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...
This is Pane & Vino, the pizzeria on Williamson Street – the one with the incredibly ornate floral fretwork along the veranda. I caught the old villa as it was being prepped for the removal truck. The restaurant survives in the old Firestation over the road, but the villa is history.
The 'wonderful' unitary plan provides absolutely zero protection for historic houses so they are disappearing at a great rate. Here are just a few that have disappeared over the last few months;
113 Jervois Road
537 Parnell Road
9 St Stephens
1 Brighton Road
253 Ponsonby Road
20 Williamson Ave.
537 Parnell Road
9 St Stephens
1 Brighton Road
253 Ponsonby Road
20 Williamson Ave.
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