Devonport, Auckland
I visited a garden in Devonport and I was struck by this flower.
I lived on the Devonport peninsula for something like 11 years, however I moved to Ponsonby in 1987. It was the year of an economic crash, I remember that.
More Jerusalem
Here are two more photos that I took at Jerusalem last week.
I went there partly as a pilgrim to visit James K Baxter’s grave
and the site of the famous commune, which after his death
in 1972 did not really continue.
The top photo shows his modest headstone, carrying his
maori name: Hemi.
The second photo is of two trees placed perhaps fifty paces from
where he lies.
I was told that the right hand one is the skeleton of a very old
Chestnut. That would make sense because between his grave and the tree is
the Top House. Rather careworn now and even then I imagine it was an epicentre
of the commune.
Baxter wrote a poem worrying about the leaking spouting and
deciding to go and pick chestnuts instead. Off the ground I think.
Here I Am
Last week it was quite stormy in New Plymouth. Nevertheless, with three friends I went for a walk along a beach at Oakura, a little bit south of where I am sitting, We were picked up at 7 am so it was quite early.
For the photo I thank Jim.
Seaman’s Rest
I’ve been writing about how my father took some photos of the New Plymouth port area in the late 30’s. The photographs have real historical value and files of the images are in the museum here.
In the upper photo the building is the Seaman’s Rest. I always liked that name. I’m not sure if it’s still there because since September 11th it’s become much harder for the public to gain access to this area.
There are several photographs of ships. There would be people here who would able to identify all of them I would imagine and this work might follow. There is no name visible on this ship for example and it would be interesting to know more.
A few of the images show a naval vessel. A friend told me that there are in existence some photographs taken of a submarine visiting during this same period. I don’t know who took them but I would like to see them.
Birdy
On the way to New Plymouth airport today for a 1 am flight to Auckland I made a detour to see a bird show in Waitara, prime specimens from bird lovers of this Northern Taranaki region were there. I’m used to going to orchid shows here in Taranaki, and once to a cat show, but hadn’t seen an exhibition of caged birds before, not to this degree at least. I didn’t know that this subculture existed here, my lack, not their fault. My father was part of it when I was young and always had aviaries. It was only in the last years of his long life did he give up on his pets.
It’s being held this weekend, in the Memorial Hall at Waitara, about 30 minutes north of New Plymouth. Peter McLeavey talks about it in “The Man in the Hat.” a movie I saw at Te Papa last Sunday night, exactly one week ago.
MacRaes Flat
Today I was visiting the gold mine at MacRaes Flat. I had photographed there last year.
While there I explored the small, historic village near the mine.
In the village there is a newish school but what was of particular interest to me was this replica of the original building, built in the school grounds, in I think 1968.
This structure is no more that head height.
