Mount Hobson – Remuera

Picking my my new old Minolta Hi-matic 7s after work today, I took a quick stroll up Mt Hobson with the GRD IV. Originally called Remuera in Maori, the Mount is an old volcanic cone just of of the city in the suburb of Remuera. Sitting at 143m high, following one of the zig-zag cow tracks up to the summit makes it a fairly easy climb. Over its life its been used as a Maori Pa, a quarry, pasture land and finally a water reservoir. Going by the young cows on there today, still pasture also!

A nice little walk with great views if your in the Remuera/ New Market area!

January 9, 2014 2

Good Morning 2014!

2014 is here!

Starting the new year, I went for a walk around my local park trail. The forecast was thunderstorms for the afternoon, so I took in some fresh forest smells before the ground turned to mush.

A calm, still and beautiful morning. Aside from the odd walker I passed in the opposite direction, it was me, the trees and the singing birds. Nice.

All images shot in the Ricoh GRD IV and edited in The GIMP.

January 1, 2014 0

Urban Living in New Market

A visit to the jeweller in New Market, just out of Auckland’s CBD took me past this traditional looking set of units on the edge of the shopping area, across the road from Auckland’s Domain (a large inner city green area).

Ricoh set to bleach bi-pass, I love the washed image that appeared on the screen. Aside from a minor crop, nothing else done using Gimp.

October 24, 2013 2

Bridge Over Troubled Water

When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Simon And Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water

September 7, 2013 1

August 31, 2013 2

August 30, 2013 3

Hamilton – By the River

Ricoh GRD IV

August 12, 2013 0

Long Monday Drive

Sometimes, I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear
And I can’t help but ask myself how much I let the fear
Take the wheel and steer
It’s driven me before
And it seems to have a vague, haunting mass appeal
But lately I’m beginning to find that I
Should be the one behind the wheel

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
I’ll be there

So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive?
It’s driven me before
And it seems to be the way that everyone else gets around
But lately I’m beginning to find that
When I drive myself my light is found

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
I’ll be there

Would you choose water over wine
Hold the wheel and drive

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
With open arms and open eyes yeah

Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there
I’ll be there

Incubus – Drive

July 8, 2013 0

Huntly, the River and the Power Station

On a trip to sell my car and visit some non-Auckland second hand shops, we passed through Huntly today. One of those ‘in between’ places, I have fond memories of Huntly from childhood as it was a common morning tea stop when we went away on family holidays.

Huntly is also home of the Huntly Power Station – a gas/coal station. Commissioned in 1983, from what I understand, the power station is in its later phase of life with coal produced electricity not being the top choice for NZ. However, its likely we will still see it running for some time yet.

In the forefront of the photo is the Waikato river – New Zealand’s longest river at 425km in length – running down a good length of the North Island. The Waikato (a loose Maori translation Flowing Water) is also a supplier of about 8% of Auckland’s daily water needs.

Shot on my Ricoh GRD IV in bleach bi-pass mode, I only resized for the net.

December 27, 2012 0

On the Hill

A lazy view relaxing in the long grass and sun from Mt Victoria on Aucklands North Shore. From here (if you look the right way) you can see the CBD, the Harbour Bridge and out towards West Auckland. A quick scamper over the crest and the rest of the North Shore, and local islands off it can be viewed into the distance.

Shot on the Ricoh GRD IV, using the bleach bipass mode. In Gimp I resized and added the rounded corners, otherwise as is from the camera.

Its been a wildly various week of weather for us here in Auckland – a beautiful hot sun today, heavy rain and tornadoes only two days ago. Here is hoping we are coming into some stable summer months.

Christmas is well and truly near. Shopping wise I adopt the ‘not time yet’ attitude, but heading into the shops today, I can see many are already stocking up.

The sun is still shining, so I will log off here and get back out into it!

December 8, 2012 4