waiorea

Another outing to Western Springs with my little friend last week. The park is almost overrun with birds - seagulls, pukeko, swans, geese, ducks, coots, pigeons, hens. There few still a few fluffy ducklings and cygnets around. And, best of all, if you linger on one of the bridges and peer into the dark water you're bound to see a slippery fat eel or two.

Reading: The non-conformists by Martin Parr and Susie Parr
This is a really interesting book of photos taken by Martin in 1975 while he and Susie were living in a small mill town in Yorkshire, England. It's a sort of documentary about a traditional way of life in a rural community that was already in decline. Susie wrote the text that describes the people and their day-to-day lives. I especially liked her description of the Lydgate mineral water works that made cordials and "fizzy drinks".

what we had when we had it

Tango

Reflections

Narvik

These are new additions to our Crown Lynn collection. Crown Lynn was a pottery started in New Zealand in the late 1930s. It had its heyday in the 70s and, sadly, closed in 1989. Mostly it made everyday china and, back in the day, everybody had it. One of the best things about Crown Lynn was that you could buy individual pieces. So, if you broke a plate, you could easily buy a replacement. It's been having a bit of a renaissance and is now quite sort after by collectors.

There is an exhibition on in Auckland until 14 January and these swans are just a peek of the delights in store for you if you go.