Anzac's and Olives 25/04/10

Rose super early at 4:30am to attend the dawn parade at the Auckland War Memorial museum and was still too late to get a good spot in relation to viewing so opted for atleast a good view of the giant screen. Was properly dressed this year in ugg boots, down jacket and hat and gloves after freezing my toosh off the previous year. The ceremony was wonderful as always with the usual collapse of the old soldier and the many remembrances of the newly lost. But the new addition was we sang the Australian national anthem as well as the New Zealand one but the programme people were not very good at getting round so unfortunately the crowd was a lot more lively during ours than our neighbours.

Then went home for a quick shower and change to get ready for my first experience of olive picking.

Met the team on the ferry to Waiheke the weather was perfect not blaring hot but still warm. The picking itself was not hard but the sheer volume of trees to be picked was we worked from 10am till about 7pm with lots of laughter, fun and great food and wine along the way. The end result was 50 Litres of Olive Oil not bad for a team of 13. The day ended with the most stunning magenta sunset and a soothing ferry ride back to Auckland. A lot of fun and would love to join in again next year.

Now just to wait for the oil to rest so it can be bottled and I can try some of our hard labour in the kitchen.