Fall of the leaves…

It is definitely fall here. Or autumn as we call it where I live. I spotted this tree covered in resplendent red leaves and was taken by the intense colour against the grey sky and branches….simply sublime!

Life lessons in the weather….

It wasn’t even five o’clock. But that’s winter for you. We had rain, wind, early darkness and then through the dark clouds a final defiant burst of sunlight just as it tipped below the horizon…a little reminder that after the rain the sun will always come, in life and in weather.

Beauty in the winter branches blowing in the wind…

Most of the trees have lost their leaves now…like these ones. Orange and yellow leaves litter the ground all over. The trees look quite graceful in their naked state. Their leafless limbs bending helplessly in the wintry gusts – no shelter available to man, bird nor animal in these barren winter branches…but still it is beautiful.

A little poem by the sea…

Playground park.

Big wide sea.

Trees delight.

Sunshine after rain.

Children play.

A perfect moment.

Happy mother’s day.

Rainy day inspiration…

A camera, a car window rippled with rain, stormy wet weather, a line of shelter trees and green, green grass, a long trip, boredom, I play with camera settings and mutter it is too wet to take any photos….and inspiration hits…

An idea….a passing view captured in a fleeting moment. Is it abstract? Impressionist? I don’t know…I just know I like it!

We had been at the WOMAD festival all day and not seen any music…too many demands and request from children for face-painting, rock climbing, food, toilets, drinks, tree climbing, market stalls, kid zone activities, ice creams and more drinks. These requests had filled our time almost completely….we arrived home with happy and tired kids, but feeling like we had missed a whole lot of something…the music and dance!

A couple of hours later, sans children, we were back. The scene had changed….It was dark, still hot, the crowd was throbbing and uninhibited and dancing and socialising more freely. We searched out some great international music and joined the crowds…soaking up incredible sounds, interesting people, and walked, ate, people watched and soaked up atmosphere and sounds from all places….A perfect evening.

 

 

 

 

Reflecting on the new and shiny….

It is certainly going to be interesting!

Reflections of the church buildings across the road… as seen on the first of many stainless steel curving panels forming the exterior of our new contemporary art gallery and Len Lye centre. It’s currently under construction in our city centre – not without controversy I might add.

Will it last? Will it stay shiny? Will it rust in our sea and salt laden air? Will it blind drivers and pedestrians? Will it get too hot? What will our high rainfall do to it over time? Who knows…certainly not me….but who cannot fall in love with the idea of a unique, original, elegant building? I personally cannot wait to see how it looks finished. There is a place in cities for protecting heritage and old buildings and there is also a place for new and innovative approaches and fresh, risk taking ideas…the best cities celebrate both!

 

Taking the mystery route….

To the right of this path, if you were to glance to the right, is a large concrete pathway and beyond that is the blue, blue sea. But you don’t really notice these, as the large coastal trees and the winding leaf-strewn path through them distracts your attention away from the sea and into the forest of branches, greenery and birdsong. The path leading beyond where you can see, so you keep walking (or scootering!) to see what lies beyond the next corner…a mystery loved by young and old alike..

Thoughts from the bottom of the tree…

 

I spotted this tree in Auckland recently. It’s silver white trunk was so smooth and shiny and seemed to go on for miles and miles toward toward the sky.

 

I imagined what it would be like to be a bird flying around and resting at the top of the tree, in the shelter of the branches, and looking out at the world from there.

 

 

Glimpse of a different life…

While on the top level of a double decker bus recently, I had an unusual view of the world. Being so much higher than normal it altered my perception somewhat of the streets and buildings I passed. Having a view directly into second story windows gave me passing glimpses into many people’s homes and workspaces…While downstairs at street level is open to the public  or carefully protected for privacy, the second story windows were generally wide open and offered a real glimpse into anonymous lives lived in a busy city. It made me wonder about who lived here and who looked out their window directly into tree leaves and city street scenes…