Out with the old car and...

...in with the new. 

Allie's new Outlander

Its name, according to the boys, is Commander Toast.

Most of my posts have been built around a theme. This one is not. It is made up of pictures that aren't part of a major item of interest.  I simply snapped these because I liked what I saw and wanted to share the sight with you. Each of them though adds it's little part to the growing picture of New Zealand that I send out to whoever cares to see it. I hope you enjoy them...

I am at Oceanz Seafood, our favorite seafood market in Henderson. I'm not sure but I think the big guy is an ocean sunfish. 

Ugly, but tasty. Meet the monkfish 

 A storm shell clam, Mactra murchisoni steamed and ready to eat. Very firm, but not tough, delicious, sea-salty meat. Of all the shell fish I've tried, this one is the second best. Abalone (paua) was the best. 
http://fostersoe.blogspot.co.nz/2015/09/okay-back-to-fantasy-island.html

This is a traditional Maori cloak made from feathers. 

 While it is beautiful in it's way, and the workmanship is amazing, I can't help wonder how many birds this represents? 

 This sandwich place is a Kiwi take-off on the Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich.  To be honest, these sandwiches are pretty good, but they fall short of the true Masterpiece that a real, authentic Banh Mi sandwich is. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A1nh_m%C3%AC

A view of the Skytower from McLeod Park at about 8:30 on an overcast soccer Saturday morning.

 What do you suppose these are? They are a slightly sweet snack item made from rice flour. They're hollow, like giant straws.

 I think this is a type of eucalyptus. 

Halls have a little different look over here.  

Now That is a good looking building. I'm in Auckland, specifically Albert Park, looking  roughly northwest. 

...Better yet...

That is the Metropolis, a 40-story, postmodernism style, residential building.  There are 6 penthouse suites. Can you imagine walking out on to one of those balconies and surveying the city below?

This past fall, Arram placed 4th among the 8 year olds in his school's yearly cross country race. He was therefore invited to participate in the District-wide race held at a near-by school. Here he is  waiting in line to have his feet and legs washed free of mud after that race. Although it's not a requirement, all the kids run barefoot. ("Shoes slow me down, Grandpa." ) He is the 29th fastest 8 year old in the district. I was poppin' my buttons...

...And speaking of popping my buttons...

Just as we were about to leave school not long ago, a cloudburst blew in and Amiri and I decided to wait for it to move on...While we waited, he stepped up to a piano in the School  Hall, and started belting out tunes.  He shows some real talent I think. A minute or so later, he stepped aside so a little girl who heard him playing and wanted to try her hand at it could have a go. (She was just plinking away, but he treated her attemps with respect.) He's a very kind-hearted guy. I was Very proud of him.   -djf