morning at Clyde Quay School where Viva is presenting Eckankar to the ex-students and the parents of pupils, along with all the other religions. It will be very interesting to see how it goes down. It is going to be a very big weekend for me.

I get yet a second chance to see Don Quixote, for nothing. Heta texts me with two free tix, this is after I have refused a dress rehearsal last night with Jennifer. I thought it best to keep it free for Saturday night with W and R, as well not to get into too much debt to Jennifer who will be rudely shocked in a few days when I tell her of my cancelled plans.

The flat below has become vacant and Mr Patel is quick to fill it at an increased rent of $180. A small studio, but independent and a great position, probably the right price for Roseneath. They are now cleaning it for occupation.

I am keeping my strong visualisation that Sonny will take over the house on my departure and bring his family over next year. It would be a great place for them and not too pricy given that I will leave all the furniture and white goods here. 

'Che sera, sera...' as they sing.

Memphis reflections...

One of my early discoveries, a fabulous pianist at the Park Royal lobby...and he's blind and near ninety!

A second coffee (decaff!) at Deluxe

Cool day at City Library

Today I am off to town to secure three seats to the Royal NZ Ballet's production of Don Quixote. I know Willi and Robert will like it a lot. The NZ Ballet's new Artistic Director, Francesco Ventriglia, is the star behind this production and he is interviewed in today's Dom Post by a  very smitten female journalist. Ventriglia is only 39 years old, is full of Italian energy and will doubtless be a good

artistic director for the excellent ballet company. 

I am really looking forward to seeing it on Saturday night, the day Willi and Robert are arriving in Wellington for their four day visit. Unbelieveably I am super busy over this time ( Interfaith and ECK) but will squeeze in time for them of course. This is my Wellington life, just TOO busy, but stimulating.

Am in the city library absorbed in two Art magazines and realise how much I will miss this fabulous resource library as it has everything and it is fantastic just being inside its walls.

Locals winning with Marmalade

Francesco Ventriglia, relaxing

The red headed barista..

Downs Syndrome in Eurovision!

The Art goods....

Today I finally popped into the City Art Gallery to see the end of the Yvonne Todd, from Auckland, exhibition of photographs and frocks. She is quite amazing and again I am stunned by the absolute creativity of the young Kiwi artists. It was a great exhibition and I am only sorry I didn't go earlier to see the complete exhibition as it was only one floor available now.

Back home after visit to BP and hear the news of Ron's 50th birthday being held at the Welsh Barand everyone is going to be wearing a lei. Whose idea was this I wonder I am not sure but it is well underway for Saturday 29th March which day wil be Benjamin's birthday as well.

Home now, and just off the phone from Jennifer discussing plans for Neighbours Day. It is becoming clear that we are not at all on the same page in this affair. J is concerned with her Long Hall trusteeship, and I, with the Neighbours. Also as I have had no positive feedback from my three postings I have decided it is not worth the stress to pursue it. I am about to email WCC with this information and I will 'reluctantly' inform J of it as well. No doubt she will be unhappy, but that is now done. One doesn't 'do' neighbours alone, and as Tom Halliburton in Neighbourhood Watch said to me, they are not very enthusiastic in this suburb. He is the only one who has been at all supportive so I will email him at the same time. I feel better already as it was starting to become a load on my shoulders I don't need to have.

I have too much else to worry about.

Now on to the emails....

Havana Cafe

After a very big day yesterday I am recovering with a good coffee at the iconic Havana Cafe on Tory. It is chock full and the coffee is roasting next door.. It is the full coffee experience.

And up I look and it is Tom, after all, it was Tom who introduced me to the Havana in the first place. We sit and chat and sip and chat and then go home to his place to collect a sound-system he is giving to AiIua to improve his listening sense, and also his singing sense. He is delighted when we take it to BP where he is with Ron. All went well yesterday at the photoshoot and he is happy, although I think the shoot was not quite as good as he said. But still, it was a good experience and all the girl modelswould have loved him.

Tonight is Ti whanawhana and then a swim with DSW with new coach Casey, and a final gooodbye to Paige who leaves tomorow. She will be missed.

Regulars at the Havana

Excellent coffee

Retro machina espresso

Putin guilty by association

Kiwi fashion in Fishbone