Cats & Vax !

Times really fly…it’s been nearly 2 months since this time lockdown has started. We all are hoping to Auckland will go down to Level 3 but Step 2…so, our customers can enter our showroom and try instruments or mouthpieces.

The team of Mummy and Daddy are fully vaccinated and Taka will have the 2^nd one this week. So, the DR TOOT Team will be fully vaccinated and ready for our customers…Sorry, Me and Zara cannot be vaccinated but we are cats and we are very fine…Meow ! 😺

Taka and Daddy have been very busy with repairs/services on instruments. A few customers who booked in many moons ago brought in their instruments and they are happy to see well-serviced instruments back !

On Friday, one of pre-loved saxophones has found a new home via Trade Me. It’s a vintage Martin alto saxophone and she is leaving for Gore on Monday. The husband purchased it for his wife’s birthday….what a very good surprise ! Hope she will love it 😍

We have a good selection of clarinets (brand new and pre-loved), saxophones, trumpets and trombones - they are available from our website. Another saxophone, Yamaha tenor sax YTS380 is also on the way.

It was “Super Saturday” and 130,002 people got vaccinated around New Zealand yesterday. What an effort and well done, humanoids, New Zealand…Keep it going…meow, meow, meow !😸💜😻

Meow, Meow, Meow from Alfa !

Three things…No. 1, I must apologise (yes, again…) that my big sis had another SCM (Senior Cat Moment). It was her turn for a blog last Sunday but she didn’t. Well, we were at Loft (our cattery) and Daddy and Mummy picked us up last Sunday afternoon. They told us that they had a very good time in Napier.  They had the DR TOOT pop up store at the Concert Bands Festival, and they were happy to see lots of people at the festival. It sounds that they had a wonderful day ! We would like to thank all customers who visited the pop up store 😺😸

No. 2, speaking of Senior, Daddy turned 65 year-old today - Very Very Happy Birthday, Daddy !!! He had a gig with Howick Brass Quintet this afternoon at one of rest homes in Auckland. Mummy brought a special cake and celebrated the day with the quintet members and audiences. 

No. 3, Yes, another celebration… it was the International Cat Day today !!! Zara and I hope that all our fur friends had a great day ! 😻

Otherwise, this week was quiet. We had not so nice weather here in Auckland and Taka is now on his annual leave for 2 months…yes, long one ! We won’t see him till beginning of October. Well, Daddy must survive without Taka. Instruments are still coming in for repairs/services, and Daddy has been very busy…he will try his best to make sure everything would be ready in time.

OK, all my fury and meow friends...let's see what Zara is going to say next Sunday ! 😺🙀😸

Who needs Daddy !???

Well, Daddy has been very busy with rehearsals, gigs, concerts and the Championship…etc. I missed my last turn….you know it’s not my fault….you know what I mean 😼 I did not have “senior cat moment” but Daddy had “senior moment”, hehehe 😹

We had a great start this week…Monday, there are lots of people visited DR TOOT 😺 One of customers was from Melbourne….meow ! Funny thing was that he has also a cat at home and he saw me and he was talking to me. He came here to see me….oh, no….not quite. He wanted to try the sopranino we had in stock. He spent some time here and he has left with the sopranino !

Early morning on Wednesday, Alfa and I heard noise and we knew that Daddy left home for the airport. Mummy opened the showroom and Taka came to work as usual. It seems to be a quiet day, but I am Queen Zara…I deliver ! Daddy wasn’t at work/home and worked very hard 😼 Meow, a lady in Palmerstone North phoned up and she was looking for an alto saxophone for herself. After she talked to Mummy, she phoned Mummy again later…she decided to go for the Selmer Paris Axos…I think she made a great choice 😺

During this is happening, a mother and a daughter visited us who were here the other day. Yes, they came back to try a pre-loved Yamaha alto sax YAS62 which was just serviced, set up and tested by Taka. She tried and liked it…has left with the new saxophone !

On Thursday, a family came in with an old clarinet and it required a complete overhaul. It will exceed the value of the clarinet. Then, they decided to go for a pre-loved Yamaha YCL250 clarinet after the son tried it. Well, the clarinet has found a new home in Auckland !

Then, Friday, another family from Hastings visited DR TOOT.  One of daughters wanted to upgrade her ABS clarinet to a wooden one. She tried three pre-loved clarinets and fallen love with the sound of the Buffet E12F - Well, the clarinet has gone to Hastings !

It was a horrible weather here on Saturday. Mummy thought it would be a quite day at showroom, but…she had a few customers and a few phone calls…busy, Mummy ! Also, I saw that a courier man delivered two saxophones from Taiwan - Chateau alto saxes CAS22…YES, they are back in stock now!

Daddy is back...Leaving a cold and crisp Christchurch and coming home to a warm but wet Auckland. He is very proud of me and all that I have done while he was away. I really missed my daddy. Let’s see what Alfa has to offer for next week….😼😻

Senior Cat Moment...🙀

First of all, I must apologise to our followers/readers that my big sis, Zara did not do blog last Sunday. I think she had “senior cat moment” 🙀. I reminded her a few times but…she was tired, I think.

Well, this week was another “meeeeoooowww” week for me ! It started with a Briccialdi flute sales. The lady and her husband visited us on Monday. She was a looking for a new flute and left for home with the Briccialdi intermediate model flute 😻

During the week, two each of brand new BAC trombones and trumpets arrived from USA (yes, we now have a great selection of trumpet and trombones in store), two brand new Backun clarinets have arrived from Canada (yes, our clarinet line up is fuuuuurbulas).  Also, for the first time, some Rigotti reeds from France have arrived…puuuuuurfect ! 😹

On Thursday, it was C day…Yes, C for Cats…mmmmm, it was a Chateau saxophone day 😺  There were two Chateau saxophones in stock and both of them found a new home - the alto sax has gone to Invercargill and the tenor sax has gone to a new home in Auckland. The customer came in and tried a pre-loved Yamaha YTS475 and a Chateau CTS22. He preferred the Chateau which produced bigger and more punchy sound !

Saturday morning, Zara and I went to our vet for an annual vaccination. We are both gooooood 😸 After we came back, Mummy and Daddy opened the shop (yes, we are open Saturdays 9.00am-1.00pm ). It was another busy Saturday ! A pre-loved Jupiter tenor saxophone has found a new home in Auckland…a very familiar face visited DR TOOT and left with the saxophone !

Daddy has been very busy with concerts and rehearsals. He will be away a part of the next week for the Brass Band Championship in Christchurch. He will be playing a tuba with Howick Brass. If you see him in Christchurch, say “DR TOOT” !!!

PS: The photo was taken yesterday...just before off to our vet ! 

It’s Been a SUPREME Week!!

Yes that’s true. It has been a very Supreme week. I am not the only supreme object in this world. Many of you know how wonderful and supreme I am….but there is another. It’s not Alfa! 

This week, all the way from France, two Selmer Saxophones arrived through our door. An Alto and a Tenor. The Tenor Sax was an Axos Professional Tenor Sax at an amazing price of $7,995. This is a fantastic price for a Selmer Paris Professional Tenor Sax. The other saxophone was a Selmer Paris SUPREME Model Alto Sax. The very first one in New Zealand and wow, what a saxophone 😻 Many new features and a dark honey look about her. Features such as Hinged toggle on left hand pinky finger keys for greater ease of movement from one key to another, Redesigned shapes and placements of the side keys, facilitating fluid passage from one to another and many other new features. The sound is what you expect from a Selmer Paris. If you are interested in quality saxophones, then you must check out our stock of new and pre-loved saxophones from DR TOOT !

Many accessory sales this week and one major Item. It was a new Briccaldi flute and it’s on it’s way to Dunedin. That’s cool only having one sale because all sale are good and everybody is important. Almost as important as me 🙀. I manage the shop, I manage the staff and I manage the sales. I don’t manage Alfa 😼 Taka has been very busy as usual in his Man Cave working on a wide range of woodwind instruments. I am confused a little. Flutes and saxophones are made out of metal such as brass, nickel or silver, yet they are known as woodwind instruments. Even some clarinets are made from plastic resin. Humans are complicated. Daddy has been hard at work working on clarinets and brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones and French horns as well as playing with 5 different music groups this week. He has so much energy. 

Daddy is Zara’s Daddy. Hard working and modest. Mummy too has been very busy invoicing, ordering more goodies and busy with sales…..also keeping an eye on Taka and Daddy that they keep working and focused on their jobs. Alfa talks a bit too much. Eats too much and sleeps too much under her blanky. She is pretty handy at night time as it is getting cooler and the large amount of Tabby fat and fur she carries helps keep her and me warm at night 😸

Daddy had to get ready for a concert this afternoon with the local orchestra. Busy boy is our Daddy. Be good and be like me. Meow Meow.😻😺🙀

Cooler weather…darker mornings

Good afternoon you beautiful cats and humanoids. I trust all is well in the internet world. My words of wisdom, care and always helpful advice goes out to all four corners of the world. It gives me great heart and happiness to know that so many of you hold true to my excellent advice and true words.. I shock myself sometimes of how wise I am…😺

I have noticed recently that the mornings now are darker and a little cooler. Before my breakfast of fish, I go outside for my morning tinkle and poo poo. I would use the dirt box inside, but Alfa has it filled to the brim with her waste deposits!!! I don’t go there. Yuck. Daylight savings will finish next week so it is a sign of shorter days to come.

Its again has been a very busy week. We expect that on my watch of course. Forty eight instruments were picked up by Daddy from a local school for cleaning and getting ready for use for the next student. Daddy had all these instruments completely done by Thursday and delivered them on Friday. Clever Daddy. Apart from the repairs, Mummy and I made some very impressive sales. 

On Wednesday we received an order for a Selmer Paris Reference 54 in antique finish, Tenor Sax. Mummy checked with Selmer in Paris and yes, they had one available. As we speak, it’s making its way to DR TOOT in New Zealand. The next day a pre-loved Sankyo flute has found a new home in Dunedin. Happy Happy Zara 😍

Now for a Public Announcement from Zara to the General Public. The shop will be closed from 1.00pm on Tuesday March 30th and open again on Tuesday  April 6^th. This because DR TOOT are sponsors of this years NZ National Youth Jazz Competition being held in Tauranga and Easter Break. We will have a pop up store there and look forward in seeing over 400 young musicians participating in this years events. Good luck to everybody. I am on the understanding because of this, that Alfa and I will be housed somewhere else…..cattery…not happy…😿

Well, on that note, a sad one I might say I say goodbye for now. I am sure Alfa next week will fill you in with all the details….😼

Feels like spring in the Air!!

Greetings all. It a Sunny, fresh Sunday afternoon at the House of TOOT. This week has been a very unusual week. 

On Wednesday afternoon we were all told that Auckland will go back to Level 3 Lockdown and the rest of New Zealand will be on a Level 2 Lockdown. This mean that I get to see more of my DADDY. So instead of Daddy going out on Monday and Wednesday night, he will stay home and provide me a warm lap to sleep on while he watches NETFLIX. I will now get more of what I am entitled to. New Zealand will be in Lockdown for another week and a bit so I will take as much advantage as I can. I can still go out and socialise with other cats as most cats can and do….Oh that’s right. Alfa Can’t. 🙀

The weather in general has been sunny and warm. Alfa did yesterday spend a bit of time outside on a leash of course. But that hasn’t been always the way this week. Alfa has run out on a short spurt of freedom during the week. Always running out the back door and running towards the side of the house. Oh ALFA!!! You are a house cat. Know your place. It was always funny to see her run and always get caught……😸

This week in the shop has been busy and interesting. During the week we received from Taiwan our first Chateau Tenor Sax. Wow what a lovely saxophone. Almost as beautiful as myself and in a lovely case. 😻 It was brought in for a customer and the lad couldn’t believe how lovely it looked and how amazing it was to play. We will be bringing more Chateau Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Baritone Saxophones in the near future. 

Speaking of instruments coming in, we have many pre-loved instruments arriving from Japan. This will include flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, French horn too. WOW….WOW…WOW! As well as all these instruments coming, we have a shipment of 9 brand new B.A.C. Trumpets and Trombones arriving soon. They are already on the plane, winging it’s way to Auckland. It’s all happening at DR TOOT. 

As Alfa mentioned, we sold an Artist B.A.C. Portland Trumpet to a gentleman in Christchurch. Yesterday he wrote a review on the Portland. To say the least he is very very happy. To read his comments, please check our website. 

I am sleepy now and must rest. Take care of your humans as they are all a bit stressed and many have issues. Be Kind, Be Nice, and be more like ME!!😼😺😸

The World of Mummy’s Love for Cats

Yeeesss, School Holidays have started and it turned soooooooo busy at workshop. Lots of instruments for repairs/services arrived at DR TOOT this week. It’s very good to see that the Team is working hard 😺

A family from Whangrei dropped off a flute and they were happy to see me…I showed them my cutie cutie…hehehe. A few local schools brought in some instruments too. Some flutes have arrived from Hastings, a few instruments from Queenstown, Hamilton, Tauranga…etc. Thank you, customers !!! 😻

It’s been so cold here in Auckland. Well, Zara and I are happy to stay by the heater.  We luvvvv our heater in the living room.

Saturday, we visited our local vet for the annual check up.  We both are very healthy and fine. We had vaccinations which was ouch…@#$%& but I was a good girl 😸 Zara has tooth problem….she is old, hehehehe 😼 I was told that how my tooth are so clean and nice…YES ! Another thing we discovered that Zara has “M” mark on her forehead which means her mother or father was tabby !!! I am proud of my “M” mark on my forehead 😊

Well, mummy and daddy spent time outside for gardening today and our driveway and backyard look much better ! 😺 Hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend 💓

Saxy Days at DR TOOT !

On Tuesday, we #teamof5milion cerebrated being Level 1 in New Zealand.  NZ is one of only nine countries with no active cases and 23 days of no new cases. Wow, it’s very very good news !

Since then, we have seen lots of saxophones for services/repairs.  Selmer Paris, Yamaha, Yanagisawa, P. Mauriat…etc.  The team has been working very hard to get them promptly.  Zara and I are so happy to see lots of customers with instruments J

Well, sales wise, it was quiet for me this week but still lots of accessories have gone to all around New Zealand.

It looks that it’s gone back to normal…lots of things have arrived such as pads from Italy, Briccialdi flutes from Italy, a couple of pre-loved instruments (Yamaha alto sax YAS34 and Altus flute A1007) from Japan, some parts from USA, some accessories and cases from Australia !

Speaking of cases, one of them was a brand new Protec case for the pre-loved Yamaha Sousaphone YSH301 - It’s now ready for sale and looking for a new home to stay….anyone ???

As Zara mentioned last week, daddy was out a few nights for rehearsals and a meeting which is just like before the lockdown.

Hope that everyone has been well and enjoying normality !!! 😺

Where is my Daddy???....again !

Have you seen my Daddy? I know he lives here and I do see him sometimes…..but not often!!! You see that this time of year daddy seems to be out playing with bands of all sorts. Playing, marching and turning up to rehearsals and concerts. Today for example daddy was playing in Manurewa at a retirement Village, on Friday playing with the Howick Brass at Midnight Madness in Howick and rehearsals during the week. Between now and Christmas our daddy does not have a single weekend free.

Well, having said that, daddy and the small team have been very busy with repairs. Taka has been working on a very large project. He has completely rebuilt a French Dolnet Tenor Sax. This saxophone was dented, and in a very very dreadful state. All pads and corks need to be replaced and body and keys straightened and tone holes filed and refaced. You can see before and after pictures on our Facebook page. 

Jordan is still in Japan and gets back on Saturday. This meant that Taka, Mio and daddy worked very hard in the shop. On Friday, Taka took Friday off and collected his mummy and daddy and brother and auntie from the airport as they had just arrived in from Japan. JAPAN!!! Yes Japan because they were here to celebrate with Taka for his wedding on Saturday. That’s right. Taka married a beautiful woman from Taiwan and her name is Jean. Mummy and daddy went to the wedding. Alfa and I couldn’t go as we didn’t have anything nice to wear, but we passed on our best wishes.

Been a busy week for sales too. This week a Yamaha 480 Alto sax has found a new home as well as a beautiful Backun ALPHA Clarinet. Please note that is an ALPHA is not Alfa!!! Also this week an amazing Holton Professional French Horn has also found a home in Hamilton. 

From Paris France, a new Selmer Paris Series II Tenor Sax has arrived as a stock item along with many mouthpieces including Selmer’s latest  part plastic/metal alto sax mouthpiece.

Gotta go now. Daddy is tired and I must get back to sleep. Alfa I am sure will share many things with you next week which again, I will have to edit. Be cool my subjects.😺

Birthday Season…continued 🎂

Yes, this week started with my birthday ! I turned 8…and still feel so young J Zara and I shared the gourmet meals in tiny tins which I requested J

Mummy completed the new website earlier than she expected and she arranged to be live on Monday which was of course, my birthday….yes, she dedicated it to me….meow, meow, meow ! Hope that everyone is enjoying our new website…mummy has listed more products and features. And of course, you can see me and my big sis Zara under the DR TOOT Team J

We received two pre-loved cornets this week - King 605 lacquer finish and Yamaha YCR4330GSll silver finish. They have been serviced, set up and tested by our apprentice, Jordan and checked by Daddy. You can find them on our new website J

Speaking of Jordan, he is now in Japan for his break…before it will be crazy busy here for summer holidays. He will be back to work on the 2^nd December. Hope he is have a great time in Japan !

Taka also will be on leave for a few days from this coming Friday to the beginning of the following week. So, please understand that there would be slower turnaround than our usual turnaround - Thank you.

Well, I have to mention this…it was Zara’s birthday yesterday…she turned 12 !!! It makes her 84 year-old in human age. Wow, she is getting old J She was not so happy, because Daddy had to leave for New Plymouth early morning. He flew there for his friend, Jack’s funeral. Yep, he missed her birthday…Mummy still gave us the special meals as Zara requested in advance. She was excited to hear the sound of opening the tins…yes, not in the pouch.  Ummm, that was yummy !

While Daddy’s away, mother and son visited us yesterday to try our pre-loved tenor saxophones. He was quite happy with the Yamaha YTS62. So, the saxophone has found a new home in Auckland J

Daddy came back from New Plymouth in the afternoon today. Zara is very happy now J. She has promised to sleep on Daddy’s lap and purr on Daddy. Lucky Daddy, Lucky Zara !

It’s FATHERS DAY and I'm Back!!!!!!

Good evening to all my long suffering subjects. Yes it's been a long time between catnips, but I m back 😸. I am so sorry for the time it has taken for me to express myself and to share the gems of my wisdom and love. I guess I should thank Alfa for filling in when I have been so preoccupied with work.  She does her best, but I have personally received many emails worried about my health and have insisted that I return and again install maturity and honesty back to this blog. Thanks to all my very loyal subjects. I love you all.😻

Where to begin???? Last weekend was the University of Auckland Clarinet Weekend 2019. DR TOOT had a Pop Up Sore where we displayed our many accessories and instruments. So many clarinettists came and I was told that we were a great hit!!! It was held over a Saturday and Sunday so yet again I had to look after Alfa and her many needs, and there are many.😼

This week, you could say has been a very busy and crazy week. It started off with a sale on Tuesday of a Yanagisawa a 902 Alto sax that went to a good home in Auckland. Then on Wednesday a Yamaha Soprano Sax YSS475  found its way to Kerikeri. On Thursday, a Beautiful Yamaha SEV Custom Clarinet found a loving home in Auckland and on Friday a customer of ours who we have done work on his other instruments, purchased a NEW Selmer Paris Reference 54 Tenor Sax. WOW WOW WOW!!! To top it all, we sold an Arnold & Sons Trumpet to a fellow band member. I would like to personally thank all those wonderful people that bought instruments off us this week. I know…..you did it for me.😊😊😊

Well today is Fathers Day and Daddy has spent most of the day rehearsing with the Howick Brass Band for the up coming ABA Contest. Alfa and I, with the help of mummy, gave daddy a card with the promise that I would sleep on his lap for part of this evening. I am so generous I know.😁

I will love you and leave you now but I will be back. Today is also the first day of spring. Alfa will share with you some news of an ending and a new beginning. Love you All…meow meow 😺😺😺

Winter is almost here…

Yes, we are into our last week before winter sets its cold paws on us. We really can’t complain as it has been a pretty mild autumn. Alfa and I wear our fur coats all year round so we don’t feel the cold as the humanoids do. As you might have noticed….there was no blog last week, Alfa and I aren’t too sure whose turn it was as things here have a bit disruptive. We had a feeling something was up as Mummy and Daddy spoke quietly in front of us.

Our first clue was our travel cages being brought out on Thursday, ( May 16^th afternoon), to the living room. This sign usually means trouble, and we were right! Mummy and Daddy packed us away like some baggage into the cages and off to the cat hotel. This was because they were going off for a relaxing trip away to Sydney Australia for 3 days. I mean…..why not take ME? You can leave Alfa behind and she doesn’t know if we are coming or going in our own home. Her idea of an adventure is spending an hour outside on a cat leash…hahahahaha 😹.  Poor Alfa !!!

Anyway, Mummy and Daddy had a great time in Australia and met up with Mike who was trained as a repairer by Daddy many years ago and appeared on this blog a few years ago ! Mummy and Daddy flew back very late on Sunday night and Daddy said that he had a very nice chat with a lady sitting next to him who also had a cat. Her cat will start now reading our blogs from the very beginning and will catch up to the present time. That’s a lot of reading 😸

On Monday morning, first thing, Daddy picked up Alfa and I from the Cat Hotel and brought us home. A lovely fishy breakfast was waiting for us that Mummy served up. I can’t be bought off that easily and not sleeping on Daddy’s lap while he watches TV. In time maybe....

Well this week has been a very busy week with many repairs and a few sales. On Tuesday we sold two pre-loved alto saxophones. We sold a Yamaha Custom YAS82Z and a Yamaha YAS475. All were dispatched and customers were very happy. All of this under my careful and helpful watch. I am so modest and humble 😼😊😸 Now, all pre-loved alto saxes are sold out...but more saxophones are arriving from Japan soon, so keep eyes on our website !!! 

Mummy and Daddy are talking softly again and we fear that something is up!!!! We love them, but there is a trust issue happening at the moment. Take care everybody and I know you can’t wait till my next turn at the blog. Sorry…you have Alfa next week 😀

Not Happy!!!!!!

Good afternoon, my fellow followers. My words this week will be short and to the point. My report this week is short as I with Alfa have been behind bars for the past few days. I still don’t know what I am guilty of and to be caged up next to Alfa’s continuing meowing wasn’t easy.😾

The week started off like most weeks. Monday’s are always pretty busy with repairs that came in over the weekend and ones that are here already. There was a certain buzz in the air, but I didn’t know what for. Everything seemed to be going so fast.

Daddy was home in the evening on Monday and Tuesday and out on Wednesday night rehearsing with Howick Brass Band. During the week, instruments and cases were brought downstairs and mummy was very busy packing reeds and things in boxes. What’s going on I asked, but nobody listened. I am Queen Zara and was given little to no respect. I heard one of the boys talking about a short week this week. This news to me!

On Thursday we sold a lovely Keilwerth Tenor sax and the customer was very happy. 😊He hadn’t played saxophone very long as was borrowing a friend’s sax, but had to return it. Now he has his own and off he went home to practise. Then daddy said “ Well, that’s one less saxophone we have to take to Tauranga.” What does that mean???  It all came very clear a few hours later. At 4pm, daddy took out Alfa’s and my travel cage from the closet. This is not a good sign. Then in a flash, Alfa and I were in our cage and off to the Cat Hotel. Yes, Alfa knew about this but I didn’t. Maybe I forgot.... It doesn’t matter!!! We were whisked away for 3 nights and at 4.30pm on Sunday, picked up and taken home.

I was told afterwards that Mummy and daddy were involved in the first Tauranga Youth Jazz Competition. They were one of the sponsors and had a display stand there while Alfa and I had to stay behind bars. Not all the time though. We were let out to walk around but Alfa was an angry cat, You see, because she is a HOUSE  Cat, she doesn’t mingle with other cats and has major issues…..if you know what I mean…. We are home now and I will decide if I make daddy feel welcome or not. I am not happy!!!

I better go now and it’s Alfa’s turn next week to defend her life and issue’s and hopefully have better things to share than I have. Goodbye. 😺😎😊

Muggy Muggy Moggy...

First of all, I must apologize to everyone who reads our blog regularly. As you may noticed that my big sis, Zara did forget (yup, forgot J) her turn last Sunday…YES, she is getting OLD 😀

Well, this week started with a public holiday “Auckland Anniversary Day”. The business was closed but mummy and daddy were working. Daddy had to catch up his job, so he stayed and worked at the workshop.

It’s been soooooo muggy and hot here in Auckland…but it’s not only in Auckland but also all over New Zealand. It seems that summer finally has arrived. Our house does not have a heat pump (air conditioner), so all windows are opened. YES, that means I am outside all the time…YES, that means I am on leash all the time. I enjoy the outside under the shade on the concrete 😸 Zara complains a lot…too hot !!!

The short week made us so busy and wondered where the week has gone !? On Thursday, familiar faces (mother & daughter) visited DR TOOT. They play the trumpet and wanted to try our Kanstul 700 series Bb trumpet. Both of them liked the sound and were very happy with it. Well, the Kanstul trumpet has found a new home here in Howick !

Next day, one of our customers came with his wife. He wanted to try the Selmer Paris Seles “Prologue” Bb clarinet. He tried it and loved the dark and warm sound. Another instrument has found a new home…very good 😺

We are a small business but we sell high quality products - Kanstul and Selmer Paris instruments are available only  from DR TOOT in New Zealand…I am a just cat but I am so proud of that 😼

Also, two pre-loved oboes, which were serviced by Taka, have left for their new home in Invercargill.

The boys are still pretty busy working on the last of the school instruments which came in a few days ago, and now catching up on the private repairs which have been here for a short while. Our turnover is usually pretty short but because of this time of year, it has been a bit longer. There is a real buzz in the workshop and more instruments are still coming in.

Well, it’s time for me to hop back onto my outside chair and feel the cool late afternoon breeze cool down my whiskers 😎😊😸

Just like winter...

The week started with not so nice weather… Rain and rain..and we had thunder on Tuesday which I really don’t like….meow meow meow 😿 You guess it, I was under the furniture again in mummy’s office 😂

The efficient team nearly caught up all repairs last week, but it suddenly turned busy this week again! The weather is like winter but the summer has come to the workshop…yes, bunch of instruments have arrived from one of schools in Auckland !😺

For sale, this week was flutes and piccolo week 😺 On Tuesday, a pre-loved Yamaha flute 311 found a new home in Lower Hutt. Then, Briccialdi flute model 1849 left for a new home in Havelock North on Thursday. Hopefully the new owners are enjoying their new flute !

On Saturday, a mother and daughter visited us from Whangarei. The mother was with her son here nearly two months ago and they left with the Yamaha tenor sax that time. This time was with her daughter who was interested in the Yamaha piccolo YPC61, which just arrived in and serviced by Taka. She tried it upstairs and we all heard beautiful sounds. She really liked the piccolo and went home with it and happy face 😊😊😊

It was Rico’s birthday on Wednesday. He would have been 10 year-old. Of course, I do not know Rico but Zara, daddy and mummy talk about him time to time. It sounds like all sweet and funny memories 😸

Saturday night, daddy played the tuba with Manukau Symphony Orchestra which is cerebrating the 25^th anniversary this year ! It was a full house and it sounds that daddy played very well…Well done, daddy !!!  Daddy still has a few more concerts with other band such as MCB and Howick Brass before Christmas.

Oh, sun is out again but for how long?... who knows??? The roses all loving the rain. All this weather drama is making me sleepy...😴😴😴

Clari.. Clari .. Clari everywhere !

Greetings to my loyal and patient subjects. Yes, this is your Queen Zara 😸 The most beautiful and smartest cat is New Zealand….and very modest too 😼

We have to say sorry for not publishing a blog last week. You see my typist (daddy), was busy and very involves with last weekend’s Clarinet event 2018 being held at the The University of Auckland organised by Dr Marie Ross, who is head of the woodwind department. Wow!!!! what an amazing Festival. Many clarinetists from all around NZ attended including Mr. Franklin Cohen who was principal clarinetist with the Clevedon Symphony Orchestra for 39 years. He was the guest of honour and did workshops, recitals and masterclasses.

DR TOOT had a stall at this event which was very colourful with many instruments and accessories. Mummy, Daddy and Masaru looked after the stall, while Alfa and me supported the event from home, as we were not welcome to attend. I think this was because Alfa was too young 🙀 Many accessories were sold including a clarinet. Thank you everybody who attended this event and came to our stall……wish I was there…..

Gosh, many things have happened and it's hard to remember everything over the last two weeks. On the Friday before the event, a Buffet B12 clarinet found a new home here in Auckland, at the event a Yamaha Custom SEV clarinet found a home in Rotorua ! The Buffet E13 found a new home in Christchurch via our online shopping 😊

Boy, these instruments get around. After the Clarinet Weekend, one of the clarinetists, dropped by our place and dropped off a bass clarinet and bought a Yamaha YTS380 tenor sax. He was from Whangarei. On Saturday a girl and her mum came down from Kerikeri and tried and bought a Selmer Baritone sax mouthpiece. The baritone sax was so big and made such a HUGE sound. Thank you, Sarah for sharing your music. Finally today, another girl, this time from Silverdale came to see us and tried and bought a preloved Yamaha A Clarinet. So many clarinets!!!

Well, I have said enough 😅. I would like to thank Alfa for helping me remember some of these events and this is really a joint blog, although I have done about 99% of it. Rest, everybody. One more week left of the school holidays to go. So busy we are but never too busy to care and share with the ones that love me most 😻😘😸

We are back !

Alfa (A):  It was my turn for the blog last week, but I could not do because Zara and I were at our cat hotel “The Loft” near our place.

Zara (Z):  Yup, mummy and daddy had a short break and went to Brisbane. So, we had to stay at the Loft. They seemed that they had a very good time in Aussie and refreshed 😸

A:   Indeed, but you didn’t enjoy staying at the Loft…as always, you hissed well at everybody, I mean every cat….hehehehe. Even you hissed at me too ! 🙀

Z:  Oh, well…you know, I do not like changes at all - I love routines !!! I am Queen Zara after all, you know.

A:   I love our routines too, but I did enjoy staying at the Loft J For me, it’s good chance to meet other cats...there were funny cats…

Z:   We missed lots of news…sounds like lots of things happened while we were away. A couple of brand new Alpha Bb clarinets arrived safely from Backun in Canada.

A:   Yeahhhh, more Alfa 😸 Daddy said to mummy to take a picture of me and Alpha clarinet together, hahahaha.

Z:  I think one Alfa is enough here. Well, some pre-loved instruments have found their new home in the last 2 weeks and we are very happy about that. Also, the DR TOOT Team is back…Masaru came back from Japan and Taka had an awesome time in Rotorua too.

A:  Yes, now mummy and daddy are busy preparing goodies for the University of Auckland Clarinet Weekend which is happening this coming weekend ! You know, I saw and helped mummy to pack flyers, pencils, ball pens…etc. for participants. Oups, I cannot say much…. 😎

Z:  The office is a full of goodies  😊and more pre-loved clarinets are on the way for the Clarinet Weekend. Hopefully they arrive soon and would be ready in time !

A:  I must say this…YOU did POO 🙀again….in our brand new carrier…on the way back from the Loft !

Z:  I know and we don’t talk about that  😼 I was too excited to see my daddy. You followed mummy like a lost sheep when we got back. I had some dignity !

A dark coughing cloud hangs over DR TOOT

Yes its been awhile. As you all know Alfa and I take alternate weeks in caring and sharing with you the news seen from our eyes about DR TOOT 😸

It was my turn last Sunday but as you know, I need my daddy to type…”The Words”, and at that time, daddy was driving up from Wellington. The week of the 13^th of August was a week of cleaning and preparing the instruments for the NZ Concert Band Festival which was being held in Wellington this year.

Both the boys and Daddy were busy repairing customers instruments and giving the last check over on the instruments to be taken down to Wellington. Mummy was busy sorting accessories and packing the goodies we were taking.  During this frantic time, a Briccialdi flute found a home here in Howick 😊

During this crazy time, Daddy’s health seemed to take a turn. He was coughing a lot and seemed very unwell. Well, in the wee hours on Friday August 17^th, Mummy, Daddy and Taka left for Wellington, leaving Masaru in charge of the shop and us. During the drive down, daddy became more unwell and without saying too much, they didn’t get into Wellington till near 3.30am !!!!!! 🙀🙀🙀

With only 3 hours sleep, they were up having breakfast and setting up their DR TOOT Stall. The stall looked amazing and a Bach Bass Trombone (gone to Hamilton), a Yamaha wooden Piccolo (gone to Gisborne) and a Buffet Clarinet (Wellington) found new homes. Many accessories too found new homes 😸 Thank you so much for everyone who visited the DR TOOT stall and helped the Team for setting up the stall !!! 😻

That evening daddy played with the Manukau Concert Band and they won a Silver Award....Well done ! 😊 Everyone thought that Daddy could not make it.

Time to go back. After packing up the stall. Mummy, Daddy and Taka left Wellington at 2pm for the long drive back to Auckland to arrive at just after 11pm…..a very very long day. We were of course so excited to see them and after a short cuddle, we all went off to our own beds. 😸

Taka took a few days off while Masaru and daddy checked over the instruments again before returning them into the stock room. Mummy too spend a lot of time restocking accessories and battling a horrible cold she picked up.

Everyday there was a symphony of coughing from mummy and daddy 😎 No peace and quiet here!!!! Many repairs came in and on Thursday morning a young man and his mum came in and bought a beautiful Selmer Seles "Axos" Alto Sax. Wow!!!! Such a lucky boy 😺

Well, the weekend is upon us again and we are all together. Mummy and daddy have decided to take it very easy and not go out at all. Time to rest and recharge their energy. Just the four of us…its nice 😎😃😊

Howick Brass…..Bring it On !!!

Yes, it’s cold, grey outside and all I want to do is sleep. I have my large black cushion on the couch where I relax and meditate. I wish for things and events. I wish for many things, but Alfa is still here.

Oh well, I will keep wishing...Alfa and I are thinking out for our feline friends in the States and Canada. They have the opposite weather condition to us. For them it is really really hot. Us cats unlike humans, can't take our coats off. We just have to tolerate the heat. Our friends, Woody and Bailey, (both cats and P.A. for Kanstul Brass Instruments), are suffering under the heat. Try and keep cool guys. Alfa and I are doing our best to send some cool New Zealand Wind your way 🙀

Well, the week started in a great way with yet another Briccialdi Flute sale. A flute player from a local band tried one and loved it. It brings such happiness for me when I see yet another happy customer. All types of instruments are tested here and it is always nice to hear such lovely sounds from such lovely people. The usual sales of reeds, mouthpieces, and other accessories have also left the building.

Repairs are steady as always. As you may know, the National Brass Band Contest is happening in Blenheim from Wednesday July 11-15^TH. Daddy will be playing tuba with the Howick Brass Band.

On Sunday last week he had a little fall and has cracked two of his lower ribs😆 Silly and poor daddy 😿. This means fun and games playing the tuba but the show must go on. Actually he tells me that it doesn’t hurt that much but he is looking forward to some pampering..hehehehe.

On Tuesday, daddy received a call from the South Island regarding a broken cornet. It seems that on Monday night after his rehearsal for the up coming Brass Band Contest, someone sat on his cornet and broke it in half. Bell bent. Valves stuck and slides not working. It arrived here on Wednesday and with a lot of work and DR TOOT MAGIC, daddy got it done by Thursday and the customer received it back on Friday. He was so happy and said that it looks and plays better then new. I love my daddy, he is so cleaver 😺

Another Kanstul order arrived in from the USA on Wednesday. This order contained 2 gorgeous Kanstul professional trumpets and one trombone. Kanstul take great pride in making handmade top professional instruments. One of the trumpets was for a trumpeter in the Roger Fox Big Band. He received on Saturday and said that he was thrilled with the sound and it was everything he expected it would be, This made all of us very happy 😄😄😄

Well its time to go. I guess you are all wondering why I am writing this week as I did already last week. The answer is simple. Daddy won't be getting back till later on Sunday and I need my daddy to help type as my paws are a bit too small. Anyway, I am sure you would rather hear from me than from Alfa anyways!!!! Good Luck to Howick Brass for the Contest !!! 😸