Easter Holiday in New Zealand

March is a lovely time to visit New Zealand. We spent a week between Napier and Rotorua having plenty of fun in wineries and thermal areas. One was a delight to the senses, the other an amazing assault on the nose but awesome and fun all the same.

Napier is world famous for its art deco buildings as well as the many fine wineries surrounding the town. We had a delightful lunch at the oldest winery, the Mission Winery in its fine chapel eating area.

A walk on the Marine Parade to view the gardens and wild stony beach is also a favourite.


Rotorua, with its smell and thermal wonders is a must see for all tourists. Although the geyser needed some soap to start it going, it was spectacular. And the thermal pools and craters were both smelly and steamy.

My Book Life

One of the joys of working in a library is that I am surrounded by so many books as well as having an endless supply of readers to talk to about the books they read, liked and disliked. I can keep up to date with the new publications as well as hear about old favourites and past best sellers which may no longer be published.

One of the frustrations of course of working in a library is that you never have time to do any reading while working. It is a busy, fast moving environment with lots of kids, teenagers, senior readers, computer and database queries, plus the odd technology problem or three.

To relax at home though with a book is one of the great pleasures of life. One can transform into the princess, the intrepid adventurer in Lord of the Rings, the great crime sleuth or spy as you try to guess the outcome in any Minette Walters, Agatha Christie and John Le Carre.

So here to the humble book. May it not be replaced by a computer screen anytime soon.

As this photo of the Cardiff Library shows - books are art, architecture and soul food.

Book Crossing

Have you ever seen a book lying on a park bench, airport lounge seat or in a shopping centre - just waiting to be picked up by someone anonymous to be taken home and read? Then you may have just witnessed or been part of the Book Crossing phenomenon.Specially labelled and wrapped free books are just waiting to be picked up and read, then left for another lucky person to read. No other tricks or problems with this. Check out the Book Crossing website to see what books have been released near you and join up if you wish.

I "found" a Book Crossing book a couple of months ago, have read it and am now waiting til my next holiday before I release it. In an airport somewhere perhaps. Lets hope that the security guards don't mistake it for a bomb, even though its clearly labeled.
After all its a book about winning a Nobel Prize!

Frog Hollow @ Dawn

Frog Hollow is a man made wetland with several linked ponds filtering the water from the Eumemmerring Creek. The original wetland was cleared and drained some 30 or more years ago and now has been "replaced" leading to a great increase in water bird life. Its a great place for an early morning walk (with camera and tripod of course).