I wish I was in Wellington - the bureaucracy, the suits and the briefcases along Lambton Quay; the harbour city capital, the lights beside the sea (The Muttonbirds)

Wie geht's?

Jacky and I had a terrific four day weekend in Wellington recently (Hawke's Bay Anniversary plus Labour Day).

I managed to grab a few hours in Slow Boat Records in Cuba Street and came away with a clutch of vital additions to the collection. The Goo Goo G'Joob blog will have the details in due course.

Wellington is a big city by NZ standards, and big cities have more of everything. Yes, record shops (three) but also more food outlets, more stark contrasts (I rode in a lift with some Hooray Henrys posing as HSBC bank heavies -  and then saw a number of homeless outside when I exited the building), more sirens, more nice people, and more crazies wandering the Cuba Mall.

Some highlights that aren't Slow Boat related: burrito at a Mexican food stand underneath Willis Street; walking along the harbour; Unity Books has great displays and an excellent selection; helpful shop assistant when Jacky bought some shoes; quirky little magazine store when we got slightly lost on a walk that still had large numbers of back issues of Mojos and other music mags.

Some lowlights: being overcharged by the crazy Mexican; the  churro I bought on the harbour walk; over-priced books at Arty Bees.

All in all - a great couple of days to unwind and get some retail therapy.

Love and peace - Wozza