I don't usually plug for donations, but I'm making an exception this time. A very good friend of mine, David Roos, has been accepted as a volunteer for a project in Costa Rica, starting in September for three months. His role is one close to my heart, as Photographer for the project. In fact, if I was younger, fitter, wasn't deaf, didn't get vertigo, I would be signing up myself, so I'll be living my youth through David's travels this time.
David is an exceptional photographer. You can view his work on DeviantArt. His photos he took in Japan are incredible. You can view some of his galleries by clicking on the following links.
Japan
China
WRC 2010
The role in Costa Rica as copied from David's webpage.....
What will I doing there?
I will be undertaking a 13 week volunteer manager role with Raleigh International in Costa Rica in September this year. My primary role will be as a photographer, capturing the essence of the expedition and projects in my photos. These images are an invaluable resource to recruit new venturers and volunteer managers, attract funders and sponsors, publicise Raleigh and its work and enhance memories and experiences of the volunteers. Every moment I am not taking photos will be spent either contributing to the smooth running of the expedition or mucking in on the project sites.
This role is hugely important to me as it is a chance to contribute to projects that will hugely benefit people's lives, help create experiences that will positively shape young people's futures, for my own personal growth opportunities and finally, a chance to volunteer my talents for something greater than myself.
This is an unpaid role - I will be covering all my own costs besides in country transport, food and accommodation (Note - accommodation is very basic, usually camping) and my position on the expedition depends on the raising of at least £2000 before September.
Donations.
Please donate to this great cause. Every little bit helps and it doesn't matter how small, it all goes to help the projects outlined on the website and to get David accepted into the role. To donate just click on the word 'Donations' below..
Donations
then click on the 'Donate Now' green button on the website and follow instructions,. It's really easy.
Thank you in advance from both myself and David.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The Bra Fence
Remember my blogpost last year about Havelock's Shoe Fence? If you've forgotten, you can find it here...
http://robyncarter.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-4-havelock-to-picton-shoe-fence.html
Well, Nikki came down for a long weekend last week, and while driving back home from Nelson after a day of doing cafe's and art galleries there, we detoured to have a look at Cable Bay on the way home.
Cable bay was very pretty, even though the tide was out. It's a marine reserve, so the waters are protected and there's a few walks or hikes you can do as well. Definitely going back there when my ankle is better...
The surrounding countryside was pretty too. I found a sheep and geese farm...
Most New Zealand farms are sheep and beef, or dairy, or just plain sheep, so this one was different!!! (You do realise I"m having you on don't you?)
And in front of this was the Bra Fence...
As you can see there are all shapes, sizes, and colours, and there were even a pair of boxers thrown in. But I'm curious. Do people see this fence, want to be part of it, and as they drive past, strip their bra off and add it to the collection?
The reason I'm asking is that if you look closely, there are some bras there that are seriously, well, Large. Huge over shoulder boulder holders. If girls just stripped them off there and then, it would be a bit of a worry. Because, there's a chance if the car went over a pot hole once they left, that they then could knock out the driver. Dangerous driving indeed.
And then there's the expense...
I know Bra's are a dime a dozen in the USA, and even in England in Marks and Sparks, but here in NZ we pay premium prices. NZ boobs are holstered in pricey stuff. So it makes me wonder why people are racing to add theirs to a fence. In the middle of nowhere. I was almost tempted to try some on. Some were in such good condition, but there were no fitting rooms so I had to refrain.
But hangon - what's that? These bras are hosting a whole new ecosystem....
Here is the Male Orichalcum Vas Aranea, more commonly known as the Boobus Holderus Spider (Thanks Henry). Only a male would make himself comfortable there right? It is the sole reason I didn't try any on!!
Oh - and rest assured, neither Nikki or I added anything to the fence. Nikki was driving and I valued my life!
http://robyncarter.blogspot.com/2008/12/day-4-havelock-to-picton-shoe-fence.html
Well, Nikki came down for a long weekend last week, and while driving back home from Nelson after a day of doing cafe's and art galleries there, we detoured to have a look at Cable Bay on the way home.
Cable bay was very pretty, even though the tide was out. It's a marine reserve, so the waters are protected and there's a few walks or hikes you can do as well. Definitely going back there when my ankle is better...
The surrounding countryside was pretty too. I found a sheep and geese farm...
Most New Zealand farms are sheep and beef, or dairy, or just plain sheep, so this one was different!!! (You do realise I"m having you on don't you?)
And in front of this was the Bra Fence...
As you can see there are all shapes, sizes, and colours, and there were even a pair of boxers thrown in. But I'm curious. Do people see this fence, want to be part of it, and as they drive past, strip their bra off and add it to the collection?
The reason I'm asking is that if you look closely, there are some bras there that are seriously, well, Large. Huge over shoulder boulder holders. If girls just stripped them off there and then, it would be a bit of a worry. Because, there's a chance if the car went over a pot hole once they left, that they then could knock out the driver. Dangerous driving indeed.
And then there's the expense...
I know Bra's are a dime a dozen in the USA, and even in England in Marks and Sparks, but here in NZ we pay premium prices. NZ boobs are holstered in pricey stuff. So it makes me wonder why people are racing to add theirs to a fence. In the middle of nowhere. I was almost tempted to try some on. Some were in such good condition, but there were no fitting rooms so I had to refrain.
But hangon - what's that? These bras are hosting a whole new ecosystem....
Here is the Male Orichalcum Vas Aranea, more commonly known as the Boobus Holderus Spider (Thanks Henry). Only a male would make himself comfortable there right? It is the sole reason I didn't try any on!!
Oh - and rest assured, neither Nikki or I added anything to the fence. Nikki was driving and I valued my life!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
St Clair Half Marathon - Blenheim - 8th May, 2010
I had booked for this event ages ago - back in November. I had so looked forward to it, then in January I hurt my ankle badly. Thought I still had plenty of time, but the foot isn't getting better so very disappointed, I had to pull out a few weeks ago.
However, the rest of the group were in. From Blenheim were the walkers - Mary, Carol and Kim, and from Auckland the hybrids (run/walk mixture) - Debbie and Sheila, who came down for the weekend.
Debbie insisted we allow 40 minutes to drive to the event. She was still in Auckland traffic mode, and no amount of convincing would let her leave any later. So we left at 8.20am. We arrived at 8.25am.
So we sat down and waited. Sheila had a bit of a snooze, and Debbie rearranged her feet.
I didn't need any sleep, and didn't have any feet to rearrange, so I played with my camera. It was difficult getting a decent photo of them both as they always seemed to pull strange faces. This one was okay. I could post up an example of the strange faces, but I value my life. I was made to promise to delete them too, but I haven't yet so if anyone wants to see them, just drop me a line with $5 and ... no no - I promise - I'll delete them I'll delete them!!!!
Don't they look thrilled to be running/walking 21 km? In fact, they look happier than most of the others around them. I promise I didn't spike their breakfasts.
Here are the Be U girls... from left to right - Mary, Kim and Carol...
They look pretty excited to walk the 21km as well. I wonder if they looked this happy at the end of it? Unfortunately I wasn't there to see - but I did see them this morning (3 days later), and they were still alive. Just!
Here they are apparently walking over the start line. Well - I hope they were, they could have walked the whole 21km like this and I wouldn't have known. I must find out!
See - look how happy they are compared to the rest of the people around them. Makes you wonder what they had for breakfast doesn't it?
All five of them did really well. I didn't stay around as Debbie and Sheila said they would be at least 3 hours. Sheila rang me 2.5 hours later to say she had finished in 2 hours 25 - she had run all but one km. Debbie didn't come in much after that, so I went back up to the vineyard straight after Sheila had rung, and we managed to get a photo of Debbie....
Getting closer...
and closer...
And look at that determination. Not sure if she just wanted to beat 2064, or whether she was just determined to finish. I suspect it had something to do with 2064.
They looked great at the end, and with a Bacon Buttie to celebrate, they collected their 'free' bottle of St Clair Sauvignon Blanc, and we headed off back home.
Next year - I'm definitely doing it - my ankle will be better courtesy of the local Orthopaedic Surgeon, so who is joining me for a weekend of running/walking, winetasting, kayaking, eating, bushwalking, and boating?
However, the rest of the group were in. From Blenheim were the walkers - Mary, Carol and Kim, and from Auckland the hybrids (run/walk mixture) - Debbie and Sheila, who came down for the weekend.
Debbie insisted we allow 40 minutes to drive to the event. She was still in Auckland traffic mode, and no amount of convincing would let her leave any later. So we left at 8.20am. We arrived at 8.25am.
So we sat down and waited. Sheila had a bit of a snooze, and Debbie rearranged her feet.
I didn't need any sleep, and didn't have any feet to rearrange, so I played with my camera. It was difficult getting a decent photo of them both as they always seemed to pull strange faces. This one was okay. I could post up an example of the strange faces, but I value my life. I was made to promise to delete them too, but I haven't yet so if anyone wants to see them, just drop me a line with $5 and ... no no - I promise - I'll delete them I'll delete them!!!!
Don't they look thrilled to be running/walking 21 km? In fact, they look happier than most of the others around them. I promise I didn't spike their breakfasts.
Here are the Be U girls... from left to right - Mary, Kim and Carol...
They look pretty excited to walk the 21km as well. I wonder if they looked this happy at the end of it? Unfortunately I wasn't there to see - but I did see them this morning (3 days later), and they were still alive. Just!
Here they are apparently walking over the start line. Well - I hope they were, they could have walked the whole 21km like this and I wouldn't have known. I must find out!
See - look how happy they are compared to the rest of the people around them. Makes you wonder what they had for breakfast doesn't it?
All five of them did really well. I didn't stay around as Debbie and Sheila said they would be at least 3 hours. Sheila rang me 2.5 hours later to say she had finished in 2 hours 25 - she had run all but one km. Debbie didn't come in much after that, so I went back up to the vineyard straight after Sheila had rung, and we managed to get a photo of Debbie....
Getting closer...
And look at that determination. Not sure if she just wanted to beat 2064, or whether she was just determined to finish. I suspect it had something to do with 2064.
They looked great at the end, and with a Bacon Buttie to celebrate, they collected their 'free' bottle of St Clair Sauvignon Blanc, and we headed off back home.
Next year - I'm definitely doing it - my ankle will be better courtesy of the local Orthopaedic Surgeon, so who is joining me for a weekend of running/walking, winetasting, kayaking, eating, bushwalking, and boating?
Monday, May 3, 2010
French Pass - Day Trip
While my friends Jill and Ian were down staying me a few weeks back, I took advantage of the fact I had a great driver on hand, so suggested we do the road to French Pass up the Pelorus Sound. It was a day of fun and spectacular views. I would say this is the most Scenic Drive in New Zealand, but it's not well publicised.
We left home fairly in the morning. Our first stop was at the Pelorus River about 40 minutes down the road. I wanted to take a look as autumn colours had started..
It was quite blowy and a bit chilly. I was trying to get photos of the leaves blowing past me with no luck. But from the trees, you could definitely tell summer was over and winter was on it's way.
We forgot to fill up the car before we left though, but fortunately there was a couple of pumps on the side of the road that were operational via credit card, at Rai Valley just before we turned off, about half an hour from my home.
After turning off the main Highway (6), the first part of the drive was through the Rai Valley farmland area. The paddocks were lush in comparison to dry Marlborough. Up some pretty steep hills and into Okiwi Bay which was dotted with campgrounds and kiwi baches. I quite like the idea of staying there over the summer one year.
Up over the hill and then things started getting spectacular. From the top of the hills where we were driving we could look into bays. Full of mussel farming too.
The road we were on was only built in 1957. Prior to that supplies to the outlying farms would have relied entirely on boats. The road was sealed most of the way, but after Elaine Bay it was metal from then on. Elaine Bay was also a tiny little settlement with a few baches and a campground. We stopped for morning tea there, but it was bitterly cold from the wind coming directly into it so we didn't hang around for too long.
Elaine Bay would have been so pretty had the sun been out though. I did love the jetty so experimented a bit..
We left Elaine Bay, and hoped there would be a nice 'hot chocolate' shop at French Pass. It was that cold. I love my outside temperature gauge in my car, so found it interesting what temperature it was. 12C. Jill was ready to bop me over the head and dismantle the guage by the end of the day!!!
The road goes along the top of the hills, with little offroads taking off to the various bays. Back on the hilltop road, not far from Elaine Bay, the vistas really started opening up.
And a bit closer...
Interesting to see that small square patch of commercial forestry on that hill. The rest would be sheep farming.
Further along the road, another side road took us down to the bay where this particular farm had the farmhouse. I wouldn't mind living there - I thought it was beautiful. Although I guess it would be remote..
From up on the hilltop road when we looked down and saw this, we saw a small waterspout travel up the channel. It was very windy, and you can see how windy it is by the waves being pushed into the bay. There were heaps of cool letterboxes up this way as well. My favourite was the old fridge letterox...
My fridge isn't that much younger looking, but this one is much better as it has a padlock. I'm sure if I padlocked mine I would lose weight quite quickly. It's nice to know my fridge can be used as a letterbox one day soon. It's slightly bigger than this one, but that's okay - it can fit much bigger parcels in it :)
Back up to the hilltop road, and onto the remote French Pass farm that takes us out to the French Pass settlement. We stopped to talk to some cows.
They were quite skittish, so I sang to keep them there so I could photograph them. Jill mentioned something about me being certifiable. Fortunately I'm deaf and didn't hear her properly. Don't take any notice of the blue sky and sun - it was still only 12C, and windy as heck.
Further along the road we were coming to the end of the road where French Pass is situated, and this view greeted us. That's D'urville Island on the left, and beyond that I guess is the North Island. On a clear day I'm sure you'd be able to see it.
This shot looks good in Black and white as well. And then we were at the pass itself. It's a small, very dangerous strip of water where boats plied to and from Wellington and Nelson. Here the water races through on each tide at up to eight knots creating whirlpools, eddies and currents, a truly awesome passage feared and respected by mariners. Once navigated by Maori in canoes it proved more difficult for French Seafarer Dumont D'Urville. In 1827 he spent several days investigating the passage before venturing through it. He described the sea as a seething sheet where great precaution needed to be taken. On his journey through he clipped the reef twice before ‘floating majestically into Admiralty Bay.
Even here you can see the seething current between the mainland and the island, and a small boat about to take it on! Not for the faint hearted!
Round the corner and there was the French Pass settlement, consisting of a beach and wharf where water taxi's take tourists over to D'Urville Island on which there is a camping ground and lodge. We didn't go this day as the water was fairly rough. It's something on my to do list for the future.
It's quite a pretty bay, but it has a very big downfall. There wasn't a cafe where we could get a hot chocolate. I was cold and wanted one. That blue water has not been touched in photoshop, it is straight out of the camera, as is. It's one of the thing I love about the Sounds - the water is always such a spectacular colour.
This was the water taxi going to and fro between D'Urville Island and French Pass settlement. I would say it would double up as a fishing boat.
And a view of the wharf from the beach, which was sandy. However some interesting coloured rocks on the beach - many of them red. I'm not a geologist and would love to know what kind of rock this was - I took a photo of a cliff face not far from the beach that shows the red colour...
We stopped and had lunch at a small reserve at one end of the beach. We ended up sharing our lunch with some of the locals. They loved our fresh bread, but didn't like tomatoes. Meet the South Island Weka, the bird that won't eat tomato...
They are slightly different to the North Island Weka - the NI one is more Teal coloured, the South Island one is a bit duller. The North Island Weka is endangered, but the South Island seems to be more in abundance.
We were still craving a hot chocolate so decided to start heading back the way we came and to stop somewhere on the way home for one. The drive back was a little different, as the sun had finally come out...
I found another interesting letterbox on the way back. The little letterbox with the big view...
Views to Australia! I wouldn't mind putting my next house on that spot! Seems wasted on a letterbox!
Did I mention that the views were spectacular?
Just as well Ian was driving. I would have probably driven us off the road by now while looking at the views! To give you an idea of what the road was like ...
They were okay - but not that wide. I wouldn't have liked to have met one of those cattle trucks up there!
That road turning off to the left takes us down to the rusty fridge and remote farm pictured earlier in this blog. Just at the top of that road, the wind was coming up full strength and would buffet my car strongly. Very exposed place. I tried to capture the tussock grass blowing, but couldn't do it justice.
Just along from here, this view came into sight. I got Ian to stop at the side of the road so I could take the shot. I had to do it from the car as it was so windy, I wouldn't have been able to stand up properly with my lack of balance at the best of times. Even taking the shot through the open window was a mission.
When I turned to tell Ian that I had finished. He was nowhere to be seen. He had got out of the car, and was acting quite strangely. My certifiable behaviour is obviously leanred from my friends! I have the proof!
I actually have a number of these shots. Here Ian is jumping into the wind, and the wind was carrying him backwards by about half a metre - it was THAT strong. How fun! It was a fun day full of laughs.
Just a couple more images of this drive...
I was taught to call these old 'barns' by their proper names on these trip. The old kiwi woolshed. These are iconic around New Zealand.
This one was also in an amazing spot with a fabulous view. I wonder if I could convert this one into a house for me later?
This last image is one we found when we came back into Okiwi Bay. I'm not sure if these possums were hunted or whether they are roadkill. They were placed rather macabre-ly on this bridge so I stopped to photogarph it.
Possums are a huge problem here in New Zealand. They were introduced from Australia back at the turn of the century for hunting. Unfortunately they have no natural predators here, so they're busy chomping through our native forests unchecked. Last count they were 30 million of them - about 7 per person, so I don't feel sorry for these 6 at all. They are protected in Australia, and some Australians get really upset that we kill them. My answer to that, is they are welcome to come and pick them and take them home! All of them!
We finally got our hot chocolate at Havelock that afternoon - only 15 mins from home. It was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. The very next day I went out and bought a thermos flask. I figure if I'm going to survive the South Island's remoteness, I'm going to need one.
We left home fairly in the morning. Our first stop was at the Pelorus River about 40 minutes down the road. I wanted to take a look as autumn colours had started..
It was quite blowy and a bit chilly. I was trying to get photos of the leaves blowing past me with no luck. But from the trees, you could definitely tell summer was over and winter was on it's way.
We forgot to fill up the car before we left though, but fortunately there was a couple of pumps on the side of the road that were operational via credit card, at Rai Valley just before we turned off, about half an hour from my home.
After turning off the main Highway (6), the first part of the drive was through the Rai Valley farmland area. The paddocks were lush in comparison to dry Marlborough. Up some pretty steep hills and into Okiwi Bay which was dotted with campgrounds and kiwi baches. I quite like the idea of staying there over the summer one year.
Up over the hill and then things started getting spectacular. From the top of the hills where we were driving we could look into bays. Full of mussel farming too.
The road we were on was only built in 1957. Prior to that supplies to the outlying farms would have relied entirely on boats. The road was sealed most of the way, but after Elaine Bay it was metal from then on. Elaine Bay was also a tiny little settlement with a few baches and a campground. We stopped for morning tea there, but it was bitterly cold from the wind coming directly into it so we didn't hang around for too long.
We left Elaine Bay, and hoped there would be a nice 'hot chocolate' shop at French Pass. It was that cold. I love my outside temperature gauge in my car, so found it interesting what temperature it was. 12C. Jill was ready to bop me over the head and dismantle the guage by the end of the day!!!
The road goes along the top of the hills, with little offroads taking off to the various bays. Back on the hilltop road, not far from Elaine Bay, the vistas really started opening up.
And a bit closer...
Interesting to see that small square patch of commercial forestry on that hill. The rest would be sheep farming.
Further along the road, another side road took us down to the bay where this particular farm had the farmhouse. I wouldn't mind living there - I thought it was beautiful. Although I guess it would be remote..
From up on the hilltop road when we looked down and saw this, we saw a small waterspout travel up the channel. It was very windy, and you can see how windy it is by the waves being pushed into the bay. There were heaps of cool letterboxes up this way as well. My favourite was the old fridge letterox...
My fridge isn't that much younger looking, but this one is much better as it has a padlock. I'm sure if I padlocked mine I would lose weight quite quickly. It's nice to know my fridge can be used as a letterbox one day soon. It's slightly bigger than this one, but that's okay - it can fit much bigger parcels in it :)
Back up to the hilltop road, and onto the remote French Pass farm that takes us out to the French Pass settlement. We stopped to talk to some cows.
They were quite skittish, so I sang to keep them there so I could photograph them. Jill mentioned something about me being certifiable. Fortunately I'm deaf and didn't hear her properly. Don't take any notice of the blue sky and sun - it was still only 12C, and windy as heck.
Further along the road we were coming to the end of the road where French Pass is situated, and this view greeted us. That's D'urville Island on the left, and beyond that I guess is the North Island. On a clear day I'm sure you'd be able to see it.
This shot looks good in Black and white as well. And then we were at the pass itself. It's a small, very dangerous strip of water where boats plied to and from Wellington and Nelson. Here the water races through on each tide at up to eight knots creating whirlpools, eddies and currents, a truly awesome passage feared and respected by mariners. Once navigated by Maori in canoes it proved more difficult for French Seafarer Dumont D'Urville. In 1827 he spent several days investigating the passage before venturing through it. He described the sea as a seething sheet where great precaution needed to be taken. On his journey through he clipped the reef twice before ‘floating majestically into Admiralty Bay.
Even here you can see the seething current between the mainland and the island, and a small boat about to take it on! Not for the faint hearted!
Round the corner and there was the French Pass settlement, consisting of a beach and wharf where water taxi's take tourists over to D'Urville Island on which there is a camping ground and lodge. We didn't go this day as the water was fairly rough. It's something on my to do list for the future.
It's quite a pretty bay, but it has a very big downfall. There wasn't a cafe where we could get a hot chocolate. I was cold and wanted one. That blue water has not been touched in photoshop, it is straight out of the camera, as is. It's one of the thing I love about the Sounds - the water is always such a spectacular colour.
This was the water taxi going to and fro between D'Urville Island and French Pass settlement. I would say it would double up as a fishing boat.
And a view of the wharf from the beach, which was sandy. However some interesting coloured rocks on the beach - many of them red. I'm not a geologist and would love to know what kind of rock this was - I took a photo of a cliff face not far from the beach that shows the red colour...
We stopped and had lunch at a small reserve at one end of the beach. We ended up sharing our lunch with some of the locals. They loved our fresh bread, but didn't like tomatoes. Meet the South Island Weka, the bird that won't eat tomato...
They are slightly different to the North Island Weka - the NI one is more Teal coloured, the South Island one is a bit duller. The North Island Weka is endangered, but the South Island seems to be more in abundance.
We were still craving a hot chocolate so decided to start heading back the way we came and to stop somewhere on the way home for one. The drive back was a little different, as the sun had finally come out...
I found another interesting letterbox on the way back. The little letterbox with the big view...
Views to Australia! I wouldn't mind putting my next house on that spot! Seems wasted on a letterbox!
Did I mention that the views were spectacular?
Just as well Ian was driving. I would have probably driven us off the road by now while looking at the views! To give you an idea of what the road was like ...
They were okay - but not that wide. I wouldn't have liked to have met one of those cattle trucks up there!
That road turning off to the left takes us down to the rusty fridge and remote farm pictured earlier in this blog. Just at the top of that road, the wind was coming up full strength and would buffet my car strongly. Very exposed place. I tried to capture the tussock grass blowing, but couldn't do it justice.
Just along from here, this view came into sight. I got Ian to stop at the side of the road so I could take the shot. I had to do it from the car as it was so windy, I wouldn't have been able to stand up properly with my lack of balance at the best of times. Even taking the shot through the open window was a mission.
When I turned to tell Ian that I had finished. He was nowhere to be seen. He had got out of the car, and was acting quite strangely. My certifiable behaviour is obviously leanred from my friends! I have the proof!
I actually have a number of these shots. Here Ian is jumping into the wind, and the wind was carrying him backwards by about half a metre - it was THAT strong. How fun! It was a fun day full of laughs.
Just a couple more images of this drive...
I was taught to call these old 'barns' by their proper names on these trip. The old kiwi woolshed. These are iconic around New Zealand.
This one was also in an amazing spot with a fabulous view. I wonder if I could convert this one into a house for me later?
This last image is one we found when we came back into Okiwi Bay. I'm not sure if these possums were hunted or whether they are roadkill. They were placed rather macabre-ly on this bridge so I stopped to photogarph it.
Possums are a huge problem here in New Zealand. They were introduced from Australia back at the turn of the century for hunting. Unfortunately they have no natural predators here, so they're busy chomping through our native forests unchecked. Last count they were 30 million of them - about 7 per person, so I don't feel sorry for these 6 at all. They are protected in Australia, and some Australians get really upset that we kill them. My answer to that, is they are welcome to come and pick them and take them home! All of them!
We finally got our hot chocolate at Havelock that afternoon - only 15 mins from home. It was the best hot chocolate I've ever had. The very next day I went out and bought a thermos flask. I figure if I'm going to survive the South Island's remoteness, I'm going to need one.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Rules For My Slave - by Kassia Carter
The Little Brown Burmese Cat with a Big Personality
1).Wake up time in the mornings is 6am. Licking your nose and chin means I'm HUNGRY and you MUST get up and do something about it. Do not go back to sleep.
2). When I paw your face it means I want to be tickled. FOREVER. You will not stop and go back to sleep. Tickle Me!
3). When I YELL at the door I want it OPEN. I may not necessarily WANT to go outside. If it's cold toughen up. Go and buy a fur coat. LEAVE it open or I will carry on YELLING!
4). If I'm on the bench in the Kitchen I'm HUNGRY. Feed me. I will NOT get down until there is food on my plate.
5).When I am on top of the Kitchen Cupboards and want to get down. I will CALL you. I CANNOT jump down the same way I got up. You MUST come over and present your back so I can JUMP on you. I will do this as often as I like.
6). IF I am on my back I WANT my tummy rubbed. HARDER. LONGER. FOREVER. DON'T STOP!
7).IF I am talking to you I EXPECT an answer. I will talk as LONG and as LOUD as I like. You will keep replying.
8). If I want to sit on your knee, I will do so. I do not CARE what you are doing at the time, or what you have on your knee. I WILL fit regardless.
9). If I've been out in the rain and come in all WET, then I will DRY myself on the nearest human. I will NOT tolerate a towel. Only warm dry Humans will suffice.
10). Bedtime is 9.30pm SHARP. You will come at ONCE. If you don't I will carry on YELLING until you do.
11). In bed you MUST lie on your back so I can USE your boobs as a pillow. You MUST pull the blankets over me because it's COLD.
12). If you sleep on your side you MUST cuddle me until I go to sleep. I MUST be allowed to have my head on your pillow like you. I am HUMAN.
13). You will NOT breathe on me. You will NOT SNORE. If you do I will try and smother you with my paws over your face and nose. IF you CONTINUE, I will press harder.
Signed...
Kassia Carter
1).Wake up time in the mornings is 6am. Licking your nose and chin means I'm HUNGRY and you MUST get up and do something about it. Do not go back to sleep.
2). When I paw your face it means I want to be tickled. FOREVER. You will not stop and go back to sleep. Tickle Me!
3). When I YELL at the door I want it OPEN. I may not necessarily WANT to go outside. If it's cold toughen up. Go and buy a fur coat. LEAVE it open or I will carry on YELLING!
4). If I'm on the bench in the Kitchen I'm HUNGRY. Feed me. I will NOT get down until there is food on my plate.
5).When I am on top of the Kitchen Cupboards and want to get down. I will CALL you. I CANNOT jump down the same way I got up. You MUST come over and present your back so I can JUMP on you. I will do this as often as I like.
6). IF I am on my back I WANT my tummy rubbed. HARDER. LONGER. FOREVER. DON'T STOP!
7).IF I am talking to you I EXPECT an answer. I will talk as LONG and as LOUD as I like. You will keep replying.
8). If I want to sit on your knee, I will do so. I do not CARE what you are doing at the time, or what you have on your knee. I WILL fit regardless.
9). If I've been out in the rain and come in all WET, then I will DRY myself on the nearest human. I will NOT tolerate a towel. Only warm dry Humans will suffice.
10). Bedtime is 9.30pm SHARP. You will come at ONCE. If you don't I will carry on YELLING until you do.
11). In bed you MUST lie on your back so I can USE your boobs as a pillow. You MUST pull the blankets over me because it's COLD.
12). If you sleep on your side you MUST cuddle me until I go to sleep. I MUST be allowed to have my head on your pillow like you. I am HUMAN.
13). You will NOT breathe on me. You will NOT SNORE. If you do I will try and smother you with my paws over your face and nose. IF you CONTINUE, I will press harder.
"There be Rabbits out there"
Signed...
Kassia Carter
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Aviation Museum, Omaka, Blenheim
When my friends Jill and Ian were down from Auckland a few weeks ago, we paid a visit to the Aviation Museum, about a 5 minute drive from my place. I was really impressed with the exhibits, well presented, fabulous very real looking wax figures, and some of the planes were actually real. We were told that if the planes had a drip tray in front of them, then they were real planes and most of these would be flown in air shows around the country. However, no drip trays, then they were just models built for the actual exhibit.
I'm going to put some images of the museum up that I took, but don't ask me what the planes are, as I was so busy taking photos, I forgot to look. Besides I know nothing about planes. As far as I know they have wings, a motor and make a sputtering/chugging noise, and they fly and get you overseas when you need to go :) having said that, I did actually remember to take a picture of the information on this plane...
This is a Caproni CA 22 which was introduced in 1913 by an Italian Count (Count Gianni Caproni). It was configured as a parasol monoplane, meaning that the wings were perched above and separate from the fuselage just like a lady's parasol or umbrella. It served as a two seat observation aircraft and flew with the Italian army's No. 15 Squadron beginning in April 1915.
The example displayed here is the sole survivor, and until recently was the property of the Caproni Museum. So a pretty rare sight and wondeful that it can be displayed at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim.
I found a website with more information so am using this from now on...
This is an Etrich Taube. At the time war broke out in Europe, Austrian designer Igo Etrich's elegant Taube had already been a successful aircraft for four years, having first flown in 1910. Harking back to the centuries of man wanting to 'fly like a bird', the Taube (Dove) has the distinction of being the most bird-like of any successful aeroplane ever built. This is one of the most dramatic exhibits. The aircraft is displayed as though flying in formation with another Taube, at height above a huge photographic background. It is under fire from a British Be2c and the observer is twisting round to fire his rifle back at the attacker.
I have since been told that Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame has been involved in setting up some of the displays, with his Weta Workshops, and that he owns many of them himself. Not that we heard that from the people in the museum...
Although the museum was wonderful to see, I really wasn't impressed with the grumpy old man/men that were there for information and/security. Shortly after I took this shot, we were meant to go through a door to continue round the display. However, there was a number of people milling around there, so Jill, Ian and I decided to go the other way, where there were no people. We were then all told off for going in the wrong direction. We were spoken to like naughty children and told 'the planes were numbered!! It was quite a tirade from this old man.
Personally, when we were leaving, we decided it really would not have mattered which way we went, as most of the planes were all WW I, and with our very little knowledge it would have made no difference to us.
Then... just after this incident, I got told off AGAIN! This time really badly.. So badly that an American tourist also there, a complete stranger to me, told the guy not to treat me like a child and to keep his hair on. I didn't realise this at the time, but she came up to me later and told me that she thought he was my father, as only a father would speak in that way...
It happened like this....
See this one - looks cool - wax figures getting an injured man out of a plane, crashed in a field of mud...
Right next to it was an old US Army car with a nurse driving it. Notice all that mud even on her clothes! It looked totally real. Which made me wonder if it was really mud or not. So I took my forefinger, and touched the edge of it. Lightly. I expected my finger to sink into the mud, but no, it was all fibreglass.
You would have thought that actually got into the car to get my photo taken or something at the way this guy went off at me.
Jill came over and said 'What did you do????'
I said in a sort of loud voice. Okay - loud voice..
"Mummy - I want to go home!!"
Jill laughed.
In actual fact, by this time I wasn't enjoying myself as the behaviour of this guy was actually rude. I would say he needed a bit of customer service training.
I accept that I probably shouldn't have touched the exhibit, but if they are really scared that one finger will damage the fibreglass, then mayI suggest glass enclosures? A simple, please do not touch the exhibits would have been sufficient, rather than being rude and treating me like a 5yo!
Here is the plane from the front - notice the mud! Fascinating! It's a Morane-Saulnier Type BB, constructed in 1915. Small two-seater bi-plane intended for the reconnaissance role. This one is a reproduction and is presently the world's sole intact example. Intact but minus a few bullet holes as the aircraft features in the drama of a wounded pilot being dragged from the cockpit.
This was one of the many smaller models put together. They weren't that big, but I was able to take the pictures as if they were flying, which I found a cool thing to do. I have no idea what they are, but if you'd like to tell me, just leave a comment, and I'll go back and name them.
Most of the exhibits told a story - a piece of history of the plane, and wax figures depicted these. This one is the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8..
Nicknamed 'Harry Tate'’ after a popular music hall performer, the RAF R.E.8 was considered neither popular nor much of a performer. It was nevertheless built in considerable numbers and proved a necessary if not ideal workhorse. Just two R.E.8s survived the ravages of time and these are displayed in museums in London and Brussells. The aircraft displayed here is a reproduction built exactly to the original 1916 specifications here in New Zealand.
There was a display of propaganda posters which I found most interesting. Actually - it makes me wild that governments used these tactics to get people to go to war. There were many more but it was quite dark so I couldn't actually photograph them as I didn't have my tripod. Here's another that was meant to help the war effort...
I thought silver bullets were only needed for werewolves?? Seems a waste of silver to me!
The next image is purposely 'out of focus' to give you the impression it is moving. To get this I moved the camera sideways as I took the shot. Worked well although I had to practice a bit before I got the desired effect....
This is a story to make all New Zealanders proud. It's about a Kiwi pilot, Keith Logan 'Grid' Caldwell.. A successful combatant and highly respected leader, Grid Caldwell became New Zealand's highest scoring ace with 25 aerial victories to his credit. The display shows an amazing episode in Caldwell's story in which he managed to regain control of his SE5a fighter after it was crippled in a mid-air collision, managing to stabilise it by placing himself half in and half out of his cockpit for just long enough to nurse it back to the lines and jump clear just as it was about to crash. Caldwell survived his fall, and the war, and was C.O. Of RNZAF Base Woodbourne for the first half of the Second World War! Pretty amazing really.
Here it is again showing by way of wax figure, how he landed the plane!
The next image is of a Fokker triplane...
These planes were made famous by the successes of 'The Red Baron' and his fellow pilots of the famous 'Flying Circus'.
Since the last surviving original Fokker Triplane was destroyed when the Berlin Museum was inadvertently destroyed by RAF bombing during WW-II, these are all carefully crafted reproductions, built to original dimensions and techniques, and kept in current flying condition.
The Triplanes on display are wearing the specific and carefully researched colours of individual machines that were operational with Jasta 11 during March of 1918. During this period the Jasta was being led by Manfred von Richthofen flying his all red Dr.I.
The following images are of a Nieuport 27 and a Siemens Schuckert in snow.
Here we see a Royal Flying Corps Nieuport biplane that has been damaged in a dogfight with a German Siemens Schukert. The Nieuport has crashed in a large tree and the pilot has managed to clamber down where he has been greeted warmly by the German flyer who has landed nearby. The two flyers share a cigarette as German soldiers look on, all of them standing in a think carpet of snow to produce what must be one of the most dramatic museum displays to be seen anywhere in New Zealand.
I did think the plane in the tree was very impressive.
Here is another one of the small model planes which I loved to photograph. No information about these ones that I can find now I'm out of the museum!
The following image is of the Death of the Red Barron. It depicts the death of Manfred Von Richthofen on 21st April, 1918. The Baron had been mortally wounded by ground fire while pursuing a Sopwith Camel at low level, just as another Camel was trying to attack from behind. Barely able to hold onto consciousness, the German ace managed to crash-land the aircraft before he died. The display shows the crashed,Triplane with the late Baron lying beside it, as Australian ground troops tear the Triplane apart for souvenirs, just as it happened 89 years ago.
Finally - just one more model shot which I think is bright and colourful and very cute. If I were to fly a plane, I'd want it to look just like this...
As we were leaving, Jill asked one of the men 'wardens' who worked there, how the displays came about as they were so fantastic, and so interesting.
His reply?
'Who cares????'
So we are still in the dark how this all came about. A great place to go to, really interesting. Shame about the grumpy staff, who could make such a difference to the visit. I don't regret going, but I would definitely like to know more.
I'm going to put some images of the museum up that I took, but don't ask me what the planes are, as I was so busy taking photos, I forgot to look. Besides I know nothing about planes. As far as I know they have wings, a motor and make a sputtering/chugging noise, and they fly and get you overseas when you need to go :) having said that, I did actually remember to take a picture of the information on this plane...
This is a Caproni CA 22 which was introduced in 1913 by an Italian Count (Count Gianni Caproni). It was configured as a parasol monoplane, meaning that the wings were perched above and separate from the fuselage just like a lady's parasol or umbrella. It served as a two seat observation aircraft and flew with the Italian army's No. 15 Squadron beginning in April 1915.
The example displayed here is the sole survivor, and until recently was the property of the Caproni Museum. So a pretty rare sight and wondeful that it can be displayed at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim.
I found a website with more information so am using this from now on...
This is an Etrich Taube. At the time war broke out in Europe, Austrian designer Igo Etrich's elegant Taube had already been a successful aircraft for four years, having first flown in 1910. Harking back to the centuries of man wanting to 'fly like a bird', the Taube (Dove) has the distinction of being the most bird-like of any successful aeroplane ever built. This is one of the most dramatic exhibits. The aircraft is displayed as though flying in formation with another Taube, at height above a huge photographic background. It is under fire from a British Be2c and the observer is twisting round to fire his rifle back at the attacker.
I have since been told that Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings fame has been involved in setting up some of the displays, with his Weta Workshops, and that he owns many of them himself. Not that we heard that from the people in the museum...
Although the museum was wonderful to see, I really wasn't impressed with the grumpy old man/men that were there for information and/security. Shortly after I took this shot, we were meant to go through a door to continue round the display. However, there was a number of people milling around there, so Jill, Ian and I decided to go the other way, where there were no people. We were then all told off for going in the wrong direction. We were spoken to like naughty children and told 'the planes were numbered!! It was quite a tirade from this old man.
Personally, when we were leaving, we decided it really would not have mattered which way we went, as most of the planes were all WW I, and with our very little knowledge it would have made no difference to us.
Then... just after this incident, I got told off AGAIN! This time really badly.. So badly that an American tourist also there, a complete stranger to me, told the guy not to treat me like a child and to keep his hair on. I didn't realise this at the time, but she came up to me later and told me that she thought he was my father, as only a father would speak in that way...
It happened like this....
You would have thought that actually got into the car to get my photo taken or something at the way this guy went off at me.
Jill came over and said 'What did you do????'
I said in a sort of loud voice. Okay - loud voice..
"Mummy - I want to go home!!"
Jill laughed.
In actual fact, by this time I wasn't enjoying myself as the behaviour of this guy was actually rude. I would say he needed a bit of customer service training.
I accept that I probably shouldn't have touched the exhibit, but if they are really scared that one finger will damage the fibreglass, then mayI suggest glass enclosures? A simple, please do not touch the exhibits would have been sufficient, rather than being rude and treating me like a 5yo!
Here is the plane from the front - notice the mud! Fascinating! It's a Morane-Saulnier Type BB, constructed in 1915. Small two-seater bi-plane intended for the reconnaissance role. This one is a reproduction and is presently the world's sole intact example. Intact but minus a few bullet holes as the aircraft features in the drama of a wounded pilot being dragged from the cockpit.
This was one of the many smaller models put together. They weren't that big, but I was able to take the pictures as if they were flying, which I found a cool thing to do. I have no idea what they are, but if you'd like to tell me, just leave a comment, and I'll go back and name them.
Most of the exhibits told a story - a piece of history of the plane, and wax figures depicted these. This one is the Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8..
Nicknamed 'Harry Tate'’ after a popular music hall performer, the RAF R.E.8 was considered neither popular nor much of a performer. It was nevertheless built in considerable numbers and proved a necessary if not ideal workhorse. Just two R.E.8s survived the ravages of time and these are displayed in museums in London and Brussells. The aircraft displayed here is a reproduction built exactly to the original 1916 specifications here in New Zealand.
There was a display of propaganda posters which I found most interesting. Actually - it makes me wild that governments used these tactics to get people to go to war. There were many more but it was quite dark so I couldn't actually photograph them as I didn't have my tripod. Here's another that was meant to help the war effort...
I thought silver bullets were only needed for werewolves?? Seems a waste of silver to me!
The next image is purposely 'out of focus' to give you the impression it is moving. To get this I moved the camera sideways as I took the shot. Worked well although I had to practice a bit before I got the desired effect....
This is a story to make all New Zealanders proud. It's about a Kiwi pilot, Keith Logan 'Grid' Caldwell.. A successful combatant and highly respected leader, Grid Caldwell became New Zealand's highest scoring ace with 25 aerial victories to his credit. The display shows an amazing episode in Caldwell's story in which he managed to regain control of his SE5a fighter after it was crippled in a mid-air collision, managing to stabilise it by placing himself half in and half out of his cockpit for just long enough to nurse it back to the lines and jump clear just as it was about to crash. Caldwell survived his fall, and the war, and was C.O. Of RNZAF Base Woodbourne for the first half of the Second World War! Pretty amazing really.
Here it is again showing by way of wax figure, how he landed the plane!
The next image is of a Fokker triplane...
These planes were made famous by the successes of 'The Red Baron' and his fellow pilots of the famous 'Flying Circus'.
Since the last surviving original Fokker Triplane was destroyed when the Berlin Museum was inadvertently destroyed by RAF bombing during WW-II, these are all carefully crafted reproductions, built to original dimensions and techniques, and kept in current flying condition.
The Triplanes on display are wearing the specific and carefully researched colours of individual machines that were operational with Jasta 11 during March of 1918. During this period the Jasta was being led by Manfred von Richthofen flying his all red Dr.I.
The following images are of a Nieuport 27 and a Siemens Schuckert in snow.
Here we see a Royal Flying Corps Nieuport biplane that has been damaged in a dogfight with a German Siemens Schukert. The Nieuport has crashed in a large tree and the pilot has managed to clamber down where he has been greeted warmly by the German flyer who has landed nearby. The two flyers share a cigarette as German soldiers look on, all of them standing in a think carpet of snow to produce what must be one of the most dramatic museum displays to be seen anywhere in New Zealand.
I did think the plane in the tree was very impressive.
Here is another one of the small model planes which I loved to photograph. No information about these ones that I can find now I'm out of the museum!
The following image is of the Death of the Red Barron. It depicts the death of Manfred Von Richthofen on 21st April, 1918. The Baron had been mortally wounded by ground fire while pursuing a Sopwith Camel at low level, just as another Camel was trying to attack from behind. Barely able to hold onto consciousness, the German ace managed to crash-land the aircraft before he died. The display shows the crashed,Triplane with the late Baron lying beside it, as Australian ground troops tear the Triplane apart for souvenirs, just as it happened 89 years ago.
Finally - just one more model shot which I think is bright and colourful and very cute. If I were to fly a plane, I'd want it to look just like this...
As we were leaving, Jill asked one of the men 'wardens' who worked there, how the displays came about as they were so fantastic, and so interesting.
His reply?
'Who cares????'
So we are still in the dark how this all came about. A great place to go to, really interesting. Shame about the grumpy staff, who could make such a difference to the visit. I don't regret going, but I would definitely like to know more.
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