On the spot

I've noticed all around the West Coast these little dairies/shops are dotted in some of the smaller towns. Can't call them a Four Square because they are independantly owned and charge higher prices. This one is in Ikamatua near the hotel/tavern.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

 

Travels through Otira Gorge

Last week B and I travelled out to do some sight seeing through the Otira Gorge, about 90 minutes out of Greymouth. B regularly drives through this area for work so he thought I might want to see the snow that's been recently dumped there. 

Otira Gorge is a highway that runs through the mountains on the way through Arthur's Pass, eventually ending up in Christchurch. We didn't know it was going to be as cold as it was, in fact in the last photo I was wearing a winter coat and an extra layer underneath of thermal clothing but I think I should've worn a sweatshirt of jersey too as the windchill felt like it was about - 5 degrees celsius. 

Despite the Winter cold we did see some incredible scenery.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Ruby Tuesday, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

Coffee cup

Another local Greymouth mural - this one on the side of a green building that is leased by a cafe. I have tried finding out who the artist is but have had no luck.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Youth

A year ago more or less when we were in Auckland while walking past Aotea Square I saw these young ones practicing their dancing skills while music was being played from a boombox in the background. I remember thinking how cool it was that they weren't afraid to do this in public.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Robert Harris

I was able to get my first haircut done last week since we've been in Greymouth, the last one I had was before we moved about 4 months ago so needless to say I looked very overgrown and moppy. Afterwards although the wind was chilly and down to about 10 degrees celsius I had a brief walk through a couple of streets and took photos - the tree on the right has nearly lost all it's leaves in time for Winter. This week our nightly temperature is 1 degree celsius.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Kokatahi Hotel

Another typical Kiwi pub/tavern - this one in Kokatahi is just outside of Hokitika on the way to the Hokitika Gorge. Hotel in New Zealand isn't always one of the chain hotels, it can also be somewhere people drink, have a meal or book a room for the night.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Ruby Tuesday, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

White Heron

This colourful mural is on the side of a building which houses a vegan cafe in Greymouth. Painted by artist Mark Haldane I think it shows a White Heron bird. 

Linking up with Mural Monday.

X-Ray Eyes

While we were holidaying in Fiji 4 years ago I took a few photos of the local wildlife. This little black crab was sitting in the low tide waiting for the ocean to come back in. I think he has weird googly eyes.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

Warning!

Winter is here. Rain has been forecast since last week and we are starting to see snow on the mountain tops.  After a particularly stormy night I drove down to the nearest beach about 5 minutes from home and took this photo of the private airfield next to the walkway. We have an approximate average temperature of 10 degrees celsius during the day expected.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Arahura River

 

Last week on Queens Birthday Monday, B and I drove to the Arahura Valley which is just north of Hokitika in search of Pounamu aka Greenstone. Originally I was under the impression that the ordinary person was not allowed to pick up this gem from river beds but after googling again B found more up to date information which said that you can as long as it's not from private property.

We had heard that this particular river is a good place to start so we carefully climbed down the rocks to the water below which was freezing cold.

 

We managed to walk across the river further upstream where it was shallow over to the sand and rocks on the other side. 

These are the pieces that we found not just on the sand but in the river water. When they are wet you can see how green they are but once they dry they turn a dull grey. B is going to buy some polishing equipment so we can shine them up nicely.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday treasures, Ruby Tuesday, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

Greymouth Evening Star Mural

I spotted this mural on the side of the local Newspaper building - the Greymouth Evening Star which was first established in 1866. It's circulation area covers most of the West Coast from Westport right down to Haast in South Westland. This mural depicts the town's history through the gold and coal mining era as well as today.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Whangaroa Memorial Hall

The last time I drove through Kaeo, in the far north I made a note to stop and take a photo of the memorial hall on the main street of town. This relatively modern looking building is also where people gather on ANZAC Day every year for dawn services.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Four Squares are everywhere

In just about every New Zealand town there is one of these like this one in Kaeo. Four Squares are like dairies, corner shops, 7/11 stores but they are all under the Foodstuffs umbrella and individually owned privately.  These are like traditional kiwi icons.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Houses old and new

So Greymouth being originally an old mining town is full of houses from different eras. There are Victorian, art deco, 1950s, 1960s and modern. These 3 are just a few examples of what I've seen in my neighbourhood.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, Ruby Tuesday, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday

Hi Possum!

I saw this wee mural on the wall outside a shop in Hokitika 2 weeks ago. The artist is Clare Reilly from Christchurch and she has been painting/exhibiting her artwork for over 3 decades. Possums, as cute as they are, are pests here. They eat our native flora and take away food sources from our native birds and creatures.

They were introduced from Australia in in 1837 because of their fur and there are many shops throughout the country which sell products made from it. Although a bit expensive the clothing is extremely popular with tourists. Some people have Possums as pets, in fact I remember one of my cousins had one many years ago.

Linking up with Mural Monday.

Valentines Day

This was taken back in late January when B and I first visited Greymouth. Typical signs out advertising what I think is just another day.  Bah humbug. Personally I think if you can't appreciate someone throughout the year then a day isn't going to make much difference, but that's just me. 

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Hokitika Clock Tower

This large clock tower is in the centre of Hokitika, I've been wanting to get a photo of this baby since we moved down. It was initially named as the Westland War Memorial, then the Coronation and War Memorial and was commemorated as the region's contribution to the 2nd Boer War not just for the 4 local men who died but all 130 who also gave their lives. An extra purpose was to provide the town with a well seen clock.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.