The last of the norty forties!

On Monday, 27th, it was my birthday, the last of my forties! The next one will have a '0' on the end. So we thought we should celebrate in style and we headed up to Auckland. 

On the way we stopped at Pokeno for breakfast........

...my coffee..

...Joes tea...nice cups!

 Joe had Eggs Benedict.....

 and I had sweet pancakes with banana, bacon and maple syrup!

Once we eventually parked the car (two car park pay and displays weren't working) we walked down to the the Waterfront just in time to jump on the ferry to Devonport...The 'Cloud' (below) was built especially for the Rugby World Cup 2011.

...it was a bit windy on the ferry!

 Devonport

View of Sky Tower from Devonport

 

 I bought these 100% Merino balls of wool for $3 each!

 After jumping back on the ferry we booked to eat at the Euro restaurant owned by Simon Gault

....we had time to wander and get a drink beforehand..

......some very ominous looking clouds.....

Sitting at our table we could overlook the harbour and watch the sailing boats

 Auckland is known as the City of Sails

I forgot to take a photo of the entrees, we started with bread, then Joe had the Buffalo mozzarella and I had the Pekin duck see here for the menu

For the main Joe had the SG Choice Scotch fillet and I had the Diver Scallop risotto with side orders of  Truffle mash potatoes and steamed greens of the day! what can I say about the food other than that we have never ever tasted anything quite like it before! Joe's steak was the best he'd ever had. Days later we are still thinking and talking of the food. It's fine dining at it's best!

 As you can see there was nothing left! 

Although our lovely waiter wondered what was wrong with Joe's watercress!! hahah

Of course we couldn't pass up on a dessert, I thought I might like a port! But decided on a dessert wine instead! A bottle of Barros 1957 was a little out or our price range!! (you may have to enlarge the photo to see, I took the little camera and I'm not happy with the quality of photos it takes)

Inside the restaurant, we sat outside

My dessert, I chose the Aged rum panna cotta, it look too pretty to eat, but I forced myself!

Joe chose a  blue cheese board and some of it was very ripe! And very delicious!

And here we are...........

We had a lovely meal, the service was excellent and the icing on the cake was this! They brought out a plate for me  with a chocolate truffle, wasn't that lovely! I felt very spoilt!

Even the bloomin' toilets were flash!

 

And there were fish in there too!

Back at the car park I couldn't help but notice that Schindler makes lifts!!

Back in Hamilton we called in at Michael's new place and had a rum! I was feeling about as fuzzy as the photo by that point!

I may already have use for my lovely new wool! Sue gave me this awesome tea cosy book!

 24  patterns with step by step instructions! Oh what one should I do first! The one on the front cover I think....it has to be! Just look at it!