Here is a link to a page I made, Nov 30th, last year.
Fiordland
In a few minutes I am leaving Invercargill to travel into Fiordland. I will be basing myself in Te Anau for 3 nights. (click on map to enlarge) I’m not at all familiar with this territory and don’t really know what I am going to find.
Te Anau is about 2 hours drive from here. I am hoping to be able to use an internet cafe there to keep in touch but it may not work out in which case I apologise in advance.
On one of the days I am making an all day trip to Doubtful Sound. I may go to Milford Sound.
I’ll be back Saturday afternoon.
Defeat.
I watched the All Blacks being defeated on my new Panasonic flat screen TV. What do I think about it? The defeat that is, not the Panasonic.
Our national anthem is a problem. ‘God Defend New Zealand.’ is a Christian prayer. It doesn’t seem fair on those of us who are not Christians to have it as our anthem. Barely 50% of New Zealanders put themselves down as Christian in the last census and the percentage appears to be dropping. It’s possible that by the next census Christians will be in the minority.
And it’s a pity that musically it’s such a dirge.
Although bought up a Catholic , I even wanted to be a priest, now I am an atheist so whenever our anthem is played I either have to hit the mute button or leave the room. On public occasions when I am exposed to it, while I do stand, my principles don’t allow me to sing the words.
Especially important is the question does prayer work. Recently there has been some research casting doubt on this. Certainly didn’t work on Sunday.
Communications
This structure is near the airport in Invercargill. Not sure what it’s for but I like its sculptural quality. Something to do with communications I imagine, perhaps radar. I’ll ask around today.
It does bring to mind the subject matter that two German photographers, husband and wife Bernd and Hilla Becher worked with for nearly 50 years. Bernd Hiller died in June this year.
Puffer Fish Lamp
As the William Hodges Fellow I an under the aegis of the Southland Museum. Last Thursday I was invited to have a look at some of the treasures that they have in their stockroom.
Here is one of them. A lamp made from a Puffer Fish aka Fugu a Japanese delicacy. A deadly poison if cooked incorrectly.
There is a frisson here. A fish with a light inside. The Surrealists would have approved.
First Church, Invercargill
This beautiful church, done in what seems to be a mixture of Italian and Moorish styles was built in 1915. Surprisingly it is Presbyterian.
I have not yet been inside, partly because I fear that I will be disappointed. I know that at some stage it was modernised and not tastefully.
Snake
Was at a friend’s house yesterday and saw this intriguing arrangement designed to keep his tv remote away from his two Jack Russells. (They like to chew it.)
It caught my eye immediately, reminding me of a snake charming scene.
The photo is rough, if I was to shoot it again I would put the rope in front of a much cleaner background. I would keep it the same colour though.
I would also use a tripod and make it sharper.
