Is it a verb or is it a noun?

No play today

Rain looming over the playground at Morningside Park this afternoon.

Curious kereru

Down on the water

This is Whangarei's marina, also known as the "Town Basin". Yachts from all over the world moor here and many accents can be overheard if you take a stroll along the riverside or stop and have a drink or a meal in one of the cafes or restaurants overlooking the water.

It's also home to art galleries, souvenir shops, a clock museum and the purveyor of the best fudge in the whole wide world, NZ Fudge Farm (their Russian Fudge is absolutely delicious!).

Whangarei far, far away

This is the view from our verandah looking towards Whangarei, which is just beyond the plume of smoke in the distance. We live approximately 27kms away from the city but both myself and my husband travel in five days a week to work (a journey of 30 minutes) and we travel in on Saturdays for sport and to run weekly errands (supermarket shopping, yawn...)

At night the lights of the city twinkle and sparkle like a string of Christmas lights - a photo I should try to capture (with the aid of a long shutter speed and a tripod!)

Sails of contrast

Two sets of identical sail sculptures on each side of the road greet visitors to Whangarei as they enter the city driving north. One is in wood; the other in metal, representing old and new, Maori and Pakeha, nature and industry.

Beware the Taniwha!

"Tane" the Taniwha is Northland Rugby Union's mascot. Despite being quite scary, he hasn't helped Northland win too many games, but this doesn't stop Northland fans being fanatically loyal and dedicated to their home team. Go the Mighty Taniwha!