AO TEA ROA

It's finished!
Before, during and another.

Navigator

Those words are on the plaque.
"The line of stars on the Totara sphere signifies Polynesian navigation, the compass designs depict European navigation, and the satellite shapes reflect modern methods of navigation. On the carved eucalyptus port the harakeke plaited rope depicts Polynesian seamanship, hemp rope for early European sailing, and a chain for modern shipping.

Carved by Tim Wraight, 2007

Kindly commissioned by Ann and Cliff Nighy"
I realised not only we know the artist, but who commissioned as well.

Sneak in

To Lease

It was one of our favourite cafes on the water front.

Cabbage Tree

It';s still bit windy at hills but there is a beautiful blue sky.

Hebe

It's very windy this morning. This shot has been taken in a few days back at the Founders Park.

Mosaic 6 - Last

It was a public toilet. There are many more fantastic motifs to explore.

Mosaic 5

Mosaic 4

Mosaic 3

Mosaic 2

Mosaic 1

The "Little Flick"

Found at the Founders Park. It's in the fire engine shed.

Founders Park

JB, Zumo, Bikies

JB, the Prefectionist

We had coffee with JB Saturday morning at Zumo. It was crowded and robust; my resident coffee connoisseur said the coffee was good. Outside, bikies were having their ritual Saturday Morning meeting; I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same bunch that used to meet for breakfast at the late, lamented Saltwater on Saturdays. I'll go shoot them another day; such a nice, mild bunch, I assure you.

See you next Feb, JB and Mrs JB!

Don't Ask Me!

I didn't do it, and the Cafe sign was the only one with knitted swatches draped over it. We had lunch at Founders Cafe yesterday. Today there's is a organic garden event there.

Kaiteriteri

Stitched two shot so please excuse the black corner - I haven't planned to do this when I was shooting. This is from the same beach from yesterday's post.

Beach

Ice cream? Fish & Chips? Whichever you are having or not, it's a paradise.
Would you prefer this seat instead?

If You Haven't Seen Nelson, You Haven't Seen Paradise

Last Sunday was the kind of a day you think of when you conjure an image for New Zealand Summer. Sunny, breeze, heavenly; people going outside, into their gardens, or garden shops/plant nurseries/hardware stores; onto their bicycles, boats, or just to sit on the beach.

It even got us indoor-types out. For once I shredded my carbon-emission cringe and we splurged on a Sunday drive to Kaiteriteri, on Red with the top down. This is the road just south of Motueka, one of our favorite stretches of road in the region, and one of those places that remind us beauty is all around us at our doorsteps. I would feel a bit better if we had a solar car or another cleaner vehicle, but sometimes you just have to do it.

If you ever visit New Zealand, you have to visit Nelson, and if you make it to Nelson, be sure you have some time to explore Motueka way, Takaka and Golden Bay. There are many, many truly beautiful places all over New Zealand; Nelson and Tasman regions have more than our fare share, but we have the stable, fabulous weather to boot!

Told You!!!

I have been right all along; Ben and the hardware stores don't know what they're talking about!

Bus Stop Cafe 2

Bus Stop Cafe 1

Yesterday's discovery sits near the car park of the park and cemetery outside Riwaka/Motueka. It must be the new local haunt because there was a continuous flow of people who knew each other coming and going. According to them, they have the best pies (savory/meat) in town, our fish and chips weren't shabby, but Ben said the coffee was truly enjoyable, even in a paper cup! Services was friendly and lovely, too.

If you are driving from Nelson/Motueka, it's past Riwaka township, after the last big bend, on your right, before the Kaiteri Road turn and the one up Takaka Hill.

Strongly recommended; upon until 7 for the time being; possibly until 8 later in the season.

Red, Again

Friday was wheel realignment day. Red sure gets far more nit-tuck-spa treatment than I, but I admit, the new (to us) seats are harder and nicer, so I'm not complaining.

(She was sitting so pretty even I rushed to take a few pics. See her color matching the realignment computer thingie base?)

Joy!

Found in the NMIT Library. As someone who fluffed through this very novel to get her BA, I am allowed to roll on the Library floor and laugh hysterically in a fetal position.

But on to the joyous part. Today, in 1994, we arrived at Auckland for the third time as visitors; it was scheduled to be a 9 month stay, Ben going to school to learn English and I to be a woman of leisure. It turned out we never left, except for "visits". And while we miss our friends and family back home, I don't think we'll ever live anywhere else.

It took a further 2 years, 1 month and 12 days before we moved down to Nelson to live.

Scotters and Postie

I first thought to take this shot because I saw the shiny scooters. But then I realized there was a postie in the frame, a subject I've been intending to capture from nearly the start of NDP.

In New Zealand, a great majority of postal delivery personnel are women, most often on bicycles, even in many of the hiller cities. So they are the fittest women, alongside the guys on rubbish trucks.

I tried so many times to shoot the Postie who comes to our street, but by the time she reaches the top of our hill, she's usually having a fag (cigarette!) and, well, that doesnt' go down so well with me.

Still, three cheers to all the Posties in New Zealand. We appreciate your services.

A Quickie

Wednesday morning, before Ben went to work; he loves this girl. They (Ben and Red) have two new car seats (identical to the current ones) coming down from Auckland soon.

Dear Bill, sorry this has been the only picture we've taken so far of the new roof. But Ben has been reminded.

26000

At Stoke. It's the ex Mac Brewery.

Be Strong

Sometimes, those plant makes big surprise.

Unique!

Those will sawing individually when a light breeze passing by... (B&W)

Theme Day: Doorways

The very much lamented, late Used House Parts on Wakefield Quay. It used to be a spectacular emporium of brass parts, taps, lead light windows, French doors and other beautiful (and not so beautiful depending on the era you're after) house parts. There was one staff who might have been a retired builder or glazier whom we absolutely loved; just listening to him explain things was very educational.

They closed quite a few (possibly nearly 10) years ago so this, too, can be demolished and yet another waterfront apartment built, but this hasn't happened. The shop moved into a smaller premise in town on Bridge Street, carrying mostly brass parts and smaller ornaments (and a bit of junk), but that shop closed last month, and we must go to the super/mega/discount hardware stores to buy lower-grade brass parts.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants