Coming Up Close

We spotted this mural on the side of the SPCA (Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals) and loved it. It shows a shadow version of dogs, cats, birds and rodents playing on and under a tree. We can't wait to get our own rescue dog and another cat. Linking up with  Mural Monday .

I remember this scene in Paihia in Summer 2021. The man sitting on a chair on the left usually lives in Kerikeri, where we lived but I was surprised to see him here too but he was working on a piece of crochet with his needles, strange and cool but true. I wonder if he's on a quest to make as much as he can? Sometimes he would stand on a street with a sign saying "gratitude for a haircut" so I'm guessing he wasn't very well off but he seemed to be a nice person. Linking up with  Weekend reflections , All Seasons and the  Weekend roundup .

The kids and I were in Hokitika last week and I couldn't help but notice more signs of Spring. Flowering Tulips were sprouting in some of the streets out of plant bases outside the shops. I think they brighten life up nicely. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday  and  Tom's signs .  

These displays were admired by my daughter R and myself in one of the local Greymouth variety stores. We ended up buying a few costume things to wear to work on the day.   Linking up with  Through my lens ,  Ruby Tuesday ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world  and  Wordless Wednesday .

  I've got to have a good coffee each morning, something that wakes me up propertly. On a recent visit to a new cafe that's opened in town I saw they had a mural on their wall inside that I think it's advertising the brand of coffee that they use. Sadly eating there was not a positive experience but that's another story... Linking up with  Mural Monday .

In Hokitika is a possum fur/wool/merino shop that sells clothing, mostly for tourists. I was in there with my parents when they visited and I managed to capture a few images with signs and reflections. See what you think... My parents spent some time browsing all the wares in this shop so I had time for a selfie or 2 in the mirror. The old man, my father trying on a possum fur cap which he later purchased. Possums are not native to New Zealand, they were introduced by colonials but they have become a huge pest here as they eat the native plants and trees so there is an industry for using their fur. Linking up with  Weekend reflections  and the  Weekend roundup .

Now that Spring is here the shops are starting to show more clothing fashions geared towards Summer once it gets here in December. B and I were talking about what our Christmas Day plans could be, I don't think we will go anywhere except relax at home. We both work retail so our brains will probably be a bit exhausted after watching people go mad because the shops are closed on Christmas Day. We have been spending the last 2 weeks filling out endless supplies of paperwork for our mortgage with the bank and with our lawyer, thankfully yesterday we filled out the last lot. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday  and  Tom's signs .

So I was at The Warehouse last week and saw a few displays up showing Halloween costumes and decorations. Halloween really isn't that popular here but last year we had a few people knock at the front door trick or treating. I'm wondering if this year it's more popular or the in the South Island. We will see... In other news we have bought the house we put an offer on, move in date is 30th October. So exciting! Linking up with  Through my lens ,  Ruby Tuesday ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world  and  Wordless Wednesday .

 On the side of the building in one of Greymouth's streets in town is this mural showing how this particular road use to look in the old days of coal and gold mining, as you can see it looks like there is a gentleman in a suit crossing the road. Many of the original buildings are still there today. Linking up with  Mural Monday .

I've discovered this wee gem on the way to Westport. Located at the edge of the Charleston Cemetery is this monument named "Our Lady" she looks over mostly historical burials of Irish people who came here to gold mine when the area was first settled but she has been in the wars over the years. Apparently vandals broke her arms off and there were a few cracks. According to some local information I found someone found some mannequin arms which were put on and the local priest added some filler with paint and now she looks as good as new. Linking up with  Weekend reflections  and the  Weekend roundup .

Daffodils are just about everywhere here right now. I spotted these ones in garden planters on the corner of 2 streets in Wesport last week. They smell divine. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday  and  Tom's signs .  

One of my favourite brunch foods is Eggs Benedict. Last week we were in Westport with my parents and we stopped at a cafe we had previously eaten at. This is too much for myself to eat so B and I shared it and went halves. Linking up with  Through my lens ,  Ruby Tuesday ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world  and  Wordless Wednesday .

At Punakaiki aka Pancake Rocks on the outside of the Ice Cream shop is this mural showing some of the local wildlife such as the Little Blue Penguins. The artist is West Coast man Mark Haldane. Linking up with  Mural Monday .

On the outskirts of Westport just past Granity is this building named the "Ngakawau Tavern" just near the Stockton Mines . Apparently it use to be known as the "Charming Creek Tavern" due to it being close to the Charming Creek walkway. It didn't look too busy when we drove past but there is a sign on the building saying that rooms are $50 per night, so pretty cheap. Linking up with  Weekend reflections  and the  Weekend roundup .

Westport is one of those towns that was first settled in the 1800s by immigrant gold and coal miners. This building on the main street has been around since 1867 and was used by the Bank of New South Wales (which is in Australia) until 1967. These days it is used by a different bank Westpac. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday  and  Tom's signs .

In Charleston just before Westport is the Charleston Tavern and outside is their lovely old car. I'm not sure what the name of it is but many stop to take photos of it. Linking up with  Through my lens ,  Ruby Tuesday ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world  and  Wordless Wednesday .

 In a previous post I shared a similar mural named "Kaitangata" - this one is also another version of the same. I'm not 100% but I suspect it was painted by local artist Mark Haldane. It represents the old historical train which is now located at the Greymouth Shanty Town and tells a history of the town's coal mining. Linking up with  Mural Monday .

An old shot from when we lived in Mount Maunganui from 2016 until 2018. Pilot Bay was a very popular place to launch boat from. Always a busy beach over Summer. Linking up with  Weekend reflections  and the  Weekend roundup .