#1561 ... Uneasy neighbours

To the left is the uninspired GCSB Building ... a solid chunk of concrete with a part glass facade that attempts to lighten the impression. The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) states that they contribute to the security of New Zealand through the provision of timely foreign intelligence to Government and assisting Government departments and agencies to protect their electronic information resources and communications systems. Hmmm ... a heavy statement just like the building

On the right is the more distinctive, modern castle shape of the Revera Building ... a Craig Craig Moller design. Located on the corner of Mulgrave and Pipitea Street, this modern office tower used to offer excellent harbour and city views in a charming setting next to Old St Pauls cathedral. The harbour views have been gazumped by the GCSB Building on its east side.

In essence two buildings that sit uneasily together. Thorndon.

#1560 ... Tattoo

Tattoo Apartments behind the Victoria School of Architecture ... they fit the locality and make a statement. Abel Smith Street.

#1559 .... Window Shopping

Looking at the toys in the window of Cranfields, Johnston St.

#1558 ... This is BLUE

Just in case some have forgotten what it looks like ... this is blue sky framed by trolley bus wires. Spring is in the air.

#1557 ... Red Display

Setting up the Father's Day window display in Kirkcaldies. Each window had a colour theme ... this was the red one!

#1556 ... Daffodil Day

Daffodil Day is the Cancer Society's annual flagship event and one of the most important fundraising and awareness campaigns in the country. As well as providing an opportunity to raise awareness of cancer in New Zealand, Daffodil Day is a major funding source for the Cancer Society. We are proud to be regarded as one of the country's most trusted charities and this is reflected in our fundraising practices.

The daffodil is one of the first flowers of spring, whose bright yellow blooms remind us of the joys the new season will bring. It represents the hope there is for the 1 in 3 New Zealanders affected by cancer.

The donations we receive go towards vital scientific research into the causes and treatment of all types of cancer, as well as providing a wide range of support services, information, health promotion and education programmes to reduce cancer risk, awareness campaigns and programmes for people affected by cancer.

The National Bank of New Zealand is the proud principal sponsor of the event, and the hard work of its employees helps focus the nation's attention on our cause every year.

This is outside the National Bank in Featherston St ... where sausages wrapped in bread entice further donations to the worthy cause.

#1555 ... SUN Umbrellas

YES the umbrellas are for the sun ... it's always great down on the water front when the sun is shining ... Mojos Cafe

#1554 ... Everyone's Eating

On the wharf precinct in the sun eating lunch ... even the outline on the window advertising Wagamama

#1553 ... City Textures

The old wharf buildings ... brick work creates texture and colour.

#1552 ... Man and his dog

Mr Plimmer and his dog ... the statue at the lower end of Plimmer Steps ... photographed many times a day by visitors to Wellington

#1551 ... A Great Day

What a difference a week makes ... the snow and the rain has gone away so Wellington was out enjoying the sunshine ... and try to get those "crocodile bikes" going in the right direction. Waitangi Park, Chaffers Precinct.

#1550 ... Hello

"hello ... we are in Cuba Mall, where are you?"

#1549 ... NO ENTRY Rainbow

View from Tory Street ... Old Il Casino building on the left ... just happened to be in the right spot

#1548 ... Vivian St landscape

The small park in front of the Victoria University Architecture School (dark red building on right), Vivian Street

#1547 ... Then & Now

This is not my photography, nor is it Wellington however it shows and interesting portrayal of then and now ... and very worthy of a larger audience ... Thank you Jeanette King who holds a photo of Christchurch's 1945 snow storm, in the same spot where it was taken ... and compares to the situation now. Today in Wellington is back to cold southerly wind and rain ... most of the snow has melted away.

#1546 ... And still it snows

Our local street ... this has got to be the most snow Wellington has had in a very long time. Yesterday was the second coldest day in Wellington since they started recording temperatures.

#1545 .... "Sorry" ... Little Car

The snow continues ... amazing ... and enough to disrupt transport in the city and suburbs and despite yesterday's statement ... it was 1992 when we last had significant snow in Wellington.

#1544 ... Wellington ... Really !!

A once in a decade event ... the last time our place was like this was '93 I think ...about 2-3cm of snow on the ground ... amazing but I do prefer the summer !!

#1543 ... Reptile .... Lobster ... ????

Already nick named as the "lobster loos"
on Wellington's waterfront ...they have already attracted international attention but the locals are asking for a less offensive moniker to be used.

The public toilets on Queens Wharf opened yesterday after three years of design, planning and debating over the NZ$375,000 price tag.

They are the latest addition to the capital's quirky lavatories, which include the Evans Bay Parade boat sheds at Balaena Bay and the Te Aro Park mural toilets in Courtenay Place. Wellington Waterfront chief executive Ian Pike is encouraging people to use the official name, designer dunnies, rather than lobster loos.

"It was a name that came out fairly early on in the piece but, we're moving away from it because there's some cultural sensitivity. "Food and toilets actually don't go well in Maoridom ... we had some feedback from the local iwi that indicated that wasn't a good reference."

Armadillo, crayfish and anteater have been touted as alternative names, but lobster loos seems to be the favourite for architect Bret Thurston's winning design, chosen from 28 entries. It is hoped the two concrete tentacles shrouded in orange steel, with a disabled access unisex toilet in each, will attract tourists and raise the city's profile.

"The brief for the toilets called for designers to be creative, practical, and for the structure to take on a sculptural form that will be locally and nationally recognised," Mr Pike said.

#1542 ... Delivery

Everyday all over the city, the couriers pick up and deliver ... the small medium and large packages ... someone will be pleased with their new piece of hardware. Featherston St.

#1541 ... Frozen in Time

Fish, vegetables, flowers frozen in an ever changing artwork ...in the forecourt of Moore Wilson's Fresh, College St.
Ian Hornblow, front-of-house manager and business partner at the White House restaurant, and owner and chef Paul Hoather, are creating a temporary ice sculpture as part of the Visa Wellington on a Plate festival.
12 blocks of ice, each weighing 150 kilograms and containing fresh fish, flowers, and vegetables, were installed against a wall in the store's atrium.

Several more blocks were later unveiled, which will be carved into some kind of sculpture in the next couple of days. Hornblow, an experienced carver, said he did not have a firm idea of what form the ice would take. "Whatever comes into my head, pretty much." Once finished, the sculpture should last two or three more days, but it was impossible to pinpoint how long it would take before the elements melted it down. Moore Wilson has paid the costs of creating the sculpture, supplying the fresh produce now encased in ice, and the blocks themselves, which were created by local ice suppliers Ice Point in a purpose-built freezer.

#1540 ... Artist's Logo

The brand logo maybe ... for a street artist.

#1539 ... Dinner at a Pinch

Your seafood dinner courtesy of Moore Wilson's Fresh, College St

#1538 ... Coke Christmas ????

Only just pass mid-year and Coca Cola already have their christmas trees out ... haha. Cafe Breton, Brandon St

#1537 ... Ball of wool Cat

Another of the great pieces of wall art that you spot in all sorts of places ... always interesting and quite eclectic.

#1536 ... Double Size Me

How appropriate ... the DOUBLE decker bus stops right outside McDonalds ...

#1535 ... Clear as

It's that time again ... the office windows are due for their clean by the smiling window cleaner.

#1534 ... Winter Trees

Bare trees in Lambton Quay ... another sign of winter.

#1533 ... Another Hole

Another hole in Featherston Street ... again.

#1532 ... Multi-purpose Transport

Self powered transport that is also very multi-purpose ... and gives you a work out. On the right hand side of the image ... Solace in the Wind.

This is a 2 metre high bronze cast of a man leaning forward into a good old Wellington gale perched on the edge of Wellington's spectacular waterfront. Sculptured by Max Patte it is said that he stood in this exact spot when he'd been going through a bad patch. The view and feel of the wind soothed his soul and inspired him to create Solace in the Wind.

#1531 ... Walking in the middle of the street

More road works in Featherston Street ... so the pedestrians are re-routed down the middle of the road ... with the "City Guardians" as guides.