ON THE TOWN

The Old Girl and I went on the town in Auckland on Friday night - a couple of oldies having some fun.
After work we met at the Crowne Plaza for a drink. The Old Girl said she would find a seat and I ordered the wines at the bar. Carrying them back to the seating area I had in my mind the spot we sat at the last time we were there and went to that table. The woman sitting at the table was wearing a short skirt and had black fish-net stockings on.

It went through my mind briefly that The Old Girl was wearing a bit of a risque outfit but I proceeded to sit down opposite her. At that point a "Oy" came from the next table over which I recognised as The Old Girl's voice and I looked up (from the legs) to the face of the woman sitting at the table who had a bemused smile and realised that it was not in fact The Old Girl. She who must in fact be obeyed was summoning me to join her. I spent the next few minutes being lectured on how unobservant I was, how she was wearing red and the mystery woman was in black, how she was wearing jeans and not a skirt, how....etc. The wine was nice though and the hotel serves delicious tapas-type bar snacks.
After the Crowne Plaza we went to the cinema at the great Event Cinema complex that has the stunning atrium (worth a visit if you are in Auckland). I jokingly said that we'd see a Rom Com (Chick Flick) and, unfortunately, choosing Larry Crowne, that is what it was. The Old Girl was happy with it though. After the film we set off to have another glass of wine somewhere. "The Bluestone Room", said the Old Girl, who had been there one lunchtime. The quiet daytime bar is transformed in the evenings to a crowded and noisy Neanderthals watering hole. Making our way through the milling throng outside a drunken young guy said to the Old Girl "How come you're so old - but good looking"?

We cracked up and when we asked the bouncer if there was room inside for us he said "Yes, as you are so good looking". He obviously had heard the previous comment. We went inside for...... about 30 seconds. The noise and reek of spilled beer put us off and so we ran the gauntlet outside again. It was all boisterous and good-spirited fun so we didn't mind.
We made or way to Bellota the Spanish bar at Sky City. This is owned by Peter Gordon and is really good with all Spanish wines (good ones) and Spanish tapas food.  A glass each of top notch Tempranillo set off the evening well.
Making our way back to the apartment at midnight in upper Queen Street was pleasant. It was a nice clear evening and there was a great buzz around us. We reflected on how we were heading home after a nice evening out and all the young ones that passed us were just heading out and would be out until the morning frantically trying to have fun.  Ahh, the joy of growing old.