My beautiful daughter and I walked down the hill and into Newtown yesterday morning.
We were looking for a cafe for our morning chat and to buy some groceries for the birthday dinner.
Two things to remember about New Zealand. 1. Always take your warmie because your day may not stay warm for long. 2. Wear your sunscreen, you have 15 minutes before you burn, even if there is a high cloud cover and it does not feel hot. Be careful of your skin in New Zealand . We have one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.
The streets of Newtown were busy with some remarkably friendly people. We both remarked on how often we were smiled to and greeted on this busy little street lined in shops of all kinds. There are a lot of second hand clothing stores in this area which we look forward to exploring. We had a lovely coffee in the back yard of Baobab Cafe. Very lazy. Very summer. Very easy. 
We bought a few things in the little local supermarket and wandered back up the hill to make my lamb dinner. 
Look at these two fantastic birthday presents. 
Real New Zealand gumboots.
And a most wondrous weather vane (plus its postage home) for the barn. Mahia seems to have picked up on that TonTon trick of getting into the back of shots!!.
The news from the farmy. Daisy is wearing her new anti kicking device (which I have not seen a picture of yet) and John has made her a wee gate that helps her stay in place during the milking. She is reported to be more settled, miraculously easy to milk under the new system and I hope will increase her production again now. So I think that crisis has been managed.
Good morning. Once again Wellington has dawned clear and calm, beautiful weather for Wellington. It is early, early morning as usual and the valley is full of the most amazing array of native bird song, I wish I had sound for you sometimes. One bird in particular is high up in the Marcrocarpas calling a low slow desperately sad song. Just three long sustained repeating notes that drift through the valley like the beginnings of a long forgotton lullaby. I am sure they can hear it right down on the beach.
After loading the slow cooker with a Lamb Rendang, my beautiful daughter and I will catch the bus down into Courtney Place, which is close to the port, and has plenty of good shopping. We will take you to see some street art by the sea, and the downtown area. And yes, we will be wearing our sunblock and have our cardies in our bags.
Have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
91 responses to “Taking to the streets of Wellington”
What wonderful presents and I love the kiwi vane. Is that a present for you that Mahia has in his mouth? Any kind of rendang gets my attention and what a lovely dinner you will have! Again, Happy Birthday to you Cecilia.
Mahia is carrying a beaten up plastic plant pot.. another similarity with Ton, carrying plastic around! c
A shopping day with your daughter…I love those sorts of days. I always request one on my birthday list!!!
Linda
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we are back now and it was grand, both exhausted.. c
Happy Birthday! Love the kiwi weather vane, we have a rooster on our barn. Now you will have to make sure it is hung opposite way than to NZ with you being back in the northern hemisphere.
Wellington is putting on dream weather for you.
Love Leanne
The weather is extraordinary, i had no idea wellington could be this brilliant.. i keep waiting for it to change.. morning leanne! c
Okay, I’m ready for NZ. 😉 Hello and Happy Birthday!
Ah so lovely – such great pictures and I love your stories of your adventures! I adore that weather vane. So glad you are having a nice time.
Great gifts, Celi! It’s good to see you actually relaxing, for a change, without having already accomplished more chores that morning than I do in a week. May the good times continue to roll. Have another great day!
Love the fact that the lamb got made into rendang, so typical of our times 🙂 ! And there won’t be a day on the farmy when you won’t look at your kiwi and have a smile! Great days to remember when at last back milking Daisy!!
I feel energized and excited to hear about New Z.through your eyes; especially since I am there with you. What a glorious trip; please give my regards to Beautiful daughter: can you refer to her that way without her rolling her eyes? I could never get away with such a reference. But so happy for you for enjoying so much.
I’m loving your trip! Gum Boots! And a kiwi!
Yes, yes, all fine, good and pretty, but TonTon emailed us and he’s a bit jealous and said he misses you. The roosters haven’t noticed you’re gone yet.
well i hope you did not tell him i am walking another dog, then he really will spit the dummy! Those bloody roosters, no respect! c
Love the weather vane!!
Looks like a lovely morning! Always great to see photos of your travels.
It is beautiful here at the moment..
I work just off of Courtenay Place — I think I’d be too shy to say hello if I spotted you! 🙂 Hope your trip is wonderful and that the weather stays nice while you’re here!
Gwen don’t be shy, I may have walked right past you yesterday!! horrors! thank you so much for turning on such a startlingly beautiful few days.. c
Miss C, what splendid birthday presents; do you know where your birthday weather vane came from?
I had a morepork with contrarotating wings……sadly he dismembered himself in the last fierce storm. I had almost given up replacing him, being such an iconic chap…….however the kiwi is something else again!
What awesome birthday pressies Celi _ especially love your wind vane.
Good to hear that Miss Daisy is behaving herself again.
🙂 Mandy xo