Occasionally Auckland Sketchbook escapes the city to somewhere interesting — and close. This time the sketchbook got a workout in The Bay of Islands . Only 3.5 hours by car and a world away from work. The sketch above was made in down-town Paihia, it doesn't look it, but it is literally behind the main street. The view is the back of an old homestead called Williams House . I was attracted by the orchard of very old fig trees on the left that had me imagining eating juicy ripe figs. Sadly they weren't in season but it must be a fun place at harvest time. Right over the other side of the bay you will find his falling down old house on Matauwhi Bay. For a while there the water had a turquoise glow until the sun went into hiding. This is Pompallier House and Clendon Cottage in Russell sketched with my back to the sea. I may have used a little too much artistic licence in moving them close enough together to fit on my page so don't look too closely. Anyway, I have sketched Po...
The Manu Aute Kite Day is part of the Matariki (Maori New Year) celebrations at Orakei Marae. Kite flying was popular with ancient maori and used particularly during Matariki. Kites were believed to make a spiritual connection with the gods.
The sun was out for a change so a great time to check out the impressive kites of all shapes and sizes in action, the most impressive being an enormous stingray at least the size of a bus. A word of warning for those thinking of going next year though - make sure your kite is well sorted in advance - don't do what we did and and turn up with an untested kite that is only interested in crashing headlong into the ground - unless you enjoy being the butt of some good natured kite humour.As well as the kite flying there was moko designing, hangi food and kapa haka performances on offer. We had a great time with the kids building a traditional style kite of toi toi and raupo in the whare kai, but not such a great time trying to fly it - it would need a lot more wind to get airbourne due to it's weight!
Comments