newtown street corner with pink fence

newtown street corner with pink fence, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I happened to be in Newtown, hoping to see some photographs in a gallery there, but today there were only paintings, which did not interest me. As it happened I also had my camera in the boot, with tripod too, as the sunlight was diffused by passing clouds, I grabbed my gear and walked the streets to see what Newtown looked like. View Big On Black for a startling difference.

mossy footpath, boarded shops, howitzer

mossy footpath, boarded shops, howitzer, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

The sun had come out and the light was rapidly changing, and would soon be too harsh. This was the last photo in a town that was always small, but as I stood here it seemed smaller still. View here to see the hidden howitzer

harmless looking river

harmless looking river, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Waitotara lies in a valley with a small river. There is a cluster of houses, about sixty six people and a pub, and there was once more besides. I parked the car by the pub and again ventured onto state highway three's Waitotara bridge to take a photo. The river seemed harmless enough but a few years back there was more rain then usual and this community was flooded and evacuated. go bigger for a gumboot encounter

brown river, muddy bank

brown river, muddy bank, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Driving over the bridge I noticed a gloomy scene. A brown water colored river with abandoned remains of a bridge. I was in the mood for taking a gloomy photo, so I stopped the car and walked back over the bridge, feeling a little brave and foolish on a narrow path feeling the blast of open road traffic. no need to squint, rest your eyes here.

beach house with black sand

beach house with black sand, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

The west coast beaches are interesting to explore, always plenty of detritus washed up on the black iron sands. I also find 60's architecture interesting, especially with big glass windows to gaze out on the tumbling surf and floating logs. explore the big view.

recently painted, empty street

recently painted, empty street, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

This is a street in a small Taranaki town, which was the location of a recent movie shoot. The film was set in the 1930's, and here they did not have to build anything, nothing had changed, they just repainted the buildings. For me it is just a typical small town street, and mostly empty of people. soak up that empty feeling he

pub, store, garage, cemetery, countryside

pub, store, garage, cemetery, countryside, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I was wanting to photograph this small village, and the only suitable spot seemed to be the cemetery on a hilltop, which was guarded by a flock of oodling yardling squawking magpies. I waved my tripod around my head for protection and made my way up the muddy hill. above too small, spectacular view is here.

small town street with road detritus

small town street with road detritus, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

If I can avoid green grass I will, even if it is a pile of asphalt and gravel. say yes to the big view

small town space

small town space, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

After a longish drive in the car, I stood in the car park of the Eltham Railway Hotel. There is nothing in particular that I thought of as a subject, just the space of a place. a more exciting view here