Anil Sharma and Rachel Jones arrived in Freemans Bay eight years ago from Britain, via Palmerston North. Anil is a specialist gynaecologist, Rachel a former GP and they live with their three daughters, Cate, 8, Lauren, 6 and Jessica, 3, in a century-old cottage with views of the city and neighbouring trees. Rachel tells Catherine Smith what the family loves about the area.
We arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago, young, childless and wanting a bit of an adventure. We started in Palmerston North and the people were so lovely, we really got to sample Kiwi life in a way we couldn't have if we'd lived in the big city of Auckland first. Cate was born there. When I got the job offer in Auckland we wanted somewhere with heritage and sense of community, and this area has such a rich history economically, socially and culturally.
The sense of community is great for a mum at home - we know our neighbours, we can see each other's houses and kids on street. It's still a surprisingly eclectic mix of people - the traditionals next to students next to celebs next to people who have been here for generations. You can't pretend it's working class though. We think of it as an oasis of calm between the hustle of the Viaduct and the city and Ponsonby. It's a dynamic neighbourhood, it's not static - we're excited about the future with the developments at the Tank Farm and Victoria Park Market. And it is exactly in the middle of Anil's hospitals at Ascot [Greenlane], North Shore and Waitakere - that fell into place by accident.
Jess goes to the All Saints Creche up on Ponsonby Rd - it's a community creche and Alison has been running it for years, amazing staff. The older girls remember it and will call back in, still. Western Park is our favourite, we still go to the playground. And you can't forget that very big gym that's nearby - it's so close to home there's no excuse not to use it and it is one of my favourites.
We hope that the city and the apartments don't start encroaching up the hill, we like the mix of heritage villas and old apartments. We love walking down the side streets with the [Auckland City Council Heritage] leaflets and seeing which artists lived here. The Leys Institute Library is lovely, we used to do the reading sessions with the little ones.
Our regular Saturday morning haunt is Agnes Curran, I like to do mini-dates with my girls. I am quite particular about a cafe that is not full of air-kissers, and this is still very down to earth and laid-back.
Dillip Rupa's is like stepping back in time, it's such a happy place - he's a real character, into his politics and always a laugh, he's always got time to talk and they do lovely samosas. Queenie's Lunch Room in Spring St is worth going to just for the retro decor, but the home baking ... you couldn't move after eating the chocolate pie. And when we do get babysitters and go out, Clooney on Sale St has the most amazing decor and food. We do go out of the area - to Herne Bay's Icing on the Cake for the frozen yoghurt, it's really healthy and absolutely gorgeous, the girls love it.
Ponsonby Plants is our local institution. Lesley is a superstar, she's such a kind person and knows everyone by name. We hope those characters don't leave and we get some fly-by-night trendy business.
We use the Three Lamps' shops, such a shame [one of] the dairies is now gone, but there are still two others.
Devonport's the only other place like this - we take the ferry over there. We couldn't believe it when we had our first picnic on Cheltenham Beach, it was an unbelievable experience for us - like being in Nice but with no crowds, no people selling trinkets. You can't believe how amazing that is for an Englishman and a Welshwoman.
One school holidays we took a week off and did Auckland trips: Rangitoto, Waiheke and Tapapakanga Regional Park south of Kawakawa Bay. What beautiful places to walk around, and we didn't see anyone. Anil raves about these places to his colleagues and they just take them for granted. I still haven't got used to driving along and seeing Rangitoto and thinking "I live in the Pacific, that's a volcano". Most people see them as hills but I see volcanoes and that's still so exotic.
And how could we forget our favorite annual Freemans Bay event - the Christmas lights festival on Franklin Rd? Carols, community, fairy lights and the kids rugged up in dressing gowns. Magic!
Rachel & Anil's Picks
* Leys Institute Library. 20 St Mary's Rd, Ponsonby. Ph: (09) 374 1315
* Ponsonby Plant Centre. 252D Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. Ph: (09) 376 6887
* Agnes Curran. 181 Ponsonby Rd, Freemans Bay. Ph: (09) 360 1551
* Queenie's Lunch Room 24A Spring St, Ponsonby. Ph: (09) 378 8977
* Icing on the Cake. 188 Jervois Rd Herne Bay. Ph: (09) 360 9797
* Clooney Restaurant. 33 Sale St, Victoria Park Precinct. Ph: (09) 358 1702
