House on the Hill

Rural legend says this house was transported to it’s spectacular hilltop location sometime in the 1980’s. Allegedly the farmer who owned the property, had intended to renovate the house and make it the family home. Apparently though soon after the building was in place, the couple separated and the man was left to bring up […]

Memorial Cross

Whanganui, NZ, August 2013: For a small country, in population at least- New Zealand has many war memorials. This striking memorial cross near Wanganui commemorates the death of many local country men (both pakeha and Maori)- who fought and lost their lives needlessly in the 1914-1918 war- 18,000 miles away…

The Watchtower of the Plains

Manaia, South Taranaki, NZ, August 2012: The Manaia Redoubt- constructed around 1880 on the site of the former pā Te Takahe- was the response by the local armed constabulary to the passive resistance of the Parihaka chief, Te Whiti, and his followers. The original wooden watchtower (35 feet high)- blown down in a storm and […]

Desert Tracks

Mother Earth

At the fringe of this neglected community garden area, there was a strange new-age prayer circle thing. I didn’t find it peaceful, inspirational, meditative or any of those positive attributes- just plain weird, kitsch, humorous, tacky and kind of creepy. This “amphitheatre”, inspired by something called the Vortrovia Vision, is apparently called an Amphenium. Wow, […]

A Mansion Has Many Rooms

According to local legend, this mansion house was transported to it’s current hilltop location in four sections, sometime in the 1980’s. Allegedly, the farmer who owned the house and property, had intended to renovate the mansion, making it the family home. With spectacular 360 views of the surrounding countryside, it’s obvious as to why. Apparently though, soon […]

Turuturu Mokai

“Turuturu Mokai” is one of the oldest fortifications built by Maori in New Zealand and was fought over during the Taranaki Land Wars of the 1860s. Situated just outside the South Taranaki town of Hawera, it was once a former public reserve and popular playground. However, in recent years the Ngati Tupaia controlled reserve has […]

Loch Ness

Scotland, 1999: While visiting Loch Ness in 1999 I did what surely everyone else does- some good old-fashioned monster spotting. Although I didn’t get the “money shot”of the legendary beast- just another conveniently out of focus picture- I did perhaps more remarkably, capture a British RAF Tornado fighter jet hurtling down the loch accidentally, whilst […]

Newgrange

Ireland, 2001: Newgrange (Irish: Sí an Bhrú) is a prehistoric monument in County Meath, Ireland, about one kilometre north of the River Boyne. It was built about 3200 BC,during the Neolithic period, which makes it older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and chambers […]