My ramble in Remuera

It's 8:45 Saturday morning and I've just turned into the shortcut that will take me toward the Sturges Road Train Platform. I'm going to take the 9:08 toward Britomart. 

We're pulling into Fruitvale Road and it's foggy. (and the window is dirty) 

By the time I reached Newmarket, it has cleared up, mostly. I'm looking down the South Line tracks. 

I have arrived in Remuera and have climbed to the overpass.

The sidewalks are narrow here.  The town has an 'old-fashioned' feel to it. 

I've come Remuera for a couple of reasons. First, it is the town closest to Newmarket to the South. I intend to explore more of suburbs along the Southern Line in the future. I've been to some of them already. But more importantly, I've come to Remuera because it lies between two volcanic cones. There is Mt. St. John on one side and Mt. Hobson on the other. I want to climb both of them. 

In this post, I'll be showing you shots taken in Remuera. I climbed Mt. St. John but will save those pictures for my next post. Mt. Hobson will have to wait for a bit. One adventure at a time.   

This is Mt. St. John Avenue. On one side are older, but very well kept, and undoubtedly, very expensive homes, nestled against the side of the cone. On the other side lies the campus of The Dilworth Senior School.  (high school)

Oh my. Look what I've found. That is a Thunderbird. Left-side drive. 

There are not many of these in NZ I'll bet.

That is gorgeous. 

There was a time in my life that I ached to own a Thunderbird. I settled for a Sable.  

Two driveways lead to homes farther off the avenue. 

Wow. I'll bet that's worth several million. 

This is a shot between houses showing the terraces that climb the side of Mt. St. John. This photo doesn't do it justice. It flattens it out. 

This is the beginning of the climb to the top of the Mt. St. John Cone. It's next on the agenda. 'Stay tuned.' 

 I'm back on main street in a tiny liquor store, standing in front of the racks, and marveling at their selection.  What I noticed first was the Grappa. 

I've written many times about how my early years of reading fired my imagination. When I read about the south seas islands and learned about foods like taro, breadfruit, and flying fish, I hungered to try them myself. (now I have) 
And I read Hemingway.  How could I read about Jake Barnes, the American jounalist lliving in circa 1920 Paris in The Sun Also Rises, as he sat drinking grappa with his friends, and not want to share in the experience?

I didn't buy any. That stuff is spendy, as Fred puts it.  That's about $36 U.S., but I'm glad I know where to get some if I change my mind. 

The other item up there that I was interested in is the Liquor 43. That is made only in Cartegena, Spain. Now, I can't claim to have ever read about it, but it intrigues me nonetheless. Jeanne (and McKenzie and Kim) are all fond of having, 'a little something,' on occasion, either to perfectly end a special meal, or to add to the comfort of an evening of  bright and witty conversation. (talking smart) That's only $29 U.S. As I write this I find myself weakening...

I'm back to reality at the Remura train platform.

About half-way home I spot the barest hint of a rainbow.  It's been fun rambling in Remuera.  I'll come back again with Jeanne when her knee is up to climbing the volcano.       -djf