Walking in Albany

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I am staying a few days with my lovely aunt, Gael Hope, at her home on a "lifestyle block" in the suburb of Albany, Auckland. It's on the north shore of Auckland, out of the way from the maddening crowd. We would call a lifestyle block an acreage.
We have been to my cousin David’s house, where Haley put on a marvelous meal with David tending a leg of lamb on the barbecue rotisserie - Gael timed our visit just right to be in time for chow! The next day we babysat for Haley for a few hours as the baby, Loucesca, 10 months old, wasn’t up to snuff. They live near a few streets of shops, including an outdoor hiking type place where I browsed among the hiking boots on sale but didn’t find any in my size.
We also had Gael’s sister Carol for supper here at Gael’s house in the country. Carol visited us Hopes in Canada in 1965 - I still remember the photograph of her standing in a pink dress on our porch from that visit. Gael made a fantastic fish pie with curry and rice that went down quickly.
Yesterday we went for a brisk hike along one of the many ocean beaches with a walking group that Gael belongs to. Do I miss the walks along Kempenfeldt Bay in the winter time, or hiking along on the frozen lake? NO, not yet. This walking group picks out their route ahead of time - they have so many to choose from. There are paths and walkways all around the area, some are more hilly than others.
We went for coffee afterwards, at a café that happens to be attached to a GARDENING CENTRE. Which is just another idea of heaven for me, so we wandered through after putting my gnawing hunger at ease with cappuccino and Christmas tarts. Can you guess what might be in a Christmas tart?
Last evening we visited my cousin Christopher and enjoyed another wonderful meal that Julie whipped together. The vegetables look like something out of a gourmet cuisine magazine and are delicious - I don’t know how they do it. Christopher looked after the stuff on the barbecue as well. He has an office in his house and can look out on wonderful NZ hills with sheep. I kept snapping trying to capture the layers of foliage and mists rising from the trees in the distance.

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Photos

David's house
Lots of houses in Auckland have this lovely dry stone wall around them. The Maories install them, and they provide an attractive backdrop as well as privacy to the front yard.

David put in these gardens
He did all the landscaping and installation of plants. This is the side yard, where shells are used as a mulch. Very attractive and interesting.

All these raised beds
Are made from concrete blocks which are then plastered and painted. I get the impression David can put his hand to pretty well any kind of construction. He does woodworking for boats - I guess it's a kind of specialized cabinetmaking.

David also made this table
Here we are filling our faces. David made this table. PPoured concrete, cut it, polished the top, set it in metal window frames adapted for the purpose. I couldn't stop admiring it.
David has curly hair which he keeps shaved short like our Bryan. Why why why do men cut off their beautiful hair???

Heading out for the Walk
About to head out for our hike Tuesday morning.

Aglimpse of the scenery
Ocean on our left, million dollar homes on our right.

Hills added alot of challenge
I was huffing and puffing to keep up with the group

Gael, seen from the rear
What a thing for a visiting neice to do! Actually, I was trying to capture the writing on their shirts.

Not quite like Barrie
Waitemea means "Sparkling waters" but I didn't capture the sparkle in these shots. It was a bit overcast but that didn't deter the Walkers.

Sand barrier prevents erosion
Made from cement, it gives a nice surface for walking along the beach

Sandstone cliffs
Made an interesting backdrop

Heading back again
Back along the same hilly route

Cancelling the calorie effect
No filtered coffee available at most cafes, everyone has lattes,chai lattes and all those exotic drinks.

Cala lilies in all colours
Stopped for a browse next door. Who could resist?

Closer look
I've not seen this colour before

And another
OR this one

A typical NZ scene
My cousin Chris's daughter Ashley goes down to find her pet sheep among the flock.

Chris tends to the animal flesh on the barbie
While I stroll around admiring the views

The house that Chris built
Just completed a couple of months ago, Chris tells me they have lived there for two years. The young architect who did a few projects with him did the plans.

Trying for a candid
Hard to catch the girls unawares, I had to hide behind this pillar to sneak up. But I think they were on to me.

Across the street
My photography doesn't really do the scene much justice

Wonderful view from every window
This is the lounge with its wonderful view. Chris has his office on the top floor and enjoys the scenery from every angle.

A Modern Garden
Front entrance at Chris and Julie's place.The tall cylinders forma a fountain.