Sorry pots

Kevin Rudd says 'sorry' and I make ceramic sorry-pots.
Out of the pots emerge tender young shoots.


I think it is hard for people living this side of the Tasman to appreciate the change in Australia. Perhaps you have to have lived through the last 11 years in Oz.

20C to 5C

Yesterday was a mild, pleasant late summer; today is cold, stormy winter with snow on the hills. The long spell of mild weather had lulled us into thinking that it might last forever.

The surfer

9am at St Clair in Dunedin and the surfers sniff the wind.

I went to St Clair this morning to meet a friend. It is only about 5 minutes drive from where I live but it had been a while since was at the beach and I was reminded what a different vibe there is when the ocean pounds on your doorstep. Here is the view in the other direction.

At high tide the waves crash against the (relatively new) retaining wall then pound their way down the beach to wash away the sand, a problem exacerbated by this concrete wall.

Leith River = concrete canal

A bit of the Leith River near the art school. Painted on small boards.

The dentist

He looks at me. I look at him.

Lost Gypsy Gallery

At Papatowai in the southern verge of the Caitlins you can't go past the green bus called the Lost Gypsy Gallery. It is one of a kind.

Already at the front door you can tell this is no ordinary bus. The pungas are carved with koru shapes an skeletons ride on old bits of bicycle. At the foot of the steps to the bus is a push button mounted on a wooden plank with the words "Life is full of temptations. This button is one of them." Most people consider a while before giving in to temptation to push the button. A thin steam of water showers the pusher.

 

Blair Somerville sits in his green bus, the Lost Gypsy Gallery, and works away at this little wonders. They are part physics, part engineering and mostly humour. Once you are in the bus it is hard to escape as there are ever more little gizmos with winding handles to try out. Little feet walk or push along balls as you wind; a train winds around a track on the wall and sets off a series of little lights as it passes. As visitors chortle and experiment you feel Blair's enjoyment emanating from the little attached room where he works. He seems to have found the perfect opt-out employment, although one suspects he never opted-in in the first place.

 

Papatowai in the Caitlins

The flat calm river near Papatowai reflects the hills and vegetation.

 

 

The view from the Papatowai Hilltops Backpackers. It is a great place to stay, even without the views.

 

 

After rain in the night the roses at the back door are heavy with water droplets.

 

 

What is art anyway?

This is what I have decided to write my essay on this term.

Space Invaders

Here is a treat for all those who like, or even those who never liked, computer games.



If you loved it, there are more at NOTsoNOISY.

The coast road to Karitane

When you drive up up and over the hill north of Dunedin then down the other side to the coast you come to the village of Waitati. The little old church sits directly on Blueskin Bay.

 

On a summers day like this one the waters of Blueskin Bay are a light cobalt blue and glisten in the sun. I bought an icecream from the village store across the road from the church and licked it while I watched the tide recede leaving slicks on the tidal mudflats.

 

The picturesque coastal route leads along the northern shore of Blueskin Bay to the coast.

 

Turn the corner and suddenly you overlook a wild, wide, grey-sanded beach. Blueskin Bay mouths at the southern end of the beach. If you look very closely you can see flags and lifeguards.

 

The coastal road climbs and the views make you catch your breath. Thistledown floats through the air on the breeze.

 

The hills falls steeply to the sea below.

 

The cattle chew their cuds while they look at the view, or at the occasional photographer.

 

Then suddenly you are at the top of a hill among the horses, overlooking the settlement of Karitane. There is a look out here. Horses on one side, cows on the other and stunning views north and south. It takes a while to digest it all.

 

You drive on, down the hill, and along the flats, turn the corner and again you catch your breath as the serene calm waters of the river mouth suddenly appear before you.

 

From Karitane you can take the highway back to Dunedin. It is only 30 km. You can bypass the stunning scenery completely.

Back in Dunedin

After two months away I am back in Dunedin. Blue skies, lovely weather, students drifting back, turquoise sea pounding on the doorstep.
My neighbour told me she has even been swimming.
"What was it like?"
"Cold!"

At Old Parliament House

 

You can hear it

Addison Road Markets

On Sundays you can buy organic food at the Addison Road Markets in Marrrickville. It is a relaxing place to have coffee and a beetroot/chocolate muffin.

Freshwater Beach

The beach side pool at Freshwater Beach north of Manly which you can see across the water. By the pool is Heidi who lives within walking distance of the beach and swims every day.

Opera House between showers

It was drizzling today but I painted the Sydney Opera House in a clear spell.

On the way to Canberra

Blue Mountains

I was painting in the Blue Mountains over the New Year holiday.

Being a musician and a parent

Art and engineering

Who said art and engineering don't overlap? Ada shows how.