The Complete Picture

Sitting across JB of Mainz Daily Photo at my Red Gallery Morning Room cafe, having afternoon coffee. Life is good; I've been waiting for this since Red Gallery opened its cafe almost a year ago.

I always thought Louise, who was the only other NZ DPer when we started, or Lachezar of Auckland Daily Photo, would be the first DPers we'd meet in person, OR on a off chance, a whole bunch of Minnesotans posting daily if I were lucky enough to have managed a trip there. Whowodda thunk it would be JB all the way from Germany? Well, it's not a big stretch, because JB is a Kiwi, and he's in the process of building a house and moving to Mapua.

JB is a sophisticated, polished and soft-spoken big-city gent. I had a few other shots with Mrs JB, but he kinda melts away when he's looking at her, and his eyes look closed in all those shots!

Lest you think he's a complete softy, he introduced her as Mrs JB, so after an hour of pleasant afternoon coffee, we still don't know her name. This time next year, they'll make the big move, I hope, and then we would have to draw the boarder between our Nelson Daily Photo and his Mapua/Tasman Daily Photo, or he can do another NDP, of course, and we can continue to be all over the place.

Safe trip back, you two.

Ben and I will be away for a few days; we'll come back on Theme Day (if Ben manages to find a suitable pic!)

Flight Path

Here I'm standing diagonally across the pond from where I stood to take yesterday's pic. The beach and all the recreational facilities are directly under one of the flight paths.　（But we don't get jets.)

Crossroads

On my way home from the back beach, I found myself on a spot where we can see (if you know where they are) four Tahuna Beach attractions.

I was standing by the mini rail tracks; though I've never seen the train, the sign said it runs between 1-4pm Sundays. I had thought the pond was for model boat/ship/sailboat enthusiasts, but they may also have boats people can ride on; we'll have to come back for a fact-check another Sunday.

Beyond, the structure on the left is the water slide, and the wooded area from the center to the right is the much-troubled Natureland zoo. They've been fighting over funding with the Council for some years, but at the end of February it was announced the zoo would close for good on 31 March. Since then, they've been petitions and protests, for which we made the national news.

It's the tiniest zoo I've ever been to, but has provided educational trips to school children in the region for over 40 years. My brother and I were there years ago during a meerkat feeding time, and what a frenzy. Ricky the special-needs capuchin monkey is looking for a home; any takers?

Tahunanui Back Beach

The back beach sits between the main part of Tahuna Beach we've shown you many times, and the Tahunanui Beach Motor Camp (arguably the largest camp ground in the Southern Hemisphere). Here's a satellite pic from Google Map.

The reason I wanted to show you this is that up until the 1960's (?), there used to be an annual car race held here on the back beach, but I can't find any documentation to go with the post. The Nelson Provincial Museum site has one pic by Geoffrey C Wood halfway down this page.

Nowawdays, of course, with bird habitats and whatnot, nobody would dream of resurrecting a race here... Different times.

Movement

Waching the river like this is very interesting. Water moves so fast in some place and so calm in another.

One Fine Day

One fine day at river side walk. Have a nice break, everyone.

Moving House

Tuesday, on our way home, one side of two-laned Rocks Road was closed to prepare this house to move later in the evening. It was recently in the newspaper so nobody appeared frustrated, but some, like us, slowed down to try to get a shot. The wee cottage was to be cut in half, and moved to Motueka about 30 minutes west in two trips.

Last night, there were no traces left of the house. Some day, there will be no private homes on Rocks Road, but all apartments and retailers. What a shame.

A Victim of Art Theft?!

While I was toiling away with paint and stuff, a scarf of mine (on far right) was stolen from a craft exhibit in town on Saturday. Ben reckons it's because my scarf was the most attractive piece that could be carried away without being noticed in the entire exhibition! The gallery called the police and I had to submit photographs, but somehow I doubt I'll ever see it again. I hope it'll be worn and appreciated, though.

Bat Cave

I went to the Fiber Guild's design workshop over the weekend in Blenheim, about 90 minutes east. The workshop was held in the Girl Guides (Girl Scouts) HQ, and we worked under a bunch of bats made of toilet paper cores. It must have been a heck of a Halloween!

A technique I tried for the first time was applying turpentine over oil pastel crayons; I'm so used to using turpentine to clean marks off, I kept wiping the entire oil pastel marks off the paper out of habit. I was meant to smear them from the looks of what others were doing...

Dinghy

Direct Positive Effect on one of the morning shots. I will post series of those in>my other blog in next few days.
1(Same image, clean-up version), 2, 3, 4, 5

Sunrise at Port Nelson

Early morning, looking at the Port Nelson from Atawhai. The container ship catch the early sunlight. (Close view)

The Bridge - Revisited

Remember December last year, we all featured the bridge for theme day? We featured this under construction one actually that was the stage demolishing process was completed. After this few ,month of summer time, the work is still going on. It's actually "UNDER CONSTRUCTION" now. The concrete under support is in place.

Smashed Car Display

This is a badly smashed car in result of accident. It suddenly appeared in the middle of campus on Friday to educate kids for safe driving. I think this is huge impact to the young kids that actually showing the car like this one (The other side is even more badly damaged). Whoever organised this, good on ya!

PS. this is nothing to do with the trolley derby series.

Trolly Derby (Free Popsicle)

Free Popsicle for everyone. We have main race after this but I had to back to the work. Oh, well. So this is the end of series for 2008 from me.

You can find few more photo from the event here at my other blog:
1, 2, 3, 4

Trolly Derby (Professional!?)

It has no engine, just a shell, but looks so professional with proper cart shell with the full face helmet on.

Trolly Derby (Speed)

This one goes faster and it's red! (Another shot)

Trolly Derby (Look!)

Watch out in front of you! Well, the adult was with this boy all the way to the goal. This boy was so cute, but I choose this photo to hide true identity. (I really want to show others, but I couldn't talk to his parents.) I believe this is safe to post here.
My another favourite

Trolly Derby (Start Line)

There are two start line. One on front is for children, while the adult (main race) was start from further up. (No not running at same time...) The slope looks flat on this picture, but actually it has more angle. It's an illusion because I had to take from relatively high from the ground.

Trolly Derby (Main Stand)

Yesterday, we had this FUN annual event. Unfortunately, I had to work at office but the course is just 5 minutes walk from the office. I missed most of photogenic part except special stage for kids, but I managed few show during my extended lunch brake. Let's see what I've got for next few days and start from the main stand (Actually at the finish line).

Kite Surfing (Again)

Yet another kite surfing picture here.
Today, we have annual trolley derby and I'm stuck at my office. I hope I can be there before all the show is over.

My Hand, My Camera, and Sand

This one is for me. I love that the sand looks at once like a swept Japanese garden, and a shimmery piece of textile. Weekend's coming, but B has to work. *&^%$!

Ouch!

Well, it's a stick on decoration to the window. It looked real in the distance. I've seen bottom half of cat sticking from the boot/trunk before, but this is a fresh one. I kind a liked this one.

Kite Surfing

He's sailing on extremely shallow water.

Cathedral Bell Tower

Nelson Cathedral Bell Tower, photographed one year ago yesterday. This is as close to a sky scraper as it gets in Nelson.

Air NZ

An Air NZ domestic flight just fly away from Nelson Air Port. I took this at Tahunanui beach when it just passed by over my head.

Water Wheel

This is at the Queens Garden, made out of 50,000 year old kauri from Dargaville.
Other view in here (1 , 2 , 3).

March Theme Day: Graffiti or Street Mural

This is the "Knowledge Mural" by Chris Finlayson (1990). According to the City Council's trusty art map: "It's based on rock carvings, from Palaeolithic art in 25,000BC to Egyptian hieroglyphics (1350BC), Celtic verse (800AD), to Aboriginal and Maori art."
You can find this at the corridor of the Nelson Public Library.

March Theme Day Contributors:
Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen,
Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie,
Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice,
Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie,
Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB,
Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB,
Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA,
Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston,
Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre,
Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando,
Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt,
Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose,
Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff,
Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley,
Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us,
Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01,
Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish,
Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic,
Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01,
Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne,
Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton,
Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat,
Haninge, by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa,
Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald,
Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon,
Jakarta (Indonesia)by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005,
Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine,
Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944,
Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao,
Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham,
London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB,
Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate,
Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John,
Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly,
Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol,
Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg,
Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber,
Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia,
Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella,
Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben,
New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris,
Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888,
Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy,
Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben,
Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay,
Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar,
Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo,
Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston,
Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur,
Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke,
Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes,
Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark,
San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia,
San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, San Francisco (CA) by PFranson,
Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim,
Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien,
Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia,
Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny,
Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok,
Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam,
Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine,
Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC,
Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo,
Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas,
Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard,
Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer,
Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy,
Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2,
Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich,
Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria,
West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto,
Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn