Top of the mountain

We went to the top of the mountain up the Queenstown gondola.

Peregrine Winery

We went to the Peregrine Winery on the way home from Queenstown to Dunedin.

Chinese Gardens framed

On a recent visit to the Dunedin Chinese gardens with my friend Deb, we spotted these wonderful framed portals out into the outside world. I loved the contrast of the old buildings with the ornate frame.

At the beach

An outing to the beach for a coffee. Another Dunedin Stunning Day (DSD).

Botanical gardens

The glorious weather continues in Dunedin so we went for a walk around the gardens. The colours were inspiring.

Stadium to surf

13 months ago I had surgery to replace my anterior cruciate ligament (in my knee). After the surgery I got quite despondent and didn't think I was ever going to be able to run again without pain. It seemed to be a very long time to build up my strength, but today marked the end of my recovery - 10km Stadium to surf race ending at St Clair Beach. The clock said 1 hour 8 min when I crossed the line. I'm happy with that.

A poem by my daughter

To whoever this may concern

Flowers in her hair
She acts she doesn't care
Reality comes back

She sits at school
Acting cool
Reality comes back

When she gets home
She turns off her phone
Reality is there

She tries to fight it
It doesn't leave
Reality is there

Scars on her wrists
Pain in her eyes
Reality is there and
Not leaving her side

She sits at home
All alone
Thinking why, why?
Reality still survives

The next day
She was gone
Reality's back
... and moving on ...

Tenderness

Playing around in Photoshop - and reading my favourite author = this. May we all find our tenderness when we need it most.

Waves

I went for a run to the beach after work today, it was another beautiful day in Dunedin. The waves were pounding and the surf was flying. Not often in Dunedin do you see people enjoying the spray of the sea to cool themselves down.

Surfing

There was a surfing competition on at St Clair yesterday.

At the Crown

A Distant City had a gig at the Crown last night. Was the first one for a while and was fun to get out and hear them again. I even took a couple of friends to experience the soundscapes :)

Old buildings

There are some very old buildings across from the hotel I stay in when I'm in Wellington, the stories within those houses always intrigue me.

Misty St Clair

It was quite a strange day in Dunedin today, the ocean was covered by mist but it was lovely and warm. I had to run down and see how the poles were looking.

Dad and daughter

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas... sun, holidays, smiles...

Jessica has been unwell and we thought we had lost her. But she is a fighter and is getting better every day. Which apparently is quite strange for a rabbit. 

Christmas

We are quite excited, we get to put up our Christmas tree and have Christmas at home for the first time for a very long time. We dusted off the decorations, untangled the tinsel, and generally began the festive fun.

Reservoir hut

I walk past this little walkway out to a little hut suspended over the water in the reservoir every week. Not once have I wondered why it is there or what is done inside this little room. Now my mind is running away with ideas and possibilities - a secret base for the Thunderbirds? Maxwell Smart's entrance to his underground lair?

Ross creek meanderings

I took my mum for a walk around the Ross Creek Reservoir.

Sunny days

A day in the life of St Clair Poles

It is amazing the difference that light can make to the same image.

Auckland Harbour

Another shot from my wander at the wharf.

Queens Wharf

I'm working in Auckland today. I went for a walk down to the waterfront at the end of the day.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth put on her new tutu for our photoshoot today and then she poured on the charm. This is one gorgeous girl!

St Clair montage

Oklahoma

Last night we enjoyed a performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Z was playing the part of Ali Hakin complete with a 'Persian' accent. I haven't laughed so much for a very long time. I even think Z's performance was funnier than that of Eddie Albert in the movie.

A walk on the beach

A friend gave me the challenge of looking for an image to take in black and white. It was really difficult to see in that way, and find a scene with high contrast. But it was a fun challenge.

Dunedinmusic.com birthday party

Thoughtful and the Mighty Heart and A Distant City played at Re-Fuel tonight for the dunedinmusic.com birthday party.

The promise of spring

OBHS Battle of the bands

Thoughtful and the Mighty Heart won Battle of the Bands last night at Otago Boys High School.

Stripes

I've just repapered my daughter's bedroom wall and the stripes were calling out to be used as a backdrop. As always no one in my house would volunteer to be my model so I had to do it myself. I then played with some Photoshop actions I had downloaded. What did you do with your Saturday?

Blue

Unseen in Dunedin for a while - blue sky. Sometimes you just need to look up to help lift your spirits.