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 […]

The Chem-Suit Kid

Today, Wellington, NZ. It’s not everyday you see someone walking along the street wearing a full NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) suit– but today was one of those days. We turned the car around and followed the shuffling figure, thinking they must have just been let out for the day. I got out of the car and approached […]

Danger!! Mines!!

Siem Reap, Cambodia, 3rd March, 2001: Excerpts from my diary that I just rediscovered: “We got a tri-shaw out to the land-mine museum…” “It was just a couple of shacks really, but loaded with defused mines of all shapes & sizes, makes & models- Russian/Chinese mostly- but also local….” “The guy who set it up […]

Hands Up

Whanganui, New Zealand, 2011: My nephew Mostyn surrenders- to the camera. Handprints of some 6000 people – from newborns to elderly – form the ceramic work Handspan, which now stands as a homage to peace within the area where the Rutland Stockade and Pukenamu Pa once stood. This Peace Sculpture was dedicated to “the promotion […]

Arctocephalus

Wellington, New Zealand, today: Had a close encounter with this gang of young local males today. They were your usual hairy, lazy, good for nothing bachelors. One barked at me when I got too close. By strange coincidence, an elderly man was attacked in New Plymouth today (400km Nth West) by a young male seal- […]

Moeraki

Otago, New Zealand, Aug 2007: The Moeraki Boulders are large, spherical boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach in North Otago, New Zealand. Scattered along the coast, either as clusters or isolated boulders, they have been protected within a scientific reserve. The most striking aspect of the boulders is their unusually large size and spherical […]

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 […]