Meet the People - 10

Photo supplied.
Another in the Series Meet the People - Ordinary and Extraordinary New Zealanders doing Interesting Things - Mark Rogers is passionate about his hometown, Wellington. His enthusiasm doesn’t surprise me; it’s my favourite New Zealand city too. Having travelled to many interesting countries, Mark always returned home believing that Wellington had a natural environment that matched – and even surpassed - anything he had seen on his international travels. So, determined to bring our capital city out of the ‘unknown’ and put it firmly on the tourism trail, Mark side-stepped his career in project management and, after almost a year of research, training and product development, set up Flat Earth Tours. After six years, Flat Earth is now one of Wellington’s premium tour companies offering close to a dozen unique experiences. Think arts, Maori treasures, architecture, industrial sculptures, leading galleries, wine trails, The Weta Cave, Lord of the Rings locations and much more. Mark’s tours are among the best small tours in the country. www.flatearth.co.nz

A Sculptural Teaser

Photo supplied

Allow me to introduce

Gizmo

a fabulous sculpture

by Hawke's Bay sculptor

Ben Pearce

There will be more.

Watch This Space!

Nocturnal Amusements

Baby Booties by Ajr

Should anyone be remotely curious about my after-dark activities, here they are, laid bare!

I'm going through a knitting phase.

Little boxed sets.

For babies.

Why?

Why not.

From my point of view, wool is just another creative medium.

Locked Out

Lock , 2008.Ajr
And since I've just been discussing historic things (below), let me introduce you to this handsome lock and handle on the main door of St Barnabas Church on Fendalton Road, Christchurch.
And what a pity it is that we're all locked out of churches now.
Gone are the days when you could wander in any time, night or day.

www.stbarnabas.org.nz

Bathing in Art

Rotorua Museum & Art Gallery. April 2007. Ajr
There can’t be many museums and art galleries around the world that are housed in a former geothermal bath house. I suspect the Rotorua Museum and Art Gallery is the only one. This magnificent example of Elizabethan style architecture – an extravaganza of towers, gables, grand staircases and beautiful timber work – was opened in 1908 and became famous around the world as a place to soothe away your troubles in baths ‘laced’ with electric currents! Now an architectural icon with a NZ Historic Places Trust Category I listing, the building is given over to the Rotorua Museum, which took over the South Wing of the Bath House in 1969; and the Rotorua Art Gallery, which moved in to the North Wing in 1977. The two merged as one entity in 1988. The slightly macabre bath house area– a place that gives a whole new meaning to dropping your hair dryer into the bath water - has been restored as a fascinating museum exhibit. www.rotoruamuseum.co.nz

Tree Green

Hepburn, Victoria, Australia. 2007. Ajr

I'm drawn again to the striking contrast of red and green.

I almost caused a traffic accident when I slammed on my brakes to take this photo in the little village of Hepburn Springs, just out of Daylesford, an hour or so north of Melbourne.

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 21

"Turning the Tables 3 - An Outdoor Setting."

One more from the continuing printmaker series.........

The Cupcake Craze.......

Cupcakes. June 2008. Ajr

Now includes

deceptively tempting

SOAPS

Layered Histories

Sumner, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

How many people drive down the main street of Sumner Village and never look up and see this perfect example of layered histories - the mortar and pestal and the old chemist sign indicating the building's original use; and the surf board sign -referencing the nearby beach - put up by Club Bazaar, the cafe/restaurant that now occupies the building.

Morning Market

Lyttelton Farmers' Market. June 2008. Ajr

The Lyttelton Farmers' Market is definitely the best of its kind in Christchurch.

It has a fabulous range of organically grown vegetables, fresh breads and baked goods to die for, handmade chocolates, fresh cheeses and pesto, condiments and coffee.

I went over there again yesterday to introduce my cousin to the quirky community atmosphere that permeates this bustling Saturday morning market on the hill. www.lytteltonfarmersmarket.co.nz

Coffee Beans......

Coffee Beans

Freshly Roasted

@

Coffee Culture Sumner

http://www.coffeeculture.co.nz/

Morocco Bound.......

......Well…. I’d like to be and here’s the perfect way of doing it…a foodie’s foray into the seething souqs and the ancient alley ways of fascinating cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Marrakesh among others, with Christchurch-based Moroccan chef, Simo Abbari, owner of the very delicious Simo’s Moroccan Restaurant in Cashel Mall, where I dined (with great satisfaction) a few nights ago. Once again, it’s the coming together of all good things – food, travel, photography, people – a feast for the senses and the stomach. Simo of course, knows his own country like the back of his hand and his 14-day tour, complete with cooking demonstrations, visits to local markets and picnics in the countryside, leaves Christchurch on July 7th. I think I might have to sell off the family silver for this one. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a meal to remember, head straight for Simo’s Restaurant. www.simos.co.nz www.beatson.co.nz

Moroccan Lights

Simo's, Christchurch, June 2008. Ajr

Dinner had to wait - I was completely captivated by these Moroccan lights in the stairwell leading up to Simo's Restaurant. Reflections in kaleidoscope-like patterns. Lovely! http://www.simos.co.nz/

Cool Cars - 9

One fabulous 1960s Lincoln Continental with 'Suicide doors' - spotted in Santa Ana, California by my 'Foreign Correspondent' - my Los Angeles-based brother, Murray Macy.

On the Wine Trail

Images supplied. Top: Church Road wine Cellar Hawke's Bay; Bottom: Marlborough Wine Region

I don’t know about any of you but when I’m travelling I’m constantly thinking about food and drink. It’s all about indulgence for me and I defy anyone to tell me that that’s not exactly the way personal travel should be. Enter The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail – a food and wine extravaganza undertaken at your own pace and tailored – by you – to suit your time and taste preferences. Even better, the new 50-page Trail Guide is free and all you have to do is get in your car and follow the brown signs and the bunches of grapes – how hard can that be? As it takes you 380 kilometres, through some of New Zealand’s most scenic regions, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail introduces you to three of our major wine regions – Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Marlborough - that collectively represent 74% of the country’s total wine production. The guide also offers you suggestions for places to stay, things to do, farmers’ markets to visit, fruit to pick and restaurants to visit – and that’s just the beginning. As the people at CNZWT would say: Go Slow and savour! It’s all about indulging in the best of provincial New Zealand. www.classicwinetrail.co.nz

Remembering

Bridge of Remembrance, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

This is our very own little Arc de Triomphe – and like the Parisian icon, ours is also a war memorial. I took this shot last night when I was wandering the disappointingly-empty Cashel Mall on my way to dinner. (It was only 7pm – where were the people?) This is The Bridge of Remembrance, designed by Wellington architects Prouse and Gummer, with sculptural elements by local sculptor Frederick Gurnsey and his assistant, Lawrence Berry. It was unveiled on Armistice Day, November 11, 1924 and dedicated to the memory of those who took part World War I. Further plaques were added to commemorate the soldiers of World War II.

Art on the (High) Rise

The Gallery Apartments, Christchurch, 2008. Ajr.

I’m going through a bit of a stage – photographing high-rise apartment buildings. This tall, elegant stretch is The Gallery Apartments in Gloucester Street, designed by Christchurch architect David Hill, of Wilson & Hill Architects and completed in late 2007. The fourteen floors house 19 apartments and, on the ground floor, The Arthouse Gallery, which is currently showing the splendid exhibition “Converse” by Christchurch sculptor, Graham Bennett (but only until June 15). www.thearthouse.co.nz and www.wilsonandhill.co.nz

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 20

"The Installation - Turning the Tables."

And here we are at our 20th wonderful inkjet print from our favourite New Zealand printmaker - a little artistic levity as we flounder our way towards the weekend.....

The Collectors - 5

Moorehouse Avenue, Christchurch. June 2008. Ajr

How's this for a quirky variation on The Collectors theme?

A collector of old red phone boxes!

Small Moments of Beauty

Quail Eggs

All

In A Row