Out on the edge of town, two lions are loyal guardians of the owner’s driveway, the same property that has a Colchicum field that I’ve featured in previous posts. I took these photos when I went for a local wander on 29 March, a lovely autumn day when I took way more photos than I’d usually take on a single walk! Tapanui, West Otago, New Zealand.
Stately and steadfast, I like these lions.
Not keen on this more modern white lion, one of another entry-guarding pair that live closer to Dunedin. The creature appears aghast at his own presentation, poor thing. My OH says they are naff!
Text and photos by Liz; Exploring Colour (2021)
It is fascinating to see how the lions have so much character with the accumulated moss, lichen, and discoloration than the one that is so new and pristine looking. I think that is why some folks that deal with antiques warn people not to clean old objects that are often worth more with the patina than if they are cleaned.
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Yes, I so agree with you Mike! The character and story behind the weathering / discolouration / wear-and-tear add meaning and value to even humble objects. There must be some great stories around that relate to such things!
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It is the same with wrinkles and scars that we accumulate over a lifetime–lots of stories and experiences are responsible for them. 🙂
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I like the stately and lichen crusted ones, and their aged pedestals.
Your lions are taking me down memory lane, Liz. In our previous neighborhood first one, then two, then a whole bunch of home owners installed them, and they were mostly naff! (I had to look that up.)
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I’m glad you made your escape from such a naff neighbourhood!
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Lovely ‘literation, Liz. “Naff” means tacky?
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You got it. Explanations vary but here’s a meaning I copied: “Naff. N-A-F-F. British slang. It means worthless, tacky, unfashionable – ‘that’s naff’, ‘the party was naff’, ‘those clothes are naff’ – unenjoyable, of poor quality. 😀
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ps. here’s a page at the UK Guardian that’s quite interesting with various folks weighing in with explanations .. quite enlightening, a little profane.
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Oh, I didn’t put the link.. here it is: https://www.theguardian.com/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-18768,00.html
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