Wandering about Wellington

Today’s post is a bit of a mishmash of things seen recently in and around the city, just things I spotted and took pictures of that caught my eye.

Egmont Street

The other week, I was walking up Egmont Street and took my time to take a look at what there is on the walls…and of course this bird nestling in a large pot. It could be a kererū but happy to be corrected. There are some large, colourful fish covering one wall, brightening up the street and looking as if they don’t want to be caught and eaten.

The other picture tells a bit of a story. The artist, Stephen Templer here illustrates the history of a 1924 attempted robbery. The Great Egg Heist tells the story of a burglary-gone-wrong: two burglars broke into a chicken factory and tried, using dynamite, to break into a safe. The safe resisted explosion, and all they got away with was 15 shillings (NZ$1.5 – New Zealand stopped using pounds, shillings and pence in 1967).

The waterfront on a summer day

This Christmas tree, on Queen’s Wharf, has shells, fish and other sea related decorations. Bright, cheerful and seasonal.

On Tuesday, I spotted lots of swimmers, taking a break from sitting at their desks for a quick dip. I was amazed actually how many there were – the picture if only of a few.

And now something for my friends in Scotland…a piper, playing a very slow version of Flower of Scotland followed by that gloomy dirge a primary school music teacher used to thump out on the piano, Scots Wha Hae. The sculpture behind him is the Len Lye’s Water Whirler.

The forecast looks like rain next week….fingers crossed the sun returns for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Entered in Wednesday Words and Whimsy hosted by Deb and Sue.

26 Comments

  1. I would love to have seen that piper. I think my Scottish heritage causes me to have huge love for the bagpipes. I’ve only been to Wellington once, about twelve years ago. It was just a one day stopover on a cruise. All I remember was how windy it was walking the path along the ocean. It was two steps forward and one back all day.

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  2. Sometimes it is nice to wander isn’t it, Barbara. I’m with Jennifer Jones, I love the piper and used to teach Highland Dancer so I’ve known a few pipers in my time. We are visiting Scotland next year which I’m looking forward to. thanks for sharing Wellington with us at #WWWhimsy. We only had a day tour from a cruise so not enough time to explore. Have a lovely week. Sue L #TeamWWWhimsy xx

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  3. My piping son is visiting us from Glasgow at the moment – happy me. I enjoy seeing these various Wellington scenes – a great way to visit from so far away.

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  4. A nice random selection of real life Wellington. I am curious as to why 3 of the 4 swimmers look like they have some colourful things attached to them. Great find in the art department and who would not love a piper in a kilt on a bright sunny day. Bernie

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    1. There were two groups of swimmers – some that ran out of the office and jumped into the water and these who all had colourful itmes on their back – I wondered if they were sea swimmers and wore them to be easily identified? Would love to know.

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  5. What a delightful glimpse of Wellington! The sea-themed Christmas tree – never seen before 🙂 Here in Latvia, all the decorations and themes are based on snow and cold weather 🙂

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      1. Jandals are so close to Latvian zandales, or in my region where we don’t say endings – zandals 🙂 Have you ever experienced Christmas in winter?

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        1. 🙂

          I grew up in Scotland and lived in Denmark before moving to New Zealand so yes I have experienced Christmas in winter! Not many white Christmases, but certainly cold and dark ones!

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  6. We didn’t get to Wellington on our two trips to NZ a few years ago but it looks like a great place to visit. The swimmers musts be keen to take a dip during their lunch hour. I saw some similar murals somewhere over there and loved the artistic creativity of the artists. Thanks for joining us for Min’s #WWWhimsy linkup, it’s always great to read your posts and see the sights you share!

    Deb #TeamWWWhimsy

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