Hastings

Detail, Diminishing Returns, sculpture in bronze by Bing Dawe. Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay, NZ. Image Su Leslie 2018

Spring flowers and art.

Both of these things make me happy, but throw in good company, good food and some wine — and I’m positively beaming.

September has delivered on all of these things, almost simultaneously in the last few days while the Big T and I have been on holiday in Napier.

Beach, Marine Parade, Napier. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Tom Parker Fountain, Marine Parade, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Marine Parade, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

On the east coast, about 400km from Auckland, Napier is a city in Hawke’s Bay. In February 1931, it was at the epicentre of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake which killed 256 people, injured thousands, and devastated much of the region, including destroying most of the buildings in central Napier and the neighouring town of Hastings.

Both Napier and Hastings were rebuilt, with much of the new architecture in the Art Deco style. Today, Napier is considered one of the finest Art Deco cities in the world.

Public Trust Building, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Daily Telegraph Building, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Facade, Masson House, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Typical small Art Deco commercial building, Napier. NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Detail, Art Deco facade, commercial building, Napier, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Five major rivers flow into the Hawke’s Bay region, providing huge areas of fertile land for agriculture, and more recently viticulture. Local vineyards produce award-winning wines, so naturally T and I tasted a few (along with locally brewed beers and ciders).

It would have been wrong not to.

Lunch, Brave Brewing Co. Hastings, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

What next? Brave Brewing Company, Hastings, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Tasting room, Trinity Hill Winery, Hastings, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Trinity Hill Winery, Hastings, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

A Wave in Time, bronze statue, Emerson St, Napier. Artist: Mark Whyte. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Cherry blossom, Havelock North town centre, Hawkes Bay, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Detail, Bottled River. Installation by George Nuku and students of Hawke’s Bay schools. Hastings City Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Pou, Nga Marae o Heretaunga. Hastings, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Ceramics, seen at Hastings City Art Gallery, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Bottled Ocean,

Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay, NZ. Image: Su Leslie

Sunset, Te Mata Peak, Hawke’s Bay, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Pou. Part of Star Compass at Waitangi Regional Park, Napier. NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2018

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.