Southern Comfort

Wanaka. May 2009. Ajr

The Cow is a Queenstown institution. It's been going for years. Now the sister restaurant in Wanaka, although much newer, is just as popular. It's tucked away at the bottom of Post Office Lane and when the doors open, people filter in for pizzas and fireside warmth - and who can blame them in that cold climate. Guaranteed late nights are also part of the attraction because Woody's, Botswana Butchery and bartuga are all located right next door in Post Office Lane. Big outdoor fires throw out the heat in the outdoor courtyard and people huddle in tight social circles.

Up the Wall

This is what happens when you drink too much French Champagne

Jan 2009 SOL Square, Christchurch. Ajr

In the Pink

SOL Square, Christchurch. April 3009. Ajr

Gorgeous Autumn Morning

Couldn't Resist All That Pink

MINX @ SOL

Night Lights

@

Mu Steakhouse & Late Night Lounge Bar

Christchurch

March 2009. Ajr

Let There Be Light

Aikmans Bar & Bistro, Merivale, Christchurch. Feb.2009. Ajr

I can seldom go passed anything that glows or twinkles or sparkles without taking a photograph. I consider it a minor fixation in the greater scheme of things - a harmless enough distraction.

Time Out

Aikmans, Merivale, Christchurch. Feb 2009. Ajr

I took a break from the slightly manic task of contacting thousands of New Zealand tourism operators this morning and instead, sank into the gorgeously squishy leather sofas at Aikmans in Merivale. I couldn't get up again........well.... not for a good while anyway.

A Night Out in Auckland

Good Food

Good Wine

Good Company

@

WILDFIRE

Image courtesy of Tourism Auckland

In the Pink

Minx, SOL, Christchurch. Feb.2009. Ajr

What was one of my favourite restaurants (primarily for its zany, creative décor) has re-invented itself. Minx Dining Room and Bar seems to have become just Minx Bar – and it’s also become very very PINK! Located in SOL off Lichfield Street, they now also claim to serve “just pink drinks.” I took these shots last Saturday morning; I think it looks better at night – when all the pink becomes even PINKER!

French Corner

SOL, Christchurch. Feb 2009 Ajr

The Champagne Bar

in SOL www.sol.net.nz

Bar Crawl

SOL Square, Christchurch. July 2008. Ajr

On a cold stormy night when any sensible person would have been tucked up at home beside a cosy fire, I chose to go out and prowl around bars – in a strictly professional manner of course. I joined a group of Australasian media and conference organisers, in Christchurch for NZ Meetings 2008, on a tour of Sol Square. It was pelting down with rain but Sol’s night lights were twinkling regardless as we did the rounds of Fat Eddies, The Fish and Chip Shop, Ishimoto, Yellowcross, La Petite Croix, Cleaners Only and The Culture Club – a fabulous bunch of unique bars that have colonised the historic buildings and lanes that make up SOL (South of Lichfield). There are ten very different restaurants and bars in close proximity here – everything from a Japanese Yakitori and Sake bar through to live jazz, a nostalgic reinvention of the iconic Kiwi fish and chip shop, live bands, a gorgeous romantic champagne bar and a dark, moody little retreat tucked into what was, literally, an old cleaning cupboard, albeit a rather large one. A pity about the weather but that’s winter for you! www.sol.net.nz.

B is for Bar

Queenstown Bar Signs, Ajr, 2007

I love typography almost as much as I love words - which is just as well, given that one leads to the other. There is something 'plump and reassuring' about the type faces I love that stirs my creative thoughts. But don't ask me their names. I wish I knew them all by heart but my flirtation with type is a superficial affair - an untutored dipping in and out of my PC typography 'library' choosing on the basis of curls, embellishments and other distinguishing aesthetic features. I collect old wooden type - just the letters I especially like - I play with colours and forms; and I take a special pleasure in signs and the way others apply their creative talents to typography. In Queenstown it seems, bar owners have yet to get passed the letter B.