Business/lifestyle idea

I have this fabulous idea. I think what Hong Kong needs is a specialist yarn and wool shop. It could be a destination shop with classes and drop-in knitting and weaving sessions and could host visiting craftspeople. I'd call it Shrek-O of course.

Happy shopper

Second day in Hong Hong. I went shopping with the intention of buying a more serious camera. On the basis of research I had decided to buy a Nikon P7000, but once I had one in my hands all I could think about was the review by a professional photographer who said he had needed to read the manual 3 times. Heavier than I expected, with buttons and switches for Africa, I admit it made feel daunted.

I was lucky enough to get someone who spoke good English in a local shop here in Tsuen Wan. "You need this one" he said immediately. It didn't take him long to change my mind. Do I look that stupid? So amyway, the camera I have ended up with is a Canon Powershot S95. It was a good price to start with and they threw in an 8Gb card, a case, tripod, spare battery, and USB card reader. It is small and unobtrusive and is getting a good workout. I spent the rest of the morning wandering through the market streets until the Sunday crowds and the heat got too much.

Off to test out the night-time features of the new camera now.

Dixie Lounge

Resting up, by the lake in Rotorua.

I have been listening to talking books while knitting. Latest 'listen' is Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. I think he is wonderful. The reader on this one is an adolescent boy, fitting for this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age vignette set in Thatcher's England.

I could have called this post Black Swan Blue, but that doesn't work quite so well. Nice conjunction anyway.

Bizarre things you see

This is the window of a butcher's shop in a suburb in Christchurch. Whatever.

Coromandel

 

Mt Maunganui

Every few weeks I have been staying overnight by the beach at Papamoa, in Bill and Fay's driveway (they are off in Australia for 6 months). I like to drive along to the Mount to have breakfast. The harbourside is a lovely place to park the van and linger a while with the newspaper or a book.

Rolling Dixie

Have been living in Dixie the van since coming back from Australia. It is so easy and very comfortable. I have a pile of good books on board and bags of threads and wools but somehow manage to keep so busy that I never get around to stitching or reading. How easy it is to fill in whole days when you are not tied up with working.

Went to the Tauranga Embroiderers' Guild exhibition last weekend. I'd share some pictures of my favorite works but I couldn't take any because I have lost my camera. I'm trying to be philosophical about it - things come and go - but I do really miss it. I also miss having easy access to broadband. I wonder about adding a satellite dish to the van, would that work?