Huatoki Stream

The Huatoki Stream runs from the farm land south of the City through the CBD and into the Tasman Sea. There are plenty of lovely spots along stream which borders one of the popular walkways that the Taranaki region is famous for.  MLB

Westown School

Westown School is a co-ed primary built in 1925, and probably the most brightly painted school in New Zealand.  Interestingly one of our sketchers walked through the portals of this school in an earlier life, and was excited at the prospect of recording a piece of his history.
Even the motto was branded still on his forehead 'seek truth and do right'!

Christmas Eve Shopping

It was Christmas Eve. I didn't have any more shopping to do (that's why I was drawing). It seemed like tons of people still had a ways to go. The stressed, hurried pace made it hard to capture the last-minute shoppers. Looking down this passageway between some shops I could see the 25% off signs in the shop across the street. I was standing there holding a book and using a ballpoint pen. People were nervously walking by me as I sketched. An older woman even admitted to me that she was quite relieved when she realized that I was drawing and not soliciting or taking a survey. It was Christmas Eve and there was no patience to deal with that.

Merry Christmas!! Everyone.

Merry Christmas!! Everyone. I hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here is a Merry Christmas drawing of one of our Christmas decorations from the Christmas shop and a little chocolate Santa from our local Binn Inn. The best in the country!

At last my Art corner downstairs is back in action. I had a small disaster with a burst pipe and a water leak about 4 weeks ago. Thankfully, because I was in my Art Corner, I heard dripping and found it before any significant damage was done. The damage came from cutting holes in the ceiling etc. trying to find the old pipe and replace it! So I have been painting, but of the decorating variety.

Westown School

New Plymouth's Westown School  original main block . Opened 1925.  The school has been added to over the years  and bright colours have been used which helps blend the more recent additions . Nice building , popular school . MLB

Old Railway Line

This is an old railway line with a pretty cool stone wall that runs between two busy streets in New Plymouth. Now it's just for people. On each side of this thin park is crazy traffic caused by crazy people, desperate to finish their year-end chores. Everyone is so rushed here in New Zealand at this time of year. A Christmas / Summer combo holiday makes people insane, irrational and very tired. The big solid rock walls insulated against the noise and was a nice lunch hour time-out from the frenzied late-December pace.

Poets Bridge

The 70ft span bridge was built in 1884, from the winnings of a horse race, where the winning horse was called 'The Poet'.  It was rebuilt in 1938.  The colour is based on the red lacquer of the Japanese Shinkyo bridge in Nikko.

Tragically the donor was drowned under the bridge 7 years after its original construction.

It is in located in the heart of Pukekura Park, which in turn is in the heart of New Plymouth City.

The suspended balls are in preparation for the annual Festival of Lights held each summer.