The Auckland Ferry Terminal

To the left (seaward) of the Ferry Terminal is Queens Wharf, where in The Cloud tens of thousands drank alcohol and watched the rugby games during the recent World Cup. The ferries from the Gulf islands and from the North Shore and other points, all arrive by here, and depart again for those other places. Before the Harbour Bridge was built (it opened in the early 1960s) the ferries from the North Shore were many, full and busy.

The Ferry Terminal building was designed by Alex Wiseman and construction began in 1909 by Philcox and sons, and was completed in 1912. It is built of sandstone and brick (with a granite base) on reclaimed land. Extensive refurbishment occurred in the late 1980s, since when it has largely been occupied by shops, cafes and restaurants. A new building houses the ferry operations. Situated on Quay Street opposite the seaward end of Queen Street, it served and still does serve the business heart of the city.

This picture needed some adjustment before I posted it. I decreased the shadow and increased the exposure, as well as adjusting the contrast. For early on a Saturday morning there is quite a lot of activity already (or perhaps, still!).

We are up at the Beach House again, trying to get it all into shape before daughter J arrives back from London (via the USA) in two weeks. Most of this afternoon I spent on putting together a bed we have bought for the new downstairs room. Designed to be a yoga room for S (we have a lovely old kauri fence rail from the old villa attached to one wall as a barre for stretching and other exercises), the bed we bought was thought to be relocatable.

Not quite. Very big and heavy, so hard to move. It took me more than three hours to put it together, so I don't really fancy doing that of a weekend . Time for thinking caps again.