Napier, New Zealand.

Napier, New Zealand.

Suzi Grant
Lifestyle, Travel

I had to renew my visa for Australia before my three months was up, so thought visiting two places in New Zealand I hadn't been before would be a great excuse to leave and re-enter Oz. After too short a time in Wellington (that's another blog, another time) I hit Napier the Art Deco centre of New Zealand, somewhere I have always wanted to visit. The centre of the town was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, and later rebuilt in the Art Deco style so popular at that time.  Now, the architecture, along with vintage costumes and cars, is a major tourist attraction that people from all over the world come to visit.

I need to have a Singles rant!

I need to have a Singles rant!

Suzi Grant
Lifestyle

Are you a single lady or man of a certain age, or any age come to think of it, who sometimes travels solo?  I am currently in Napier, New Zealand, hopping over from Australia for a brief holiday with the sole aim of renewing my Aussie visa and to visit two towns I haven't managed to see on previous visits.  So Napier, after Wellington, was high on my list because it's an Art Deco town, completely re-built after the 1931 Earthquake, with stunning buildings everywhere.  When the sun comes out. But I digress. My rant today is..... why does the world behave as if we are all walking two by two in happy coupledom when the number of singletons is becoming more and more the majority but treated more and more like the minority and the odd ones out....

Vegan/vegetarian pasta with parmesan.

Vegan/vegetarian pasta with parmesan.

Suzi Grant
Recipes

I don't eat much pasta but when I come across a fresh, handmade, organic ravioli , which also happens to be vegan or vegetarian , I knew I'd found something rather special to put in the freezer for an emergency meal, unexpected guests or even a visiting vegan! I found this delicious pasta at the weekly Byron Bay Farmer's Market recently.  (How I wish we had a market like this at home!) Made by the Byron Gourmet Pasta Company, owner Tom Ahern uses only locally sourced ingredients: the vegan ravioli is made from rocket, macadamia & basil, & the vegetarian option has added ricotta cheese.  Both are completely yum!

My favourite new but vintage look summer dress.

My favourite new but vintage look summer dress.

Suzi Grant
Fashion & Styling

OK I own up, I came out for my four month sojourn in Australia with a half empty suitcase!  I'm sure you know by now that my absolute passion is digging around markets, vintage stalls, op shops/charity shops and independents.  Especially here where the climate is more suitable for ferreting around market stalls and where hand made clothes and vintage pieces can often be found for a song, as well as being individual & quite different to something you'd find at home.  

My rental home in Australia.

My rental home in Australia.

Suzi Grant
Lifestyle, Travel

You know how much I love spending the UK winter in Byron Bay, in New South Wales.  This year, as I am working so much more on the blog than a year ago, I moved from my usual rental into a place with air con.  Much needed at this time of the year!  After morning exercise outdoors: walking, cycling & swimming, I feel like I'm in a little world of my own for the rest of the day..... hiding from the midday sun till it cools down & listening to the radio from the UK (usually Chris Moyles on Radio X,  or Radio 4 or podcasts), while I work, rest or play!

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