4/2/23

Welly

That mistress had some plans cooking that I wasn't to learn until this morning. She booked us in to have a guided tour of parliament buildings including the Beehive. Gee fancy that. I hear about all this political stuff, and boy they go on and on. I reckon my mates at home, and I know more than they do. Gosh don't tell them, will you? 

Why don't those politicians make laws for Gnomes? I think there are too many rules and too much debate, they should all be put out, but the mistress does not agree with me.

So, she decides today to get a taxi as this city traffic is very stressful for my aging mistress. Off we went to see what this place is like. 

It's huge she says and look at me. Can you find me?

What a carry-on at the front entrance. Place your bag on here Mam and your phone in this one Mam. Do they realize I'm in the backpack and they are going to X-ray me? Now, this is not the way Gnomes are treated. I shall have something to say about this. 

That mistress said that I was in the right place because they make the rules here, and if I wanted to, I could petition the government to allow Gnomes to see around the place. I might just do that. I will consult my books and my mates whenever I get back home. This is such a long holiday, but I won't complain, or she could leave me on the side of the road. Now that could really be a problem.

There was only one place where photos could be taken, so I would have to get back in the backpack and have a snooze while the mistress went on the guided tour. 

Gee, we make a handsome couple, don't we?

She bought some souvenirs and put them in the backpack with me to look after. Why should I do this when they won't let me in. That mistress says I might have a weapon hidden in her backpack and we could get arrested. Who made that rule I say. The government she says. Huhh. I will consult my books, as this is not much fun for a gnome. 

So, the mistress enjoyed her tour and told me she even patted a large wooden elephant given to our country for good luck, from Thailand she announces. Obviously, she patted and rubbed his head, as she wanted continued good luck on our traveling. (didn't do her any good on lotto last night...shh don't tell her this)

Later on, she told me that they saw the media room where all the covid announcements were made. They all sat down taking it in and remembering those days. The guide asked who would like to stand up there. Nobody said yes so, my mistress said she would. 

Oh blimey. Standing in Jacinders place, she even said, "Good afternoon, everyone" and they all clapped.

Holy moly, what is this human going to do next? I wish I was there and got a photo. But no, it's against the rules. I will do a petition for that too.!!

We headed off downtown for some lunch, and bingo she was in the right mall to have a ride on the cable car. Yippee, we are off. She didn't even have to pay because she's in the "aged group" Didn't take long to get to the top and no time for a photo on the cable car.

A museum at the top with souvenirs, and a very old cable car.

The views are amazing. 

On turning around the mistress spotted a sign for the Botanical gardens. Another place on her bucket list.

Jeepers the path was downhill all the way, and I was holding on. That mistress is not good on her feet, and I could feel her anxiety. She did enjoy it though because I could hear lots of comments.

Finally, on the flat, she got me out of the backpack, for some fresh air, because it was so hot. I needed a beer/wine or two or maybe three.!!

Here I am amongst the parsley. I thought this was a flower garden.

She loves these hothouse flowers, begonias especially.

No beer here, just plain old water for her. Mighty thirsty work today.

 We headed off to Lambton Quay hoping to find a place without crossing the busy road to sit down and relax with a cool glass of something, but she was too tired to cross the road and rang for a taxi instead.