Coming Up Close

  This has got to be the only McDonalds I've ever seen that has a decommissioned DC3 plane as part of their store and playground. Seen in Taupo 3 years ago. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday   and  Tom's signs .

  It's been a while since I've visited Westport. Last time we were there I spotted this hefty looking sculpture on the main street. Crafted by Kapiti artist Bodhi Vincent it is made out of Kairuru Marble which is a coarse grained, crystalline stone and is named "Hine Ora" - Guardian of the vital life of all nature.  Linking up with  T hrough my lens ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world   and  Wordless Wednesday .

  I have alot of cousins. My mum is one of 9 siblings who have all had children (my cousins) and their children have had children. I have one who lives in Hokitika and another one was visiting the West Coast last week so my daughter R and I had lunch with the 2 of them. I don;t know why the waitress in this photo was wearing a mask as those mandates went out a long time ago, perhaps she wasn't well. We tried one of the local businesses, Stumpers Cafe and Restaurant for lunch and I was pleasantly surprised. Good coffee at a reasonable price and tasty food, nothing expensive so we will probably go back again at some point. Good news is the cousin who was here for the week is moving to Rangiora soon which is just outside of Christchurch so hopefully we will get to catch up a bit more. Linking up with  Weekend Reflections   and the  Weekend Roundup .

  Another shop on the main street of Hokitika - this shop sells products made of Paua shell and other giftware. If you haven't tried  Pāua  (a type of Abalone as other countries call it) then you're missing out on something good. There are number and size limit rules that people can take here to protect the marine species from going extinct, some people obey and sadly some don't. Personally I prefer them creamed on toast or in a fritter - either way they are delciious if cooked the right way. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday   and  Tom's signs .

  This memorial statue dedicated to Scottish hero Robert Burns is located in Hokitika and was unveiled on 4th June 1923. We were in town last week and enjoyed a lovely sunny warm Spring day - the skatepark behind the statue was very busy with lots of children (school holidays). Linking up with  T hrough my lens ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world   and  Wordless Wednesday .

  Taken at one of the local petrol stations in town while I was waiting in line to use a pump. It was a very very full on day yesterday so I couldn't wait to get home after work. For those who commented on the last post about Kiwi Rail, the word "Kiwi" doesnt just refer to the Kiwifruit (as we call it) but it also is kind of a nickname that people in New Zealand aka Aotearoa call ourselves. Linking up with  Weekend Reflections   and the  Weekend Roundup .

  The beginning of the Tranz Alpine Train at the railway station next to my work - the trains here are pretty cruddy compared to other countries. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday   and  Tom's signs .

  One of the more popular places in town - my daughter works here and gets paid better than I do. Linking up with  T hrough my lens ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world   and  Wordless Wednesday .

  Another example of beachside apartments, these ones though are in Paihia along the waterfront - you literally cross the road to get to the beach. Linking up with  Weekend Reflections   and the  Weekend Roundup .

  Just outside of Orewa, which is just north of Auckland (when we holidayed there last November) we drove to a nearby town of Manly. Back in the days when my grandparents lived in Orewa they use to drive through here on the way to my nana's doctor which was here but further up the road. It's changed alot over the years. Linking up with  Skywatch Friday   and  Tom's signs .

  I haven't visited this town in a few years but it's still a favourite place. Warkworth is about maybe an hour north of Auckland. The water i nthe scene is the Mahurangi River and flows out through the harbour to the Hauraki Gulf. Linking up with  T hrough my lens ,  Tuesday Treasures ,  My corner of the world   and  Wordless Wednesday .

  Always good to catch up with friends for a good natter but not as long as the footpath is not blocked. Linking up with  Weekend Reflections ,  Shadow Shot Sunday   and the  Weekend Roundup .

  I spotted this Elephant sculpture in Khyber Pass in Auckland City last year which was outside a Thai restaurant (my favourite food btw) but apparently since we were there last it has closed and a private buyer bought it to put in his garden . Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs .