Top of the mountain

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

Cromwell educamp

Another image from yesterday. 

We had the best time. We left home at 6:30am to drive through fog for hours to get to Cromwell. The fog didn't lift until we arrived. Then I got to spend a few hours listening to teachers talk about the exciting and innovating things they do in their classroom to support teaching and learning with technology. I took my camera along but I decided that since it was Saturday, I was going to be selfish and rather than try and capture things on film, I would actually be present in the room and take part in the conversations, and I loved it. The images above are from our trip home. We had lunch with Pete the Geek and then stopped at various amazingly beautiful places to look for geocaches (well Claire and Anne looked for the caches and risked life and limb in various crevices while I took photos). 

A day with friends

Mt Stuart wind farm

I had the most marvellous day today with Claire and Anne. We drove down to Cromwell to attend Educamp and then wound our way back home looking for geocaches and finding the most magnificent sights that would have otherwise been lost to us.

Rotorua museum in the morning

I took this photo on the last day of the conference as I walked toward the event centre. The light was amazing.

Pukeko

Each morning I walked from my hotel to the convention centre past a family of Pukekos, they are amazing looking birds with such big feet.

ULearn 11 - Rotorua Museum

Ulearn11 has come and gone. This year it was in Rotorua as the venue we normally use is in the red zone of Christchurch. The conference was a huge success as always and everyone I spoke to went away buzzing. My job is to shoot video for the duration of the conference. I captured 35 videos over four days. You will be able to see them on the EDtalks website very shortly. This photo is the Rotorua Museum which is right next door to the convention centre. It is a beautiful building, and the flower gardens on the walk in to work in the mornings were just glorious!

Akaroa boats

My last early morning Akaroa shot. It is definitely one of my favourite places.

Akaroa artist

Another early morning snap from Akaroa.

Akaroa morning

I have just spent the most amazing three days with my whānau. Which is a strange way to say I have just been on a company retreat. But working for CORE Education is nothing like being in a 'company' in the business sense, but more like being part of a large insane family which is the most fun I've ever had. This photo is at Flea (?) bay just one bay down from Akaroa, as the day awoke.

Akaroa

I have been in Akaroa for the CORE retreat for the last three days. It is an absolutely beautiful place. I got up early to have a go at some long exposures.

Poles

I think I was in Katikati when I took this photo (confession, my NZ geography is a little sketchy). It was a perfect day in every way.

On the road again

The road on the way from Dunedin to Central Otago

Rolling hills

The rolling hills of Central Otago are awe inspiring.

Arrowtown cabin

I have just spent the weekend in Central Otago which is a photographer's paradise. This little cabin is near the Chinese settlement in Arrowtown.

Reflections

The weather was absolutely perfect in the Bay of Plenty. I was taken with the reflections over the still water of this estuary.

Bay of Plenty

I have been up in the Bay of Plenty filming in two secondary schools. I had to stop at the beach with my camera, it was magic.

Through the grasses

On the way home from Middlemarch the other day I meandered home. Taking my time to take photos and appreciate the countryside. I laid down in the long grasses surrounded by wild flowers to take some photos. I quite like the hazy feeling of this photo.

Middlemarch

Driving back out to pick up 'the band' from their weekend in Middlemarch. I was struck by the subtle colours of the landscape.

On the road

I drove 'the band' out to Middlemarch which is about 80km out of Dunedin. There is something about driving along the open road with your mind to keep you company that is quite alluring.

Duckling

A duckling I saw on my trip to Christchurch