Wellington Harbour was the most beautiful sight yesterday. You can walk for a quite some time around the old port area and it is heaving with eateries, locals, tourists, runners and business men on suspiciously long lunches. The usual business of a working port with boats, ferries and ships weaving in and out of the people. 
The weather was quite simply perfect. 
We took a bus from Newtown …
..down into Wellington proper. We Wandered about Lambton Quay, then up into Courtney place, shopping and chatting, buying not very much. The pohutukawas are flowering everywhere. 
…then back to the water we went..
eventually choosing..
Shed 5 for our lunch. Like most of the restaurants along this stretch, it is a converted warehouse sitting on the old ..
pier.
We had a long leisurely lunch of posh fish and chips and champage right beside the sea, followed by a lovely bottle of rose, under a red umbrella.
Good morning. Today my daughter and I, who are inseparable when we are together, will pack up and de-camp to Senior sons for a few days. He lives in Wellington also and tells me that he is very close to the sea and the beach. There will be more walks into the hills with some views of our rugged coastline, I hope.
So pack your wee bags again, we are going to be collected in the Valiant (a classic old car in New Zealand) about 2 this afternoon.
On the other side of the world, Christine, who runs a bed and breakfast in a place called Glenhinnisdal in the UK, has painted a beautiful portrait of TonTon, do pop in and have a look. It is so beautiful. Her blog is named after her house – Garysbuie. She has very kindly offered to send this lovely painting to me so that I can frame our dear wee doggie and hang him on the wall. Isn’t that awesome. I do miss TonTon. Aren’t blog people grand.
Back on the prairie, the footings for the Coupe have been poured and the Kiwi builder (who actually grew up in Wellington) has sent me a drawing for you. 
I can now see where I want to put the other windows.
There will also be a glasshouse on the South side of the original house.
This really has become an exciting project. The image you see is at noon on the longest day so that all the high windows, plus the covered verandah where the summer table will be, are in shade.
Good morning everyone. I hope you are all going to have a lovely day.
We will. I will be back tomorrow with a new view!
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
70 responses to “Champagne with Fish and Chips on the Waterfront”
My goodness, that IS posh fish and chips! Nothing like that in this part of the world! Thank you so much for the link; a few of your friends have already commented on Garybuie’s blog but I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to reply as cooking dinner is next on the agenda! By the way, I’ve found a nice sturdy tube, so I shall endeavour to gently persuade Ton Ton into it and will post him on Friday, our shopping day. I don’t suppose he’ll reach Illinois by Christmas but you never know… Enjoy all that sunshine, hummmph…
Christine
What a brilliant christmas present that would be! awesome..i am looking out the window as i type this morning the day has dawned fine and clear again.. our luck is holding so far! c
Celi, I truly am loving our vacation – just too wonderful for words.
Yippee, a sketch from the builder – looks great.
🙂 Mandy
OMG, what a lovely portrait! And your day looks absolutely wonderful, so jealous, ours is chilly and cloudy today so I’ll have to live vicariously through you! Do have a wonderful time visiting the sons.
Morning eva, we will have another great day today, shortly i am going to have to get out into that sun.. it is gorgeous today so far.. c
Ooh I enjoyed my fish & chips with champgane – will we be having curry with champagne at any point?! Glad you are having fun and am just off to pack my back, hope I haven´t missed my lift!
You are away again!! I will pop out and wave bye bye.. c
How exciting to see the drawing of the Coupe, and how wonderful for you to enjoy such a mix of fine weather and family. Wellington is a stunning city when the wind goes back into the cupboard and the sun pours out instead.
I have never in my life had such good weather in wellington.. though next week i begin to creep up the country .. I am bound to hit rain somewhere.. c
Ton Ton’s painting is so incredible; the mixture of a warm breathing animal, and the whiteness of gauze around him – awesome; great posts btw; have a blast!
I’m glad you’re having a blast in NZ! Wellington looks amazing……… and so do those fish and chips lol!
I took a look at the painting of TonTon and it’s just beautiful – she’s a talented artist. It’s so touching that she’s sending you that painting……. what a wonderful blogworld!
Have fun Celi! Enjoy every precious minute…..
GMom
A VALIANT!!! I had a Valiant for years and years until after I got married. Then we sold it so we could have a pick-up! I so loved my little Valiant! A perfect car for a nice run around.
I am very close to my daughters also. I so understand. Terry’s Mum used to say, “Your son is your son until he takes a wife, your daughter is your daughter all of your life.” Although, most of us can say our son’s are wonderfully close also!
The trip is made of dreams! And your portrait of Ton-Ton is priceless. Her art is outstanding. I’ve added her to my blog list!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
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I love views of water and am glad to hear that you are having a good time.
I am drooling at those fish and chips. And if I were eating them I would use salt and bedammed to sans-sel regime. Now I’m going to look at Tonton.
the COMPLETE opposite of the weather and the photos I took today! How wonderful 🙂
Bags are packed, and I am ready! And hey, aren’t you the lucky one to receive such a wonderful gift from Christine! Simply beautiful. ~Lynda
The portrait is wonderful. And those fish and chips make my mouth water.
You must be in heaven next to your daughter again:) That’s a special bond for certain. I’m enjoying the mysteries of this new plant.. a pohutukawas?? and the water.. xx Smidge
I forgot to ask but how on earth did you find a kiwi builder in the boonies?!