picnic

picnic.jpg, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

This last Saturday we boarded an aircraft for a flight to Tauranga. We had a wedding to attend. My wife allowed me to sit by the window. We had a wonderful view over the central North Island mountains. My wife left her seat and placed her head in front of mine to look. I did get a bit of a glimpse of a dusty brown Mt Ruapehu with brown stained snow. The crater lake appeared as molten lead, looked in no danger of sliding down the mountain in a torrent of slush. Though we are told this may happen in the next couple of months.
The wedding was nice. The bride and groom looking lovely. It was outside, and hot. The food was good, especially the kids picnic. I was photographing this wonderful display of nosh, expecting to pull off a still life, when a child's hand suddenly appeared. Intent on helping me with the composition. I am rather pleased with this slight human drama. Probably as close as I will get to being a people photographer.

Canon

Canon, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Our fathers put canons or statues of soldiers in our parks everywhere. I found this one on my first exploratory walk from our new address. Its aim is out over the entrance to the Wellington harbour. I have spent the last two weeks shifting furniture, hanging pictures and getting the internet connection to work again. My wife is happy with the result and it was nice to be walking in a blustery Summer Northerly through the Botanic Gardens.

Rest

Rest, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

The two park benches I mentioned in the last post. It's time for me to go and pack, I'm moving. The phone will not be connected until Thursday 18th January. My wife is doing this very hard. So if anybody is looking, I will have more to post then.

Going up

Going up, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

When I want some time on my own, I often walk up this hill. At the top is a sports field and a couple of park seats. It is all very plain with little landscaping. Just a good view over Wellington, and a place to sit, Three roads lead to this spot like an arrow. Even the power poles lean towards here. It seems to be a natural place to find oneself. As I am soon moving to another part of town I will have to select another place for a quiet time.

Hill top suburbia

Hill side suburbia, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

I looked at a painting by Colin McCahon of a dark sombre hillside. Along the top there is a thin strip of glowing light. There is something compelling about features on a hill top. A poem by Sam Hunt about a macrocarpa tree and the moon glowing behind say's it perfectly. The poem is called April Fool. So here is a Wellington suburb sitting on top of a hillside of bush. Paintings by Colin McCahon can be viewed here: www.mccahon.co.nz/

Wet Weather Wellington

Wet Weather Puddle, originally uploaded by Lester Ralph Blair.

Here in Wellington it rained incessantly on the last day of 2006. It was also cold with a biting South wind. Between Christmas and New Year it is often cold and wet. We always talk as if we are surprised that this has happened. The state of the weather is probably the most common topic in conversation in this part of the world. A skilled weather eye is needed to dress appropriately before venturing for a walk.