Viva May Day!

Here's Michael carrying his union banner up Queen St in the centre of Tāmaki-makau-rau/ Auckland for May Day.

... And catching up with fellow union organisers Maurice and Todd manning the saussage sizzle at the rally.

Feeding time at the Zoo

We were lucky enough today to get a very close encounter with some animals at Auckland Zoo...

we bumped into Nicky who works at the zoo and is one of Mikes Union members, she took us behind the scenes to meet the lions and give them ox heart brunch!!!

an incredible encounter to say the least...

its not what you know its who you know...

old man of the forest

cheeky cheetah

kookaburra lives in an old gum tree...

tired nelly...

ginormous giraffe..

Anawhata

Today we paid our first visit to Anawhata beach on the west coast...famed for being Sir Ed's favourite, I think that's because it involves a very steep hike down and back up the cliff to get in and out...

as usual Michael had a splash in the waves...

there are only two homes on this beach and I would like to live in one, someday!

creepy purple crab in the rocks

Durantastic

Last night I went to see Duran Duran who were kicking off their world tour in Auckland...

they put on an amazing show and belted out all the old tunes proper style for over 2 hrs...

I highly recommend you see them on this tour, Simon still rocks!

Easter Sunday in the Sun

In the morning we went to Wenderholm regonal park which is a little headland about 30 mins away...



the sea was amazingling calm and clear for our swim...

the majestic Pohutakawa trees dominate the park...

nestled between the Puhoi river and the beach...

crystal clear waters of the Puhoi River...

the day ended with dinner at Aaron and Michelles, with Aaron's sister Sarah and her husband Gareth joining us...

Whale of a time

Heading out of The City of Sails on an exceptional Easter Saturday we encountered many species of wildlife in the Hauraki Gulf...

surface skimming shearwaters

delightful dancing dolphins...

graceful gannets...

breath taking Brydes whale...

the seaworthy sailors...

Flashback to the 80's

Here's Michael aka Magnum PI in our solarium on the way to our friend Michelle's 30th birthday party. More pics of the "outrageos 80's" themed event at: http://www.photomax.com/web/mem_album_photo_slide_show.php?TrackId=1808092&RandomId=1691176169