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...
When I did the top sketch on Monday, demolition work had already begun, so the old girls were looking a bit forlorn with the windows and doors removed from their sockets, giving them a decidedly vacant stare.
Some of you will remember the
two buildings as the Ashiana Indian Restaurant back in the 80’s. At some
stage the two identical buildings were joined at the ground level
allowing for one grand dinning room. In my memory the buildings have
always made an exotic statement painted as they were in vibrant colour
combinations.
I returned a few days later to get the sketch below, but I’d already
missed the real action – I understand they both came down in just an
hour or so. Wether you like the idea of losing heritage buildings to
intensified housing or not you have to admit seeing demolition in action
makes a very compelling sight.
Thanks to Jeanne for the heads-up that demolition has started.
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