Wellington CBD Tour, New Zealand

The first 2 weeks of the summer holidays have gone and a lot of people are heading back to work. We are still around Wellington, avoiding the holiday madness outside with Schools not being back until early February, so as good Wellingtonians we are trying to do all the things that priorities would otherwise not allow us to do.

Here is this morning's tour:

1. The Supreme Court of New Zealand

This was only opened in 2010. It has to be said the stuck on facial is somewhat uninspiring and reputedly cost a fortune. The interior however is faced with copper and is impressive. May book to return for a tour at some point.

2. Wellington Cenotaph

Again, this is a structure that you will pass daily without paying it too much attention. There is nothing really to see at the base bar two lions but as you walk around it you get some great different backdrops of the city to it.

3. Ministry of Social Development

Just snapped this really for history sake as it was where I worked on a project for a year recently so it has interest to me to record it. It does however have sculptures in the grounds backing onto parliament so well worth a look.

4. Reserve Bank Museum

This is a building walked past on The Terrace daily, where you think who would want to go into a bank museum. It is however welcoming inside and worth a quick browse. For myself, seeing the previous currencies that were in place when my parents were here in the 50s and when I was here in the 90s was of interest. You can also see what a million dollars looks like and how coins are structured. OK, geeky but up my street.

5. Building Foyer Art

As you wander around the CBD there are loads of buildings with art adorning their foyers that again you would not normally enter. For myself I liked the 'Colours of Fun' and 'Music has Charm' and would drag someone back into the foyers to see them.

6. Street Sculptures

On most corners there is some form of art placed in Wellington. 'Ruaumoko' is worth a look at. In Māori mythology, Rūaumoko is the god of earthquakes, volcanoes and seasons. In this case the sculpture is built of broken columns and muddled bronze letters which looks like the result of an earthquake. The letters are actually from the State Fire Insurance Building which was demolished in the 1980s.

7. New Zealand Academy of Fine Art

This has a good shop on entry but when we visited the exhibition was just being changed over so I have promised I will return !

8. New Zealand Portrait Gallery

If you want to see some random black and white photos from 1930s to 1970s stuck to walls, of subjects you had not really know you didn't care about, then this is the place for you. Otherwise for me though ..... moving on.

9. Olympic Museum

Another place we pass regularly but had not stuck our noses in. Interesting to see some of the New Zealand sporting history so worth a visit.

10. Red Dog Cafe

For those not familiar with Wellington CBD then end your morning at the Red Dog, have one of the best pizza in town and a pint (or two) of Tuatara APA at the bar. Trust me, Indian Pale Ale may be of undesirable quality in Europe but here, when from the boutique breweries like Tuatara it is heavenly nectar. Well worth the visit. Morning ends.

1. Copper Clad interior of The Supreme Court

1. The Supreme Court of New Zealand

2. Wellington Cenotaph

3. Ministry of Social Development

4. Reserve Bank Museum

4. Bank Note Display

5A. 'Horsebreaker in Murder Red Country' by George Morant in Legal House foyer

5B. 'Colours of Fun' by Michelle Bellany in the New Public Trust Building foyer

5C. 'Bianca' by Bruce Winter in Petherick Towers foyer

5D. 'Music has Charms' by Piere McArthur in City Chambers foyer

6. 'Ruaumoko' by Ralph Hotere and Mark McFarlane

7. New Zealand Academy of Fine Art

8. New Zealand Portrait Gallery

9. Olympic Museum Gallery

10. One Red Dog !

Start of summer holidays, Wellington, New Zealand

We have now started our extended summer holidays and are trying to get into habits. Steve likes his book, Linda likes her magazine, but boy have the ruddy plants grown !!

For the last 2 weeks we have been mostly gardening, trimming back the overgrowth and replanting some areas.



Steve relaxes over a good book

Linda relaxes over a magazine

Only joking - we shifted a load of weed from our neglected garden

Clear out of the top terrace

Native Birds

Morrissey Tour - Wellington, New Zealand

After having to withdraw from his US leg of the tour to return to the UK, we were lucky enough that Morrissey was able to continue his world tour back on schedule in New Zealand.

It was 1992 apparently when he last performed in Wellington and I do believe some of the crowd were not born then. Some of the crowd however may recall being thin in 1992. But still the bloke next to me in sunglasses is wrong in any time period.

Having told some people we were going to the concert, some younger souls had said they did not know who Morrissey or The Smith were. What is the world and our youth coming to.

He played at the town hall which is a small old fashioned sort of stand up venue as opposed to the detached larger arenas, so it was very close and engaging.

We were a bit concerned beforehand that Morrissey may launch into some new unheard of stuff but he got stuck straightaway into a selection from throughout his career opening up with Shoplifters of The World Unite.

I had obviously missed a few songs somewhere of recent times, shameful me, as there were one of two that we did not recognise but they all rocked anyhow. In truth the whole concert was excellent as our Morrissey is a well honed showman.

The songs played were approximately the following, but not in this order! :

Shoplifters of the world unite
You have killed me
Your the one for me fatty {excellent}
November Spawned a Monster
Alma matters
I'm throwing my arms around Paris
How soon is now
First of the gang to die {excellent}
Black cloud
Ouije board, ouija board
I know it's over
Everyday is like Sunday
Please, please, please, let me get what I want
The more you ignore me the closer I get
Let me kiss you
Meat is murder {shhh, he may not of heard we export quite a lot}
Irish blood, English heart
The youngest was the most loved
We hate it when our friends become successful
and possibly leaving the best of the night till last ..... Still ill {OMG}

Missing songs since downloaded.

A notable change to the band was that they had all been out and purchased All Black rugby shirts (see below). This did give a surreal feel like it was the actual All Blacks backing Morrissey, but respect bros.

We had also been told by some people at work that Morrissey had broken his arm but that turned out to be one of the band ..... dough ..... the one least looking like Morrissey as it happens. Again come on NZ concentrate.

The best concert this year in Wellington.

Band wearing All Blacks kit

Injecting some Smiths classics

Rocking the crowd

Morrissey exits left after staged shirt give away