Having checked into our hotel, showered, changed and wondered why so much furniture in such a small room (even though we were told it was an upgrade). Was almost impossible to open the cases, and why have the chairs facing the bed and not the huge TV? (47”, I measured it using (one of) Rosemary’s tape measures. (Don’t worry, I shall be quizzing her later (when I have built up some courage) as to why she has one, let alone multiples.) Looking at the fire-exit plan, it seems to us that most of the rooms on our floor can’t have a window, while we have three, so perhaps that’s our upgrade. Rosemary hates the bathroom, while I think it neat. No door into it only a sliding door inside which is shared between the toilet & the shower. She really hates the sink, a basin type installation perched on a shelf with mirrors at odd angles and not one opposite it.
We ate breakfast in the hotel, expensive, but filling. Didn’t eat much else for the rest of the day. A walk around the city orientating ourselves. Down to the ferry port then back up into town. Much building going on. Stopped for coffee at the Remedy on Wellesley Street, as recommended by my South Island dwelling brother. Strange little café, complete with a book-exchange service, but we decided it would be worthwhile eating breakfast there the next day. While sitting there we watched people jump off the Sky Tower. Non-bungee jumping but some type of free fall. I said “ooow!”, R said “oh”, in a rather dull tone.
We walked up to Albert Park being the nearest bit of green to us. Seemed to be Auckland University orientation week (freshers). There were all the usual stalls advertising societies. No idea why some of the stall-holders bothered to talk to us oldies, but possibly they were wondering why we were looking at them. The park contained some strange trees with huge roots, Google suggests Ficus Tree, and fir-type trees which had parasitic plants growing on them.
Another beer, this time at The Occidental.
We went walking again along the harbour, but this time came across the Volvo Ocean Race. This is an around the world race stopping at various ports (Cardiff in May/June). The boats had arrived in Auckland a couple of days before. They were all hauled out onto one of the docks & were being worked on. We walked around a tent showing a full-size half section through one of them. The toilet was very small looking more like a sink. Plenty of Volvo cars, trucks and diggers were on display. One Volvo car chap complimented me on my Pink Floyd type t-shirt and reminisced on where he had seen them.
Further along the docks were the really expensive, huge motor boats. Many were being refitted, I have never seen so large fluffy fenders to stop the glossy paintwork being damaged. Cables going on board were placed over taped down cardboard to stop the fresh paint from chaffing. The superstructures were enclosed in shrink wrapped plastic. All the fitters were walking around barefoot, so as not to damage the decks.
Nearby was the silo park which even had a viewing platform. Not sure if all the silos were in use. Would love to be in Auckland next week when an art installation opens nearby, and the platform would come into use.
By the by, the pedestrian crossings squawk and then put-put-put as the walking green man lights up. Could not understand it the first time we encountered it.
There was an exhibition of owls, these large art pieces where scattered through the city. Rather like the cows in Edinburgh a few years ago. One owl by the artist Weilun Ha had the following information.
Kintsukuroi is the name of the art of repairing pottery with gold. It treats breakage and repair as part of the history of the object, rather than something to disguise and be ashamed. Embracing the flaw of imperfections in life itself and coming back stronger in the weaknesses. This is the metaphor for porcelain patters reflecting that life is beautiful and fragile.
Number of homeless on the streets.
I managed a small quiche from a bakery for supper, but R not interested in eating anything.
The day ended early as tiredness crept up on us, and in bed by 8.00pm. Like any city on a Friday night, the revellers were still at it at 4am.
We had an excellent trip to Stoneywell National Trust House. The weather could have been a little better. 
