My life was spiced with photographic variety yesterday.

In the morning, the upper valley was bathed in soft light, diffused through low cloud. Though I have shot the same landscape many times before I just liked the light.

In the afternoon, I was roaming in the Thorndon area and turned into Hill Street. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart was completed in 1901, and like the now ruined Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch, has always taken second place in the public mind to the more traditional architecture of the nearby Anglican Cathedral. The word Basilica refers to the architectural form of a nave and two aisles with windows above the aisles. It’s a handsome building in its way, but like many older buildings in the city, is in need of earthquake strengthening.

Across the road, looking through the Pohutukawa trees along the fence of Parliament’s precinct, there was a hitherto unnoticed view up The Terrace. There are some significant buildings along this street, but when the wind is in the North or the South, it serves as the meanest wind-tunnel I know. Nothing is sadder than a rain-soaked civil servant struggling into the wind.

In the evening, Mary and I set out for Waikanae to dine with friends. The sun was setting with a warm golden light and across the Pauatahanui Inlet, and the suburb of Whitby was gleaming.

At the bottom of the hill at Pukerua Bay I got Mary to stop to catch a very attractive sunset.
That’s the day.
*”A Wand’ring Minstrel I” from the Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan
One reply on “May 17, 2015 … through every passion ranging*”
Love the sunset – saw it out the window but didn’t pick up the camera. Well done!