Sunday

I worked on my code for a few hours on Saturday and was getting no where. I started again on Sunday, it was generating a bunch of error messages, and staring at the screen wasn't getting me anywhere. Iain suggested we take a day off from chores and school work and enjoy the day.

It was absolutely GORGEOUS outside -- it was such a great reminder of why we moved here. We drove over to Devonport (kick-ass seaside town -- I've written about it before). Everyone was out sailing. We went for a long walk up this really cool hill before wandering back into the town for brunch. Our waitress could barely speak English, so you can imagine the fun we had trying to order a Bloody Mary and a Virgin Mary. She had NO idea what we were talking about. The manager had to come over, and he was just as clueless -- he kept asking if a Virgin Mary was just another name for tomato juice, and then insisted on calling it a "spiced tomato juice". It was infuriating. NZ really needs to step it up in the cocktail department...

But it was a perfect day otherwise -- especially since it's supposed to be the middle of winter over here! We got some ice cream after brunch (see 'Gay Time' ice cream cone) and sauntered around looking at houses. It's such a beautiful neighborhood.

When we got home we settled in for a late afternoon of The Sopranos on DVD, leftover bread & cheese, and wine. Awesome. It was exactly what we needed.


That island over there is called Rangitoto Island -- apparently it's all native bush and owned by the Maori. I think.
Shot of Auckland in the distance and the beaches of Devonport.