Blue cottage in Bluff, Southland, New Zealand. From down in the town I spotted this cottage half-way up the hill and even from a distance it looked so cute! There's a dragonfly decoration near the front door

Bluff Harbour

A couple more photos from Stirling Point and then I move on to Bluff Harbour and its entrance. I wanted to give you an idea of the overall setting of the Bluff Township before showing you some of the interesting buildings in the town (including some attractive art deco examples). There's a regular ferry service...

Firmly Anchored

In the legend of Maui and the giant fish, young Maui goes fishing with his older brothers in their waka (canoe) and when he drops his magic fishhook he fishes up a great fish that becomes the North Island of New Zealand. The waka is the South Island and Stewart Island (Rakiura) is the anchor...

Where From Here?

Have you ever wondered what its like to visit 'Down Under' to New Zealand, explore the 'mainland' or South Island, and follow the highway down south to the very end? Today I'll show you what its like at Stirling Point where the highway terminates. The closest town is a tiny drive away at Bluff. I'll...

20,000 Wine Bottles

20,000 wine bottles in this bottle house standing tall in the small rural village of Waikaia, Southland, New Zealand. The big bottle is right in the centre of the village. If you look closely you can see the bottles have been carefully placed to create a patterned exterior. Its part of Switzers Museum and Bottle...

I Am The Man

When I was growing up we had porridge for breakfast every morning, summer and winter. The brand that mum bought was Creamoata. Its interesting that here in Gore, where we now live, is where the oats were processed and packaged. The iconic mill is right in the heart of Gore although a stock food company...

Turkish Delight Meringue. Turkish delight chocolate, pistachio nuts and cream on meringue. Tonight we had coffee and dessert at The Thomas Green Public House & Dining Room in Gore, Southland, New Zealand.

Stars and Swirls

Today I'm taking you away on a trip to Ireland To stars, swirls and spirals, Bright, colourful patterns, Bits and pieces, bound into magnificent MOSAIC     [ -- Liz] In January 2013, Maria with her partner Paul and their combined family of four children, were able to move into their own "small cottage built...

Melting Moments

I really like this poem by Damien B. Donnelly about seasons, change and time. I've affectionately dubbed it the Melting Moments poem... what I'm referring to are the melt-in-your-mouth buttery, soft biscuits sandwiched together with buttercream filling. Same or similar are Yo-yo's or Kisses. You take a bite and in a moment it's dissolved; a...

Icy Looks

Very cool photos. I was intrigued by these icy illusions, each posted on their respective blogs quite recently. The first photo is taken by Steve Schwartzman from Austin (Texas, USA) and the second photo is taken by Ellen Jennings from the South Carolina Lowcountry, USA. ** Click on either photo to enlarge ** No flowers, buds,...

Leopards are Soft and Furry

Soft white fur and black spots, at least that's what I thought at first glance... but look closely at the spots - they're a glittering metallic blue! They remind me of polished paua shell (abalone). This leopard however hails from the UK, not from New Zealand. Meet the Leopard Moth (Zeuzera pyrina) photographed by Pete Hillman. The...

BW07: Machrie Moor

Machrie Moor Stone Circles "is the collective name for six stone circles visible on Machrie Moor near the settlement of Machrie on the Isle of Arran, Scotland." - from Wikipedia The image below was created by Cybele Moon whose blog I've only recently found; she creates fantastic imagery. This is an infrared image to which Cybele...