Wellington Holiday.

The first couple of days in Wellington were fine and bright but then the wind got up and being out and about was not so much fun. We stayed at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel which is right in the city and has a lift that deposits one straight onto Lambton Quay We mainly walked everywhere and took a couple of taxis to further away places.
  We spent my big Birthday with members of my side of the family. Some travelled down from the Rangitikei to be with us for long lunch on the day - Sunday 7th . We ate at the Crab Shack down on Queen's Wharf. Later my nephew and his wife who live and work in the capital drove us around the sights.

We spent a whole day at Te Papa the National Museum. My time was spent on the 5th level which has the Art Gallery and a display of Tivaevae manu ( appliqué quilts ).

This was my favourite made by the late Jasmine Underhill. The pattern by her Aunt is called puarata flower.

 2 more I liked.

 We also visited the Air New Zealand History display and rode in the simulator.

 The Gallipoli display is the main attraction at Te Papa at the moment

 The scenes and figures are all larger than life ( 1.6  I think ) and realistic down to the veins under the skin, the sweat and the individual hairs on the body. Made by Weta Workshop and Peter Jackson they are almost too realistic.

 Lottie Le Calais.

 The display included ration packs, flies all over everything including food, wounds and the latrines. The sound effects were also very realistic.

This display like every other at the museum are free and very worth the visit.

We went on a tour at Weta Wokshop.

 3 of these fellows greet you outside. Photograhy wasn't allowed on the tour.

 The part I found most interesting was Kim Beaton working on a project using Pal Tiya. It is the ultimate permanent outdoor modelling clay, developed by her husband Woz.

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 We rode the Cable car which climbs 120 metres in 5 minutes.

 Construction for the original started in 1899.

 We wanted to walk right around the Botanical gardens but the wind and skiffs of drizzle sent us into the cable car museum then back down to the city again, where we spent time in Unity Bookshop.

 We had lovely meals at Logan Brown - a present from R and Boulcott Street Bistro a present from the young ones. But the best Coffee  I had while away came from Bordeaux Bakery. I had lovely hot soup there on the way back from visiting Nancy's Embroidery on Thorndon Quay. They told me the coffee beans come from Borneo.

 We came back earlier than planned as the weather was against our other plans. Unfortunately I came back with a sore throat and cough by the time we got home. Too many public spaces and places probably. ( especially when 10 people cram into a lift )

 We enjoyed our short holiday away, but it is always nice to be home, with the fire going,  when the weather is nasty.