Poppy Field

Over the past week or so as we've been driving past Appleton Park (near Karori tunnel) we've seen people installing white ball-like things on the end of waving stalks.

There is no signage so one day we stopped and a guy, who was lying on his stomach working on cabling, told us it was an art installation called 'Remembrance' to mark Armistice Day, 11th November.

The ~860 LED lights on poles pay tribute to the Wellingtonians who died at Gallipoli in World War I. During the evening the LEDs glow red creating a poppy field and during the day a field of white flowers.

A couple of days ago some of the lights were still to be connected.  

They are quite fun to walk through especially as they move in the breeze.

The installation is there until early December.

 

A Second Visit

What to do with out of town visitors on a cold windy Wellington evening? 

Wrap up warmly and visit a parrot at Zealandia.

Sirocco

Sirocco is a Kakapo, one of ~120 remaining Kakapo.  Heaps of information about him here and here.

We saw him on a previous visit a couple of years ago.  This time with only 9 people (excluding Zealandia and DOC staff) we had a fantastic view of him for the whole time.  Last time with ~25 people we had a limited view.

The Kakapo is nocturnal and flightless.  For viewing he is in an enclosure making photography a bit of a challenge with reflections. When he isn't on 'show' he can roam the trees nearby. 

Afterwards a quick visit to the Botantic Gardens to look at the glow worms.

Out and About - Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

During the Easter break we checked out Wellington's newest park - Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.  It officially opens later in the month. 

National War Memorial

The park creates more space around the National War Memorial including the Carillon, the Hall of Memories, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and The Man with the Donkey. With room for memorials from other countries such as Australia.
 
The extra space came from lowering the road and building the Arras tunnel.

view into Arras Tunnel

new open space

Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

'The Man with the Donkey' sculpture
by Paul Walshe

view into the Hall of Memories

looking up to Hall of Memories ceiling

 


The Australian memorial features 15 red sandstone columns symbolising Australia's 'Red Centre'.  Behind are eucalypt trees (still quite small) that represent the Australian landscape.  See here for a more detailed description.

new plantings

Australian memorial

To gain an understanding of the significance of the various items in the gardens, including the 'Hinerangi' sculpture, see here.

'Hinerangi' sculpture by Darcy Nicholas'
with cloak detail
 

A day in Wellington

A slightly non-standard day in Wellington.  

A visit to the Armageddon Expo with my son.  The expo is all about Gaming, comics, Doctor Who, live wrestling, music, anime, TV and movie stars and other stuff.

His main reason to visit was to see Sylvester McCoy speak.  Sylvester McCoy is the 7th Dr Who (!) and Radagast, a Wizard in the Hobbit, amongst other things.  

We scored a front row seat which was a bit wasted as Sylvester got the mike and then walked the aisle and rows answering peoples questions.  He was very funny and clever, he was stopped after an hour and could have easily gone on for longer.

We strolled the various merchandising stalls and other displays.  There were some serious costumes, this was my favourite.

Then for a complete change we briefly visited the North Island Fencing Championships.  Slightly different to watching the kids learning!  

West Wind

On ANZAC Day, after an early start for some, we had an enjoyable afternoon walk amongst the wind turbines.

West Wind is Meridian Energy's wind farm at Makara, near Wellington.

 

We took the easy route and walked from the recreation area car park.  An energetic alternative is to walk up from Makara Beach.

Great views down to the northern baches past the main part of Makara Beach, onto Mana Island.  On a clear day the view north would be amazing.  
 
 







To the south/west and the Malborough Sounds and Cook Strait.