There are no jobs, Mr Key...

Why did we bother changing the government, I often wonder. What with the smacking referendum being ignored, the ETS being shafted upon us, the EFA being re-done, and the unemployed now being blamed for their often blameless situation (as in, just where are the jobs?),  I really do feel as though I blew my vote.

The jobs are just not there, and the few that remain often receive hundreds of applicants. Just ridiculous. Where's the empathy from John and Bill now, the empathy I thought I saw while they sat on the Opposition benches. Long gone, that's where. The low-paid get almost no tax-breaks, while the wealthy are continually rewarded. What ever happened to my block of cheese, I wonder? So much for a brighter future, smaller government, or fairness and transparency...utter disappointment this watery government and it's photo-obsessed leader.

Still, once bitten, twice shy. I won't be voting for purpled, deaf National come November. And where to turn this year? In one word; Winston, The stark and obvious choice.

Cats, and kittens, birds and fish...

While I meant to attend Phil Goff's State of the Nation speech (just for the fun of it, and because I live nearby to the New Lynn venue ), I ended up drivng my kids out to the SPCA instead, where for the paltry sum of $50.00 (half price at the moment, a summer special...), we adopted ourselves a cat. The staff and volunteers out there were really friendly and helpful, and there were some very cute kitties and cats available for adoption. Being a busy mum and part-time student, I decdied to go for a cat rather than a kitten, just seemed wiser especially as we already have a fully grown moggie. Anyway, we ended up with a lovely slinky, fluffy, dark brown female feline, with enormous yellow eyes. She is gentle and shy, and sweet natured. Settled in in no time at all, and is vice free.

So, my eldest son, an absolute animal-lover, now has two cats, two budgies and several fish. Fun indeed. Yep, he is really devoted, despite the work involved...might have to move to a farm...yes, how I wish!...Adopting a cat or kitten from the SPCA...recommended. The kids really enjoyed seeing the animals, choosing a pet, finding a name, settling her in, saving a life, and having a new animal friend. Purrfect.

Roll on Parliament though, I can't wait for the House debates to resume, this political junkie is feeling rather starved...am so glad it's election year, an added bonus.

I cannot bring myself to vote National, either.

I had really high hopes when the Key-led National party took office in 2008. All I can say is those high hopes were very soon dashed. Yet another leader who does not listen to majority view, does not follow through on several key (pardon the pun) pre-election promises, (or changes them) and possibly has a hidden agenda. Key is also far more Left than Right centred, in my opinion, which seems strange when he is leading a centre-right (supposedly) Party. At least Labour never pretended to be anything but Left, or centre-Left. Whichever. Key is far too focused on being Mr Popular rather than Mr Do-The-Right-Thing, he seems to test the wind before he acts, quite often shifting his views, depending on bow the wind blows, according to the polls.  He ignores referendums, especially controversial ones.Where is the vision and the backbone? Is National all about John Key and not much else? Is it all about the photo ops, the being in the limelight? Where is the substance, the heart, the courage of his and National's convictions?

So, I won't be voting blue this year. Possibly I won't vote at all, or possibly will vote for NZ First (at least Winston offers true points of difference), or the Kiwi Party, who have done well re the referendum on the draconian, anti-democratic and anti-family Anti Smacking Rucus.

I am looking forward to this year's election, just because I always find it enjoyable, but I just don't have great expectations anymore. One and the same, whatever the name. So disappointing, that 'brighter future' certainly faded fast. Smile and Wave, wave and smile, but don't rock the boat, whatever you do. Don't make the changes so badly needed.Disappointing, to say the very least. So, the champers is back on ice, possibly for a long time.

Go, Winston. You're our best hope, the last of the true Right...and the one person that might upset a foregone, boring and predictable conclusion.'.fingers and toes crossed. Roll on November, I just wish it could be sooner. Still, the rugby should be good...and our biggest consolation. And I don't even like rugby! It's laugh or cry, so I might as well look on the bright side. Hopefully...!

Wellington. A Capital experience! This Aucklander is moving down there, eventually...

I have to say, I totally agree with the recent plaudits of Lonley Planet's re Wellington being the çoolest little capital in the word, even if I've only been to one other, and that was Canberra. I loved Canberra too, but it's a very different place to Wellywood! I was lucky enough to be given a return plane ticket, with accommodation included, to Wellington, as a Christmas present. What a well-thought out gift!

So, I've just had a three day stint in our Capital city (though, not my first or only visit), I just have to say, the place absolutely rocks. There is such a vibe about this city, and there is a myriad of choices of things to see and do. From a huge range of art galleries, exhibitions, art-house movies, the fun and hustle of Countenay Place, the wonderful Te Papa, the beautiful and large botanic gardens, the boutique shopping, the many bars, restuarants and cafes, some lovely architecture, especially around the Paliament area, the city bays and beaches and of coure, the outer suburbs.

After a day or two in the city, I felt like getting out into the wilds (or as close as possible), so for a meare $13.00 return, caught a train out to Paraparaumu, which was a lovely scenic ride, and I really enjoyed seeing some of the Kapiti Coast. Paraparaumu itsself offered a wide range of shops, but being tired of shopping till dropping, I opted instead to catch a bus to the local beach, which also had a few cafe's, a pub, a fantastic corner ice-cream shop, a few nice motels and a great, long beach. The water was surprisingly warm, and only the wind kept me from staying all day. I also found the locals to be friendly and warm, and met a really nice family all the way from Dunedin on the train.

Arriving back at the city at aounnd eight oçlock that evening, I walked from the railway station around to Courtenay Place, and this did not take long at all, about ten minutes or so all up. My accommodation was really great too, the Trinity Hotel in upper Willis St, very central, and very reasonable for the price of $69.00 a night. Three Star, and all that I needed. A nice room, furnished in my favourite colour, deep reds.

I was impressed at how well-kept and polished the central city streets are. Unlike downtown Auckland, there is no scuffiness, no prolifieration of cheapy two dollar shops, no real junkiness at all, in fact. Just high-class buildings, great shopping, exellent dining out, all with a friendly, zesty vibe.

Also enjoyed catching the train to the Hutt Valley, Lower Hutt has a very good Westfield shopping centre. Loved the surround hills and greenery, and next time, I am going to stay out that way. The last time I was down, I stayed at a great little B & B in Wallaceville, this was only $79.00 a night, for huge rooms, your own ensuite, a large kitchen, computer, and breakfast. In hindsight, much as I enjoyed the city, I prefer to stay out of it, I like the beauty of the quieter Hutt Valley, etc.

If you go in for backpacking, and sometimes I do, The Cambridge Hotel on Cambridge Terrace is really good, and offers both backpackers and hotel accommodation. Eggs on toast for $2.00, and a really central location, right in the heart of Courtenay Place (well, almost). Sadly, Parliament was not in session, but I had beautiful weather to make up for this! Also enjoyed a coffee at the aptly named Ministry of Food cafe, which is just behind the Beehive area. Great coffee and good food, but the thing is with Wellington, there are so many choices. Backbenchers was pretty quiet, and it was also bad timing for a debate night. Never mind, next time! Courtenay Place was my fav though, just for the sheer volume of choices when it came to drinking and eating, as well as colourful entertainment.

So, Wellington really rocks, short on time, there's lots more I could have done and seen, and I plan to go back sometime soon. Eventually, I would love to move down there, Petone was a very cool place...galleries, arty shops, cafes on masse! The Hutt Valley too, very nice.....yep, I'm going to move.  It's time to live inside the Beltway. I can see why Lonely Planet loves Wellywood, and so do I. What a Christmas pressie!

Key country, aka, Helensville, I just love New Zealand so much.

At the risk of this sonding like a travel blog, I wish to comment on some of the places I have been visiting of late. John Key's electorate of Helensville is always worth a weekend visit. It is a lovely quaint little town, full of interesting boutqiue type shops, yet more Colonial buildings (as is Puhoi), and interesting, friendly locals. It's also a lovely, coutry drive from Auckland, down the North Western motorway, through Kumeu, and Huapai. And on that note, I have always wondered why Key is the MP for Helensivlle, yet his office is in Huapai. You can't miss his office though, there is a huge smiling picture of Key's face adnorning the place.

Anyway, Helensville, Keysville, whatever, a very nice, unique place. Try the Tilly and Lace shop, it's gorgoues, everything lacy and feminine and just gorgeous. At the top of the shopping village is an art gallery, a second hand bookshop and a great cafe, all combined into the one. Serves great coffee, the books are dirt-cheap $5.00 to $8.00 each, generally, the art is interesting, and the service is with a mile. Also on offer are printed scarfes and hand-made quilts.

I would love to stay in the local B and B sometime, and I would be remiss not to mention the old cinema, complete with a cool curiosity shop, that sells, amongst other things, retro movie daybills. A guy called John runs this, an Elam art school graduate, and he is very interesting to talk to, has great knowledge about his wares. Especaily the movie memorabellia.

Even when going to Orewa and beyond, I usually drive there via Westgate and Riverhead, as I just love the painterly, delightful scenery. Helensville is like a much larger Puhoi, heaps to see and do, and all set amongs rolling green hills. Awesome. And those National voters are just so friendly.

Through the tunnel to Puhoi, Devonshire teas and sunny childhood memories...

Having spent a good chunk of my childhood living within the rolling hills of Bohemenian Puhoi, I sometimes like to visit, to see how the place as changed or not. Mostly it hasn't changed; all the roads are now tar-sealed (I used to enjoy riding my pony along some of those gravelled roads...), but the place still looks the same. The lovely New Englandish looking church is still there, along with the library, the schoolhouse and the general store. Not forgetting of course, the infamous Puhoi pub. All along side the picturesque Puhoi river, of course. To my grown-up eyes, it just looks a bit smaller. It's all very pretty, and could be a set out of Walnut Grove, of Little House on the Praire fame.

Besides the pub and the annual A and P show, Puhoi is famous for its home-made cheese, it's Bohemanian background, its local artisans and the lovely old cottage still serving Devonshire Teas. This is not far from the main drag of Puhoi, towards Aroha. Anyway, decided to visit the tearooms today, for the first time in about thirty-odd years. It was well worth the wait. The fresh cream scones are enormous and delicious, served with warm jam and your choice of tea or coffee. At $10.50 this is great value, the scones are light and fluffy and ginormous. There are other mouth-watering selections too, such as chocolate mudcake, cheesecake, and home-made steak pie. And what a setting; take your choice, as long as its not raining, the outside tables are the nicest, with trees and flowers and a picturesque feel. The service is with a smile, and it's not called a diet-free zone for nothing.The cottage itself is an orignal villa, with original wallpaper, timber, etc, etc, quality, such character. Much like the hundred year old villa my family lived in, dark hallways, very high, ornamented ceilings, and quite often, huge spiders.

What with the new tunnels, the trip to Puhoi is a hop, skip, jump from Auckland these days. On the farm which my parents once owned is now a place to stay called Kauri Lodge, at the top of Fiddlers Hill. I would love to try this place out; funny to think that the paddock we kids rode/explored in is now home to a sprawling dwelling, complete with Kauri trees and glow-worms. The Puhoi show is up and coming this weekend, and back in the '80's, was always really good. So, anyway, Puhoi, land of cheese, scones, beer, original, historical buildings and sweeping green valleys is absolutely well worth a long afternoon visi, at the very least..

Those jam scones, to die for! The pub is infamous and the tranquil scenery is absolutely gorgeous. Much as I enjoy travelling through the tunnel, I prefer the original route; windy, but very very beautiful, especially near the Waiwera, Wenderholm area. Talk about blessed.

Bring back the BBC, 80's and 90's TV dramas/comedy, absolutely top shelf.

Having no interest in the myriad range of reality TV shows on offer, I have invested in some nostalgia TV on DVD. The BBC have a brilliant back catalogue to choose from, wow, what a huge selection. Once upon a time, television absolutely rocked! One of myall-time favourites has to be the Inspector Morse series, because it's so very watchable. I've never been much of a crime nor a who-dunnit buff, but I enjoy this series for its all-round quality. First off, the wrting is excellent, I love the ascerbic but interesting character of the title character, Chief Inspector Morse, such dry wit. He is not married, a classical music buff (like myself), and often spouts obscure bits of poetry. Once an Oxford man, with a first name he refuses to use and for much of the series, keeps a mystery. In stark contrast, his sidekick, Sargeant Lewis is a cricket-loving family man, who would rather spend an evening watching Coronation Sreet than attending the opera. The English locations are gorgeous, and I would be remiss not to mention Morse's very sleek, collectable, wine-red Jaguar. Often there is a small love interest (normally coming to nothing), and the dialogue is well-rounded and clever. I have picked up Inspector Morse on DVD from the Warehouse for as little as $15.00 (five episodes), this is fantastic value for money. As the promo says, you don't just watch Inspector Morse, you live it', it's just that kind of show. It's so witty and insightful in its writing. There is nothing on TV today remotely like it. The production values are almost faultess, along with many other BBC series of that era.

Other favourites of mine are One Foot In the Grave (Í don''t beeelieve it!), Waiting For God, Tenko, To The Manor Born, Are You Being Served, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses, To The Manor Born,, Porridge, Dad's Army, Upstairs, Downstairs......to name but a few! What a huge back catalogue. Amazing. Such a stark contrast to the **** of today on TV. BBC or otherwise.

Why the BBC produce this type of progamme today? It's all about dumbed down TV reality shows, endless cooking, games or chat shows. Dumb and dumber. TV has had several golden eras and the BBC of the 80's/90's was one of them. At least these wonderful programmes are now available on DVD, and the drivel on TV can be turned off, and BBC TV, clever, well-written, humorous, real, very well acted, great characterisation ,(without being reality, or so called),etc, can be shown. Nostalgic, wonderful, entertaining! Thanks, BBC. The golden years!