Road trips for no reason are the best kind.
An eyesore in a noble cause
With no real deadlines at either end we could make stops and diversions as we pleased on our journey to New Plymouth. Our first such diversion was to Foxton Beach where there are often interesting birds in the estuary. Alas the tide was very high and there was nothing of great interest on the remains of the sandbank. On our way out of town our eyes were assaulted by some bright plastic hay bales. What’s more we saw lots more of them in the Horowhenua and Manawatu districts. Ugh! They are hideous. It seems some well-intentioned baling contractor had the bright idea of getting the farmers to adopt the pink wrap instead of the customary green in return for a donation to research into breast cancer. Now I feel like the Grinch. But they are ugly.
Lavender in Bulls
We paused for coffee in Bulls (which advertises itself as a town like no udder), and Mary bought some stuff at the Lavender shop. I have no interest in the lavender shots so I lined up on the lavender growing outside.
I think it’s a maize crop, on dark soil.
I have always had a special place in my heart for the gentle rolling landscape between Bulls and Whanganui. There are always interesting textures and fascinating contrasts between neighbouring paddocks.
I love the patterns in the landscape, even as we keep driving
At this time of year new season’s crops are emerging and since they are machine planted, they create some wonderful patterns. Despite our relaxed schedule, I didn’t want to keep stopping, so while Mary was driving, I would open the window and shoot on the move.
After hiding all day, there she is the mighty mountain
Soon we were in New Plymouth and in our rented holiday home. As the day neared its end the overcast we had experienced all day cleared away, so we went for a walk along the wonderful coastal walkway towards the Port. And suddenly, from a particular viewpoint on the coast, there was a clear view between city buildings straight towards the mighty mountain, Taranaki. The shroud that had obscured it all day parted and left the summit in the late afternoon sun.
The foreshore and port of New Plymouth at Sunset
As we walked back to our lodging, I enjoyed the view behind us of Paritutu and the port.
More tomorrow
Like you I am a sucker for crop patterns.