Below you see the road that leads to Burt Munroe's aforementioned beach. While in Canada we sometimes get what we call "snow snakes" that blow across our paved roads, a close examination of the picture below will reveal "sand snakes" that behave similarly.
The approach to Invercargill's beach, Invercargill, NZ
Below is a haunting scene of New Zealand's southernmost beach.
Invercargill, NZ
Like an obedient puppy--or droid, if you're a Star Wars fan--our loyal "steed" waits impatiently while we frolic on the windswept beach.
The view shoreward from Burt Munroe beach, Invercargill, NZ
Our friend, the brain-sucker makes yet another appearance, having been vanquished on the northernmost beach of the South Isle. However, this time it has a surprise(?) ally who ensures that the outcome will not be as fruitless as the last skirmish was for this ambitious seafaring marauder!
Cal bears the full brunt of another vicious sea monster assault
Invercargill, NZ
Almost...there...
The last breaths of a noble enemy, Cal succumbs to the beast!
Invercargill, NZ
With no time for a proper burial, we just leave him out in the sun to rot.
Flotsom on the beach
Invercargill, NZ
Below you can see how this seaweed attaches itself to the rocks. Those cavities and veins are all deceivingly hard and sharp for such a soft plant in its other non-rooted areas. It was extremely uncomfortable for the top of the head to horse around as we did.
Seaweed attachment base
Invercargill, NZ
As we left the beach, we saw this interesting sand-dune-and-grass formation
As we left the beach, we saw this interesting sand-dune-and-grass formation
Wind battered silica sand shoreline
Invercargill, NZ
Looking seaward from the same spot, we were rewarded with the seascape vista below.
A last look at the Beach south of Invercargill, NZ
Leaving me to do a blog entry, Colleen and the kids went shopping/sight-seeing. They didn't get much shopping done--remedial shopping school, anyone?--but they took a lot of shots of downtown Invercargill architecture, as can be seen below.
Hitoric Town Hall and Theatre, est. 1906
For more info., visit; http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/southland-region/11/4
Invercargill, NZ
Below can be seen the Boer War Memorial; the source of much controversy, it's said, due to the then scandalous addition of the four clock faces in 1942, after the town clock at the post office was removed for earthquake safety reasons.
Boer War Memorial, Invercargill, NZ
Boer War memorial, with one of the retired old bank buildings behind it. There used to be three major banks at this corner, leading towns folk to name it, "Bank Corner." Hmmph. Go figure!
Boer War Memorial
Roundabout at the intersection of Clyde, Dee, Tay, and The Crescent
Roundabout at the intersection of Clyde, Dee, Tay, and The Crescent
Invercargill, NZ
More scenes from the roundabout area
Downtown Invercargill, NZ
"The pizza in one place was s-o-o-o ba-ad..." "How bad was it?" "Well,..."
C'mon guys, you had to know something was coming when you named it that!
Questionable business acumen, Downtown Invercargill, NZ
Nicely restored heritage building, The Grand Hotel, "Designed by CJ Brodrick and built in 1913, with cast-iron balustraded balconies, the hotel has long presented a handsome face to the expansive Dee St environments. Since 2000, however, it has [been used] as the Grand Hall of Residence, providing accommodation for Southern Institute of Technology students."
Downtown Invercargill, NZ
One of the many classic cars we saw in the South Island--this one possibly imported from Australia, judging from the right-hand-driver position. The license plate, with only two letters showing, marks it as a car that probably was imported when it was new, or only slightly used. (Note the three letters on the plate of the vehicle behind it, identifying it as a late model, or recent import.)
Cruising downtown Invercargill on a sunny afternoon.
Below you can see a heavily modded-out Ford Falcon 351 GT. The hood scoop is not original, and neither are the wheels. The motor made 300 ponies--a lot for back then--and apparently, less than 2,000 of these were produced in 1970, and '71 at their factory in Australia.
Ford Falcon 351 GT, downtown Invercargill, NZ
Below is another shot of the remarkably photogenic heritage water tower.
Zoomed shot of Gala St. as seen from the intersection with Dee St.
Downtown Invercargill, NZ
Beautiful St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Downtown Invercargill, NZ
At the corner of Victoria and Dee can be found this cenotaph, a monument to those who served bravely in the Pacific theatre of WWII, as well as later in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, and Viet Nam from 1948-1972. I am unaware of whether the architect originally intended this or not, but the grass-cement mosaic that fronts the cenotaph seems to echo somewhat the rectangular masonry in the cenotaph itself, with its high-relief mortar, which stands out markedly from the dark stone it binds together.
Cenotaph, Downtown Invercargill, NZ
I think the sign says it all on its own
Invercargill, NZ
Alcohol shopping on a warehouse scale
Invercargill, NZ
And, of course, directly outside the store, we have a sign which I'm sure is certain to cause no small amount of consternation!
Do the police confiscate the stuff as they exit the store? "Quick, Jim, you run out first, and when they're all tied up with you, the rest of us'll make a break for it!!"
Below can be seen Invercargill's version of "Cornerstone" Church.
Cornerstone Church with a sign that seems to be pointing us to our next destination.
Dunedin, or bust!
Invercargill, NZ
This is the holiday park we stayed in at Dunedin, although the precise name of the place escapes me at the moment...
OK, now. We only have two options here; either this is tacky advertising, or they get a lot of walk-ins from pilots and parachutists passing overhead..."I'm gonna go with "tacky for 100", Alex."
Below you can see the spartan cabin we resided in for one night. Had my kids been eight years younger, they would have been blown over by the playful mural of they're favourite characters from Thomas the Tank Train!
Accommodations at Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
They had a real keen sense of humour at this park...as in keening, or wailing like a banshee in reaction to a joke that was dead long before it was ever conceived!
My dad told me this joke years ago (in 1970...& '71, '72, '73, '74,...) and it wasn't funny then, either.
Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
I was in grade nine when my science teacher sprung this one on us. Like all of his jokes, the groans elicited were long loud and indicated a great deal of mental anguish..."there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth..."
Shades of Sherwood Botsford in Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
One of these trucks is not like the other...
Real Truck, pulling a fifth wheel at Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
Can you spot the difference? It will take keen eyesight, grasshopper!!
Intruder alert!
Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
More scenes from the roundabout area
"The pizza in one place was s-o-o-o ba-ad..." "How bad was it?" "Well,..."
Questionable business acumen, Downtown Invercargill, NZ
Nicely restored heritage building, The Grand Hotel, "Designed by CJ Brodrick and built in 1913, with cast-iron balustraded balconies, the hotel has long presented a handsome face to the expansive Dee St environments. Since 2000, however, it has [been used] as the Grand Hall of Residence, providing accommodation for Southern Institute of Technology students."
One of the many classic cars we saw in the South Island--this one possibly imported from Australia, judging from the right-hand-driver position. The license plate, with only two letters showing, marks it as a car that probably was imported when it was new, or only slightly used. (Note the three letters on the plate of the vehicle behind it, identifying it as a late model, or recent import.)
Below you can see a heavily modded-out Ford Falcon 351 GT. The hood scoop is not original, and neither are the wheels. The motor made 300 ponies--a lot for back then--and apparently, less than 2,000 of these were produced in 1970, and '71 at their factory in Australia.
Below is another shot of the remarkably photogenic heritage water tower.
Downtown Invercargill, NZ
At the corner of Victoria and Dee can be found this cenotaph, a monument to those who served bravely in the Pacific theatre of WWII, as well as later in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, and Viet Nam from 1948-1972. I am unaware of whether the architect originally intended this or not, but the grass-cement mosaic that fronts the cenotaph seems to echo somewhat the rectangular masonry in the cenotaph itself, with its high-relief mortar, which stands out markedly from the dark stone it binds together.
Detail of the top of the Cenotaph
Below you see one of the stores dedicated solely to the sale of alcoholic beverages--somewhat like Ontario's LCBO--but, unlike Canada, these stores are corporately owned and operated. I wonder what this sign below is supposed to represent, though. Maybe the tag line that comes with it goes something like this; "When you drink Tui beer, and wonder when enough's enough, don't worry, mate! We've got your back! When you see a seal balancing one on his nose...YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH!! But until then, BOTTOMS UP!! Tui Beer."
Invercargill, NZ
Below we see the vast size of these stores
Invercargill, NZ
And, of course, directly outside the store, we have a sign which I'm sure is certain to cause no small amount of consternation!
Below can be seen Invercargill's version of "Cornerstone" Church.
Dunedin, or bust!
Invercargill, NZ
This is the holiday park we stayed in at Dunedin, although the precise name of the place escapes me at the moment...
Below you can see the spartan cabin we resided in for one night. Had my kids been eight years younger, they would have been blown over by the playful mural of they're favourite characters from Thomas the Tank Train!
They had a real keen sense of humour at this park...as in keening, or wailing like a banshee in reaction to a joke that was dead long before it was ever conceived!
Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
I was in grade nine when my science teacher sprung this one on us. Like all of his jokes, the groans elicited were long loud and indicated a great deal of mental anguish..."there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth..."
One of these trucks is not like the other...
Can you spot the difference? It will take keen eyesight, grasshopper!!
Dunedin Holiday Park, Dunedin, NZ
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