The Changing Seasons, June 2019

Waikato morning. Image: Su Leslie 2019.

It seems like winter arrived with indecent haste this month. Cold air, lowering clouds, morning mists, not to mention the odd thunderstorm or two. On a scale of one to indoor beanie-wearing, we seem to be hovering on Ugg boots.

The first half of the month disappeared in a haze of flu-recovery, but in the last couple of weeks, the Big T and I managed to get away for a long weekend in Tauranga (with a detour to Field Days), and discover a regional park that could become our new favourite place.

Field Days, Mystery Creek, Waikato, NZ. Not really doing justice to a four-day event that attracts over 130,000 visitors. Image: Su Leslie 2019

We’ve been telling ourselves for years that we really should go to Field Days. It’s a huge agricultural trade show, and useful for the Big T to do some business networking. But it  also gives a fascinating snapshot of an industry that has both real and mythical significance to the NZ economy and psyche.

It was bigger, noisier and more confusing than I expected, but I am glad we went.

 

 

 

Trusting there is actually a bridge behind the mist. Driving to Field Days. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

I love the sign. What it doesn’t say is that you probably have to buy it at birth to actually achieve that claim. Image: Su Leslie 2019

New Zealand — where police vehicles include tractors. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Never to busy to check FaceBook — or more likely the Field Days app. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Looking as overwhelmed as I felt. Image: Su Leslie 2019

After exhausting ourselves looking at diggers, chainsaws, water flow indicators (as you do) and the latest from Swanndri (iconic Kiwi clothing — what’s not to love about scratchy woollen bush-shirts?), we headed to Tauranga where the skies were blue, and the weather practically tropical (for a while at least).

 

 

 

McLaren Falls Park, Kaimai, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Sunset, Kulim Park, Tauranga, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Twilight, Tauranga, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

I think this is the remains of a punga log, but I’m not sure. Seen at McLaren Falls Park, BoP, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Seen on the wall of an empty building, Tauranga, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Detail of punga log (or whatever it is). Image: Su Leslie 2019

The Pacific Ocean from Ohope Lookout, BoP, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Twilight, from the apartment balcony, Tauranga. The next residents might not be so lucky as there’s a multi-storey carpark being built next door. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Sunshine on Ohope, BoP, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

While we were there, the Tauranga Art Gallery had an exhibition of work by local artist, Natasha Cousens. Called ‘Let Me Tell You a Story’ it consisted of sculptures created from clay, fibreglass and textiles; all referencing the wildlife imagery common in fairy tales. It’s the artist’s first solo show, and I found the pieces slightly disturbing and sad, but beautiful and exquisitely made.

 

 

 

A rainy-day visit to the Mahurangi Peninsula, just north of Auckland allowed us to discover Scandrett Regional Park. Formerly a farm owned by the Scandrett family, the park still contains the old homestead, with its beautiful cottage garden. Around the coast a little, at Scott’s Landing in Mahurangi Regional Park, the rather grander Scott family homestead still exists too. Both houses have been preserved; the latter by the Auckland Civic Trust which holds occasional open days.

 

 

 

Hauraki Gulf, from Scandrett Regional Park, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Old-fashioned roses, homestead garden at Scandrett Regional Park. Image: Su Leslie 2019

New growth, Pohutukawa tree on Scandrett beach. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Scott’s Landing, Mahurangi Peninsula, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Scott’s Landing, Mahurangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Scandrett homestead. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Image: Su Leslie 2019

Scott Homestead, Scott’s Landing, Mahurangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

Beach, Scandrett Regional Park, Mahurangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019

During June I’ve taken part in 30 Days, 30 Songs, hosted by my dear friend Sarah at Art Expedition. It’s been lovely to each day choose a piece of music and reflect on what it means to me. There has also been a certain amount of self-imposed stress, deciding what’s in and what’s not. So you won’t be surprised that I’m going to sneak an extra track into this post.

I love Sentimental Walk, from the 1981 film Diva. It is very like Erik Satie’s Gymnopédie No.1 — another piece I love. Both make me think of Paris, but also of wintertime rain.

You can hear Sarah’s latest musical choice here.

 

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.

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.

Please check out the Changing Seasons — June for these awesome bloggers:

Ladyleemanila

Little Pieces of Me

Pauline at Living in Paradise

Tish at Writer on the Edge

Joanne at My Life Lived Full

Ruth at Ruth’s Arc

Marilyn at Serendipity — Seeking intelligent life on Earth

Jude at Life at the Edge

Ju-Lyn at All Things Bright and Beautiful

A Wonderful Sheep

Tracy at Reflections of an Untidy Mind

Yvette at Priorhouse blog

Gill at Talking Thailand

Mick at Mick’s Cogs