Postcard From Auckland...

Looking skyward at the beautiful dome in the roof of the old Post Office which now has a new incarnation as Auckland's Britomart train station...

Bird Feeder Hugs Trees...

A company called NOS have designed and made this beautiful bird feeder that wraps around a small tree without damaging it.
Because of the simplistic design, the birds have all-round access and so too, does the viewer.
With some simple tools and Do-it-Yourself skills you could make your own...

Another Oldie...

Another oldie and a goodie.
An even older Ford Motorhome than the one posted yesterday, based on a Model 'A'.
Thanks Bill for the photo of this, another immaculate oldtimer seen here at a Marlborough Fair a little while ago and thought to be based in New Zealand's Wairarapa.
Note the beautiful stained glass windows in the pop-up.
The vehicle is called 'Greyhound'.
I wonder why...

1937 Ford House Car...

BeeCee sent me this yesterday. An immaculate 1937 Ford House Car, possibly the only one in existance. Only six of this model were ever made at Ford's plant in St Paul, Minnesota. Features include the pop-top roof, a 60hp V8 motor with aluminium head, heavy wooden framing, door frames made of solid oak, and the windscreen tilts open at the bottom for natural air-conditioning while driving.
This marvellous motorhome was available in any colour you liked, as long as it was green...

Cut Price...

Have spent a couple of days in Auckland, wandered a few shops, amazed at the prices and the 50% off sales everywhere.
My locks were needing a lop and thought I'd have plenty of choice for a cut. I went to eight or nine salons, they were all empty, waiting for me I thought. The prices were staggering, from $35-$50. I couldn't believe it as I'm used to paying $20 or under. But high rents have pushed the cuts up and customer counts down.
Fortunately I found my lovely friend Fahimeh in her Ponsonby salon.
She made me look good for less...

Living Lightly...

The 'Cloud' is an off-grid haven for travellers at The Park Of The Hermitage, in Lormont, France.
As you'd expect of a cloud, it rests lightly on the earth. There's no water or electricity and for the seven people who can stay at any one time, they're required to pack in, pack out everything they may need.
Originally designed for the 2010 Panorama Bienniale, until October 2011, people can stay a night or two in this piece of art for free...

Little Vardo Truck Camper...

Cute isn't it and so easy to put on any make of pickup truck...

Kaiaua Sunrise...

After many days of heavy rain and very strong winds, today's beautiful dawning was a specially welcome one to wake to...

Get Away From It All...

When location is everything and it doesn't matter about what's happening to the rest of the world.
Here, in New Zealand's Fiordland, you have your own.
A world away from the supermarkets, shopping malls, fast foods, seriously silly political problems, financial fiascos and other woes.
Access by boat only.
And tonight's dinner swimming past the front door...

And Now. Hand Art...

Aren't these Handimals wonderful.
Guido Daniele, an Italian living in Milan, paints these beautiful animals and birds on his model's hands, obviously taking many hours to complete.
Then they wash their hands and the works of art go down the drain.
Go to www.amusingplanet.com to see more...

Going For Gold...

Could it be the demise of the Dollar? And the end of the Euro?
Will the world say yes to the Chinese Yuan?
It might not happen this week but according to some experts, it will probably happen sooner than later.
And the Chinese are going for gold.
Their gold reserves are currently over one thousand tonnes and that's set to be raised to eight thousand tonnes.
That's a lot of gold.
Get some today while stocks last...

Tiny House On Three Wheels...

This little house has been around for a while but you may not have seen it before.
It was displayed at the Estuaire 2007 Exhibition in France.
Imagination has no limitations...

Copenhagen Cycling Statistics...

160,000 Copenhagen residents ride a total of 1.3 million kilometers every workday. 50% of adults cycle to work or school. 24% use public transport. 13% walk and only 13% use a car.
Impressive don't you think.
Yes, I know that 98% of all statistics are made up but these ones may be on the level...

One Upon A Time...

Not so very long ago, when life was perhaps a little gentler and people had more time...
Alec with his and Claire's Bow top wagon, wandering home down a Devon country lane.
Dawdle along to www.travellerhomes.co.uk for more of these nostalgic moments.
They'll make you smile...

The World's Steepest Rollercoaster...

The Takabisha roller coaster at the foot of Japan's Mount Fuji opened for 'very scary' rides the other day.
The new track is almost two miles long with seven major twists and a stomach turning 141ft of vertical fall at 121 degrees.
Riders will hurtle around the track at a mere 62mph, much less than the Formula Rossa coaster in Abu Dhabi which goes at an incredible 150mph.
It scares the hell out of me just looking at it...

Today's The Day...

All good things come to an end and after three months here at the beautiful Katikati Naturist Park, the longest time I've spent anywhere in the last ten years, it's time to head north.
I came here to convalesce after hip replacement surgery and apart from a couple of jaunts away, have been indulging in the spas, the sauna, pool and some good company for all this time.
The peace, the beauty, the birdsong and the river I'll miss, but today's the day.
It's time to move on to greener pastures.
As if there could be...

The Tiny Broccoli Tree House...

There were three things I knew about broccoli.
One, you couldn't hide a broccoli head in a glass of milk.
Two, it's incredibly good for you. Therefore, three, children don't like it.
What I didn't know until now was that you could build a tiny little tree house in a head of broccoli as artist 'Brock' Davis did.
Delicious isn't it...

Nelson Mandela...

Nelson Mandela is ninety three today and the world is a better place because of him.
Happy Birthday to you Sir...

Weird And Wonderful...

This amazing single cloud appeared in the sky above the small town of Katikati in New Zealand's Western Bay Of Plenty a couple of days ago.
Was it a symbol of something?
An unidentified flying object?
A precursor perhaps, the beginning of the end...

Smart Move...

A smart move by some very smart people in Spain's Murcia.
To publicise their 'lateral thinking' the city have displayed cars in weird and wonderful ways around the streets.
People fed up with the daily grind of bumper to bumper commutes and crazy traffic congestion are being offered a deal too good to refuse.
If they trade in their car, they get free public transport for life...

Lottery Winners Still Wanting...

Colin and Christine Weir from Largs near Glasgow won 185 million euros, (310 million dollars), in last weeks Euromillions Lottery.
Yes, they're going travelling, buying new cars and houses for their children but the first thing they said they're buying is another lottery ticket...