#877 ... Sleeping City

An afternoon nap in Cuba Street ... oblivious to the wider world.

#876 ... School Girl Rush

A group of school girls on a mission .. rushing across Lambton Quay .. view looking south from Esprit and James Cook Arcade

#875 ... Keep on Truckin'

A line up of truck & trailer units on Thorndon Quay ... .. there were two more units out of shot to the right ... the giveway sign on the left is the start of Tinakori Road. The trucks were waiting to pick up earth being excavated from the Johnsonville railway line as behind the buildings .. behind me!

#874 ... Blue Crane

Not a bird ... not a plane .. but a crane .. disassembling another crane (yellow variety) ... Taranaki Street. The blue crane, the blue shroud around the building and the brooding sky made an interesting combination.

#873 ...The Watchers

Appropriately dressed and watching the proceedings across the road ... you can partially see the event reflected in the Cafe window behind the four dapper gentlemen. .. tomorrows post will have what was happening across the road

#872 ...Sleeping with the angels?

Outside dreaming

#871 ... STOP GO FAST SLOW

Modified road signage in Boulcott St ... another use for "gaffer" tape?

#870 ... It's coming

Kirkaldie & Stains are moving Christmas into the store ... just moments before this the young lady had had a happening and tipped one of the trees onto the street ... this was post-event as they recommnced their tree journey.

#869 ... 1963 Original

A 1963 original Fiat Bambina spied in Taranaki Street ... and with a delightful number plate. My mother had one of these ... red with soft top ... and with four teenagers on board we could almost get to 60mph down hill with a tail wind.

#868 ... Lion Supporter

The face of a Vodafone Wellington Lions rugby supporter .. this guy was handing out the flags and posters before the game ... many of the "younger" kids were also sporting these superbly done "big cat" faces ... awesome

#867 ... Little boxes on the hillside

Just like the PP&M song ... a typical Wellington vista ... looking North West from Barnard St, Wadestown towards the hills of Crofton Downs and Ngaio ... what is most evident is the amount of "green"

#866 ... Cookin' up a storm

Working the crowds on Lambton Quay ... promoting Jamie Oliver's new cook book "AMERICA" ... these guys were delightful ... the choice of the young dark skinned lady was inspired although she was not from the USA but her parentage had links to Africa and the Carribean ... I think that was right and the guy looked like old Mr America himself ... they were so friendly and keen to chat I forgot to ask their names ... it added some colour to the Quay on what was a mixed day weatherwise.

And now thanks to one of the faithfull followers of WDP ... Leif Hagan who added this.

Mr America = Uncle Sam ... who is the national personification of the United States and sometimes more specifically of the American government, with the first usage of the term dating from the War of 1812 and the first illustration dating from 1852. He is depicted as a serious elderly white man with white hair and a goatee beard, and dressed in clothing that recalls the design elements of flag of the United States—for example, typically a top hat with red and white stripes and white stars on a blue band, and red and white striped trousers

#865 ... Tug-o-War

The Original Version !!!

#864 ... All Black All Right

Ma'a Nonu on Lambton Quay collecting for the rebuilding of Samoa following the tsunami disaster. He was joyfully helped by Rodney Solialo, Piri Weepu (next to TV3 cameraman) and Neemia Tialata .. it was also interesting how many people as well as making a donation wre also getting autographs at the same time ... thanks for the help guys ... awesome

#863 ... Big Presence

CourierPost is celebrating its 20th year of business and so we would like to give you the opportunity to win $10,000*! They’ve placed some giant presents in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, each filled with 10 mystery items for you to guess at.

This yello present with a fair bit of presence is in the open space bwtween the NZ Staock Exchange and Te Papa (in the background) .. makes for a nice bit of spring colour!!

But it doesn’t matter where you are in New Zealand you can still take part. In order to have a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 just listen to Classic Hits each weekday between 2pm and 6pm from 12th to 23rd October. Each day there will be a new mystery item to guess at and they’ll be giving away a different clue each day as to what that mystery item may be. But don’t worry, if you happen to miss the clue on Classic Hits, we’ll be posting that day’s clue right here each day. Classic Hits will also be giving away 10 instant prizes each day so stay tuned.

#862 ... Under Construction

A fairly typical Wellington house under construction ... a challenging site, on a hillside, timber framing ... and a view ... on the road around the bays to the airport.

#861 ... In error

The F1 exhibition at Te Papa ... a must see, even for those who have no interest in motor racing ... the presentation and displays are "INFOGRAPHICS" at its best. This image was taken in error when someone bumped into me ... but it captures the speed and colour of F1 racing. Exhibition on till 1 November.

#860 ... Storm Warning

#859 ... Al Brown

"DON'T LET THIS GUY SCARE YOU"
Al Brown was at Moore Wilson's Freash his morning .. doing one of those things he does best ... talking with real people about his passion for fresh New Zealand food ... and how to make the most of it. He has just published a book "Go Fish" .. a superb publication on catching, cooking and eating kaimoana ... food from the sea. The book is a work of art in its self ... the cover can be taken off, unfolded to form a large poster of NZ fish species. The hard cover is beautifully embossed with the image of a fish ... so this publication is highly recommended. The cover photo is pure Al Brown ... in his element. Chef, TV presenter, writer and Wellington restaurant-owner - is one of the best known faces of New Zealand cuisine

Al Brown and Steve Logan of Logan Browns on the cnr of Vivian & Cuba Sts create culinary delights that are natural, with stunning flavours ... so when in Wellington make sure you get along to this restaurant which received New Zealand’s highest restaurant honour - Cuisine Restaurant of the Year - in 2009.

Hunger for the Wild
Away from Wellington, Brown and Logan are best known as co-presenters of the award-winning television food series, Hunger for the Wild, which has them visiting regional New Zealand, introducing great Kiwi characters, chasing down some of New Zealand’s finest food, and preparing dishes of wild game and seasonal delicacies.

Brown grew up in the Wairarapa region, in the southern half of the North Island, on a sheep and cattle property. His passion for the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, developed early in life when he went on regular hunting holidays with his family to the coast. After completing a culinary arts degree at the New England Culinary Institute, USA, then cooking in restaurants in North America, Europe and New Zealand, Brown returned to New Zealand and opened Logan Brown Restaurant.

#858 ... Walk About

A creche outing in the big city on a wet day ... all decked out in the safety green fluro vests ... Willis Street ... yesterdays pavement spot is middle of picture.

#857 ... Tickle

... and yet another coffee stop in the CBD ... this is under the delightful iconic Italian mural on the wall of the old Il Casino restaurant & bar in Tory Street... friendly team ... so call in and enjoy the coffee

#856 ... Eyes on the pavement

Chalk prose on the pavement outside Unity Books ... which incidentally is a GREAT bookstore that is also very supportive of local talent. The bookies at Unity know their books ... and obviously their footpath.

Book Activists around the country have launched a month-long programme of events. It’s all about discovering, exploring and loving our Kiwi books for New Zealand Book Month 2009. The festival is designed to celebrate the work of local writers and illustrators, runs for the calendar month of October with more than 200 uniquely Kiwi events and thousands of participants.

#855 ... Transformers

A new transformer being craned into position at the Kaiwharawhara substation at the bottom of Ngaio Gorge. The symmetry of the two cranes working in tandem caught my eye as I headed home up the Ngaio Gorge Road.

#854 ... Clarity

... well at last we have a clear view. View looking south towards upper Willis Street and Brooklyn. The wind turbine can be seen on the hill just below the window cleaner's left hand.

#853 ... Start Here

Well we all have to start somewhere ... motorbike school at the Wilson Carpark between Victoria St and Wills St. During the week and on Sunday for the market this place is super busy ... but Saturday morning its the place to learn on two wheels

#852 ... Saturday Morning

Outside Peoples Coffee in Garrett Street ... Saturday morning, fresh coffee, sunshine & friends ... heaven!!!

#851 ... Aligned

Waiting patiently in line for the next road ... Lambton Quay

#850 ... Getting the News

Recording a news story or making a travel documentary ...outside Air New Zealand ticket office, Lambton Quay

#849 ... Free Parking

It is good to know that when picking up you death certificate you get reserved parking ... interesting juxtaposition of parking sign and the Births, Deaths & Marriages office. Look closely at the building sign under the veranda.

#848 ... Flower Power

Doesn't really matter what sort of camera you have .. or even if you don't ... everyone appears to enjoy the sight of beautiful flowers.

#847 ... The Diner

Karl Randal is a project manager by profession and had a dream of running his own diner, mixing the best of that old school USA scene some Kiwi twists. His partner Debbie Wakefield has hospitality industry experience and now they have taken the leap, the Cadillac Diner at 112-116 High Street opened for business on Saturday 26th September.

The couple has stamped their own mark on fit-out. A huge 1958 Cadillac parked in the middle of the restaurant, warm leather booth seating imported from USA and even a Cadillac car seat sofa with working hail lights; 50's Coca Cola, James Dean and heaps of other memorabilia decorate the walls.

Waitresses in full '50s dress complete the scene ... shame they can't be on roller skates due to OSH regulations.(Occupational Health & Safety!!)
IMAGE by rumi ... thanks

#846 ... Tulip Day

Spring Festival gets under way at the Botanic Garden next weekend with the ever popular Tulip Sunday – a great opportunity to enjoy one of the country’s biggest and best tulip displays as well as music, Dutch dancing and food.

Tulip Sunday is great way to celebrate spring and the first day of daylight saving – something people will need to bear in mind if they are planning to come along. This year's festival also marks the 60th anniversary of the first mass planting of spring bulbs at the Botanic Garden.

"The government of the Netherlands gave the city nearly 20,000 bulbs in 1948 in gratitude for New Zealanders' hospitality to Dutch refugees after World War Two," Cr Wade-Brown says. "Our tulip bulbs now come from Southland but Wellington's Dutch community still provides the traditional food, music and dancing that helps make Tulip Sunday so special. Events like this are great way to experience and celebrate the city's ethnic diversity."

#845 ... Daylight Saving

Yes New Zealand put the clocks forward last night ... so we are officially on summer time ... so save the day light for when we put the clocks back and hour next autumn

#843 ... Spotted

Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is exhibiting at the re-opening of the City Gallery follwing refurbishment. Her exhibition based around dots creates a piece of installation art for the gallery itself . [Thanks to Rumi for this image.]

She has never seen this surreal vision she created for the re-opening of Wellington's City Gallery on Sunday. Now 80-years-old, she doesn't travel, so Dots Obsession Day, 2009 (a yellow room with black dots) and Dots Obsession Night, 2009 (a black room with yellow dots) were installed on her behalf by Yoriko Tsuruta, Etsuko Sakurai and Isao Takakura.

It took the trio, who oversee the installation of Kusama's artworks in museums and galleries internationally, two weeks to construct and paint the room installations, and four days to festoon them with adhesive dots and inflate the vinyl shapes. The exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years, is the centrepiece of City Gallery's first exhibition since it closed 11 months ago for a $6.3 million makeover. Last year one of Kusama's works sold at auction for more than NZ$7 million, making it the most expensive work sold at auction by a living female artist.

City Gallery exhibitions manager Gerda Nana said four giant containers had arrived bearing pieces from the artist while other works were airfreighted in. Kusama's distinctive creations will also include a public artwork made specifically for Wellington that will cover the exterior of the gallery, featuring her trademark coloured dots. Gallery director Paula Savage said the exhibition would appeal across generations. "It's an exhibition that will be unlike anything anyone has seen before."

#842 ... Majestic Internal

Internal perespective of the lobby area of the IBM Tower ... a symbolic world floatin in space ... the "crown of thorns" can be seen through the roof glazing ... often it pays to look up ... especially in places that you wouldn't normally do so
The external view of the IBM Tower ... and the "crown of thorns"

#841 ... British Empire

The British Embassy in Hill Street ... interesting in that the security guards came out again and asked me to desist from taking photos ... oh so precious!

#840 ... Fire Sky

This is the eastern sky as seen from my driveway, at 6:00am this morning ... only lasted a short time but quite dramatic.

#839 ... The fluro coats

It appears that many human groups like to feel connected by wearing the same "uniform" ... it's all about identity ... here is a group of security men at the rugby test ... which incidentally the All Blacks won 33-6

#838 ... What Action ?

Some of the rugby action from the test match ... however the security men must remain oblivious to it all and look for action in the crowd !!

#837 ... Flaming Ferns

Fireworks display at the start of the All Blacks vs. Wallabies test match at the Westpac Stadium ... two silver ferns

#836 ... Pacific Art

Rumi shot this from his iPhone during the Pacific Art opening session at the Exhibitions Gallery in Wellington on Thursday night. Middle of the picture is Daniella Hulmes, one of the 5 artists involved in this exhibition.This picture was shot though a hole in one of the wooden sculptures on display.

Pacific - 5 Women 5 Journeys
Alison Gilmour, Daniella Hulme, Juliet Best, Sylvia Marsters and Tui Hobson.

The art exhibition celebrating the diversity and influence of the Pacific region on five women artists living in New Zealand. 5 selected artists feature in ‘PACIFIC’ a very special group Art-Exhibition being held at the Exhibitions Gallery of Fine Arts, Wellington in September from the 17th September to the 10th October (including during the period of World of Wearable Arts for 2009).

The honourable Georgina te Heuheu (QSO)officially opened the show on Thursday.
The show features the eclectic styles and talents of the 5 very individual artists whose focus is entirely on the Pacific region. Inspired from the stories contained within their research and from their personal journeys.

“...delving into New Zealand's and the Pacific's historical and contemporary events has been one of the most stimulating and exciting pieces of research. We are truly blessed to live here in the Pacific and we are such a unique country within the overall region. It is definitely a privilege to be working as an artist and collectively with other artists to such an invigorating theme. We really hope people love this show as much as we have loved painting it...” - Artist Alison Gilmour

#835 ... Rest Time

Courtenay Place, lunch time ... time to have a rest on your own individual platform.

#834 ... Mellow Yellow

The kowhai trees behind the General Assembly Library in Parliament grounds.

The Parliamentary Library is a working library that provides research services for members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. There is also a public reading room for customers of the Library’s International Documents Service and the Parliamentary Information Service.

The building was designed by Thomas Turnbull in the Victorian Gothic style. It was built in two stages due to financial constraints: The west wing (now at the back of the Parliamentary Library) was built in 1883. The main front part of the building was completed in 1899. The parliamentary library has occupied the building since 1901, when it was known as the General Assembly Library. Other occupants have included government departments, Bellamy’s, and members of Parliament.

The library building was damaged by fire in 1907. The ornate main foyer was again damaged by fire in 1992. It has since been completely restored and refurbished.

#833 ... More Sushi

Another queue for lunchtime sushi ... Woodward St

#832 ... Step by Step

The painters reconditioning the Kirkcaldie & Stains signage ... helping or watching??

#831 ... Taxi Taxi !

Promoting Wellington Combined Taxi's on Lambton Quay ... or maybe new fashions from Supre ... the cellphone you wear!

#830 ... With ice, please.

The Guiness Book of Records for the largest G&T with ice !! ... YEAH RIGHT.
This is the beached fake iceberg that was found floating in Oriental Bay, about a month ago. All part of a marketing stunt that created quite a stir in the capital.

#829 ... Great Dog

My old Rover 3500 SD1 had the number plate "GR8DOG" ... but maybe this little Smart car would have been a better choice for it .. given the passenger being transported. Apologies for the poor quality of the image ... it was taken thru the dirty window of the Jag as I was heading home ... and somewhat surprised, by what I saw in front of me !!!

#828 ... Spring?

This tree in Chelmsford Street, Ngaio puts on this display every spring ... and has survived longer than usual due to the lack of wind ... it really does feel like we are heading towards summer!

#827 ... Art Installation ??

Is this for real ... cause nothing appears to be happening ... or is it a trendy art installation in the CBD ... Grey Street, Wellington CBD