Lancashire Sunset

Lancashire Coastline II

Another stroll by the sea today, this time at Cleveleys. Just as the light faded, I found this rather striking house, sheltering behind the sea wall.

Lancashire Coastline I

We took a leisurely stroll along the sands at Fairhaven today, away from the ice and snow covering the rest of the county.

R&grrR

Ralph learning to relax...

Alternative Nativity

We took a trip to Clitheroe Castle this afternoon where we found an alarming and intriguing tableau by the gate...

Happy Kiwi Christmas!

A pohutukawa from deepest darkest Lancashire...

White Christmas on the way...

Windsor in White

We had a break from airports yesterday when Jason took us for a lovely walk with the dog in Windsor Great Park - quite the best way to change terminals.

Kiwi Holidays

Whilst we're freezing in Lancashire, the rest of New Zealand is about to start their summer holidays. Here's Orewa, a longstanding holiday resort just north of Auckland.


Luckily the best of the summer will still be waiting for us upon our return...

Reptile Park III

Jackson's chameleon in action with an inimitable soundtrack...

Reptile Park II

Reptile Park I

We took a trip up to Goat Island last weekend and after a spot of snorkelling, we went to explore Reptile Park near Leigh...

I Spy a Seagull

Nesting Instinct

Cormorants nesting in a pohutukawa tree at Goat Island.

Freeman's Bay Villa

A new skyline

Gannets Growing

Gannet Griping

Gannet Grooming

Parasailing at Muriwai

Summer Sunset

Christmas on Queen Street III - Rats! The Musical!

The rather elaborate window display at department store, Smith & Caughey...

Christmas on Queen Street II - The Commercialisation of Christmas

Santa's sponsors seem to have re-written history here...


...100 years of Christmas? I guess that Farmers isn't working to either the Gregorian calendar or the Orthodox church calendar.

Christmas on Queen Street I - Santa's Little Helper

Here you can see the post-operative Father Christmas.


It seems that even Santa can't escape the permanent look of surprise which afflicts all plastic surgery afficionados.

Green House

In a seaview street of million-dollar houses, this little bach nestles in the bush.

Torbay II

Torbay I

Winstone's Cove III

Winstone's Cove II

Winstone's Cove I

Mummy Christmas

No white rabbits this month - just Santa to mark the start of Advent.


He's had a bit of work done this year and wasn't ready for unveiling when I took this picture.

Britomart II

The train station. More decorative than functional.

University Quad II

University Quad I

Britomart

Britomart, sandwiched between the port and the brothels, is remodelling itself as the new cool quarter in the city.

On the Waterfront

The steam crane Rapaki and the new extension at the Maritime Museum near the Viaduct Basin in downtown Auckland...

South Head - Kaipara Harbour

Mosquito Bay V

Mosquito Bay IV

Mosquito Bay III

Mosquito Bay II

Mosquito Bay I

Shelly Beach

Kiwi Classic

We attempted a kiwi classic last night - the whitebait fritter. Quite different from their European namesakes, New Zealand whitebait are tiny and not fit for individual consumption. Traditionally caught using nets strung across rivers, whitebait are now the subject of extensive regulation designed to protect the stocks of adult fish.

We took the responsible approach of purchasing ours from the supermarket. Here they are looking rather unappetising in their frozen state.


Here's the pancake batter in the pan with the whitebait mixed in and lots of parsley and butter...


And here's the finished article - success!

Fossicking About

On the beach this afternoon, my attention was drawn to some rocks by a scrabbling sound. I was amazed to find two huge green and purple crabs and their babies - like nothing we'd ever seen before.

Signs of Summer III

Signs of Summer II

Signs of Summer I