#1682 ... New Year POSTPONED?

The whole country seems to be covered in rain ... and has caused the cancellation of many New year festivities ... including the fireworks on Wellington Harbour and the party on the waterfront. After all this we will be looking for a NEW year!

#1681 ... Holiday Work

It maybe a holiday for some but these railway workers were busy stabilising the rocky cliff face above the Johnsonville railway line. Kaiwharawhara, Wellington

#1680 ... Shorts'n'Shoes

The outfits for summer sale shopping

#1679... Gordon Blue

The new Cordon Bleu Cooking School under construction in lower Cuba Street. Fancy glass facade ... very fitting.

#1678 ... All Wrapped

It's a white Christmas ... all wrapped in white ... Stadium Gardens apartments under repairs ... to fix leaky building issues. Thorndon Quay.

#1677 ... OMG Sales

Oh no not another sale!!! ... Boxing Day, Willis Street

#1676 ... Christmas Bubbles

Not the usual bubbles we think of ... but great fun all the same. Beautiful sunny calm day in the Capital.

#1675 ... Last Minute Gift

Always guaranteed to please ... a decorated cup cake .. for that last minute gift. The Cup Cake shop at Smiths.

#1674 ... Little City

The greatest little capital city ... and one of its great little visitors. Lambton Quay

#1673 ... Coming & Going

Everyone going about their business ... Lambton Quay

#1672 ... Salvation Army Band

members of the Salvation Army Band playing Christmas carols on the Quay ... another piece of the festive season

#1671 ... Little boxes on the hillside

Well not so little really ... house on the hills above Oriental Bay, the suburb of Roseneath, Mt Victoria

#1670 ... NZ Christmas Trees

The New Zealand Christmas trees ... alongside Te Papa. To the left you can see St Gerrards (brick church) and in front of that the top of the Telecom Christmas tree which changes colour ... bean bags underneath for you to gaze at the sparkling lights.

The Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) is a coastal evergreen tree in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae, that produces a brilliant display of red flowers made up of a mass of stamens. Renowned for its vibrant colour and its ability to survive even perched on rocky, precarious cliffs, it has found an important place in New Zealand culture for its strength and beauty and is regarded as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira) by Māori.

#1669 ... Treat

Enjoying an icecream at Oriental Bay ... on a summer afternoon.

#1668 .... Kaffe Eis

The taste of summer ... Kaffe Eis, Oriental Bay

#1667 ... Electic Mural

Another of the city's eclectic and interesting murals ... makes you think ... is this a disguised bicycle? Like the fact the City Council's ubiquitous parking infringement notice also has to have a place!

#1666 ... A Christmas Window

One of the Christmas windows at Kirkcaldie & Stains. Enjoyed by young and old alike. Lambton Quay.

#1665 ... Family

A family outing in the city. Brandon st

#1664 ... Shapes

Shapes in the city. Willis treet

#1663 ... Serene Simplicity

Rumi captured this image at the Tararua Tramping Club community hall yesterday ... as he saw the late summer sun hitting the large windows, his eyes turned to Evie, a beautiful young lady who was at the Tango practice session. Evie's magnificent profile and the large bay window created this magical image. THANKS TO RUMI for an awesome photo

#1662 ... Morning has Broken

Morning breaking over Wellington Airport ... 5:30am this morning.

#1661 ... Carol Singers

Outside Moore Wilson Fresh ... delightful Christmas carols ...by real singers ... not plastic elevator musak

#1660 ... Christmas @ Kirks

The Christmas shop at Kirkcaldies, Lambton Quay

#1659 ... Comfort?

A token gesture to comfort. Old Bank Arcade

#1658 ... Bronze Blocks

The Intercontinental Hotel, Featherston Street. The bronze glass looks better in the bright sunlight. Bit overcast today.

#1657 ... Old and Newer

On the left ... The Old Bank Arcade, centre the Westpac Bank building ... each typical of the buildings of their time. Central Wellington

#1656 ... Antrim House

Right in the heart of Wellington is Antrim House, a prominent landmark in what was once a predominantly residential central city street. Its historic significance arises from its origins as the home of successful businessman and founder of R Hannah & Co Ltd, Robert Hannah, his wife Hannah and their family.

Antrim House (named after the county of Hannah's birth) was his last home, had all the latest conveniences including gas, electric light and bathrooms. It was designed in Italianate style by the firm of Thomas Turnbull & Son, which designed many other notable Wellington buildings. It has kauri panelling and staircase, stained glass windows (all different) and ornate ceilings by Wunderlich of Sydney. In the grounds are a stable block and conservatory.

Since Robert's death in 1930, Antrim House has been home to many people - as private hotel, public service hostel for young men. In 1979 Antrim House was given to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, who use it as their headquarters.

Though surrounded by high rise buildings, Antrim House still has its lawns and trees, an oasis of green in the city. The Hannah Room is available for hire for business meetings.

#1655 ... Wasted Park

It's always rubbish looking for a park in the city at Christmas time :-)

#1654 ... Reflected

Reflections in the glass of the Telecom Building, Boulcott Street

#1653 ... Waterfront Wedding

A superb day for a "white wedding" ... and photographs on the waterfront ... summer is really here.

#1652 ... Pirate Invasion

Obviously a "mystery treasure hunt" ... all sorts of different teams in costume today ... here are the Pirates.

#1651 ... A Summer Moment

Caught in the moment ... Swimmer and water connect ... Wellington Harbour. THANKS TO DAVID FOR CAPTURING THIS IMAGE

#1650 ... How many?

How many men does it take ....?. Featherston Street

#1649 ... Black Rain

Heading home in a rain shower ... and yes most people wear black ... even if it is meant to be summer. Lambton Quay

#1648 ... Oh Really

As if we really need to be reminded.

#1647 ... Shady Days

Sprinkled shade is welcome on a summer's day. Just the place to sit after you have done your civic duty and cast your votes in the General Election for Government. Johnston Street beside Midland Park

#1646 ... World Aids Day

The "girls" out collecting for AIDS awareness. Midland Park.

#1645 ... Lido Cafe

Another of Wellington's classic cafes ... The Lido, Victoria Street

#1644 ... Scooter in the Shade

In front of the Intercontinental Hotel ... classy transport.

#1643 ... Green Council ?

Some green against the City Council administration offices .. does that make them a green council ?

#1642 ... A grey summer day

YES it is summer but today we had rain and high winds ... 140km/hr ... enough to blow people over in the streets of the city!

#1641 ... A bit of Green

Amongst the roadways, the signs, the wires, the concrete and the buildings ... some green manages to flourish. Basin Reserve.

#1640 ... Fritter Fundraiser

Zibibbo's fundraiser for Spinning Top who help vulnerable kids through food. $10 a fritter ... this is able to provide almost 30 children with a nutritious meal. Outside Moore Wilson Fresh.

#1639 ... CROSS NOW

Outside Gordon Harris Art & Graphics Shop

#1638 ... Motorbike School

Learning to ride that bike. Willis Street.

#1637 ... Tattoo Shop

Tattoos inside ... artwork outside. Vivian St.

#1636 ... Morning Tea

Time for a great cup of coffee and a fresh muffin ... Magnetix, Johnston St.

#1635 ... Team Fluro

The Policeman and a group of Maori Wardens. We usually see them in their smart black uniforms on the streets and at public events, but not a lot of people know much about Whakatu Māori Wardens and their role in our community.

Just for starters, here's a surprising fact: Whakatu Māori Wardens work up to 30 hours plus per week, voluntarily. Much of that work is at night, and in situations that some of us might see as dangerous. This alone is testimony to the kaupapa, or guiding philosophy of the Māori Warden service, which is 'aroha ki te tangata' translating as 'compassion for the community'

#1634 ... Colour of Summer

The colour of summer ... an awesome day in the capital city ... be careful with that exposure to the sun ... ouch!

#1633 ... A Grey Day

Despite a superb sunny day on Friday, Saturday changed to a wet grey day. Karori.