SCULPTURES 2

 These are Doug's photos.  Unfortunately, he had inadvertently changed the setting on his camera and the colours are not quite right.  There were a lot more sculptures than the ones in these two posts.

It was a beautiful day and we all enjoyed our walk.  The Gardens Cafe is usually closed on a Monday and Tuesday but was open specially for the Sculptures but, unfortunately, there was a long queue so we went to a nearby cafe.

SCULPTURES

We cancelled our Parkinson walk this morning because of rain but last Tuesday 4 of us from the group went to the Quarry Gardens to view the Sculpture Exhibition which ran for a week.  All the items were for sale and the majority had already sold when we viewed. The subjects and medium used varied considerably.

These are the photos I took and tomorrow I will post Doug's photos.  

I did like the bird above but, unfortunately, he was in the shade and didn't come out very clearly.

ROLLING BALL CLOCK

 On Monday the Parkinson walking group walked around the Town Basin Loop (4.2 kms. the longest walk we have done for a long time).  We were particularly pleased to see the Rolling Ball Clock that was installed at the beginning of last month.  I tried to get some photos but there was a lot of reflection on the glass.  Below is from the website.

The only photo I managed was of the pedalling man.  He appears to lift some of the balls up although in the time we were there  he wasn't  working.

If you are interested go here https://rollingballclock.co.nz   and there is a live stream of the clock and a lot of information.  The clock runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. New Zealand time.

Above is a view of the golden dome of the Hundertwasser building from near the Rolling Ball Clock.

STILL HERE

We are continuing to improve although still get tired quickly.  On Tuesday we felt well enough to have  our flu vaccinations.  

We have started going on the Parkinson Walks again and I took this photo when we walked alongside the harbour in Onerahi recently.  

Have been keeping up with the garden.  The first lot of broccoli have been eaten and we have just started on the pak choi.

 

WE have quite a bit of silver beet (Swiss chard) growing although the caterpillars have taken a liking to it as well.

Recently planted kale and more broccoli.  I also have two punnets of purple sprouting broccoli and ordinary broccoli coming on.  

The lemon tree that got hit by a falling cactus is laden with fruit.

We covered the banana bunches with blue Council rubbish bags and they are looking good.

We managed to cut back some buddleia bushes.  They were three times this height and Doug cut them back while I mulched the smaller branches.  We then cut the larger bits up for firewood.  It was done over a couple of days,.

The Mexican Marigold or Tagetes Lemmonii  is doing well and providing much needed nectar for the Monarch butterflies at this time of year

Monday

On Monday we had done a couple of jobs, had lunch and were just about to put our feet up for an early siesta when the phone rang and it was one of Doug's nephews.  He had been fishing and would we like some smoked Kahawai.  Yes please.  All thoughts of a rest were abandoned and we drove the 20 minutes to pick up the fish.  Of course, one has a catch up while there so by the time we got home and took the fish off the bones it was time for our "tea" which was delicious smoked fish in a white sauce on toast.

We had some mashed vegies in the fridge so next day it was smoked fish patties which were just as good.  Four packs of smoked fish in the freezer.  I must say it was some of the nicest smoked fish we have had.

We are starting to feel better and yesterday I finally got around to making a double batch of banana and blueberry muffins so the freezer is well stocked.

This morning we managed a walk, only short but at least it is a start.  

EASTER WEEKEND

Yesterday morning we went back to the Growers' Market as we do not have a lot of vegies at present.  One item not on our list was a pineapple.  

There was a stall selling both pineapples and bananas so I took the opportunity to ask about cutting the flower off the stem.  There has been a bit of a "discussion" as to whether we should remove the flower or not.  We were told that it is best to remove it so did this earlier today.  I then cut the flower up for mulch around the plant although, apparently, they can be eaten.  Will have to look into that for future flowers.

Anyway, we bought a small locally grown pineapple (there were larger ones).  It smells divine.  

One of the flower heads that we removed

A cross section of the flowerhead showing what would have become bananas.

The small pineapple we bought.  We will try and grow the top.

After the trip to the Growers' Market we went home for breakfast then went back to town to go to the Library.  Two things in the one day and we were both ready for a siesta after that.

This is the first bunch after having the flower cut off.