Wordless Wednesday

February 28, 2018 / Su Leslie / 22 Comments

DP Photo Challenge: a face in the crowd, take 2

February 27, 2018March 22, 2018 / Su Leslie / 21 Comments

Mingling with the ancestors; modern-day Aucklanders against life-size photo from the city's past. Image; Su Leslie, 2015

Crowd within a crowd. Modern-day Aucklanders against life-size photo from the city’s past. Image; Su Leslie, 2015

Daily Post Photo Challenge | a face in the crowd

Silent Sunday

February 25, 2018 / Su Leslie / 11 Comments

Friday flowers

February 23, 2018February 25, 2018 / Su Leslie / 16 Comments

The Changing Seasons, February 2018

February 23, 2018March 5, 2018 / Su Leslie / 56 Comments

Plate of seasonal fruit; nashi, nectarine and passionfruit. Image; Su Leslie, 2018

February’s finest. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

I guess we all have different ways of marking the passage of time. When I was a child, it was about birthdays, Christmas, school holidays, and later exams and assignments due.

During the “corporate” years, campaign launches, Board meetings, AGMs and salary reviews signposted the flow of months and years.

These days, it’s food. Late October is when the first local strawberries appear. November and December are cherry and pomegranate months. January brings plums and good sweetcorn, while February is all about stone fruits and passion-fruit. And I know we’re nearly in March because the apples and pears are looking fresher, and the local garlic not so much.

And in case you’re thinking that my month has been all nectarines and nashi, here are a few shots from my February. Perhaps I over-shared the fun, sunshiney stuff already.

Another stormy beach; Firth of Thames, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Martha Mine, Waihi. Currently closed due to the massive landslip. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Ohinimuri River at Karangahake Gorge, NZ. Currently subject to an application to mine for gold. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Stormy beach, with clouds reflected in wet sand. Waihi Beach, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Storm brewing, Waihi Beach, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Castlecliff Beach, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough." Walt Whitman. Close up shot of four clay figures seated on bench. Detail from uture Islands exhibition, Tauranga Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Detail; Future Islands exhibition, Tauranga Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Ohinimuri River, flowing towards Karangahake Gorge. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Alone. Exposed volcanic rock in Taupo Volcanic Zone, at Mangakino. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge, originally hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman, whose post for this month can be found here.

I’ve taken over hosting duties this year, and if you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:

The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):

Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them

The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):

Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.

If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.

UPDATES

Here are other bloggers’ Changing Seasons’ posts for January. Please visit and enjoy the month though their eyes. I’ll keep updating this as I see them:

Max at Cardinal Guzman

Marilyn at Serendipity

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Sarah at Art Expedition

Deb at The Widow Badass Blog

Ju-Lyn at Sunrise, Sunset

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Ruth at RuthsArc

Jude at Under a Cornish Sky

Mick at Mick’s Cogs

Colline at Colline’s Blog

Thanks

Ka kite anō | see you soon

DP Photo Challenge: a face in the crowd

February 22, 2018February 22, 2018 / Su Leslie / 46 Comments

Rowers from a local school club bringing in the pilot boats after a training session, Hobsonville Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Rowers from a local school club bringing in the pilot boats after an early-morning training session, Hobsonville Wharf, Auckland, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie, 2017

Being part of a team is in some ways analogous to being “a face in the crowd”. Teams work best when individuals work towards their shared goal, rather than trying to stand out and be seen for their own performance. This may be particularly true of rowers where, apart from the cox, the movements of all crew members need to be synchronized.

Daily Post Photo Challenge | a face in the crowd

Wordless Wednesday

February 21, 2018 / Su Leslie / 38 Comments

“… a thin stream of serenity”

February 20, 2018February 21, 2018 / Su Leslie / 64 Comments

Corten steel and glass entrance way to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Entrance to cottage garden, Bason Botanic Gardens, Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2018

Life is anything but tranquil at the moment, and I need a gentle reminder to slow down, worry less and notice more the beauty around me.

In Whanganui a couple of weeks ago I saw this rather imposing structure at the Bason Botanic Gardens. The words on it read:

“Through the trouble of this world there still runs a thin stream of serenity for those who seek it.” — Stanley Bason

In 1966, Stanley Bason gifted his home and farm of 25 hectares to the city of Whanganui, for the “creation of a botanical reserve.” He firmly believed that as population increased and urbanisation spread, people would need beautiful, open spaces in which to relax and escape the pressures of everyday life.

His generosity and foresight have provided the people of Whanganui, and visitors, with just that.