Muriwai - September 2019

The Summit Road Christchurch

Above is an old image of the Summit Road taken at least a decade ago - a reasonably wide carriageway, not entirely for the faint hearted in places but a grand and very scenic drive around the top of the old volcanic crater rim above Lyttelton and Christchurch.

Images below show one of the the most damaged sections post the 2011 earthquake which closed this section of road for some years and has only relatively recently re-opened to walkers and cyclists. 

It would be quite an undertaking to open it to normal traffic again. 

Part of the now closed section of road 

Interesting (volcanic) geology revealed  in this cut.

Below some of the damage to the roads guard rail caused by falling rocks 

Lake Coleridge Power Station

The Coleridge Power station Wikipedia New Zealands first power station in which the State was involved, first generating in 1914 and still contributing to our 80% renewables electricity supply.

Interesting in that it involve the partial diversion of the Wilberforce River which keeps the natural lake full.

Google map

Near Lake Coleridge

Not a bad place to call "the office"...!

Canterbury Sunset

Sunset on the Port Hills 

Sheep

Taken on the port hills up above Christchurch - freezing cold and very windy, I had to feel sorry for the fellow on the hill checking out the paddock intruder.

Banks Peninsular

Quintessentially New Zealand

While visitors to NZ have their must see brochure items, Mitre Peak, Mt Cook and Rotorua as someone who grew up in the South Island and who later lived on a good sized block of land and raised cattle there is something about this picture from the Canterbury foot hills that speaks to my Kiwi heart.

The pier at New Brighton - Christchurch

Fog on the Waitemata Harbour

Ferry Wharf at Devonport 

Wharf at Navy Museum 

Ferry / Fishing Wharf at Devonport 

Fishing at Muriwai

Hardy souls fishing at Muriwai , their reward a small  snapper, it is a beautiful if dangerous location.

Sadly two people lost their lives this month fishing here, fishermen are recommended to wear a life jacket, few do.

(July 2018)

(2017) 

Not just fishermen taking risks (2018) 

World War two relics North Head

Another from the Ohinemuri River at Karangahake

Ohinemuri River at Karangahake

Early morning on the river

Sunset - Northwest Arch Canterbury

View from the Transalpine Train

Waitawa Regional Park

Situated east of Clevedon and about one hour in the off peak from the Auckland CBD is the Waitawa Regional Park.

There is a long sandy beach with some picnic tables, at least one BBQ and good changing rooms etc. There are amazing views out towards the Coromandel from the road leading into the park.

Wharf very popular with fishermen, a five minute stroll from the carpark.

Coromandel off in the distance (below right)  about 25km across the water.

Auckland City from Torpedo Bay

Misty mornings in the countryside

Limestone formations north western Waikato - Lord of the Rings filming location

For more than 20 years on my many many work related trips between Auckland and Wellington I flew relativity low (perhaps 10,000 feet) over an interesting looking set of limestone formations in the north western Waikato.

I thought I would go and have a look at this area, the easiest access is from Port Waikato and along a short stretch of unseal road. Below is the GPS log file from my camera and an arrow indicating the general location of the formations. Unfortunately the very low sun angle resulted in much area of deep shade.

I did continue on a long, slow but very scenic route as indicated - very low traffic, no mobile phone coverage - if you go take a paper map and be willing to get your car dirty, not suitable for camper vans.

Some filming for the Lord of the Rings movie was carried out in this area - the location for "WeatherTop" - see here Lord of the Rings Wiki