Blue Skies in the Bay

Bruce Bay, South Westland. Feb 2009 Ajr

My rapid-fire journey around the South Island on Wednesday and Thursday came with ever-changing weather conditions. By the time we arrived in Bruce Bay, an hour north of the tiny beach town of Haast in South Westland the rain was falling. But it cleared again late afternoon and I got these perfect-blue shots of the bay, complete with stone piles arranged by passing motorists. The Makaawhio Marae that we were visiting is directly across the road from this pretty scene - which also included frolicking dolphins.

Tough Job.......

Someone's Got To Do It!!

Road Worker, Fox Glacier. Feb 2009. Ajr

Cool Cars - 36

One White Lincoln Continental Mark IV - Spotted in Los Angeles, USA by my LA-resident brother and friendly Cool Cars Spotter, Murray Macy, who braved LA traffic to corner this monster. We think he did well under pressure and we're looking forward to more Cool Cars from California soon.

A Whirlwind Road Trip

Main Street, Alexandra, Central Otago. Feb 2009. Ajr

I’ve just completed a hurricane-speed circuit of almost three-quarters of the South Island in just 43 hours. Setting off at 3am on Wednesday, we travelled from Christchurch to Dunedin to Gore, where we worked for the day. Then, after packing up the car, we then drove from Gore to Tapanui and on to the Central Otago towns of Alexandra, Roxburgh and Cromwell and on to Wanaka, through the Haast Pass to Haast itself in South Westland, where sleep was the only thing on my mind. We packed up next morning and drove an hour to Bruce Bay, worked all day and then packed the car again and drove up the West Coast through Ross, Hokitika, Kumara and then across Arthur’s Pass and back home to Christchurch – a total of 17 hours in the car! I managed to snap around 400 photographs in that time and while I haven’t sorted them yet, here’s a little visual gem from Alexandra….. the town pie cart (complete with tractor and selling Marlow’s Pies), decorated (rather stridently) with an image of the town’s old bridge.

Cafe Quirks

Joe's Garage, Christchurch. Jan. 2009. Ajr

I like a cafe that creates an individual character and in our highly competitive cafe market, that can mean the difference between good visitor numbers and bad - as long as the actual coffee and service are up to scratch of course. That's why I like Joe's Garage. They've gone the Tonka way...... with a fleet of little lorries and cars 'motoring about' the cafe tables and shelves as if its the most natural thing in the world. And naturally there's also a large toy box filled with cars and trucks for kids. www.joes.co.nz

Small Moments of Greed

Making a Porker

Of Myself

At Joe's Garage

The Happiest of Birthdays!!

Today is my blog’s first birthday and I feel bound to celebrate with cake!

Or I would if I wasn’t away travelling for a couple of days. I would be scoffing large slices of this! I’ve been amazed – and very grateful – for all the support I’ve had from everyone since I set up this blog on February 12, 2008. Many of you have sent me fabulous material and photographs and helped make my blog pretty and interesting; others have put links on their own websites…....You know who you are..... I love it all.

Now, in a fit of irrational enthusiasm I have set up a second blog – Introducing Maori Lifestyles – which some of you have already discovered. I hope you’ll check it out..…and remember, you can now readily link from Adrienne Rewi Online to Introducing Maori Lifestyles simply by clicking on the top right image on each blog. You can dance back and forth to your heart's content.

Hedge Architecture

Hedges, Waikuku Beach. Jan. 2009. Ajr

I've shown you plenty of my favourite hedges - just click on Hedges in the label line below if you need to refresh your memory - but now I'm doing 'the inside job' - unveiling the cross-beams, the architectural support system. I've always admired the bulk and heft of a good strong hedge - their almost animate qualities, the tightness of their weave - and when you peek inside a hedge you see all the inner workings that make that possible - the tangle of branches and twigs that have knitted in and out and over and around to create the framework for that green spongy cushion we see on the outside. When I was a child growing up in the Waikato, I loved to make huts inside hedges; now, as much as I admire the inner workings, the thought of getting in there with all those bugs and beetles gives me the creeps.

Meet the People - 36

Photograph by Stephen Goodenough

Another in the Series Meet the People – Ordinary and Extraordinary New Zealanders Doing Interesting Things – Make-up artist, Kristen Stewart has just opened KSSM, Kristen Stewart School of Make-up in central Christchurch. Operating from sleek new premises “completely different to anything else out there,” Kristen is fulfilling her long-held passion for make-up, fashion and photography. It was when she was training as a photographer in fact, that she first became interested in make-up as a career option. A stint in the modelling agency, Exposure highlighted her interest, so she taught herself the basics and then set off to London to study at the Glauca Rossi School of Make-up. “I’ve always loved working on fashion shoots and fashion shows,” she says. While abroad she worked on the prestigious London Fashion Week and since she’s been back in New Zealand there have been numerous photographic stints plus work for almost every major magazine in the country, film work and every New Zealand Fashion Week to date.

Photographs by Stephen Goodenough Opening her own make-up school is the culmination of all her passions and she’s confident her students will get a solid grounding in all the key principles of make-up design, enabling them to embark on their own successful careers in the industry. “I love my new premises – they’re beautiful – very boutique-like yet still with a school feel. I want women to come in here and love where they are and enjoy getting taught what they want to know. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time and it’s exceeded my expectations," she says. www.kristenstewart.co.nz

In the Black

"Coral/Floral" by David Trubridge. Napier 2008. Ajr

Just by way of a change, let me introduce David Trubridge's wildly popular lighting design, "Coral/Floral" in black. I photographed this last year in David's hometown, Napier. You don't often see it in black so of course I HAD to snap it. For others in this series click on David Trubridge in the label line below. www.davidtrubridge.com

StreetscapeNZ - 15

The Waterfront

Ahuriri, Napier

For others views of New Zealand streets, click on StreetscapeNZ in the label line below this post.

Small Moments of Greed

Miniature Cupcakes

In the Pink

Made By Buttercups Christchurch

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!

Tunnel Vision

Just in Case You've Ever Wondered....

This is what my camera sees

When I drive through

Lyttelton Tunnel

Tropical Paradise

Navutu Stars Resort, Yasawa Islands, Fiji. Images supplied by Navigate Oceania.

Have you ever dreamed about owning your own tropical paradise – or even just visiting one for that matter? London-based Italians, Maddalena Giovanna Morandi and Manfredi De Lucia did and now they own the very beautiful Navutu Stars Resort in Fiji’s Yasawa Islands. This ultimate, eco-luxury tropical island sanctuary with three pristine white beaches, energy-autonomous living with solar power, organic gardens and fresh spring water from natural bores, is now a member of Auckland-based Navigate Oceania – a gorgeous collection of 27 member properties throughout New Zealand and Fiji. I don’t know about you but with winter only a sneeze away, I rather fancy the idea of hiding away in one of Navutu’s nine gorgeous bure (grass huts). I can think of no better way to while away the wintry hours than reading in a hammock under a coconut palm, snorkelling in crystal-clear turquoise waters, sipping cocktails beside the pool, being massaged with sweet-smelling tropical oils and generally tucking into anything that comes out of the Navutu restaurant – especially when it looks like the dish pictured above. It’s an indulgent idea. Sadly I can’t do it this winter as I’m writing a travel guide and motoring all over New Zealand. But is there really anything stopping you? If you’re still undecided, keep in mind that Conde Nast Traveler voted it among the Sexiest Resorts in the World. www.fijinavutustarsresort.com www.navigateoceania.com

I'm Stuffed

"I'm Stuffed" Graphics by Napier artist, Martin Poppelwell. 2008. Ajr This is one of my favourite cushions from the gorgeous Esther Diamond range. Started by Napier’s Sandi Reefman (meet her in my Meet the People series), Esther Diamond has been a raging success. You should definitely check out the great Esther Diamond website and one of their major stockists is leading Auckland design store, Eon, which has a great online shopping facility. www.eon.co.nz www.estherdiamond.com

Something Suitably Sunday-ish

Christchurch Cathedral. Feb 2009. Ajr

I couldn't resist a shot of all these verticals and horizontals around the spire of Christchurch Cathedral. There's lots of inner city crane activity at the moment so I'm happier than a pig in mud. www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Back Alley Business

SOL, Christchurch. Feb 2009 Ajr

This is one of my favourite poster walls. I re-visit it frequently for an ever-changing display of colourful poster graphics. LOVE IT! www.sol.net.nz

The Collectors - 9

Coffee bag collection. Feb 2009. Ajr

Here's a different perspective on collecting - someone (in the coffee industry) who collects coffee bean bags. This collection started when the owner visited Seattle on a coffee trip and it grew even more when she visited Hawaii. Now the wall is 'coloured' bags from all over.

French Corner

SOL, Christchurch. Feb 2009 Ajr

The Champagne Bar

in SOL www.sol.net.nz

StreetscapeNZ - 14

Ponsonby Road

Auckland

Rolled Rugs

Chaos Antiques, Christchurch. Feb. 2009. Ajr

I loved the subtle rolled-up pinwheel-scone-like shapes and colours of these old (very rare) Feltex rugs outside Chaos on Manchester Street.

Cool Cars - 35

One Reddish-Brown 1976 Cadillac de Ville - Spotted in Christchurch

Cafe Hotspot

Blax, Christchurch, Feb. 2009. Ajr

It may not look it in this photograph but this little slither of a cafe - Blax Espresso Bar on Christchurch's Montreal Street - is one of the busiest and best you'll find in the city. It's the regular haunt of an army of regulars, who roll in every day knowing that barrista/owner, Darrell Piper is going to give them exactly what they ask for - sometimes in fact, they don't even need to ask; he just delivers! www.blaxdeli.co.nz

Glorious Excesses

Era Antiques, Christchurch. Feb.2009. Ajr

How's this for a little over-the-top interior decoration?

The team at Era Antiques have done themselves proud.

This is just one view of their ENORMOUS collection of sparkly crystal chandeliers.

Beautiful!

Love It!

Noodle News

Oxford Terrace, Christchurch. Feb.2009. Ajr

Since it opened its first Asian-inspired noodle bar in London in 1992, the Wagamama chain has taken off. It now includes more than 90 restaurants worldwide and, I’m VERY pleased to say, that now includes their latest New Zealand restaurant right here in Christchurch. They’ve colonised ground floor space in the beautifully restored Public Trust Building in Oxford Terrace and their little bright red car is busy advertising the fact. www.wagamama.co.nz

Back By Popular Demand....

FOUND, Christchurch. Feb. 2009. Ajr

…… "Coral/Floral” by Napier-based designer, David Trubridge. ….photographed amid a selection of lighting designs in the front window of Christchurch vintage and new design store, FOUND in High Street. Click on David Trubridge in the label line below to see all the other locations I’ve photographed this popular lighting design in. www.davidtrubridge.com www.found.co.nz

Coffee Lovers Rejoice!

Trade Aid, Christchurch. Feb 2009. Ajr

If the Trade Aid warehouse in Christchurch is anything to go by, we won’t be running out of precious coffee beans any time soon. This is just one wall of roof-high stacks of Fair Trade coffee beans imported from nine origins – Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Columbia, Peru, Ethiopia, Sumatra, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. It was reassuring indeed to stand among them all and to know that a favourite vice will be catered to for some time yet. Trade Aid in fact, imports three-quarters of New Zealand’s Fair Trade coffee beans – more than 686 tonnes annually (that’s 40 container loads) – and they supply more than 60 roasters nationwide. It’s all part of the Trade Aid philosophy of supporting coffee farmers to improve their livelihoods - to give them access to funds that in turn bring about basic improvements to their lifestyles. Every time Trade Aid buys five sacks of coffee in Ethiopia for instance, another child gets a shot at school they would not otherwise have. www.tradeaid.org.nz www.fairtrade.net

Coffee At Source

Photo courtesy of CENFROCAFE

And for those of you who have never seen coffee in its raw state – these Peruvian coffee farmers are members of the CENFROCAFE co-operative – one of the Trade Aid sources of Fair Trade beans. www.tradeaid.org.nz www.fairtrade.net

Home Sweet Homestead

Huntley House, Riccarton. Feb.2009. Ajr

I’ve made no secret of my passion for old homesteads and this one – Christchurch’s Huntley House – is a beauty. Originally built in 1876 as a family home by one of Christchurch’s early settlers, J.H. Twentyman, it sits at the end of a long tree-enshrouded driveway in Upper Riccarton and is now a beautiful boutique hotel. It’s a shame when these lovely old homes become commercial operations rather than family homes but the one good thing about that is, we can all get to peek inside as a result. And the conversion to hotel has been done beautifully – the homestead is opulent and peaceful and still retains that quintessential homestead feeling. Huntley House. Feb 2009. Ajr And if you get to rest your head on one of their pillows, I’ll be envious. The five upstairs guest suites are enormous and two of them open onto the wisteria-covered upstairs balcony overlooking the large gardens. Two new apartment buildings have also been harmoniously added to the complex giving Huntley House a grand total of 17 rooms. www.huntleyhouse.co.nz

StreetscapeNZ-13

Tinakori

Wellington

Silver and Gold

Stirling silver, gold, stone. Image supplied

Jewellery

By German-born Christchurch jeweller

Elfi Spiewack

of

The Filing Kabinett

To see more of Elfi's work, or to peek inside her studio, click on Elfi Spiewack in the label line below this post

Meet the People - 35

Another in the Series Meet the People – Ordinary and Extraordinary New Zealanders Doing Interesting Things – Julia Walker has switched from flying the skies as an Air New Zealand flight attendant to tempting brides with a gorgeous array of bridal gowns. She’s just opened Tulle, a small, intimate bridal boutique overflowing with lavish lace, organzas, silks and satins, vintage jewellery and beaded bags on Lichfield Street beside Christchurch’s Poplar Lane. It all started when she was flying between New Zealand and the United States. “I was looking for my own wedding dress then and I discovered so much more choice in the States. There was nowhere in Christchurch that offered the personal boutique experience with gowns at an affordable price, so I opened Tulle,” she says. Julia says being engaged and looking for the right bridal gown is “a rite of passage, a ceremonial occasion” and she wanted to create a small, intimate boutique and a level of service that would match the significance of the occasion. She imports gowns from USA, Spain, Europe, Canada and Australia – all exquisitely detailed with elaborate beading and lace – and there’s no try-on fee. www.tulle.co.nz

Beads and Lace

Bridal Detail

@

Tulle

www.tulle.co.nz

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 43

"They Peered Nervously At The Stranger"

Another in the ink-jet print series from one of New Zealand's leading printmakers. Click on CLEAVIN in the below label line for the other 42!

Pounamu - A Few Facts

Contemporary jade, Christchurch Arts Centre Market. Jan. 2009. Ajr

To most New Zealanders it’s greenstone. To the Maori it is pounamu. To the geologists it is nephrite, or jade. To tourists it is one of the most sought-after iconic souvenirs of New Zealand. But ‘greenstone’ is much more than a souvenir. From China to Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Middle East and New Zealand, jade has been revered for thousands of years. It has been endowed with symbolic status and mystical power, and treasured for its beauty, its sensual hues, diversity of color, its smooth touch and its extreme toughness. The New Zealand jade story is shorter than most – less than 1000 years – but early Maori valued it above all other possessions. Like the Chinese and the Mayans long before them, they treasured it more than gold. It provided them with a totally stone-based culture, which they developed to a high technical and aesthetic level in a relatively short time. Pounamu served them as tool, weapon, adornment, an item of trade and a symbol of authority and ceremony.

Traditional Maori Hei tiki at Okains Bay Museum, BanksPeninuslar. Ajr For Maori it was a gift from the gods of great spiritual and material value and archaelogical digs suggest they used nephrite as far back as the 13th century. Its use was well established by 1500 and between then and 1800 it was a key element of everyday life, the pivot of power between tribes and a major item of trade.The Maori continue to revere pounamu for its symbolic, mythological and aesthetic properties, and despite mass souvenir production, it retains a treasured place in Maori culture. If you are interested in Maori culture please click on my other blog http://maorilifestyles.blogspot.com for much more.

White Lily

Lily, Botanic Gardens,Christchurch. Jan 2009. Ajr

Out testing the new camera

In Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Just before Sunset

Sunday Scene

Christchurch Cathedral. Jan 2009. Ajr

From inside Christchurch Cathedral

www.christchurchcathedral.co.nz

Coffee Time - Again!

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

I've been encountering more than my fair share of coffee beans this past week as I prepare a feature on Christchurch's coffee industry. That reminded me of this shot I took at McIver's Coffee & Tea at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne last year. Stall 101-102 should you get the urge to visit them - and it IS worthwhile. Quite apart from their coffee supplies, they have a terrific window display of tea and coffee essentials - click on Queen Victoria Market in the label line below if you'd like to see it. www.qvm.com.au