Carnies
Oops, better late than never I suppose.
We went to the
Weber Brothers Circus today at Avalon Park. I've never been to the circus, so didn't really know what to expect. I was bloody impressed. Obviously not high art, but a good solid show with high wire, hula hoops, strong men (eye candy), shark, mermaid, trapeze, clowns and clapping, hot dogs, chips... all the good stuff.
They've only got 3 more shows in Lower Hutt, but they are well worth checking out. The kids loved it. $59 for the four of us seemed like pretty good value. It was a good 2 hours long (including intermission - remember that?).
There were no poor exotic animals, just some nice bulldogs who seemed to be enjoying themselves (relaxed enough to take a whizz on stage). Remarkably little camel toe to be seen, which I rate highly. Go on, Google it. You know you want to.
You fill up my senses...
Today I thought I'd head into the big smoke, and spend up large with my Kircaldies voucher. But when it came time to drive in, I had a change of heart. Lower Hutt is so darned easy with all the free parking and attractive young people on holidays. So I went to Westgate.
Bananas in Pyjamas were performing when we got inside, which was bloody good actually. When you're feeling vaguely guilty that the only 'fun' activities you have planned for your kids are a trip to Woolworths, anything aimed at the chidlers is welcome distraction.
After that we headed for the Warehouse, and scored heaps of native plants for $5 and Cranium too. We then sat down and had some sushi and chocolate - which was a bit rich of me, as I'd been all quietly disapproving of another woman feeding her tribe happy meals.
And then went and got the new Luke Buda cd. I feel all kind of shopped out, and satisfied. And I didn't have to leave the valley.
Sweet.
QUICK!
Now is the time to go to Petone beach. It is as still as a mill pond, and foxy and beautiful and all French Riviera-ish.
Ripe and Go-Bang
Go Bang and Ripe are a couple of wee cafes around these parts. They roast their own coffee (Ripe), and sell it through the Zoom kiosks in town. You can buy the coffee at Moore Wilson's.
Go Bang is gorgeous. Great old retro furniture, and extremely delicious kai. They do big brekkies and big chunky cakes, and a generally very high standard of food. They've got tables outside too, so if the day isn't too galeforce, it is lovely to sit outside and watch the peeps pass by.
Ripe is my favourite. Both cafes are kiddie friendly, but Ripe is kind of noisy and bustling and a bit bigger, so you don't feel like you're in peoples way with children. The menu is more basic than Go Bang, but while the range is limited, the quality is fantastic. They sell Comtessa cakes, and often have samplers to eat while you wait for your coffee.
I love Ripe too because of all the coffee paraphenalia for sale. They've got it all - from coffee cups to top of the line espresso machines. They roast their beans in the middle of the cafe, so you feel all inspired to only drink the best (0r in our case, buy a coffee cart... but that is another story).
Here endeth the first review on this website. It is gushy, because I started with the best. But lets face it, I kinda love everything. I'm not going to cut it as a bitch reviewer.
Okay okay
I am prepared to admit that "Petone is full of jelly" isn't necessarily a good title for a blog, or any website. It wasn't thought up over hours of bloody brainstorming and whiskey. It was in fact thought up as I typed the words into the box that said "title of blog".
So I'm open to suggestions. And as a reward, you will see your cleverness every time you go to www.petone.blogspot.com
Criteria:
None really.
It should represent in some way myself and my esteemed colleague. It should represent our locality, good looks and immaculate sense of humour.
Please knock yourselves out, and when you wake up, give us a good title.
Over and out.
A picture of Petone for y'all
Sweet!
Petone is full of jelly is happy to welcome Sarah (formerly of Onebefore and Leto) to the team. Hooray! Friday night drinks all round.
We'll have to get a bigger office.
No bull
Some time ago there was a sign for the Hutt that said
"Right up your Hutt Valley".
Just saying, is all.
Oops,
You could be forgiven for thinking that I have started this blog without the time to really devote to it.
I do have some good ideas, and perhaps I should have left it a little while to start it, but I'm hoping someone else will send me an email at wandaharland@gmail.com and offer to write too...
I'm looking at you Sarah, and all the other good people I'm imagining are out there.
Soon I'm going to write about the fabulous cheese available in the exotic Hutt, but for now I'm going to build a tunnel for Thomas the Tank Engine.
Petone the first
Haven of the Hutt, sweet valley of the dolls.
It all happens here in Petone, so come join me for a rollercoaster ride of epic proportions.
