May 2018 | Zimmerbitch

My month began in Dunedin on the tail end of a South Island trip to connect with the Big T’s Canterbury roots and to explore the possibility of becoming Mainlanders (1) in the future. It was especially poignant for us to spend some of ANZAC Day in the churchyard of St John’s Hororata, where an extraordinary number of T’s forbears are buried or commemorated.

James Isabella Gray (nee Thompson), the Big T’s 2x great grandparents. Arrived from Scotland in December 1860 with four children under 10. Their voyage took three months. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Andrew and Emily Ann Gray (nee Oliver), great grandparents. Andrew arrived from Scotland as a five year old. Emily Ann was born in Christchurch, three years after her parents arrived in NZ from England. Also memorial to their son Eric, who is buried in a Commonwealth War Cemetery in the Somme Valley. Image: Su Leslie 2018as children

The Perc, Dunedin. Image: Su Leslie 2018

New favourite cafe: The Perc in Stuart St, Dunedin. Image: Su Leslie 2018

T’s breakfast, The Perc, Dunedin. Image: Su Leslie 2018

The Perc, Dunedin. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Last coffee before heading home. Lyttleton Coffee Co, London St. Lyttleton. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Farewelling the big skies and empty spaces of the Canterbury Plains. Inland Scenic Route at Ashburton Forks, Canterbury. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Glorious afternoon in Lyttleton. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Ashburton Forks, Canterbury Plains. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Back in Auckland, we’re both missing the South Island’s big skies, mountain views, gorgeous autumn colours, relaxed people, and the relative ease of driving on roads that aren’t permanently congested.

And although it rained pretty much all the time we were in Dunedin, it still remains top of my list of Southern “happily relocate to” places. The main drawback is distance from the boy-child.

Highcliff Road, Otago Peninsula. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Otakau, Otago Peninsula. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Highcliff Road, Otago Peninsula. Image: Su Leslie 2018

One of the things I love most about this time of year is the spectacular sunsets, with Oamaru and Wellington, where I’ve just spent a long weekend, turning on the coolest shows.

Sunset, Waterfron Road, Oamaru. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Sunset, Wellington waterfront. Image: Su Leslie 2018

Sun’s last rays reflecting on ‘Invisible City’ 2003 sculpture by Anton Parsons, Grey St. Wellington.

As I write this, the wind is howling and tormenting the trees outside my window. It definitely feels like winter has arrived.

About The Changing Seasons

The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge, originally hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman. 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.