#598 ... Nowhere to Go

New cars on the Wellington waterfront ... unloaded and nowhere to go ... a common image of the current state of the gloabal economy.

#597 ... Bike the Bays

A favourite Wellington activity ... biking around the bays ... and here cyclng through Oriental Bay

#596 ... Sky Blue

Looking north down the bottom of Tory Street ... more apartments under construction .. and with the obligatory safety net ... this time blue instead of the usual red or yellow ... the eastern edge of Te papa can be seen at the end of the street

#595 ... Cruise Capture

The other morning there were two cruise ships in port ... and as I stopped to capture the moment another guy had the same idea .. so I took the wider shot so you can get a full perspective from Wadestown Hill, across the railway yards, the ships, the stadium and across the Harbour to Oriental bay and Mt Victoria

#594 ... Grey Sky

A clouded view from the top of our driveway ... looking east

#593 ... Tracking on Up.

The steep access road to the work site on the hillside above Ngaio Gorge. The Johnsonville line is getting extensive work done to lower and realign the train track in readiness for the new trains. Much of the track is laid in the traditional manner but the tunnels require a pre-fabricated approach. The sections of track are made up in the workshop and delivered to the site on long truck and trailer units.

Cranes then transfer the track sections to these two excavators which then carry the track up the hillside to the train track above (where the workman in orange overalls are standing). the track sections are placed on low rolling stock and pushed into the tunnel where they are manouvered into their final place. The track floor has been lowered about 800mm, new drains and cable ducting installed, and the new track sections layed. About 4km of rail has been lifted and 6300 cubic metres of earth shifted in and around the tunnels so far.

#592 ... A bum wait

Yellow seats, at the beach volley ball, waiting for bums ... Oriental Bay

#591 ... A Roof Raising Experience

Photo taken from the Westpac Stadium concourse looking south towards Mt Victoria and Oriental Bay (left side) ... major construction rennovations at a building on the Wellington waterfront ... six cranes, craning their necks as they take the load!!.

The beach volley ball post yesterday took place on the beach at Oriental Bay just below the tall apartment buildings you can see against the green of Mt Victoria.

#590 ... Scarlett & Blundell WIN

Blundell & Scarlett (NZ) playing the German team in the Beach Volley Ball final at Oriental Bay.

New Zealand pair Anna Scarlett and Susan Blundell tasted victory at last Wellington, winning a thrilling final over German opponents in the second round of the national beach volleyball series today. After finishing runner-up in Wellington for the past two years, Scarlett and Blundell finally shook off the bridesmaid tag, beating accomplished foe Okka Rau and Helke Claasen 21-19 17-21 15-13.

Rau is a two-time Olympian, and ranked 14th in the world, so the win was especially satisfying for the New Zealanders, making it two wins from two events in the series. The lead changed several times in the deciding set, before some great serves and blocks from Scarlett saw the hosts to a popular win. Earlier in the day they enjoyed another three-set tussle in their semifinal, beating Americans Paige Davis and Jen Snyder 21-16 17-21 15-13.

Rau and Claasen won their semifinal 21-16 21-16 over the promising New Zealand combination of Emma Preston and Toni Edmonson. To make the semifinal was a victory in itself for Preston and Edmonson, upsetting the fancied Brazilian pairing of Nina Zgoda and Fernanda Costa in their quarter-final. (Report by NZPA)

For information on the world rankings

#589 ... Sandy Stretch

Not the usual photo of Beach Volleyball ... but probably one of the most important activities for top sports people .. stretching exercises before the match. This is Anna Scarlett rolling around on the court before their semifinals match.
>>>>>>
Anna Scarlett & Susan Blundell play their 3rd season together on the McEntee Hire NZ Tour, after completing their debut season on the FIVB World Tour.

They made outstanding progress throughout the 2008 World Tour , with their top performance coming in Norway, where they finished 13th. They are seeking their first NZ Tour win together, after making the finals last season in Matarangi, Wellington & Auckland.

Susan Blundell has previously won four titles on the national tour, her last win coming at Ohope in 2004. She is renowned for her strong blocking and serving game. Anna Scarlett is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished sportswomen, having played for Silver Ferns netball team, and the NZ indoor volleyball team.

With both players over 185cm, they have been dubbed beach volleyball’s ‘twin towers’.

For more information on the volleyball tour

#588 ... The Icecream Man

Taranaki Wharf ... while some had a cold beer in the brewery behind the icecream vendor .. others chose to stop and have a creamy refreshement. Te Papa and Circa Theatre are to the left of the photo. Look at the Google Earth image HERE to see the location

#587 ... Diving Dudes

A hot day in Wellington .. and these guys took advantage of the statue of the man leaning into the Wellington wind, to get some elevation for diving off the wharf ... in front of Te Papa. In the background is the Overseas Terminal and the yacht marina.

#586 ... Little Red Tugboat

Another cruise ship arriving yesterday ... they have been visiting Wellington at about two a week .. and provide valuable input to the city's economy. The morning was a bit overcast, so the palette was almost monochrome apart from the tugboat ... so the effect has been enhanced in Photoshop.

#585 ... Tinakori Wide

A wide load slowly navigating through the "after work" traffic on Tinakori Road ... the northern end of the city. City streets are not that friendly for the big stuff!

#584 ... No Train Today

MAJOR upgrade taking place on the Johnsonville Line ... after decades of promises it is finally taking place. At present the trains are replaced with buses as the work goes on 24 hours a day. The tunnels are being enlarged and the track repositioned in readiness for the larger train carriages.

This shot is of Ngaio Station ... my local stop ... and as you can see it is a big job ... that is the Ngaio Station sign, upside down resting against the right hand platform edge. The old track is visible in front of the sign.

#583 ... Pack up time

It must be over ... the Christmas Tree at Midland Park, Lambton Quay in the process of being packed away for another year ...

#582 ... Takeaway Night

Back to work tomorrow ... so takeaways tonight from Monsoon Poon in Blair St .. just off Courtenay Place ... even David Beckham dines here !!

#581 ... Good Night Kapiti

#580 ... A Day at the Beach

A great day at Peka Peka Beach ... a west coast beach ... churned up waves ... family, pets, sand & salty water ... awesome weather ... just the way to start the new year !!

#579 ... Kapiti Magic

... Apologies ... I didn't join the theme day for the first day of 2009, as being away on holiday and on the end of a slow dial up ... the thought of S L O W L Y surfing, browsing and selecting the image of last year, was a tad unwelcome ... HOWEVER this shot of last evening on the Kapiti Coast is a great way to farewell 2008 ... and welcome in 2009