What I’d do
1 the Friday night, my favourite night of week. Planning starts early with a ring-around to see who’s in town and what they’re up to. We kid ourselves that we’re just going to meet for a quick drink and then head home for takeaways, a bit of telly and early bedtime. Yeah, right. Best haunts for a Friday would have to be Masu or Depot in Federal St; Euro or Soul. Come 11pm it’s all happening but, to avoid looking like tragic middle-aged desperados, we head home around midnight.
2 Saturday morning, it’s a cup of tea in bed with the paper as two cats fight each other with claws bared, inches from my face. It’s a very crowded bed. Eventually exercise gear is pulled on and Scotty and I set out for a walk around our stunning waterfront. Nothing beats a calm, sunny morning on Tamaki Drive. Heaven. We either walk to Mission Bay and back or head towards the city and the market at Britomart.
3 Eventually, we find ourselves at one of favourite cafes in Orakei, Sebastian’s or Good Day and grab a seat for breakfast. Long ignored by just about everyone, Orakei has suddenly been discovered by those wanting to be 10 minutes from the city, two minutes from the beach and one minute from some of the best restaurants and cafes in Auckland. Later, if the weather holds, we may tootle out on the RIB for a spot of fishing or a barbecue on Motuihe beach. Westhaven Marina on a Saturday is pumping. Boaties, joggers, kids learning to sail; it’s a vibrant hotch-potch of people and marine hardware.
4 Sunday means another slow start with some exercise, then we may head to Takapuna for a walk along the beach or go to a matinee at The PumpHouse and lunch at Cafe Rendezvous on the shores of beautiful Lake Pupuke. There is no more beautiful setting for a theatre. Before my theatre company, Tadpole, started at the PumpHouse, many of my friends had never even been to Lake Pupuke. Crossing the bridge was like going to the dark side. Now they love it.