Auckland springtime

Good grief. In Michingan, the Upper Peninsula State Fair is over, the kids are back at school, color season is starting, and the geese will soon be heading south. (Hunting season not far away) 
Fall was always my favorite season. 

Here, we are seeing signs of spring all around us. I took a bus ride into Auckland recently and walked around for a time, just enjoying the beauty of a sunny Saturday morning. 

Take a look at what I saw. I started off in our backyard...

 I showed you a bowl of oranges on our counter as a recent header picture. This is what still remained on our tree when I took the picture. By the time you read this post, I think the tree will be picked clean.  

 And, while the oranges finally come off the tree, my fig starts its new summer of growth.

 I've come in to Auckland to walk a bit in the springtime sunshine. That's the New Zealand Mint building behind the trees. It's where I bought some silver coins once and the boys both held a kilogram of .999 pure gold.  

 New green on this tree in front of Auckland's Town Hall on Queen Street

 Burgerfuel, that bastion of meaty deliciousness, is tempting the vegans among us with its new hempburger.  I might just have to do some research. 
Now, if they'd come out with a Quornburger, I'd definitely be at the front of that line. 

 I've been here 7+ years but I still like to wander the city and gawk. 

Here's one for you, Dianne. It's still open and busy as.  I had to wait for a couple of ladies to clear out before I snapped this picture. 

 Another city view that has it all.

 Since it's Saturday morning, I've made my way over to the Morning Market behind Britomart.  I brought along a left-over meatball sub that Allie and Amiri made so I am not tempted to try anything offered here.
(I've given in plenty of times in the past.) 

 Our dear friend The White Lady is back at her spot about a block away from the Britomart Market. 

 So, why am I showing you this rather ugly picture?  Well, Auckland is building another rail line to serve the Western suburbs. (ours)  It starts at Britomart and runs beneath the city until it finally joins the Western Line at Mount Eden. The last time I walked by this spot, there was a trench in the ground 70 or 80 feet deep and half a mile long. It is the first stretch of the tunnel. 
Now it's filled in, and whatever work that needs to be completed will be done underground.  That's progress. Maybe this street will soon be returned to normal usage. 

 I'm taking a bus back to Henderson today and am passing St. Patricks's Cathedral on my way to the bus stop. It is here that I ate my sub and relaxed for 15 minutes. 
What a nice morning's walk I had. 
When I get back to Henderson, I'm going to nip into Pak n Save and buy a small container of sour cream. Jeanne is making enchiladas for dinner.    -djf