The corner bookstore

Here is another neat modular - a bookstore by aloisvonesterhazy. The clever use of parts makes the model feel of the era in which a real building of the style would be built.

Zaragoza, Raglan

Usually, when I get brunch or lunch in Raglan I go to The Shack (review here), but yesterday I figured I'd risk a change.

Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the spot the way I'd hoped it would. I visited Zaragoza which is just up Bow street from the Shack, and ordered the special of the day; Potato Cakes (pictured below) with a side of Patatas Bravas.

The problem is that both of these dishes should be well spiced, and neither of them were - the word bland almost comes to mind. Other than that, the service and ambience were very amicable. Overall though, I'll give them a 5/10 - plenty of room to improve.

Seaside at low tide

On a sunny autumn's day there are less choices than a sunny spring day, as the fields are still wet so many walks would become frolicks in mud.

Thankfully, the beach falls outside that category, and the nearby Wainui Beach, near Raglan was just the ticket today. A few km walk each way and a few photos at low tide made me feel much better.

Circus Circus Bubble and Squeak

Circus Circus in Mt Eden is widely regarded as one of Auckland's best cafes. Upon arrival yesterday, the queue stretched out the door.

That's alright though, because within a reasonable prompt timeframe, I had a table and could await my coffee the brekky.

The coffee took ages. Having said that, I can forgive them because I saw the barista break the coffee grinder just as we walked in - so this obviously wouldn't have been a problem normally. My brunch of Bubble and Squeak arrived promptly, and was made of tasty fresh ingredients, and topped off with tasty gruyere.

Bubble and Squeak - Circus Cirus, Mt Eden, Auckland - 28 May 2011

Overall the cafe has excellent staff, coffee and food, and a neat atmosphere given the whole circus theme. Definately one I'll return to.

Circus Cirus, Mt Eden, Auckland - 28 May 2011

The Bicentennial Conservatory

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens certainly holds it's own. This post isn't about the garden as a whole though, but rather about a rather impressive building and collection inside it - the Bicentennial Conservatory.

The conservatory is one of the largest in the world, and certainly the largest single span conservatory in the Southern Hemisphere, and was built in 1989 to celebrate the nation's bi-centenary.

The architecture aside, what's inside (once you've paid 5 bucks to get in), is a collection of tropical rainforest plants from the North of Australia and the islands of South East Asia.

Another neat pair of modulars

Winter sees me spending a lot more time online rather than outside. What, with it getting dark as work finishes, and not getting light again until the commute to work. Of course, there are many neat sights online, and this lego model is one of them - the houses, by brickcitydepot - would look right at home in San Francisco.

As always, the devil is in the details - I really like the conservatory, gardens and picture windows.

What a green house should look like

Many green buildings are uninspired. A subset of alternative which becomes a new norm.

There are however examples that fit outside that norm. Here is one example, by Sky Garden House by Guz Wilkinson of Guz architects and built in Singapore.

It's complete with a rooftop lawn, indoor garden, and pool that doubles as a window.

http://www.archdaily.com/112766/sky-garden-house-guz-architects/

A licorice of a candy store

Lego colours are very similar to licorice colours - here is a neat example of that used to a neat effect, to make a candy store, built by eurobricks member Follows Closely.

A white modular in dutch style

Modular buildings come in many shapes and sizes. This one caught my attention as it feels as though it's right out of amsterdam, with it's height and it's gable. A neat model all the same built by Man with a hat.

Pokaiwhenua Bridge River Trail

The Waikato River trails are a perennial favourite of mine. Today I decided to try out the newest addition to the set, that is the walk from the Pokaiwhenua bridge through to Arapuni.

Having said that, I was lazy, so probably only made it half the way through the walk. There are of course many neat views of the Waikato river to take in along the way:

Dinner and Drinks at House

When you're not eating and drinking at home - you could go to House (on Hood street).

House is one of my favourite haunts, as they seem to sell every fine ale there is, and have a brilliant chef. On the cards yesterday where a variety of ciders, and indeed a tasty main of Lamb rump, with bacon, beans and spuds - the perfect thing to soak up that alcohol. I'd give their effort last night a 9/10, which is consistent with my previous visits.

House on Hood, Hood Street, Hamilton - Jan 2011

Of course, Hamiltonians will probably remember the venue as the loaded hog - it's gone a long way upclass since then, and it's certainly a change from the buildings' first life, as a hotel:

Hood Street, 1939

Prohibition - the theme that never was

Lego designers must come up with all sorts of ideas on a day to day basis - many of which never see the light of day. Here's one, a prohibitition '30's theme that was conceptualised in the 1980's:

It makes me wonder what other interesting things lurk in the Lego archives.

The Pureora Buried Forest

If you asked me about the most dull walk in the North Island, this one would probably be it.

The walk is about ten minutes long, and about two hours from home. The "attraction" is a buried forest. 1800 years ago a volcanic eruption knocked all the trees done, and in the '80s they were dug up by a tractor.

Needless to say, the site is now of interest to those who go to those sorts of places because of the back story, but not for those who want to see something. On the upside, there were blackberries here when I visited.

Pureora Buried Forest - Feb 2011

Pureora Buried Forest - Feb 2011

Pureora Buried Forest - Feb 2011