SPLEEN is the personal blog of Stephen Judd

Things we have been up to

We set off a bit late, and arrived at 3. We were the only people there, so we got a tour that included the upper levels, which are usually closed to the public, but are where the real action takes place -- the grindstones and the driving mechanism are on the 3rd and 4th levels. I am a sucker for old-fashioned engineering, and the mill was really something in that respect. Almost all the parts are wood or stone, greased with fat and adjusted with wedges, and yet the mill runs smoothly and well with very little wear. We also bought some flour. I'm told it's very good.

Got home in time to get some pizza in the oven, having made dough this morning. It was excellent if I do say so myself.

As usual, we received excellent service from Alastair. I think it must be at least 20 years since I first met him, in the days of the old Capital Music, and on every subsequent visit I have been received with warm greetings, inquiries after my family, and time permitting, an extended discussion of the more obscure stringed instruments. When a specialty retailer survives as long as Alastair has, I feel they deserve to be celebrated as a treasure and civic resource. Do give him your custom -- we do.

We also had lunch at Miyabi Sush. I have Kowhai to thank for our introduction to this place. It is a tad pricier than the bottom-rung sushi joints, but markedly better in quality also.

Monday, Dad was still here, so we got into town in time for yum cha at the Majestic. It amuses me when a waitress brings a tray and points out all the goodies, but doesn't mention the beef tendon or the chicken's feet, because we wouldn't be interested anyway. Dad balked at the chicken's feet, but the beef tendon really was delicious. Then we perambulated the waterfront via Kaffee Eis, before returning to Te Papa to scope out the colossal squid.

"Colossal" oversells the cephalopod in question, but I suppose these things are relative. It was impressive all the same, but the best bit (cue Baudrillard quotes) was perhaps not the squid itself but the 3d movie portraying its life in the Southern Ocean.

We rounded off Monday with dinner at Siem Reap on Dixon. Again, pricier than your standard southeast Asian joint, but the quality more than justified it.

Quite a few of my memories growing up are of running around Capital music as Dad used to pop in often. Whenever I'm back in town I pop in to say hi and have bought a number of uke's there myself - they make great presents for friends.