Rainy Weather Sketching

The local sketchers made the call to sketch inside on this soggy morning so I've been practicing drawing plants today. 

(This is in the Fernery at Pukekura Park.)

This old church

This old church was just up the road from where I lived in Kaponga, south Taranaki.
It has been beautifully restored by Pat and Paul Ekdahl and is now on Junction Road New Plymouth. The quick sketch is probably more as I remember its condition rather than the wonderful presentation it now offers.  MLB

Kaponga Church & Caddy Eldorado

The 1901Anglican St Marks Kaponga church was relocated to Junction Road and beautifully restored. A special setting for weddings with white blooming flowers surrounding.

Three stain glassed windows adorn the northern end.  St Mark flanked by St Peter and St Barnabus.

Paul also restores classic American cars.  Check out the teeth on this Caddy Eldorado convertible

Kaponga Church

Relocated Kaponga Church - beautifully restored by Paul and Pat Ekdahl and used for weddings

 

Sketched by Patricia

Day at the Races

Mud Café Urenui

 

Day at the New Plymouth Races - including Jack Russell races

 



Race Day fans - three tattooists quenching their thirst

 

Jack Russell owners & trainers

Optimus Prime

I just got back from my original hometown in Canada, visiting family and friends. Lots of nostalgia and memories! We drove by my old school where, back in the 80's, we discussed the details of the latest episode of the Transformers. This time (in 2014), at a hotel across the street from the school, was a real Transformer. We stopped by and checked it out. Sure enough, it was the real deal. It was an Optimus Prime that I overheard was used in the some of the driving shots in the movies. The truck had Kentucky license plates and was in town for a truck show. Lots of people were stopping by and the kids with the ear to ear grins would shout something to their parents like, 'See?! I told you it was an Autobot!' At first I thought that there were security guards walking around the truck but it turns out that they were just cops who also stopped to check it out (and to snap a few selfies).

(I protected the identity of the cop in this picture... not because he was a police officer, but because I didn't want to get a transformers fan in trouble for not working!)

Zoo

Brooklands Zoo.  Can you spot the cartoon chook lurking amongst these creatures

Zoo

Sketched by Patricia - Brooklands Zoo

Braveheart

So I'm in this Irish pub in New Zealand. I've always thought that this place does a pretty good job of being an authentic pub that could be in Britain somewhere. Yes, I know... probably Ireland, but the decor of the inside is for the most part catering to Britain as a whole. When I was there I asked the guy next to me if he was from the UK and he gave me an "Aye'. I asked him, "does this place seem like a pub that could exist on the other side of the world?" He though about it but decided that it didn't. It turns out that even though the look inside isn't bad, it's just the fact that it is in New Zealand that prevents him from accepting the illusion.
When I was having a pint, I kept looking at this poster. It's been a while since the movie came out and it's now regarded as one of the least historically accurate movies out there. Also, it's an Australian actor playing a Scottish character in an American movie on a poster in an Irish pub in New Zealand. Does that make this object tacky and cliche? Now that the Scotland independence vote is about a week away, it's probably more relevant than it's been in years.

Walking and Photography in Pukekura Park Instead.

Today I decided to go out walking in Pukekura Park with our associated walkers instead of sketching. If I walk I take photos on the way. Here are a few:

It was a beautiful afternoon for it! Bonus? We didn't get lost. Apparently that happens from time to time!