Tongiriro River, Turangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
My July began and ended with travel, leaving the in-between bit less than memorable.
Work took the Big T to Melbourne, and I joined him for a long, sunny weekend. Melbourne is a city I know well, so seldom do touristy things there. Instead I’m happy to walk the different neighbourhoods, visit galleries, drink far too much coffee, and enjoy the vibe.
Hosier Lane street art. These days it’s easier to photograph visitors photographing each other than to shoot the actual art. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Bees; Southbank, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Workers cottages, North Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
The Yarra at Southbank, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Dedicated to the restoration, repair and sale of violins, violas, cellos, West Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Street art, South Melboune. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Sunset on the Yarra, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Bolte Bridge at sunset, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Docklands apartments, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
The ‘Polly Woodside’, South Wharf, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
‘Three Businessmen Who Brought Their Own Lunch: Batman, Swanston and Hoddle’. Corner Swanston and Burke Streets, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Detail. ‘Three Businessmen Who Brought Their Own Lunch: Batman, Swanston and Hoddle’. Corner Swanston and Burke Streets, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Bronze sculpture, Gillie and Marc. Part of ‘Travel the World with Love’ exhibition. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Photographic exhibition, The Block Arcade, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
‘Tofu for Dolphins’ — naturally. Sign that never fails to amuse me, Victoria Street, North Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Hosier Lane, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Hosier Lane, Melbourne. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Last week I drove to Whanganui to see my father, tacking on a side trip to Palmerston North and an overnight stay in Turangi on the way home.
Whanganui’s an attractive city with a thriving arts scene (definitely a bonus), but what makes the trip even better is that it takes me through some of the North Island’s most rugged and beautiful scenery.
Wall poetry, seen outside Palmerston North Library. Image: Su Leslie 2019
‘Nga Huruhuru Rangatira — Feathers of the Chief’, Robert Jahnke. Seen at sunset the play of light on steel was beautiful. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Wall poetry, seen outside Palmerston North Library. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Street art, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Street art, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
‘Bearing’, David McCracken, Whanganui Riverfront. Image: Su Leslie 2019
… and on my left — apparently — another wind turbine. Maybe, through the mist that shouded the Saddle Road a few minutes after the blue-sky shot was taken. Image: Su Leslie 2019
On the right — glorious sunshine and a wind turbine. Saddle Road, Ruahine Forest, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Sunset over Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Building, Mangaweka, New Zealand. In 1973 artist Robin White painted this building, with a 1930s truck parked outside. The painting has become famous — my photo, probably not. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Rangipo Desert, North Island New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2019
First glimpse, Mt Ngaruahoe. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Mt Ruapehu from Whakapapa Skifield. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Sunset, Castlecliff, Whanganui. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Looking at the photos I’ve taken this month, street art and stunning sunsets seem to predominate. I was about to sigh wistfully and say it would be wonderful if every month offered up such treasures — but I suspect I really just need to look harder.
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 — July 2019 for these awesome bloggers:
What a beautiful collection of marvellous photos, Su Leslie! I think I’d very much love Melbourne and its art and sense of humour.
I often think the same about taking ‘selfies’ instead of taking photos of art and/or details along your way. What’s interesting of having ‘you’ in front of the Eiffel Tower or the Château of Versailles???? Nada…. Anyway, mustn’t grumble – being negative isn’t making me happy. But your photos and stories do – thank you.
Thank you 🙏 Please don’t get me started on the subject of selfies — one of my pet hates, especially around beautiful art. I get really angry with people who seem to regard art as a mere prop for their photographic vanity.
Being negative might not make you happy, but in this case I think it makes you in the right, Kiki. 😉 Selfies are just horrible and there’s seldom a sight I despise more than people holding up their phones and taking pictures from themselves in that stupid from above angle. 😂
Your camera always seems to find things that are both interesting and beautiful – like the Businessmen Who Brought Their Own Lunch and the snow covered mountains. A great July, Su!
I was thinking I liked one city over the other, but I don’t. I loved seeing both for their diversity. Oh, the selfies. Yes, let’s please not even go there….
Whanganui (and Palmerston North for that matter) and very small cities compared to Melbourne. I love them all, but find Melbourne exhausting these days.
Melbourne is one of my favourite Australian cities. I confess I have a bit of a fetish for the tiles in the arcades there. Sounds like you had a fabulous time, Su. Coffee and people watching. Fabulous.
I hope your dad was well. It looks like such a nice drive to visit him.
My monthly contribution will be late again I’m afraid.
Thanks Tracy. My dad is surprisingly well for his age and assorted medical conditions 🙂
Timing isn’t a problem; it’s always lovely to read your posts — whenever you have a chance.
Now I am starting to get itchy feet again, it has been far too long since I even ventured out of Cornwall! But travel has to wait a while longer. Your NZ photos are enticing me back to your country, so much beautiful landscapes and Whanganui looks very interesting. I’m not so keen on the Melbourne sculptures though, they seem a little weird to me. Not sure I’m going to get my monthly post in as it is blowing a hooley here today!
Oh. Hope you’re ok (you and the garden).
I’m sure you’d enjoy another trip to NZ, though if you’re anything like me the loooong flight is a bit off-putting.
Whanganui is lovely, and not particularly touristy. Like a lot of places it’s traditional industries have been lost, and it’s become something of an arts centre. The national glass-art school was there for a while, and glass artists are still there in abundance.
I found Singapore oppressively humid and could hardly tear myself from the air-conditioned shopping malls — and I’m not a shopper.
Having said that, I’ve just realised that Dubai is similarly humid during the months I’d probably want to travel. The alternative is to go via the US — perhaps San Fransisco.
Ah – so many beautiful photos and art and photos of art!! 😍 I’m literally drooling over it all and can’t wait to see both cities for myself one day! Love the street art, especially that sad looking fish! And the land- and cityscapes are wonderful! 😄💕
really enjoyed the street art, art, and buildings
oh and sunsets and sky shots.
but the street shots – esp the ones with the murals or art walls – really interesting and the photos just offer so much for viewer’s to glean on their own.
What does Tofu for Dolphins serve up? Or is it even a cafe? (You know me, always fixated on eatables)
I have enjoyed your dreamy and scenic shares …. older Daughter and I were just marveling at your Long cloud last night. From this end, I fully echo your intention to keep looking to find the sunrises!
Thanks Tish. I don’t have to drive very far to feel grateful for the lovely countryside. Now if only Auckland traffic would let up, I could make that drive in a bit less time.
You have really captured the atmosphere and quirkiness of Melbourne, a city I love too and would like to visit more often. As for Wanganui I think I will have to put it on my “to visit” list next time I am over. Well once more I have just managed to squeeze in, all be it one day late….
I think you’ll like Whanganui Pauline. There are so many artists living and working there — it is quite inspiring. And the Bason botanic gardens are really lovely. I didn’t have a chance to visit this last time, but they are a usual haunt on my visits.
Don’t often get down that way on our visits as most of family and friends live around Auckland. But it really sounds like our sort of place. Thanks for the link
So love your street photos and landscapes Su 🙂 Couldn’t pick a favourite
Here is my contribution. Perhaps it is too big for what you recommend, sorry http://bushboy.blog/2019/08/02/this-is-july-2019/
Thanks Brian. There are no rules on length (I’m no a fan of rules at all really). Blogging should be fun and a chance to share whatever we want to. Loved seeing July in your part of the world.
All photos great as usual Su. But I just love that mountain and I can’t wait to see it. Bali is competing with NZ for our next destination. I’m favouring NZ. Jo Bali. We’ll see. Melbourne is an exhausting place. I spent last night down there after going to the footy. Our team lost so the crowd was more despondent and more relaxed. The other side was from Adelaide so not so many of those crow-eaters around. We spent the night at our friends’ city apartment and that was wonderful. I’ll put something together for July. Cheers
🙂
I used to avoid Sydney, but was lured back by Sculpture by the Sea and was surprised by how much I like the city.
I think, as with Melbourne, that when I visit I tend to stay very close to the CBD and use public transport (in off-peak hours), and I’m on holiday so don’t feel rushed. My partner spends a lot of time in Melbourne for work and experiences it more like a (jaded) local.
Nice to meet you, Su. I’m participating! Heard about the challenge from Sarah, the washing machine expert. 😉 Love the snaps of the street art. Miss a good art scene, ever since I moved to Thailand. Most cities don’t cultivate creative spaces. Cheers!
Tongiriro River, Turangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2019
Zimmerbitch 
Some fun art!
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😀 I’m not sure if there is more street art around me these days, or if I’m just noticing it more. Either way, I am enjoying it!
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As long as you’re enjoying it!
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What a beautiful collection of marvellous photos, Su Leslie! I think I’d very much love Melbourne and its art and sense of humour.
I often think the same about taking ‘selfies’ instead of taking photos of art and/or details along your way. What’s interesting of having ‘you’ in front of the Eiffel Tower or the Château of Versailles???? Nada…. Anyway, mustn’t grumble – being negative isn’t making me happy. But your photos and stories do – thank you.
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Thank you 🙏 Please don’t get me started on the subject of selfies — one of my pet hates, especially around beautiful art. I get really angry with people who seem to regard art as a mere prop for their photographic vanity.
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so agree!!!!!!
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Being negative might not make you happy, but in this case I think it makes you in the right, Kiki. 😉 Selfies are just horrible and there’s seldom a sight I despise more than people holding up their phones and taking pictures from themselves in that stupid from above angle. 😂
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i second that.
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I looks like you found so much to enjoy. you’re right, we get so used to things that we sometimes forget to see the beauty in front of us –
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Your camera always seems to find things that are both interesting and beautiful – like the Businessmen Who Brought Their Own Lunch and the snow covered mountains. A great July, Su!
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Thanks so much Joanne. It was certainly a fun month.
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I will second that!!
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Lovely contrasts of nature, sunsets, city streets and creative artwork.
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Thanks so much Ruth 🙂
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I was thinking I liked one city over the other, but I don’t. I loved seeing both for their diversity. Oh, the selfies. Yes, let’s please not even go there….
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Whanganui (and Palmerston North for that matter) and very small cities compared to Melbourne. I love them all, but find Melbourne exhausting these days.
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Melbourne is one of my favourite Australian cities. I confess I have a bit of a fetish for the tiles in the arcades there. Sounds like you had a fabulous time, Su. Coffee and people watching. Fabulous.
I hope your dad was well. It looks like such a nice drive to visit him.
My monthly contribution will be late again I’m afraid.
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Thanks Tracy. My dad is surprisingly well for his age and assorted medical conditions 🙂
Timing isn’t a problem; it’s always lovely to read your posts — whenever you have a chance.
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Thanks Su.
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Thanks for the tour of your month, marvelous.
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Thanks Sally 🙂
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Love your month of July, Su! Gorgeous, artistic, thoughtful, thought-provoking.
Deb
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Thanks so much Deb
I noticed in Joanne’s post that you were feeling unwell. Hope you’re ok now 🙂
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Thanks Su. Just the after effects of heat exhaustion. 🥵 I’m better now.
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I’m glad to hear that Deb. 🙂
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Now I am starting to get itchy feet again, it has been far too long since I even ventured out of Cornwall! But travel has to wait a while longer. Your NZ photos are enticing me back to your country, so much beautiful landscapes and Whanganui looks very interesting. I’m not so keen on the Melbourne sculptures though, they seem a little weird to me. Not sure I’m going to get my monthly post in as it is blowing a hooley here today!
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Oh. Hope you’re ok (you and the garden).
I’m sure you’d enjoy another trip to NZ, though if you’re anything like me the loooong flight is a bit off-putting.
Whanganui is lovely, and not particularly touristy. Like a lot of places it’s traditional industries have been lost, and it’s become something of an arts centre. The national glass-art school was there for a while, and glass artists are still there in abundance.
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The flight is very off-putting, but necessary. Sigh! I will visit Australia first though and then fly from there to NZ. Which makes it a lot easier.
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I think I’d need a proper stop-over somewhere. Maybe Dubai?
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Singapore is more appealing to me. I’d love to see the Gardens by the Bay with the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
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I found Singapore oppressively humid and could hardly tear myself from the air-conditioned shopping malls — and I’m not a shopper.
Having said that, I’ve just realised that Dubai is similarly humid during the months I’d probably want to travel. The alternative is to go via the US — perhaps San Fransisco.
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Mmm… SF is a thought or even Vancouver. I do like Vancouver Island a lot.
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Vancouver is really appealing. Must find out if Air NZ or its partners fly there.
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And I managed to stop off at the garden this evening and grab a few shots!
https://wp.me/p79zFr-2aG
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Magnificent collection of images, Su!
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Thanks Peter 🙂
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It’s like you took us with you last month Su. What a wonderful experience and to see it all in your lovely photos.
Leslie
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Thank you so much Leslie 🙂
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Thank you Su….
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Ah – so many beautiful photos and art and photos of art!! 😍 I’m literally drooling over it all and can’t wait to see both cities for myself one day! Love the street art, especially that sad looking fish! And the land- and cityscapes are wonderful! 😄💕
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One day!!!!
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Aside from your water photos which are always gorgeous, those are some of the nicest city shots I’ve seen recently. Beautiful work!!
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Thank you so much Marilyn. 🙂
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Hi Su – I’m new to your blog. Really like your photo collage that captured your July, especially the nature scenery.
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Hi Natalie. Thanks so much for visiting, and for your lovely comment.
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really enjoyed the street art, art, and buildings
oh and sunsets and sky shots.
but the street shots – esp the ones with the murals or art walls – really interesting and the photos just offer so much for viewer’s to glean on their own.
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What does Tofu for Dolphins serve up? Or is it even a cafe? (You know me, always fixated on eatables)
I have enjoyed your dreamy and scenic shares …. older Daughter and I were just marveling at your Long cloud last night. From this end, I fully echo your intention to keep looking to find the sunrises!
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Hehe. You and me both!! I assumed it would be a vegan cafe, but it is a yoga studio. 🤨
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Yoga studio, huh? Well, I guess they can have a share of such funky and fun names too!
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Love the three businessmen with the small child inadvertently leading the way!
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I loved that too; he was such a cutie.
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Love your street-wise Melbourne pix, but am most drawn to the rugged moor- and snowlands of North Island. What a wonderful land you live in. There’s a special light. Which is a bit full on in my post:
https://tishfarrell.com/2019/07/31/the-changing-seasons-julys-high-summer-gold/
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Thanks Tish. I don’t have to drive very far to feel grateful for the lovely countryside. Now if only Auckland traffic would let up, I could make that drive in a bit less time.
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You had some really lovely moments this month! So many great captures. The sunsets are truly awe inspiring.
https://littlepiecesofme1.wordpress.com/2019/07/31/the-changing-seasons-july-2019/
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Thanks so much 🙂
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You have really captured the atmosphere and quirkiness of Melbourne, a city I love too and would like to visit more often. As for Wanganui I think I will have to put it on my “to visit” list next time I am over. Well once more I have just managed to squeeze in, all be it one day late….
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I think you’ll like Whanganui Pauline. There are so many artists living and working there — it is quite inspiring. And the Bason botanic gardens are really lovely. I didn’t have a chance to visit this last time, but they are a usual haunt on my visits.
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Don’t often get down that way on our visits as most of family and friends live around Auckland. But it really sounds like our sort of place. Thanks for the link
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Understandable: I probably wouldn’t have gone there if it wasn’t where my dad lives.
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Oops forgot the link https://retiredfromgypsylife.wordpress.com/2019/08/01/changing-seasons-july-2019/
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Pingback: This is July 2019 – bushboys world
So love your street photos and landscapes Su 🙂 Couldn’t pick a favourite
Here is my contribution. Perhaps it is too big for what you recommend, sorry
http://bushboy.blog/2019/08/02/this-is-july-2019/
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Thanks Brian. There are no rules on length (I’m no a fan of rules at all really). Blogging should be fun and a chance to share whatever we want to. Loved seeing July in your part of the world.
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That’s great Su. You have gotten the perfect blogging “rule” fun and sharing. Glad you had the time to have a look at my July
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The photo of the little guy in the silver coat is SO cute…
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He was so much fun to watch.
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All photos great as usual Su. But I just love that mountain and I can’t wait to see it. Bali is competing with NZ for our next destination. I’m favouring NZ. Jo Bali. We’ll see. Melbourne is an exhausting place. I spent last night down there after going to the footy. Our team lost so the crowd was more despondent and more relaxed. The other side was from Adelaide so not so many of those crow-eaters around. We spent the night at our friends’ city apartment and that was wonderful. I’ll put something together for July. Cheers
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Melbourne is exhausting after a while!!
Naturally I’d recommend NZ for your holiday, but I might be a teeny bit biased.
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I live 50 km outside of Melbourne. Even Brisbane was a dream compared to it. I avoid Sydney, even though it is a beautiful city.
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🙂
I used to avoid Sydney, but was lured back by Sculpture by the Sea and was surprised by how much I like the city.
I think, as with Melbourne, that when I visit I tend to stay very close to the CBD and use public transport (in off-peak hours), and I’m on holiday so don’t feel rushed. My partner spends a lot of time in Melbourne for work and experiences it more like a (jaded) local.
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Nice to meet you, Su. I’m participating! Heard about the challenge from Sarah, the washing machine expert. 😉 Love the snaps of the street art. Miss a good art scene, ever since I moved to Thailand. Most cities don’t cultivate creative spaces. Cheers!
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Nice to meet you too Lani. Welcome to The Changing Seasons — so glad you’ve decided to join.
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