Aotearoa, Creativity, Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

Corner of Rattray and Princess Street

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Corner of Rattray and Princess Street in Dunedin

The city streets had an unhurried feel about them in the early morning air. I made my way past buildings of various sizes, the smell of coffee and bacon drifting from an establishment across the road on the gentle morning breeze. As I got closer to the source of the alluring morning aroma, I could see a nearby cafe bustling with people. Clearly it had already been open for some time as it was filled with a varying degree of customers waiting for their morning fix. Moving on, the city itself was surprisingly warm for pre-7am in winter, the crisp morning air and the clear skies gaving an indication that the day was going to be what locals called a stunning winter’s day.

Aotearoa, East Otago, Waitati, Wild Horses

Morning Vibes In Waitati

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Blueskin Bay in Waitati

Arriving at Blueskin Bay, just outside the little village of Waitati near Dunedin, the morning surrounds offered one of those sunrises that could make even the most hardened cynic stop and stare. Expecting to find a peaceful bay in the throes of morning, perhaps a few seabirds, the odd hitchhiker on the side of the road, but what I encountered was something altogether more spectacular.

As the morning awoke, the sky put on a performance that would have put an artist to shame. It began subtly enough, with the sky changing to a vibrant blue hue across the landscape. But soon, as if on cue, the sky exploded into a riot of colours so vibrant that it was almost surreal. Deep blues and purples mixed with fiery oranges and pinks, streaking across the dawn sky.

In that fleeting moment, Blueskin Bay wasn’t just a picturesque spot near Dunedin; it was a testament to the raw, breathtaking beauty of New Zealand’s southern coast— if only for a wondrous moment.

Aotearoa, Dunedin, Orokonui, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

Orokonui Lagoon

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Orokanui Lagoon

As I strolled along the wooden path, which had been thoughtfully placed to guide visitors through this natural haven, I couldn’t help but marvel at the surroundings. The boardwalk itself, weathered yet sturdy, meandered gracefully through a landscape that could best be described as a symphony of greens. The air filled with the earthy scent of damp grass, mingling with the faint, sweet perfume from flowers that seemed to peek shyly from beneath the undergrowth.

On either side of the path, tall grasses swayed lazily in the gentle breeze, casting playful shadows across the weathered wood. The sunlight filtered through the trees, dappling the ground in a pattern so enchanting it looked as if nature itself had taken up painting as a hobby. When the canopy above parted, the hills in the distance came into view as though beckoning me to explore further.

The lagoon made its presence known through the occasional appearance of bird life. It was a place where time seemed to slow down, allowing you to drink in the quiet beauty of the world around you. In that moment, surrounded by the gentle hum of nature, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, as if I had stumbled upon a secret that only the lucky few would ever discover.

Australia, Melbourne, Travel, Wild Horses

Southern Cross Station in Melbourne

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Velluto Coffee at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne

Thirsty and hungry, I wearily I trudged through Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, that marvel of modern transportation architecture, presented itself in a manner that was nothing short of exhilarating. I was hot and tired, yet bathed in the golden glow of late afternoon light, the station seemed less like a hub of trains and more like a grand cathedral of travel. There, nestled comfortably under the sprawling, undulating roof—a roof that appeared to have been designed by a collaboration of science-fiction enthusiasts and overly enthusiastic origami experts—was a modest coffee stand by the name of Velluto.

The kiosk, with its clean, curved lines and warmly lit sign, was a beacon for the weary traveller in need of caffeine sustenance. It had a kind of quiet charm, as though it were saying, “Yes, you’re in a rush, but there’s always time for a good coffee.” The wooden panels along its top gave it a slightly rustic appeal, which was wonderfully at odds with the sleek, modern design of the station around it. The glow from the overhead lights cast a soft, inviting sheen on the counter, where an amiable barista attended to a customer who appeared to be contemplating the menu with the seriousness one usually reserves for selecting a life partner.

Behind the counter, the machinery of coffee creation hummed and whirred, promising the robust aroma and the soothing warmth of a perfectly brewed cup in that fleeting moment, Velluto was more than just a coffee stand. It was a small sanctuary in the bustling, architecturally impressive style of Southern Cross Station, offering a brief respite from the relentless march of time and travel.

Aotearoa, Creativity, Oamaru, Processing Photos, Wild Horses

Bank of Otago (Former) in Oamaru

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Bank of Otago (Former) in Oamaru

For this photo I seriously considered editing it to take out the large ANZ sign on the left. It’s rather ugly and when I first looked at the photo, it completely took away from the rest of the building. However, upon closer inspection I decided to hide it instead. After editing the photo in Lightroom and adding a preset I made called ‘lift off for AJ’, I opened it in photoshop. From there, I added a vignette to darken the surrounds and draw the eye into the centre of the photo. The fact that the building is made of Oamaru stone means it looks awesome with filters that highlight the texture, tones and colours of the bank which was built in 1870.

Aotearoa, Central Otago, Hills Creek, St Bathans, Travel, Wild Horses

Central Otago

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The Hawkdun Range near St Bathans

When it comes to naming places, it pays to be first or to know the right person. Take British surveyor John Turnbull Thompson for example. He spent fifteen years in Singapore and has a long list of walks, views, roads, rivers, regions, parks and even a medical centre named after him due to his work in the region. Then, upon arrival in New Zealand, he set about surveying and exploring large sections of the South Island. As did so, he named many areas after places in Northern England and south-east Scotland where he and his family were from. Take the area formerly known as Dunstan Creek, when John Turnbull Thompson arrived to survey the area, he decided to rename the place. So, he chose the birthplace of his maternal grandfather, Abbey St Bathans in Scotland. Now the area is simply known as St Bathans

Australia, Brisbane, Queensland, Travel, Wild Horses

Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane

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Eat Street Markets in Brisbane

When I was in Brisbane, one of the recommendations I was given was to check out the Eat Street Markets on Brisbane’s Northshore. Having been located on its present site since 2013, the owners took over an old abandoned docking site and transformed it into one of the hottest locations in Brisbane for food and entertainment every weekend. What makes it more intriguing is that the concept is really rather simple, with more than 50 shipping containers having been converted into food stalls. Located 10 minutes from the city, it’s one of Brisbane’s must do attractions to satisfy the taste buds!

Aotearoa, Christchurch, Christchurch CBD, Wild Horses

Robert Falcon Scott & Tom Crean

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Robert Falcon Scott Statue in Christchurch

One of the things that I didn’t do in Ireland, that is now on my ‘next time I’m there list’, is visiting the Dingle Peninsula. I’d heard it’s nothing short of stunning and gorgeous, with thousands of years worth of history. It’s also the place that Irish explorer Tom Crean called home. 

From the small village of Annascaul on the Dingle Peninsula, Tom Crean joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16. By the time he was 24, he found himself on British explorer Robert Falcon Scott’s ship Discovery in his failed attempt to reach the South Pole in 1901. When Scott returned to Antarctica for another attempt at the pole in 1910, Tom Crean once again invited along. In fact, Scott was so impressed with Crean on his initial attempt at the pole, he was one of the first people recruited for the return mission. So, when Scott’s party finally began their march towards the pole in Antarctica in November 1911, Crean was an important part of the polar team. As they marched south with a mix of tractors, dogs and horses, the party grew smaller and smaller as machines broke down, horses and dogs were shot and men were sent back to base camp. Eventually, when the final pole party of 5 was announced and Tom Crean wasn’t included, Scott wrote in his diary that Crean wept with disappointment at the prospect of having to turn back. 

As Crean headed back to the Ross Island base, Scott and his companions pushed to the pole. They arrived on 17 January 1912, only to find that Norwegian Roald Amundsen had beaten them by nearly a month. Utterly devastated, Scott and his party started their long march home in a terrible state. Weak, hungry, low on rations and suffering from frostbite, the five men in Scott’s pole party desperately pushed on for home. The first to die was Edgar Evans followed by Lawrence Oats. On the 19th March the three remaining men of Henry Bowers, Edward Wilson and Robert Scott pitched a tent just 11 miles from the large One Ton Depot. Trapped by a blizzard with little food and even less fuel, the three men sat out the blizzard, they wouldn’t survive. When the tent was finally discovered eight months later, the positions of the bodies suggest Scott was the last to die. His final words written in his journal: For God’s sake look after our people.Tom Crean returned to the Antarctic a third time with Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance Expedition in 1914. The Endurance became trapped in ice and the mission became one of survival. They hauled their gear (boat’s included) until the pack ice broke up, sailed to Elephant Island and then four men (including Shackleton and Crean) sailed on to South Georgia Island before trekking across the mountainous landscape to the whaling station at Stromness.

Years later, Crean returned to the Navy until he retired in 1920. In 1938, he became ill with a burst appendix which eventually took his life in July 1938. Today a statue of Tom Crean stands in his hometown of Annascaul, while Robert Falcon Scott is recognised and celebrated all over the world.

Dublin, Ireland, Travel, Wild Horses

Molly Malone Statue

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The Molly Malone Statue in Dublin

While walking the streets of Dublin’s fair city, I turned a corner onto Church Lane where I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone. Approaching the statue of the famous young lady and her cart, I joined a small crowd of people who were, like me, spending a few minutes taking in the statue before moving on with their day. So, my question is this. Is young Molly really dressed appropriately to be pushing a wheelbarrow filled with Cockles and Mussels through narrow, cobblestone streets? I would have thought a low cut dress wouldn’t have been the most practical of garments to be wearing, but then again, maybe I’m showing my age. Or, maybe it’s one of those things that us males simply don’t understand. Far be it for me to be giving out fashion advice to ladies, after all I can’t even go shopping for trousers or shirts without needing some sort of female fashion consultant or advisory group to oversee my choices. However, if people want to make statues of well endowed ladies in low cut tops, who am I to argue!

Dublin, Ireland, Wild Horses

The Attempted Assassination of Benito Mussolini

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Merrion Square North in Dublin

Of course, Oscar Wilde wasn’t the only famous resident of Merrion Square. The area has had many notable residents that include politicians, surgeons, judges, physicians, physicists, poets, playwrights, authors and fashion designers. It seems that the little plaque I found, placed by the Dublin Tourism office, wasn’t so rare after all. In fact, they appear quite regularly on the Georgian houses that surround the entire area, and it’s an impressive list. At various times, residents of Merrion Square have included Oscar Wilde, Sybil Connolly, Louise Kennedy, Sheridan Le Fanu, Daniel O’Connell, George Russell, William Yeats and Violet Gibson. Goodness me, what a street!

So, just who is Violet Gibson? Well, she is the lady who attempted to assassinate Italy’s Benito Mussolini in Rome on the 7th April, 1926. According to reports, having delivered a speech to the International Congress of Surgeons, Mussolini stepped outside into the fresh spring air where he was greeted by a large crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the Italian Prime Minister. As he did so, Irish-born Violet pushed her way through the crowd, a revolver disguised in her black shawl. Then, as Mussolini walked into the crowd, saluting to his adoring supporters, he turned to his right to address a group of young men chanting his name. Suddenly, two gunshots rang out into the air and blood appeared on Mussolini’s face. A bullet having scraped his nose. As Violet went to fire a third time, the gun jammed, giving onlookers a chance to wrestle her to the ground before police arrived and took her into custody. In the preceding days and years the reason for the attempted assassination never became fully clear. Violet herself first claimed that she never shot him at all, then she did it for religious reasons and finally saying she didn’t know why she shot him. Eventually, Violet was deported back to England where she was declared insane and forced to live in an institution until her death in 1956. Whereas Mussolini lived for another 19 years, before he was forced to flee Italy in the closing months of World War II when he was shot and killed crossing the border into Switzerland.

Dublin, Ireland, Travel, Wild Horses

Oscar Wilde House

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Oscar Wilde House

I left St Stephen’s Green where among other things I had been watching squirrels and talking to a man named Daniel who was feeding pigeons. From there, I walked for some time, in no-particular direction taking in the streets of Dublin. Every so often, I would come to an intersection where I would decide on the direction I took by way of how interesting the street seemed. If nothing seemed appealing, I would simply head off along a path. This amused me for some time, until I came to an intersection where Merrion Street West, Merrion Street Lower, Merrion Street North and Clare Street all converged. Crossing the road I spied a helpful disc stuck to the side of a building by the Dublin Tourism office. Like most places around the world, they put these up on buildings to help people like me know that this building is worth taking note of. 

In this case the plaque read ‘Oscar Wilde 1854 – 1900’, Poet, Dramist, Wit, Lived Here 1855 – 1878.’ Taking a second to process this information, it suddenly dawned on me that I had inadvertently and quite by chance come across Merrion Square and the home of the one and only Oscar Wilde. While disappointed the building was closed, I was nevertheless pleased with my find. I took a minute to take in my surroundings as people pushed past me on the wintry afternoon, clearly annoyed at the valuable space I was taking up for no apparent reason. Making up my mind that I needed to digest this find a wee bit further, I immediately headed for the nearest pub, where I ordered a pint of Guinness and settled in to read about the life and times of the famous Oscar Wilde.

Asia, China, Hong Kong, Travel, Wild Horses

Elderly Men in Hong Kong

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John’s Portfolio

Yesterday, I told you about a few links on the main menu bar here on my daily photoblog that I’ve updated. One of which is called ‘John’s Portfolio’ which is one large main gallery that features nearly 2000 photos in it for you to look through and explore. Well, I’ve also put the same link on my website home page at www.caswellimages.com for those people that enter my site through that address. That way, it’s available for people in more than one location and hopefully makes the user expereince a wee bit simpler and more enjoyable.

John’s Portfolio – link in menu

Daily Photo – Elderly Men Playing Board Games in Hong Kong

Elderly Chinese men playing Xiangqi in a Rest Garden in Kowloon, Hong Kong

My adventures along the streets of Hong Kong brought me to a place called the Public Square Street Rest Garden. Set back off the street on a raised garden, it forms a sort of gathering place in front of the Tin Hau Temple with trees and sitting areas where people congregate to talk about life or rest with their shopping! On one occasion, when I passed it was filled with all these elderly men playing very intense board games. I had no idea what they were doing, but they all looked very serious! 

I discovered later that they were playing a game called Xiangqi. It’s more commonly known as Chinese chess or Elephant chess. It’s a game based on strategy, representing a battle between two competing armies with the objective being to checkmate your opponent’s king. The game was created over two thousand years ago and it is believed in China that to improve your strategic thinking in business, you should learn to become a better Xiangqi player. No wonder it remains the most popular board game in China.

Asia, China, Hong Kong, Kowloon, Travel, Wild Horses

Days & Nights in Hong Kong

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Menu Bar Update

Recently I spent some time updating a few links here on my daily photoblog. On the main menu bar that appears above each day’s photo and story you’ll see some new links. Every so often I go in and update a few of them here on my photoblog, so the other week I decided that it was time a few of the old links were changed. I’ve got a few further ideas that I’d like to add, however at the moment I’m focusing on links to my galleries. The main link you’ll see is to my newly updated portfolio called ‘John’s Portfolio’. It’s one large main gallery that features nearly 2000 photos in it for you to look through and explore. My portfolio features most of my published, non-sport work. I say ‘most of’ due to the fact that every so often an image is created for a client with exclusive rights or as a one-off piece of art that isn’t designed to be shared online. So, have a look and feel free to share it with others.

John’s Portfolio – link in menu

Daily Photo – Days & Nights in Hong Kong

Kowloon in Hong Kong

This is a new image you’ll find in my recently updated gallery called ‘John’s Portfolio’. I took this the day I became sick in Hong Kong. I’d spent the day exploring the city streets of Kowloon before heading back to our hotel to relax for a few hours. Later that evening my wife and I went out for dinner before going on a boat ride to see the Symphony of Light display. Well, as the night wore on I began to feel worse and worse until eventually we made it back to shore and eventually the hotel room where upon arrival I collapsed into bed. The next 36 hours were spent with an intense fever, barely able to move before recovering just enough to make it to the airport and our flight home! However, how I was allowed through security in the state I was in remains something of a mystery.

Aotearoa, Beach, Beach Life, Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

St Clair Salt Water Pool

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St Clair Salt Water Pool

The thing about winter is that the daylight hours are shorter. Cold weather I can handle, however what I find difficult to accept is the lack of daylight. Every winter, there is always a point when I realise I’ve become something akin to mole. For me, it’s just been and so when Saturday arrived, I was delighted with the fact that it was daylight and I wasn’t at work! In celebration, I spent the first few hours familiarising myself with what the house looked like in natural light before heading out into the garden. Later, with the day sunny and still with all my holdhouse chores taken care of, I made up my mind to venture down to the beach. So, with my camera in hand, I headed out the door into a warm Saturday afternoon.

Aotearoa, Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Travel, Wild Horses

Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden

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Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden

Because I strayed from my intended path, I ended up in the tranquillity of Lan Yuan, Dunedin Chinese Garden. The gardens were quiet with the only other visitors being two men playing chess in the tearooms. It really was peaceful and serene. Created with the support of the Shanghai Municipal Government, the gardens are New Zealand’s only authentic Chinese Garden and when it was opened, one of only three outside China. 

Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Ross Creek Reservoir, Wild Horses

Ross Creek Walking Track

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Ross Creek Track

Back in March, on Saturday afternoon when I didn’t have many pressing matters to fill my time, I went in search of waterfalls. Since I knew of several located along the walking tracks in the Ross Creek Reserve, I went for a look. Located in North Dunedin, the reservoir was opened in 1867 as the Royal Albert Reservoir, but the name did prove too popular with locals and was changed to the Ross Creek Reservoir. Named after Archibald Hilson Ross, who was Mayor of Dunedin from 1880-1881.

Aotearoa, Stewart Island, Travel, Wild Horses

Lewis Acker’s Place

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Lewis Acker’s place

I’ve written about the amazing life of Lewis Acker before but I couldn’t resist another revisit. He started life in New England, America and went to sea which brought him to the shores of Aotearoa as a 16 year old. Several years later he returned as part of the sealing and whaling industry eventually before purchasing 600 acres of land on Stewart Island. In a small bay he built a remarkable stone, one room, two windowed house where he lived with his wife Mary Pi and eight children until they moved back to the mainland. He spent time working in the sealing and whaling industry, he built boats, ran a sawmill, was a river boat pilot and also ran a farm. At the time of his death in 1885, aged around 70 he had been married twice and was father to 14 children, having outlived six of them. So, ending the tale of Lewis Acker.

Aotearoa, East Otago, Hampden, North Otago, Waitaki District, Wild Horses

Hampden Pond

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Hampden Pond

In Hampden, which is around 40 kilometres south of Oamaru, I found a small wee pond near the beach. I’d actually stopped for a bite to eat beside the beach and while I was eating, I spotted a small pond across the road. The pond itself wasn’t very large, but it had all manner of reflections and life buzzing around it and a strange deep colour which only made it more interesting.

Aotearoa, Beach, Beach Life, Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

The Evening Tide at St Clair

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The Evening Tide

I watched the incoming tide for a few minutes, turned and headed for the far opposite end of the Esplanade. The whole area was quiet in the fading light as the street lights started to take hold. Reaching the end of the Esplanade by the Salt Water Pool, I paused beside a cafe that must have closed several hours ago. Once again I stood and watched the tide roll in, breaking against the rocks before receding out into the backwash. Every so often patches of sand became exposed, revealing leftover seaweed and driftwood that would shift and move with the tide. I took a moment to look out across the ocean. As the light had continued to fade, the sea had taken on a moody grey-blue complexion. Suddenly to my left the lights of the Hotel St Clair came on and drew my attention back to the Esplanade. In the blue hour of evening, I walked in the salty sea air as darkness took hold.

Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

Return to the Dunedin Botanic Garden

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The Dunedin Botanic Garden Glasshouse

Given the nature of winter, with the short hours of sunshine and temperatures that sit in single digits, when the sun comes out it’s best to take advantage of it. So, a short while ago once the day had started to warm-up, I went for a stroll in the Dunedin Botanical Gardens. Exactly what I was looking for, I’m not really sure. However, I was happy wandering around, avoiding ducks and the little children who were chasing them with handfuls of food. What I couldn’t figure out was who was more scared, the ducks or the children!

Aotearoa, Haast Past, Makarora, Travel, Wild Horses

Makarora Valley

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The Makarora Valley

I drove on to Makarora along Stage Highway 6, passing farmland that had been saturated with recent rain and surrounded by peaks that formed part of the Southern Alps. Eventually, arriving in the tiny settlement of Makarora. This was going to be my base for the next few days, however since the day was young and with a bit of time to spare, I pointed the car in the direction of the Makarora Valley and went for a look around.

Aotearoa, Beach, Beach Life, Dunedin, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

A Glimpse of Spring

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St Kilda beach at dusk

The other week, while the weather was calm and pleasant I spent a few evenings exploring the beach. On this occasion, the evening was warm as dusk took hold and colours from the setting sun lingered in the sky before disappearing from sight. In fact, the weather was so warm and settled that blossoms started appearing on trees around Dunedin and the MetService had to remind locals that ‘We’re not out of winter just yet.’ A few days later, snow appeared in the forecast!

Aotearoa, Kapiti Island, Travel, Wild Horses

Kapiti Marine Reserve

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Kapiti Marine Reserve

Some years ago, I had the pleasure to spend a day on Kapiti Island. Accessible only by specific ferry companies, Kapiti Island is a wonderful place to spend some time. These days, the predator-free Island is managed by the Department of Conservation however back in the mid-1830s, there were up to five whaling stations on the island. At the time, European traders and whalers were populating the coastlines and so local iwi provided them with land, pigs, potatoes, dressed flax and women in return for guns, tobacco and alcohol.

During the 1840s, the whaling trade/industry around parts of New Zealand had started to fade away. Kapiti Island was one of these locations. At this time, much of the land on the Island was cleared for farming and sheep, goats, pigs, deer, cats, and dogs were introduced. For the next forty to fifty years, the island was farmed until around 1900 when the government purchased most of the island and developed it into a predator-free, bird sanctuary. Being a nature reserve, it lies 5 kilometres off the West Coast of the North Island, at Paraparaumu. For over 100 years it has been managed by the New Zealand Government in order to protect its flora and fauna.

In 1992 Kapiti Marine Reserve was established to protect the nationally significant Marine life in the area. It also connects Kapiti Island Nature Reserve and Waikanae Estuary Reserve to form a rare continuum of protected land, sea and estuary habitats.

Aotearoa, Central Otago, St Bathans, Travel, Wild Horses

St Bathans Township

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St Bathans Township (in Black n White)St Bathans Township

How I like the small Central Otago town of St Bathans, I wish I owned property there. I wish I could afford to own property there. If ever I was to buy a place I used to think it would be Arrowtown, however as a town it’s changed dramatically over the last few years and so my thinking has changed to St Bathans. I like the idea of relaxing in the quiet solitude, making art inspired by the way the landscape changes with the seasons. But, since owning property is out of the question, I’ll settle for the odd day trip here and there.

Aotearoa, Central Otago, Clyde, Travel, Wild Horses

Clyde

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Dunstan House in Clyde

I found my way to Clyde and Dunstan House, which I was quite looking forward to seeing. I always enjoy places with a bit of history and ‘The Dunstan’ as it is affectionately known dates back to 1900 and the building before that was constructed in the 1860’s during the gold rush. The building has all sorts of stories to tell, some of which I heard from the owners. One goes along the lines of, back in the gold rush days the house had a hatch from the cellar to the bar where dancing girls would pop up from to entertain the miners.

Alexandra, Aotearoa, Central Otago, Travel, Wild Horses

Alexandra Bridge In Autumn Colours

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Alexandra Bridge in Autumn

The Alexandra Bridge, like the clock on the hill, is a bit of an icon.  While the newer version of the bridge is the one most people are familiar with, it’s the remains of the previous bridge that is the real monument. When it was built in 1882, the Alexandra Bridge was one of the country’s most glorious structures and a true feat of engineering. These days, the surviving piers and towers are a testament to its wonderful construction, having withstood the force of the Clutha river for more than 140 years.

Dunedin, Otago Peninsula, Ōtepoti, Wild Horses

Lover’s Leap, The Chasm & The Sandymount Track

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The Sandymount Lookout to Allans Beach and Mt Charles

The viewing point for Lovers Leap and the Chasm on the Sandymount Track really was spectacular. That was, until the land became unstable and they removed the viewing platform due to fears it might collapse. Considering it looked out over a gorge that fills with water, a stunning natural arch created by centuries of relentless wave movement and is surrounded by dramatic cliffs, it was probably a rather wise idea.

So, the Department of Conservation built a new viewing platform looking out to the northeast. Now visitors get a stunning vista looking out over Allans Beach, Hoopers Inlet, Mt Charles and inland to Harbour Cone. I have to admit, it is possibly a better view than the old one at Lovers Leap and the Chasm.

Clarks Junction, Otago, South Island, Strath Taieri, Wild Horses

Clarks Junction & Strath Taieri

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Southern fields of Strath Taieri

And so to the Strath Taieri. I love the Strath Taieri and the stories of the people who ventured into this unknown wonderland in search of gold. I admire them for their tenacity and their persistence to never give-up. I also love the creative, artistic vision the landscape stimulates. Many of this country’s most famous painters and poets have been inspired by the countryside. Artists such as Marilynn Webb, Colin McCahon, Grahame sydney, James K. Baxter, Brain Turner and many more.

Once, I was driving along Old Dunstan Road when some time after turning off at Clarks Junction I came across a lady sitting in front of an easel in the long grass. She was near an old fence line, happily painting in the bright sunshine. As I got closer I could see that she was working at furious pace with her paintbrushes moving enthusiastically through the air, creating an altogether delightful work of art on the canvas in front of her. She really was having the most wonderful time.

Aotearoa, North Island, Travel, Wellington, Wild Horses

Mount Victoria in Wellington

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Mount Victoria lookout in Wellington

In Wellington, with some unexpected time on my hands I decided to go for a bit of an exploration. Since my hire car wasn’t due back at the airport till mid afternoon and the day was fine, I filled the next few hours by going for a drive. My first stop was a visit to Mount Victoria, part of the Wellington Town Belt. Formed in 1841 by the colonial New Zealand Company, the land was put aside for a public recreation ground to be created for the inhabitants of Wellington. At the top of the Mount Victoria Town Belt is a 360 degree view of the city which really is rather impressive. For those that are feeling energetic, walking tracks lead from the harbour on Oriental Parade up to the lookout; however, if you’re wanting an easier option like I was, you can simply drive.