Auckland

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Word-of-Day-Challenge-Sails

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sails

a piece of material extended on a mast
to catch the wind and propel a boat
or ship or other vessel.
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Auckland, known as…

 

…the city of sails.

However, I think Geelong…

…could also lay claim to that title.

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SUNDAY-STILLS-PC-Towering

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A variety of Towers towering over

their respective landscape.

 

I’m not sure why the Tower of London was so named.

Google to the rescue:

It was founded towards the end of 1066

as part of the Norman Conquest of England.

The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name,

was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was

a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted

upon London by the new ruling elite.

 

 

And now I know 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Closer to home is…..

…Auckland’s Sky Tower in New Zealand.

Using your imagination it could be

described as similar to Sydney’s Tower. 

The major point of difference is that we

celebrated Number 2 Daughter-in-Law’s birthday

with dinner in the Auckland Sky Tower in 2018.

 

Many of my photos I remember taking,

not so this one over Paris…

 

…not from the top observation point. 

Alas we only made it to the

second observation deck.

 

I guess we should be happy to have made

it up the Eiffel Tower at all,

because we did not set foot inside the

Giotto Bell Tower in Florence, in Italy.

 

I think we may have paid more than we should have,

to visit the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa

(Burj meaning Tower, so I was told). 

However, it was a wonderful, last day, experience

and we thought some pricey

souvenir photos worthwhile. 

 

High Tea at the Burj Al Arab was our

main reason for a stopover in Dubai. 

Again, not something to do on a weekly basis

but a wonderful experience. 

We nudged the local retail economy along 

with a new set of clothes each, for the occasion,

and felt human after living in the same

traveller kit for four weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These Towers are springing up

all over the Western District.

  Almost at our back door, on the farm,

is a wind farm of over 100 towers

claimed to be the largest in

the Southern Hemisphere. 

May have been when built,

but no longer so, I suspect.

 

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SUNDAY STILLS PHOTO:….Towering

 

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Cee-BW-Challenge-Lighting

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Geelong Coffee Shop.

Hotel Langham Melbourne.

Pre Dawn, Geelong.

 

 

Auckland (NZ) Airport lights

 

 

Chinese Lanterns,

Auckland Airport,

New Zealand.

 

 

Cafe LIghts,

Arras, France.

Dubai Creek

Dinner Cruise

 

Geelong Boat Lights

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Cee’s Black & White Challeng:   Lighting

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Black_White

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Tuesday-PC-Wk183-Sunset

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Mostly Geelong sunsets with

a few others variety.

Sunset over Namibia,

Chobe River,

Botswana, 2014.

Geelong sunset.

Our first sunset for 2019.

Geelong sunset.

Geelong sunset.

Alaskan sunset, 2018

Alaskan sunset, 2018.

From memory the Alaskan sunsets

were taken around midnight.

South African sunset, 2013

Sunset from the Sky Tower

Auckland

New Zealand

Geelong sunset

Point Lonsdale Pier

and Lighthouse

at sunset.

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Lens-Artist-PC-Unexpected

 

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Some unexpected moments

from 2018.I rose with the sparrows and drove 45 minutes

to Point Lonsdale for a sunrise shoot last March. 

Expectations were high. 

Results were low. 

And after being blown around by a chilly breeze

I decided to pack my gear away and head home.

I had walked about a quarter of the way

back along the pier

when this rainbow appeared above the lighthouse. 

I had no more than two minutes

to grab a camera and capture some images…

then it was gone as quickly as it appeared. 

Unexpectedly.

Also this time last year I had no idea we would

celebrate our Wedding Anniversary with 

First Class Dining in a private cabin

aboard the Q Train.

June in Canada and we did not expect

to experience falling snow….even on

the Columbia Icefield.

 

This time last year we did expect a trip

to Auckland for an engagement party. 

However, a wedding date had not been settled upon

and so our September/October trip

back (to New Zealand) for the

wedding of Number 1 Son

to Number 2 Daughter-in-Law

was unexpected but enjoyable.

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Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Patti: Unexpected

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Leya: Unexpected

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Amy: Unexpected

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Tina: Unexpected

 

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SUNDAY-STILLS-PC-Windows

 

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I always find it fascinating to sit and…

…watch the movements outside at an airport.

In this case it was Auckland nearly 12 months ago.

Cruising the Swan River in Western Australia.

Viewing some expensive real estate.

Inside looking out…and…

…outside looking in.

It is the same window.

 

My favorite ‘window’ shot from last year.

The view out our Matmata BnB in New Zealand.  🙂

Matamata is near the Hobbit Movie Set

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SUNDAY STILLS PHOTO: 

LIGHT WORDS: Windows

Hugh’s Views & News: Windows 

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Lens-Artist-PC-Celebrations

 

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Our biggest celebrations over recent years

has been our Sons’ weddings.

Number 2 Son married just over two years…

And think the Bridal Waltz took a bit of practice...lots of it. 

 But they looked good.

 

Number 1 Son was married in Auckland in early October

Though difficult to see, the celebrants are there,

and musicians are rehearsing one last time. 

And the Church was immaculate. 

Everyone was waiting for the bridal party.

 

 

followed by a wonderful setting for the reception at

Auckland’s Riverhead Boat House.

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Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Patti: Celebrations

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Leya: Celebrations

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Amy: Celebrations

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge Tina: Celebrations