Summer in the air

November has been an amazing month of endless sunny days, many of them warm. There was even time to dash up to the Sounds with my sister and spend two wonderful days relaxing and eating great food with family. We discovered that Pelorus River had warmed up enough to warrant a dip, we returned with our togs that same day and spent considerable time splashing about in the emerald water and jumping off rocks into the deep pools. Pure bliss! Then it was back home to work and start thinking about the silly month of December when everyone suddenly wants to have a BBQ, or street party somewhere.
It feels more like the holidays than it has for years - the sunshine and smiles of everyone around? Probably!

Central calling

Once you have spent several days in Central Otago, quietly peddling along trails in the shadow of a land beautiful and wild - it will stay with you. And you will keep going back to re-saturate yourself with more. I have cycled the Rail Trail four times, but this time I drove it and took my camera. And at long last I had the time to really indulge! And loved every single minute....
My local camera club cycled the trail and I was torn; I wanted to peddle too but I wanted the time to pause and drink the scenery and think about how I could freeze that moment into a digital image.












And one of Mt Cook for good measure...

To Lewis or not to Pukaki

We were both meant to be off on a photo safari to Lake Pukaki but accommodation options got mucked up and we thought it better to stay at home and go for day trips.
So to Lewis Pass we went. Prehistoric forests, crisp, fresh mountain air and a feeling of supreme contentment. Walking on soft leaf-carpeted tracks, over gnarled roots, and the sound of water never far away... All topped off with some hot cocoa back at the Smurf beside the Lewis River, looking up at the green slopes of the mountains topped with snow. Nice way to spend a Sunday...

Epstein makes his mark

As part of my camera club's effort to promote the Waimak region for next year's PSNZ Southern Convention (we're hosting it), they have decided to create a video. And whom might you ask is one of the stars?
Based loosely around the ABS ads featuring Goldstein & Sir, this take is of "Epstein" and Sir... no prizes who that might be.
Started off well but towards the end Epstein started making demands his trailer wasn't big enough and he wanted a PA. I tell you!