MOTAT’S Latest Tram
MOTAT, Museum of Transport and Technology,
here in Auckland has at least a dozen trams of
assorted varieties. Here is their latest,
just restored and put into service yesterday.
Mainland Steam Today
Today I visited a workshop in Parnell here in Auckland, only 5 minutes drive from
Queen St, an exRailway workshop at which engineers, all volunteers and calling themselves Mainland Steam save and restore classic railway engines. It’s a nonprofit
organisation.
It was an open day and visitors were able to see some of the restorations
in progress.
What struck me was the sheer size and might of some of these engines.
I nearly used the word awesome.
In Cheshire Street, Parnell, it is open to the public, in fact,
my understanding is that Thursdays are a particularly good
day to go along.
Sue Crockford Gallery
Of all the dealer galleries in New Zealand
Sue Crockford must be on the short list for being
the one with the best
views.
These two photos I took through the
glass of the gallery’s windows.
Situated at the Devonport end of Queen St, and opposite
the ferry buildings it looks out on the harbour
and its activity.
The shed in the lower photo has been in the news recently,
caught up in the idea of using this wharf as Party Central
for the Rugby world cup, it’s future has been in doubt.
The warships I was told on the evening, were Chinese.
However I went back down to the wharf early next morning
to check with my camera, they
had gone.
Whanganui
Next Friday I’m having an opening in Whanganui
at McNamara Gallery Photography.
It’s an exhibition of portraits that I have dug out of my files.
Many of them have never been exhibited, and there are others
that I really wanted to show but still have not been able to find.
I applied two rules though. There were to be no portraits included
that were of Erika, and no portraits included that were of Peter.
In a way I am glad that there are others because
that means that there is another portrait show required.
Some of the portraits may only exist in negative form.
I hope so.
When I am in Whanganui I usually stay in this large house which,
in one direction, has this view.
The river is muddy in this photo, but extremely heavy
rain had contributed to this. Notice right in the middle of image there is an historic paddle steamer that has been restored and makes trips up the river, often chartered by private parties.
Patea
Some friends are restoring this house in Patea.
Patea is about 40 minutes north of Whanganui
and 1 hour 20 minutes south of New Plymouth.
This particular house was built in 1882 for a magistrate.
A Mountain View
In the last couple of days I’ve
been gathering together six
photos that are going to be on show
in Paris, beginning on November 4th.
This largish photo was taken in Central Otago.
On first viewing it might look like a mountain view,
but in fact the stone is only 2 or 3 metres high.
I don’t do it deliberately but in my work the scale
is often a bit confusing.
A Buddhist Monastery
Recently I visited a Buddhist Monastery at
Kaukapakapa, about 30 minutes drive north of Auckland.
I’m not a Buddhist but I frequently go there
just to linger and enjoy the atmosphere. One
quality of Buddhists is that they don’t evangelise
so visitors can relax.
Auckland Art Gallery 2
A group outside the underconstruction Auckland Art Gallery
today, prior to a tour.
The only man I knew was Ron Sang, architect, on
the right.
Auckland Art Gallery
A snap I took as I was walking past the Auckland Art Gallery
a couple of weeks ago.
John Reynolds
A strange thing happened on Tuesday night.
I had a conversation with Aucklander
John Reynolds at an opening at Sue Crockford’s and somehow after I felt inspired to have another
go at blogging, or as I sometimes call it, blobbing.
This change of heart was not insignificant.
I’m too embarrassed to look,
but it must have been
six weeks since I last wrote anything.
Sorry about that.
Anyway, tonights blob is a portrait of John’s
smiley face.