A fine day with sun

The weather has been absolutely brilliant lately. I’ve often said that some of Auckland’s most brilliant days are in winter, and lately there’s been ample proof of that. Today was just the latest example.

Today was also the winter solstice, which is a good thing because it means the days will be getting longer again. I like that.

We went up to the Whangaparaoa Peninsula north of Auckland to have lunch at our friend’s house. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the view from our friend’s deck (above) was far better than the photo suggests (I think the camera doesn’t like bright sunshine).

The peninsula juts east about 11km into the Hauraki Gulf, meaning there are great views from many parts of the area. In 2006, I posted a couple photos looking south, in the general direction of the peninsula; the left side of the photo above is looking in the general direction of where those earlier photos were taken.

Whenever we go up there, I always laugh when we get to Manly—with the signs pointing to Big Manly Beach and a little further along to Little Manly Beach. But I always think it’s funniest when I see Big Manly Methodist Church; I always imagine what their parishioners look like. Yeah, I’m easily amused.

A few weeks after I arrived in New Zealand, the company I was working for had its Christmas do at Shakespear Regional Park at the end of the peninsula. I barely knew my co-workers, and still couldn’t fully understand the Kiwi accent or customs, but I went anyway. I don’t know if I was brave or too naive to realise what I was doing. In any case, it was a nice day in a very pretty spot. Someday I should go up there and take some photos.

Anyway, we had a lovely time at our friend’s house—great meal, great company, great location. Getting together with friends for Sunday lunch is a great idea—still leaves time in the late afternoon to get a few things done before it’s Sunday evening cocoon time.

So, today was a good day. That’s always a welcome thing.


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The title of today's post is a bit of a play on words: In New Zealand a "fine day" is one with good weather, probably sunny. But to me it also means a nice day.