Napier

Jean writes:

Question - What is the most well-know Art Deco city in the world? 

There are plenty of candidates - New York, Prague, Paris, Valencia, Sydney, Riga, Miami, Melbourne, Barcelona, 

One of the most important, though, surely must be Napier which in 2007 was nominated as a World Heritage Site.

After the 1931 earthquake and subsequent fires had left the city completely devastated and the buildings of the centre needed to be rebuilt completely, the decision was to create a city in the latest architectural fashion - Art Deco.

Some of the city was part of the sea bed before the earthquake, but was uplifted by over two metres to add to the area of the city.  We saw the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes recently, but the situation in Napier must have been far worse.

The city now makes much of its heritage and the buildings are well maintained, including exterior paintwork.  The frontages are amazing and the variety of colours really shows them off well.  

There are beautiful flower bed displays along the front and in the parks, including one of my favourites, water lilies.  

In fact, Napier is also a port and the area is apparently the largest wool centre in the Southern Hemisphere.  It is also well known for apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, soft fruit and vines, and there was evidence of all of these on our drive away from the city to Taupo.

Saw this notice while out for a walk this evening to locate a convenience store for a few provisions.

Home killing service?

Really?

The day began with a pre-breakfast swim in Mike and Lorraine's pool - a real boost for both Dave and me - and possibly will end with one as our motel is located only a couple of minutes from the shores of Lake Taupo.

Smart Deco

Napier is known for its Art Deco and plenty of events are planned for the annual celebration of its renown this weekend.

Many of the locals are ahead of the game walking round town splendidly attired in 1930s garb which would have looked good in any episode of  Poirot.

Pleasant two-hour afternoon drive to overnight stop of Lake Taupo with its spectacular views up to the mountains.

Distressed  to learn on arrival of England's cricket thrashing by New Zealand back in Wellington where new depths appear to have been plumbed.

Our evening plan had been to watch the second of the two innings on TV but it was all done and dusted around tea time.

As it happens our motel has no link to sky TV so we would not have been able to see it any case.

Did manage to tune into latest round of New Zealand superman rural-style where one of the rounds comprised speed sheep-shearing.

Best of the day? 46 seconds to do two!

 

Windy Times

Jean writes:

Wellington is sometimes known as the Windy City.  We've experienced that from the Botanic Garden and also from Greg's house in Johnsonville, high up on one of the surrounding hills on the walk down to the main road to catch the bus into town or, in today's case to collect the hire car.  

We drove north along the western coastal strip and for once on our journeys recently, there were very few birds.  Parts of the coast were quite rocky, but the road curved inland after Otaki.  Much of the land was used as pasture for dairy cattle and sheep, although there was some maize and occasionally vegetables - potatoes, tomatoes, onions.  The plain widened out and cut through the gap between the Puketoi Range and Ruahine Range, both of which had deeply incised slopes.  

There were small pockets of vines but nothing like the blanket coverage we've seen previously.  

We stopped for a packed lunch just south of Palmerston North and beheld the largest array of wind turbines I've seen, probably in excess of two hundred.  You could see the effectiveness of the winds, even at the distance from which we viewed them.  

We are now in Napier with two more super hosts, Greg's parents! 

Close shaves

Dave writes:

1. Stupidly trying to prise toast out of the toaster this morning with a knife while not realising it was still on.

2. Being so distracted in new hire car and not noticing a car already on the roundabout. Narrowest of misses as Jean shouted and I braked just in time. Could have been end of holiday as I doubt any hirer would have taken us on after what so nearly occurred.

The new car is a 1.5 Mini Cooper just big enough for our ever expanding luggage.

Typical that we had a problem as we collected from Europcar who could not give us the promised manual drive.

Eventually they produced the mini which is fine though the root cause of the near-accident was me flicking on the windscreen wipers instead of the indicators and looking to solve the issue rather than attending to traffic issues.

Lesson learnt, I trust.

Sent from my iPhone

Wellington

Jean writes:

This morning we took a bus into the city centre and another out to Miramar, where the Weta Cave workshop are located in a small side street in a largely residential area.

The workshop made made award-winning props, costumes and armour for many great films, like the Lord of the Rings series, the Hobbit and Avatar.  It looks unprepossessing from the outside, but the interior is full of examples of the craft of the many workers, from Frodo's short sword, Sting, to the gun used by aliens in District 9 or a miniature of the castle used in Prince Caspian.

The tour was a fantastic insight and we heard about the different stages of the process that go to make any items needed in a film.  First of all ideas about design are tossed around by artists and, once approved, other people become involved - mother computer designers, the modellers, the engineers and the painters.  The last group not only have to paint items but may have to bash them around to ensure that they don't look too shiny and new! 

Some items, for instance, Aragorn's Sword, has to be made in steel for close up high definition shots, although another, much lighter version may be made for other shots.  

Vigo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, is a "method" actor, who likes to wear the clothes and handle important items in a film for some while before actually making the film.  Apparently he wore his sword when going to a night club in Queenstown and was refused entry due to carrying an offensive weapon! 

The afternoon was spent at one of our favourite places from our last visit to Wellington, six years ago, the Botanic Garden.  It was good to take a trip down memory lane, despite the steepness of some of the slopes! 

One small irritating part of the day was a scam when I went to buy stamps and acquire air mail stickers from a convenience store.  I had already stuck the air mail stickers on to my postcards when the guy behind the counter demanded two dollars forty cents.  Not much, I grant you, but since they are free at the post office and everywhere else, I was somewhat surprised and expressed my disbelief.  The guy's English was poor, and clearly had no idea what I was talking about, so Eventually I paid up for the stickers and left, without the stamps! 

Dining Out

Dave writes:

Lovely meal out with Greg at Asian restaurant in downtown Wellington.

Venue famous some years ago for fisticuffs between top journo and politico

No such excitement tonight as we worked through some authentic cuisine.

Reflections

We left Nelson today after a great four days at the Aloha Lodge.  The room at the motel was spacious and we had access to several "general" areas, including a lounge, which doubled up as a breakfast area, and also a big kitchen, laundry, computer and gardens.  

Tony , the manager, was excellent - couldn't have been more helpful or friendly - and we would definitely stay there again.  

The drive from Nelson to Picton for the Interislander Ferry just reminded us (as if reminders were necessary!) just what a beautiful area it is.  The sun was out, there was no wind, the multi-coloured sea sparkled and there was a good selection of water birds and the odd raptor to spot, along with reflections in all water bodies - sea, lake and river.

After Nelson, we climbed the winding route of the A6 into the upland and viewed the steep-sided valleys below us and the coniferous trees on the slopes.  Clearly logging takes place on the slopes and we've seen some heavy lorries carrying large logs and some timber industries.  

Back down the other side and into the flat land of the Rai Valley and the small amount of horticulture, and greater evidence of dairy farming.  Here the pastures are irrigated and grass is very green and juicy.  Further away from settlements the pasture became dry and yellow, with smaller densities of sheep and dairy cattle and some arable.

The lowland widened out into the Wairau Plain and suddenly there was kilometre after kilometre of vines (some open to the skies, others covered to protect them from the birds), with some well-known wineries - Brancott, Hunter, Cloudy Bay.  

Add to those delights the beautiful sights leaving Picton and arriving in Wellington on the Kaitaki ferry, and the ultra-smooth crossing, and Ican report that the day has been great.  

One fly in the ointment was the taxi driver from the terminal who didn't know where he was going and kept adjusting the hand-held navigation system on his phone, which wasn't working properly.  To say I was nervous is an understatement! 

Eventually he got us to Greg's place - Greg being a former colleague of Dave's at Reuters.  His house is high up on a hill and has great views.

Dave and I have also been reflecting.  We had initiated this trip with thoughts that it might be our last to this part of the world.  There have been several occasions in the last few weeks, though, when we have said, "When we come next time .......'  With that in mind, and taking into consideration the comments of Gay and Bob, who have apparently been inspired to start thinking about their next trip here by our blog, we are thinking about shorter distances travelled (once here) and longer stays in a smaller number of locations.  Maybe? 

Monday postscript 

Victor Meldrew writes:

I don't mind cricket but what on earth is all that pop music about?
Every time there's a four or a six and at the end of every over stuff blares out at full volume.

Add to that various other inanities and it's more like being at a pop concert rather than a cricket match.

I don't believe it.

Dave writes: I totally agree with Victor.

What would the likes of WG Grace and Wally Hammond have made of it? Very little, I hazard to guess.

At sea

It must be the sea air but something seems to bring out the worst in some humans when food appears.

As noted on the cruise ship off Alaska  a couple of years ago it seems like a constant round of feasting when aboard.

And even on the 3 1/2 hour crossing to Wellington this afternoon lunch and tea fare were available.

Unedifying, however,  to see the pros straight on the case at 2.55 pm when scones etc were put out just 45 minutes after lunch.

Pensioners all, sad to say.

It was all pre-paid of course in the Premium Plus Lounge but where's the dignity? 2.57 pm would have sufficed.

Must not be churlish or negative though. The larger picture remains a daily delight.

The morning's drive from Nelson to Picton was just the latest in a long line of super panoramas.

And the ferry crossing over to Wellington must rank among the great trips of the world.




Sent from my iPhone

World Cup Cricket at the Saxton Oval

Arrived early so we could be sure of getting parking space.  That was no problem and we were in the first batch of cricket lovers.  

Had assumed we would have seats, but in fact we were sitting on one of the grassy banks which surround the ground.  

Plenty to see as both teams were out in the middle warming up and the opening ceremony.

We brought drinks and sun screen with us - both needed as temperatures were up to 20 degrees C, but both were on offer from people dispensing them to spectators.

The ground is small and we had heard that the match was a sell-out but there were certainly plenty of free spaces, particularly in one of the stands - and irritatingly, the VIP seats had plenty of spare capacity.

Being close to Nelson, the Lord Nelson link was brought up by announcers on more than one occasion.  

An explanation may be needed for non-cricket lovers.  'Nelson' is a score of 111 - either for an individual or a team.  It's supposed to be an unlucky score, at least in English superstition, and evidently in New Zealand too.  Players have to beware and teammates or others should stand on one leg until the score has moved on.  David Shepherd, MBE, the former English player and much-loved umpire used to do exactly this whilst umpiring.  Very amusing as he was of ample proportions.  

The connection between 111 and Lord Nelson - one eye, one arm, one leg.  

I had a good chat with his lordship this morning.

I'm known for taking my camera with me on most occasions, "to be on the safe side" - you never know what you might snap.  On the one occasion I didn't have it with me today, I saw saw Sir Richard Hadlee, surrounded by little boys who wanted his autograph and to have their photos taken with him!

All in all, a lovely day, in a lovely little ground with the mountains providing a great backdrop.  Our tickets were in the Family Enclosure, so are neighbours were great and it was super to see the children playing.  The one exception was a couple, canoodling in front of us at the end.

Great show from the Irish fans too.

Dave writes: 

Ireland in historic win

No fluke about Ireland's first ever victory over West Indies, by four wickets with 4.1 overs to spare. They had the opposition on the ropes at 87-5 and although the bowling yielded 198 in the last 20 overs the West Indies' total of 304-7 still seemed chaseable on a good wicket.

Apart from a late wobble, the Irish batting looked at ease with Paul Stirling (92), Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O'Brien (79 not out) all impressing.

A bad day for West Indies, who without the 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Lendl Simmons (102) and Darren Sammy (89), would have suffered even more. Ironically, Ireland are coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, uncle of Lendl.

Ireland were 3-1 against a win today but I would not bet against them reaching the last eight. The rest of the group is UAE, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan.

Tutti Fruitti

Jean writes:

No big plan for today - just driving west but mostly north out of Tahananui (a few kilometres outside Nelson) along the coast.  

Elevenses were on the agenda, though, and Dave made the most of his apple and berry strudel.  

We saw banners proclaiming Motueka street market (the furthest North) and decided to go there first, so we didn't miss it.  

My face lit up at the first stall - Aqua Sinka - which dealt in weights used in fishing.  No, I haven't taken up a new hobby.  I've needed one for my jewellery making for months but haven't been able to acquire one.  Amazing I should see just what I wanted here, though! 

Other purchases were from a fruit stall - peaches and strawberries for our "home catering" desserts.

We had lunch just outside Motueka near a rather strange memorial, which commemorated:

the Port of Motueka , along with jam factories and stores;

a local trooper who had died of enteric fever in the Boer War;

The accession of Edward VII.

Once again a plethora of birds were on view on the beach and mud flats, including what I think is a Giant Petrel.

Returning to the topic of fruit, it is really important in the Nelson region and has been for many years - apples, pears, peaches, plums and a variety of soft fruit.  

Fruit has been a major export from Nelson but also from the wider area.  Much used to handled at Mapua, our first and last stop-offs of the day.  In 1918 2,500 cases of apples were shipped out for the local market, and this grew to a peak of 486,000 cases in 1952.  The wharf is no longer used for shipping, but has been saved by a local group so that plenty of shops trade there now, along with a small museum - and today there was live music from a rather blues/rock band,

Grapes are also grown in the Nelson area and it has become well-known for its wines, along with the Canterbury and Marlborough regions of South Island.  

In the swim

Dave writes:

I can't remember how long it is since I swam in the sea, possibly 20 years or more, but today I did. 

The water in the bay has looked more and more inviting and this afternoon about 5.30 it proved  warm enough for me to chance it. 

Great to go with the waves surging and it brought back memories of the glory days of my childhood in the North Sea, off Redcar.

The other sea tale of the day comes from another bay, 20 miles away.  

Beached  high, dry and rusting as it has been for over 50 years lies the ex-anti-submarine mining vessel, latterly fishing trawler the Janie Seddon. 

She was built in Scotland in 1901 and had a varied career before being abandoned on the beach for scrapping, which for various reasons was never carried out. 

Controversy grows locally about her future but in today's sunshine she looked a tad romantic, albeit sad in her rustiness. 

 

111 or - for non-cricket lovers - Nelson

 Jean writes:

We were delighted to find that a continental breakfast is included in the price we're paying at Aloha Lodge, which is comfortable and good value.  We've been buying provisions in supermarkets of late and having breakfasts in our rooms, or outside on the deck if conditions allow, so this is a pleasant departure from the norm.  We've also been providing half of our evening meals from deli counters, pie shops, or take-away pizza parlours, which has all been useful for finances.  

The plan was to investigate our local area this morning so we set off for a walk along the beach five minutes from our motel.  The tide was ebbing leaving a great expanse of sand, and myriad oystercatchers, both black and pied, (with the odd gull) poking around in the sand at the water's edge.

  

Every now and again one of them would find a tasty morsel and go scuttling off up the beach in order to safeguard his catch from its competitors. 

The beach is backed by dunes, stabilised by tough grasses with really long runners.  

This contrasts with some of the coastal landscape we've seen in recent days, with limestone cliffs, volcanic rocks, wave-cut platforms, layered mudstones and strange rock shapes illustrating folding and tilting of the sedimentary rocks.

This afternoon we headed for the centre of Nelson where we enjoyed lively street market, a small art/craft gallery, where I fell in love with a couple of pottery bowls on sale, and the Nelson Museum.  This was a huge contrast to the museum of a couple of days ago.

The presentation was interesting and up-to-date, with local history, Maori art, World War I tributes and a section on Nano Technology Photography, called "Small Matters: Art from the World of Nano Technology".  It comprised a series photos entered into a competition showing a whole variety of materials, organic and inorganic, seen through high powered microscopes.  There were some wonderful patterns and colours.  See: museumnp.org.nz 

Sporting intelligence

Dave writes:

Jogging on beach near Nelson this morning with gulls and oystercatchers for company by the water edge. 

Nice way to start the day and later on at the sports field  by our motel we saw the early stages of a local youngsters' cricket tournament helping mark the World Cup coming to Nelson on Monday. 

It will be a full house of 6,000 at the Saxton Oval where Ireland play West Indies. We have tickets and did a recce today as the ground is about eight miles outside Nelson. 

Not well signposted or heralded but we eventually located it near the local sports centre. 

Should make a scenic backdrop for TV and a huge contrast to Melbourne which we viewed with sadness tonight as England crashed to another defeat. Finn hat-trick meaningless, alas. 
Locals happy though after New Zealand easily beat Sri Lanka in Christchurch. 

The  NZ v OZ match in Auckland on Feb 28 should be a cracker - and we managed today to get tickets. 

Meanwhile, a TV audience of 1.2 billion is expected for the India v Pakistan game tomorrow.