New Zealand - Nov 2013 - Blenheim & Picton - Post 8 of 10

NOTE:
This blog is divided into 10 separate sections as there are far too many photos to put on one post

Trip to Blenheim and Picton

We travelled to the northern part of the South Isle to Blenheim.  We took the road that goes along the coast line and we weren't disappointed with the scenery. 

The main plaza square of Blenheim with the War Memorial Clock Tower

The township of Picton was near, so we headed off there for lunch.  The people of Picton were extremely happy as it was just announced that day that the ferry from the North Isle was to remain coming to their town after 2 years of not knowing.   This was another pretty place, a bay surrounded by mountains.

Panoramic view of the bay in Picton

Picton Harbour (the ferry can be seen on the left)

A plaque commemorating the First Landing by Cpt James Cook in 1770

Trip to back to Christchurch on the Coastal Road
 

The road was fun.  The scenery went from the ocean views, to New Zealand Fur Seals, to mountains and valleys, with the nearly ever present snow capped mountains in the distance.  A really enjoyable 4 1/2 hour drive.

A weathered timber boat ramp going down to the waters edge with seaweed.
Believe it or not I haven't altered the colours at all on this photo.

Sun bleached & weather worn timber on the beach

I deliberately took this photo in black and white as I was captured by the textures of the building and the fence and wanted to bring that across in the photo.

  

The sea just disappeared into the horizon in multiple layers of blue.
It did look just like this with very defined lines.
There were Fur Seals on the rock outcrop in the foreground too.

New Zealand Fur Seals (adults and pups) on the rocks



A seal playing in the surf

 

Getting closer to Kiakoura, we noticed some cars parked on the edge of the road and their occupants looking down at the beach.  We guessed that there were seals there.  We guessed correctly.

Just lazing around getting a tan

A young pup looking for its mum.

Pup is still looking, while others just relax.

 

Inernational Sand Sculpture Exhibition 2013-11-27

At the end of November there was an International Sand Sculpture Exhibition on the Christies Beach Foreshore.  Sand Sculpture artists from Canada, Netherlands, United States of America, Czech Republic as well as Australia show their skills.  Very talented artists and impressive sculptures.

These are a few of the sculptures.

The Mermaids by Meg Murray (Australia)

The Mermaids by Meg Murray (Australia)

The Mermaids by Meg Murray (Australia)

The Reef by David Billings (Canada)

The Reef by David Billings (Canada)

Under the Sea by Karen Fralich (Canada)

Gentle Giants by Brad Goll (USA)

Poseidon by Jino Van Bruinessen (Australia)

Dolphin Dance by Yves Geradts (Netherlands)



The Bergs by Jaap Tichler (Netherlands)

The Bergs by Jaap Tichler (Netherlands)

The Bergs by Jaap Tichler (Netherlands)
Really like the penguins sliding down, onto the sand and over into the grass

View of the sculptures while having a beer from the Christies Beach Surf Life Saving Club balcony

Adelaide Oval 2009-02-20

In February 2009, went on a tour of the Adelaide Oval.  Just prior to the knocking down of the old members stand (George Giffen Stand), for the construction of the new members stand a few days later.
We walked around the ground, and up onto the hill infront of the famous scoreboard.

After climbing into and seeing the inside of the scoreboard we  continued around the back of the oval and in front of the members stand.  We went up the steps where names of cricketers who have scored 200+ at this oval are honored and into the members lounge.

Finally, we left the lounge, back down the stairs and left the ground.

Been to many a game of both cricket, football (Australian Rules Football) of the SANFL, International Rugby (including the Rugby 7s) and also watched the Adelaide Rams when the Rugby Super League was played.

Since then the Brabman & Chappell Stands have also been demolished for a complete rebuild.

View of the ground from the upper levels of the Bradman Stand

The Bradman (left) & the soon to be demolished George Giffen Stand

Looking up the oval towards the Cathedrial / Scoreboard end

The Chappell Stands on the right

View across the oval to the George Giffen Stand

On the Hill under the Scoreboard looking back down the oval

Views of the traditional Adelaide Scoreboard

Scoreboard with a name added.  Also notice the window just to the left of the bowler idenitfier & right of the TOTAL.

Inside the Scoreboard - these are the mechanisms that work the numbers

No digital stuff here, thats for sure!

Remeber that window,  here it is from inside the scoreboard

The first two numbers (from left) are on a winder system (you can see the rolls and the numbers) and show a score of 45 (remember this is from the opposite side that it is read from) and the slot for "100s" is open on the right

Very old school.  The names on the right get put into the slots.  All done by hand including passing from one level to another up and down the Scoreboard.

 

View of the oval through one of the name slots (can see part of the name in the foreground)

End view of the members stand

End stone work showing S.A.C.A. (South Australian Cricket Association) thought the Moreton Bay Figs

Infront of the George Giffen Stand

Names and score of each cricketer who has scored 200+ in an innings line the steps to the members lounge

The view from the members lounge out over the oval

Inside the Giffen Stand

Members Lounge

Stained Glass Window

A stained glass of Sir Don Bradman

Heaps of history

Looking left

Looking forward

Looking right

The other end of the Giffen Stand

and finally....well it was a tour