#1094 ... Garage Sale

Aro Street ... pre-loved clothes and other goodies for sale ... a great pragmatic coat rack!!

#1093 ... Youthline

Dressed in costume to stand out from the "suits", collecting for Youthline on Lambton Quay ... bottom of Woodward Street ... this guy volunteers for Youthline for about 20 hours a week ... much valued commitment ... thanks.

YOUTHLINE
Youthline has developed a unique, community-based approach to the development and delivery of services, and we are the first point of entry for young people to access a wide range of youth development and support services. Youthline is a regionally focused, nationally linked service operating from an integrated model of evidence-based practice within a community development, training and youth development, and clinical services framework. Youthline brings innovation and experience to its research, evaluation and advocacy functions. We are a leader in the development of the Youth Work profession and provide expert consultation and policy advice. Youthline is proud to provide leadership and partnership with the community services sector.

#1092 ... eco friendly bike !!

Some Friday fun on a wet day ... the latest in eco-friendly invisible bikes ... bottom of Woodward St, Lambton Quay

#1091 ... Wet Day Coffee

Outdoor coffee is really popular on a wet day in Wellington ... YEAH RIGHT, Mojo's Coffee, Old Bank Arcade, Lambton Quay

#1090 ... Kitsch ?

An alternative example of a mirror frame ... made from rolled up film brochures and CD covers ... some may consider it kitsch while others see it as a memory spark for music and movies from an earlier time ... Kapai cafe, Courtenay Place ... they serve great fresh salads and meals.

#1089 ... Water Storage

Wellington's water storage lakes at Te Marua ... east of Wellington at the upper end of the Hutt Valley.

BRIEF HISTORY
work started in October 1980 on the two lakes, to hold 3,220 million litres – equivalent to about three weeks’ average supply. The consulting engineers were Tonkin & Taylor Ltd, for whom contractors Green & McCahill worked. The project was hit by ballooning inflation in the 1980s, when costs estimated in 1974, for instance, had to be multiplied by 361 percent.229 Water from Lake 2 flowed first to consumers in January 1986. However, leakiness seemed to dominate public perception of the lakes and led to five years of remedial work. The contractor was paid for this considerable extra work by the engineers’ insurers, but only on the steps of the High Court.230 The lakes were named after Stuart Macaskill in 2002, honouring the long-term water board member and regional council chairman

Before the lakes were completed, work began on a pumping station at Te Marua. This housed 10 pumps, to move water from lake to treatment plant or between the lakes, or boost the gravity flow of treated water from Te Marua to Karori. It was commissioned in December 1985. The Te Marua water storage and treatment project was completed in 1987 with commissioning of the treatment plant

#1088 ... Wet Lunchtime

Lunchtime on a wet Wellington day ... Borders magazine section, Lambton Quay

#1087 ... delish !!!

The delights at kaffee eis on Courtenay Place. My favourites are vanilla bean and lemon sorbet. Hmmmm ... mmmm

HISTORY
Established in 2004, Kaffee Eis represents a modern fusion of New Zealand and European flavour specialising in gourmet gelato and boutique coffee. The philosophy is simple - produce the highest quality product and deliver it with exceptional service to our customers. They make their own gelato - which many believe is as good, if not better, than you will find anywhere else in the world. They use authentic Italian recipes, enhanced by quality New Zealand fruit (whenever possible) and organic milk. With more than 40 different flavours, each of the shops has an ever-changing selection of flavours to tempt your taste buds.

The fruit gelato (with the exception of banana) are all sorbetto, water-based not milk-based (containing up to 38% real fruit) and hence are 99 % fat free; while the milk based gelato is just that - milk based, in contrast to ice cream which is cream based. This means that Kaffee Eis gelato is lower in fat than traditional ice cream and has a fuller more satisfying flavour. Traditional ice cream in a cone will never taste quite the same after you’ve sampled the delicious gelato in a crisp waffle cone.

#1086 ... A True Classic

Seen in Moore Wilson's carpark ... 1971, V12 ... stunning

#1085 ... High Noon

I went and had a haircut today ... however with the way that hair stylists dress for a day of action ... it seems like a visit to the OK Coral ... these two delightful stylists obliged with a back to back start, before commencing the shootout ... Brunette vs. Blonde ... it all got a bit messy really ... with hair flying all over the place ... YEAH RIGHT

#1084 ... Wikipedia Espresso?

Christchurch ... yes more travelling ... so here is an image of an alternative use for this cafe's espresso machine ... a new genre every 2-3 days ... all designed to stop the coffee drinkers talking about the weather !!!

#1083 ... Wellingtonian Winging to Gisborne

Images from the flight to Gisborne this morning ... just over an hour in a BeechD 1900D, 19 seats, and YES it is one of those planes where you can see the pilots and give them directions if you feel you are not on the right flight path ... YEAH RIGHT. In the top left hand photo of Mike (one of the pilots) you may be able to see Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro just above his sunglasses on the horizon. the strobe effect of the photo 0f the plane propeller in the sunlight creates an interesting effect

#1082 ... Wrights Hill Fortress

Wrights Hill Fortress was built in the 1940's as a long range coastal battery to protect Wellington city and environs from possible enemy attack and invasion from the Pacific in World War Two. The site was selected as early as 1935, but it wasn't until March 1942 that authority was given for work to proceed on the construction of three 9.2 inch guns.

Wrights hill, Karori, Wellington showing the concrete mixing plant during construction of defense works. 15-Apr-1943 The British designed Fortress was adapted to New Zealand conditions and by October 1942 construction was being pushed ahead with top priority. Towards the end of 1943 when the situation in the Pacific had improved, the priority lapsed and its completion was carried out in more leisurely fashion. The whole project was kept secret and was referred to as Site "W". A barbed wire fence surrounded the Fortress.

The extensive underground work started in November, 1942, by a firm of engineering contractors, Downers. They constructed the massive task of 2,030 feet (620 metres) of interconnecting tunnelling in just two years, worklng often three 8-hour shifts over 24 hours. When Downers became short of men in December 1943, the Public Works department helped out with men and machines. Two massive 185 horsepower Ruston and Hornsby diesel generators were installed to provide the power to manoeuvre the guns, and a smaller auxiliary generator was put in to provide power for lighting and air conditioning. Wrights hill tunnel up to gun emplacements 1944

Two huge 9.2 inch guns were installed by the Army in 1944, after arriving by ship fom England. The whole gun weighed 135 tons, with the barrel alone weighing 28 tons. The order for the third gun was cancelled after an improvement in the Pacific war situation. The guns could fire a 380 pound (172 kg) shell up to 18 miles (30 km) across Cook Strait towards Tory channel, or up as far as Plimmerton. Each shell was about three feet (1 metre) long and was propelled by two half charges of 62 pounds (28kg) of cordite. The guns of course never fired in anger but were test fired, each with three rounds, in 1946 and 47 after the War. The Army reported later that the "proofings," as they were called, were "most satisfactory". Broken windows resulted at the Fortress after the blasts.

The Fortress was used for training purposes up to the mid 1950's but a Government decision in early 1960 resulted in the guns being cut up for scrap and being sold, ironically, to the Japanese. The gun emplacements were filled with rubble and other equipment removed from the Fortress.

After years of neglect the Fortress complex was "rescued" in 1988 by the Karori Lions Club who opened them up to the public for the first time on ANZAC Day 1989. The Wrights Hill Fortress Restoration Society was formed a few years later and it has been actively restoring the coastal battery to its former state. Thousands of voluntary hours and tens of thousands of dollars have been spent over the past ten years on restoration work. This includes digging out gun pit number one, restoring the radio room, waterproofing inside the tunnels, rebuilding wooden walls, repainting and completely rewiring the Fortress. Work is also progressing on the engine room. A replica gun barrel, ten metres long, was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the installation of the guns at the top of Wrights Hill. The Incorporated Society's aims are "to restore and preserve the Wrights Hill Fortress as an historical monument for the benefit of the community". Membership is available to anyone for a small charge and money raised from membership and Open Days goes towards restoration costs.

#1081 ... The "new" Royal Thai Embassy

The old Thorndon Tavern under major refurbishment to create the new Royal Thai Embassy ... may currently be much much safer that their capital city.

#1080 ... Lord of the Rings country ???

The view from Wadestown to Ngaio looking across the Ngaio Gorge ... LOTR?

#1079 ... Thai Night

Two of the Thai dancers ... all ready to perform at a function,last night, to raise money for a monastery. The evening was made up of Thai authenticity right down to some very interesting and tasty desserts ... delightful

#1078 ... Religious Cleansing

Taranaki St ... giving religion a clean facade

#1077 ... On the street

An eclectic pair of shoes spotted walking along Featherston Street this morning ... a statement that reinforces the sunny autumn day

#1076 ... The Source of Wings

Sam & Belinda, the Winged Warriors at the Wellington source of Red Bull Energy drink... a secret location in the centre of the city where those neat little Mini Cooper utes .. and the large Red Bull can ... get replenished for your body's benefit. Note the rego plate on the back of the Mini.

Thanks guys for my Body & Mind vitalizer

#1075 ... Apartment View

The view from yesterday's apartments ... looking from the old dry dock tracks , across Evans Bay towards Wellington Airport ... the flat bit in the distance beyond the end of the wharf.

#1074 ... Apartments @ Cog Park

The new apartments at Evans Bay ... on the road to the airport ... and a great place to watch the boats and planes.

Designed by award winning architects Warren and Mahoney, these stunning apartments have the usual tow or three double bedrooms, underfloor heated bathrooms (some ensuite), entertainer's deck and car parking. The development also has bicycle and kayak storage on site. Fantastic sea views from every room and great afternoon sun. Quality fittings and added luxuries such as sliding timber privacy screens, 4-way ceiling heat pumps. This is an historical and coastal site that overlooks Evans Bay & Cog Park.

#1073 ... Good Night Kapiti

Tony, the resident weekend photographer at Peka Peka, seems to capture the brilliance of the evening with ease ... here is another sunset on the Kapiti Coast ... magic on your doorstep

#1072 ... Meet the Maker

Jonathon the spicy concoction maker from Palmerston North ... here he is at Moore Wilson's Fresh promoting his superb spices and dressings.

Jonathan's Spices was established in 2000 and specialises in high quality spice blends, flavoured oils, spiced salts and sauces. The spice blends are gluten free, and all products are preservative and additive free. Jonathan's Spices is based in Palmerston North and the products are available at selected gourmet food outlets throughout New Zealand. The spice blends are also available in catering packs suitable for use in the catering industry. Jonathan also provides corporate gifting and can cater these gift packs to suit a variety of needs.

Jonathan runs cooking demonstrations and tastings throughout the year. Please check the news page for upcoming events.

Recipes from previous cooking demonstrations can also be found on the recipes page.

#1071 ... Get Ready for the Game

The Boys from Blenhiem (top of the South Island) in the city for the Super 14 Rugby game ... Hurricanes vs. the Reds. They were dining at the Grand Century Chinese restaurant, in Tory Street ... and apparently they were also in town to look for some "fish tanks" ... at Mermaids !!!

#1070 ... Bird Bath

The water feature at Te Aro Park (formerly Pigeon Park) put to great use by the birds on a sunny autumn afternoon. View east along Courtenay Place ... Mt Victoria in the background.

#1069 ... Real or imagined

It is not often that you can be transformed from the real to the "not so real" ... yours truly helping out Dave at "man to man" ... the Hugo Boss boutique in Wellington ... a quiet motionless stint in the window displaying all the action of a modern (or was that old) male mannequin ... YEAH RIGHT

#1068 ... Legal Mentoring

Staff of Russell McVeagh ... Lawyers ... out and about in the city with students of Naenae College ... for this part of the treasure hunt they were on the corner of Midland Park ... another means of learning outside the classroom. WELL DONE Russell McVeagh

#1067 ... Scrap

On the Royal Thai Embassy building site in Molesworth Street ...eclectic sculpture in the making !!

#1066 ... Keepin' Warm

Conner of Vance Vivian, Lambton Quay with his very warm mannequin ... great style for the winter!!!

#1065 ... Graffiti Bike

An simple graffiti backdrop ... Waitangi park, Wellington

#1064 ... 'Canes sneek through

Enjoying the atmosphere and drama of a close, end to end game of Super 14 rugby at the Stadium

========
MATCH REPORT FROM TVNZ
Ma'a Nonu led from the front and scored a match-winning try for the Hurricanes in their season-saving 33-27 Super 14 rugby defeat of the Chiefs in Wellington on Saturday night.

The hosts somehow emerged on top in a frantic game which saw Chiefs first five-eighth Callum Bruce miss a straightforward penalty shot with two minutes remaining that would have handed his side the lead and a potential upset win. Instead Hurricanes prop Tialata drove over for just his third try in 85 matches for the franchise on the final hooter, earning a bonus point which could yet grant them a late entry into the competition semifinals.

The Hurricanes climb to within two points of the top four, with matches remaining against the Reds and Waratahs while the Chiefs remain stuck in mid-table, having gone winless through four matches. Down by 16 points after half an hour, the Hurricanes dominated possession and the penalty count in the second half to surge back, with Nonu a constant menace on attack. He scored the decisive try to give his team the lead with just 5min remaining, storming 30m after a sharp break from deep by winger Hosea Gear.

They then breathed a collective sigh of belief when Bruce botched his penalty shot. His team landed just three from seven shots, let down again by poor goalkicking following their awful efforts in last last week's 25-all draw with the Cheetahs.