Twice a year, there are times when photography and writing have to take a back seat. One is late June, early July and the other is early December. It’s no coincidence that these times are when school reports have to be written and assessment data analyzed. Unfortunately, these tasks have been occupying my time and mental capacity of late. However, last week I managed to put these tasks to bed and turned my attention back to my newly created ‘Jacinda’s Law’ and exploring Dunedin. Jacinda’s law states; where possible, we are to get out and see our own backyard. With this in mind, I recently found myself walking up a misty and muddy track on one of Dunedin’s surrounding hills. The beautiful thing about Dunedin is that it’s relatively easy to escape onto a bush track or path. From the city center, you can be on a bush track in 10 minutes if you wish. Engulfed in mist, the track I was now on twisted and stretched up into the forest. Initially looking like a vehicle access track, it quickly narrowed. Continuing, gently falling rain collected in the autumn leaves which had created a blanket on the narrow bridge. Wet and muddy, with rain running into a stream, the track continued until deep grooves started crisscrossing the trail before me. Suspecting the trail ….. Suspecting the trail I was on was a mountain bike track, I now feared that I might get struck down at any moment without having the faintest idea of what hit me. Proceeding, but with a greater awareness of my surroundings, I continued on through the mist. I passed exit signs that read ‘No Entry, Rockin Roller Exit’ and ‘No Entry, Three Little Pigs Exit’. As I walked, it became clear that on this day, I had the area to myself. Feeling confident, and no longer worried about being bowled over by an adrenaline filled speed rocket, I continued. My concerns of having to arrive home with tyre makes across my back abated further when a sign appeared that read ‘No Chicken Lines, Don’t Ride Wet.’ Relieved, I spent the next hour exploring the surrounding tracks, jumps and paths that wound their way through the forest. Feeling wet, I made my way back to the car as the mist lifted and the rain got heavier. Once again reaching the small bridge, I couldn’t help but get distracted by a casually ambling stream. It appeared from the thick bush, ran under the bridge and continued on down the hillside. I stood listening to the sound of the stream bubbling over rocks and branches. For a moment I forgot about the Dunedin traffic noise. That’s the beauty of nature, even silence has a voice. John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/ The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
And so I turn'd to the path of peace. Wandering finding curious and creative views as I amble down each charter'd street. #lovindunners #majesticdunedin #dunnerstunner #autumncolors #travelphotography #townbelt #calm #awesome_earthpix #autumnleaves #autumnvibes #autumncolor #autumn #nature #serenity #earthfocus #earth_portraits #johncaswellnz #caswellimages Don’t forget to checkout the blog - https://blog.caswellimages.com/
I went to the Exchange on a city Orbus Bus that sped it’s way along the busy one-way system and clattered through orange traffic lights with growing momentum. It was very thrilling. I like the Exchange very much. It’s got everything a public space needs to make it an enticing location to connect people to the wider city. There’s bars, restaurants, hotels, a casino, monuments, historic buildings, useful information points, street art, public transport and even a busker or two if you’re lucky. I made my way along semi deserted streets surrounded by buildings constructed in the early 20th century to the open plaza and tried to imagine what used to be. On the corner of the plaza now stands John Wickcliffe House, on the exact location of what was once the crown jewel of buildings in this part of the city, The former Stock Exchange Building. Completed in the 1860’s and constructed from Oamaru stone with a European palladian structure, with grecian columns, moulded arches and a clocktower, the building stood until it was pulled down in 1969. Now, half a century later I stood before where it used to stand and tried to imagine what combination of inspectors, councilors and town planners could have allowed this to happen. And the thing that stuck me was the building they replaced it with (John Wickliffe House) is one of the ugliest in the city. John's Blog https://blog.caswellimages.com/ The latest print price guide: https://bit.ly/3oLw9OI
