Category Archives: History

May 15, 2019 … grinding of teeth

Posted on May 15, 2019 by

I spend a lot of time agonising over my photographic ability. I get lots of positive feedback from you, gentle readers and I thank you for it. But my severest critic remains unsatisfied. My best images still fall far short … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, Architecture, Art, Bees, Cook Strait, flowers, harbour, History, Maritime, Reflections, Rivers, Trees, Wellington | 9 Comments

October 11, 2018 … self-inflicted injury

Posted on October 11, 2018 by

I have spent most of my free time in the last month,  judging competitions for camera clubs. That amounted to a carefully considered written paragraph for each of 168 images. I needed to be mindful of each photographer’s sensitivity while … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Architecture, Camera club, History, Landscapes, Maritime, Reflections, Weather, Wellington | Leave a comment

March 17, 2018 … more than just the best of a bad lot

Posted on March 17, 2018 by

Introspection can be cruel. I have a habit of using Adobe’s collection management tools to identify and categorise the images that I like best.  It is clear that I am not being critical enough. For example, I have kept 906 … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Architecture, Camera club, Cook Strait, History, Island Bay, Landscapes, Light, Maritime, Moon, mountains, night, Sunset, Weather, Wellington | 4 Comments

October 13, 2017 … around the region and further afield

Posted on October 13, 2017 by

Sometimes I have to work hard to find an image in otherwise drab circumstances, However, sometimes the effort pays off. We have had a lot of grey weather recently, but even in such circumstances I love our city. Even in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Architecture, Camera club, History, Landscapes, Light, Otaki, Paremata, Santa Rosa, sunrise, Sunset, Weather, Wellington | 4 Comments

August 24, 2017 … across the hill and down the other side

Posted on August 24, 2017 by

It seems I have let time get away on me again. Since I last wrote I have spent a lot of time trying to improve my ability to see things in creative ways. Sometimes it works, and sometimes the seeing … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Birds, Haywards Hill, History, Landscapes, Machinery, Maritime, Martinborough, Wairarapa | 2 Comments

October 5, 2016 … the sun comes back again

Posted on October 5, 2016 by

There was a dinner in town for my friend, PhD supervisor and former colleague, Emeritus Professor Pak Yoong to mark the occasion of his retirement. Several of us who were successfully navigated by him to our doctorates gathered to honour … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic, Architecture, Camera club, History, Kelburn, Landscapes, Light, Military, Paekakariki, Railway, Weather, Wellington | Leave a comment

July 27, 2015 … darkness and hope

Posted on July 27, 2015 by

Yesterday we came home passing through Christchurch. Since the devastating earthquake on 22 February, 2011, 1,616 days have passed. Human expectations vary, but for those who don’t live there, it comes as a shock to see how much, and how … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Christchurch, History | 2 Comments

February 8, 2015 … a day on the farm

Posted on February 8, 2015 by

Thanks to a friend the previous night, Mary and I spent much of yesterday on a farm a little North of Levin. The Horowhenua Vintage Machinery Club were having their Harvest Weekend. It was a bit like an old-time Agricultural … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Aviation, History, Horowhenua, Landscapes, Machinery | 1 Comment

August 5, 2014 … and now we lie in Flanders fields*

Posted on August 5, 2014 by

Wonderful opportunities arose yesterday. It was a day of solemn memories in New Zealand, marking as it did, the 100th anniversary of our country’s entry into the first world war. A 100 gun salute was to be fired on the … Continue reading →

Posted in adversity, Birds, harbour, History, Landscapes, Rescue, Weather, Wellington | 6 Comments

December 1, 2013 … a trip in time

Posted on December 1, 2013 by

After a pleasantly relaxed morning, Lunch in Arrowtown seemed like a splendid idea. If you are in Arrowtown, I heartily recommend “The Postmaster’s Residence” for delightful meals. Chef Sam Laycock puts real imagination into his menu, and the dishes delivered … Continue reading →

Posted in History, hobbies, Landscapes, Queenstown | Leave a comment