Silverdale, near Auckland. New Zealand

         Where I sit this morning, working, writing this, is Silverdale. I always think that is such a neat name. When I first came here, it was only a crossroads, with a few scattered, old fashioned shops. Now it is hub in its own right. A speedily growing stock of housing, created the need for something more here. The town planners, predicted growth, to gradually become part of Albany, and on to Auckland itself. You know how it happens. It happens with most large cities. They gradually spread out, and small hamlets enlarge, until it is if they were designed that way. As one giant city. That, is what is happening here, whether that is the right way to go, or not. Time will tell.

          Well, it's not quite there yet, but it's not far away. In the meantime, some of the larger stores are now here, and there is a new leisure centre (even though private, and too expensive for all.)  There is a Bunnings, Pack and Save, Countdown, and Dress for Less. Then the Warehouse, and a flurry of small trendy stores, for storage, electrical, Manchester, software and the like. As well as a good smattering of coffee houses. Of which. I am in the best. Mosiac, part of a chain, but a good one. Not your smelly Starbucks, which always smells of sour milk, and turns my stomach. Fast food joints abound, Kentucky Chicken, McDonald's, The Rib & Roast, or all of those sorts. This one is far classier. With real food, not just high fat, high sugar options.

          Around me, it's Friday busy, and I am taking up valuable table space, but no one complains at me. They are unfailingly polite. Nearly all of the tables are full. Outside the sun is shining, diners outside, sit under red umbrellas. The breeze is just right. There, but not too strong, cooling us in the growing humid heat. The dishes as they pass me, are of the 'stacked' variety. They look large, fresh, and delicious. There is good selection of food. Panini's, wraps, salads, cakes (really exotic cake, my downfall) When, on the card menu, are beef burgers, chicken livers, risottos, steak fungetti, chicken, & bacon fettuccini, oh I could go on. You can tell by the noise volume, and the happy sound, that people are enjoying being there. I can heartily recommend a quick visit, or a long one.

           This, then is the new shopping centre. The new housing around it, is of a wide variety. No little buildings in rows, looking identical, as they do in England. It's far more organic here. The other thing I like about new sub divisions, is that all of the services go in first, along with creating the building level plot for the house base. Then, all the roading goes in, even the paths around the house. This means no one is building in the middle of a great dust bowl, or mud bath. It's so clean, and organised, even before its half way built, it looks attractive. England could learn a lot from this. It brings organisation, from chaos, and helps with the fastest clean up afterwards.

          From here, you are an easy travelling distance to Auckland, and the main road leading north

 to many holiday destinations. Up another hill, is the entrance the the Whangaparaoa Peninsular. Three sides, surrounded by water. There are a great many grand houses here, overlooking the sparkling sea, and pristine beaches. This was one of the original holiday places. The sort where families would buy a Bach. A small cottage, near the water, to bring the family to during the summer months. Now, it is all far more permanent. As through the years, these became more permanent, now used for young families, and retirees in the main.

        Just five minutes away is Orewa. It's gradually changing, but as yet is the retirees favourite place. Where it pays to look out for strange moves from the cars around you, as drivers do their own thing. As though they have reached the age when everything sounded rough. They tend to come at you from all directions. Parking in the centre car park, in front of the new world supermarket, is offering up your paintwork to the gods. I have have more mysterious scratches there, than anywhere else. Do they not know they have bumbed you, or do they just not own up? Ahhhh.

         A mystery it shall remain.

         Now, though, as well  as a high rise, built  before it's time block of apartments. It now has a couple of ice cream shops, and a wonderful new restaurant. Its called the Casablanca, and as it suggests sells Turkish, type dips, and bean dishes, with a twist. It very good, born out by the fact it's always fully booked,  and you must book well in advance to get a table. 

           If you can't get in there, one or two of the pubs sell decent food. The ship, or Muldoons.

Who also has local bands play. One of which is my brother, who once played back up to Dire Straits, in the days I knew mark knofler, lead singer, and guitarist. When my brother, he was in Praying Mantis  in london. This was before moving to New Zealand, and helping create Sticky Fingers. He is now running Stage four. You can guess why it has that particualrly name.

            Roll on eight o clock, and his great rock music.

           Yes,, folks, lots to come visit around Silverdale.....

            Too much for me to mention actually...