I made a Spotify playlist featuring some of my favourite Kiwi tracks to celebrate/serve as the soundtrack to my mini summer. <<<HEADING HOME>>> Two weeks was never going to be enough.
{ 0 comments }
While I was in New Zealand I was introduced to Sal Valentine & the Babyshakes, by my dear friend Graham (Hi G!) who happens to be a Babyshake himself. The story, as I understand it, is that Sal composed some swinging tunes for a university assignment and assembled a bunch of talented musicians to bring them to life, and at the end of it all, everyone was having such a good time they decided to commit to regular rehearsals and performances. How lucky for the music-loving public! I went to a show of theirs and I can confirm it was highly danceable, a rollicking time.
This is SV&tBS performing Everybody Get Loose in Rodney Fisher’s gorgeous backyard in Te Atatu. An EP is on the way, so keep an ear out.
{ 0 comments }
I’ve been back in New Zealand for the last week and a half, and quite simply, it is stunning. The streets are absurdly wide and clean, the tarseal pavements are melting in the heat, and the sound of cicadas constantly throbs in the air.
I went to Omaha, and dug my toes in the white sandy beach. I visited the village market too, stocking up on my favourite olive oil soap from the Matakana Valley. Then I headed north, to the Hokianga, with my sister and my mum, to spend a few nights with my beloved Gran. This is the view from her front yard, and her astounding spoon collection:
Other than that I’ve been cruising around Auckland, catching up with dear friends and basking in the sun. There is slight change in the current cast, with a few new faces and a couple missing. But for the most part everything is the same. This is a sweet relief.
Other than catching up, it’s been a whirl of op shops, art galleries, ferry rides, cold drinks at old haunts, and double lunches. A lot of 35mm has been shot too. 6 sleeps left, don’t make me leave the sunshine (Thom, please teleport here).
{ 0 comments }
A 2008 New Zealand 50 cent stamp set, featuring various kiwi icons (not so sure about Quake, however). In other news, I’ve just remembered about the existence of Jelly Tips*, Giant Jelly Tips and Jelly Tip Trumpets. Emotional.
*A Popsicle style ice-cream on a stick, featuring a wodge of frozen raspberry jelly on the tip, surrounded by a thin chocolate shell.
{ 0 comments }
When I sent off some rolls of 35mm to get developed, I didn’t expect to get back a handful of Oxford photos. I don’t remember when they were shot (last year? Although the photo of Thom could be anywhere from the 70′s to now), but they definitely have a late summer/autumn vibe to them. Fun fact: the Tudor building now houses a shitty chain cafe, but used to be a brothel!
{ 0 comments }
Dental signs of Morocco. I took these October 2012. I wish I’d been brave enough to get a shot of one of the rouge dentists in Place Jamaa el Fna, sitting there with pliers and a pyramid of teeth.
{ 0 comments }
A trio of soda brands spotted in Morocco, October 2012. The language of logos is universal.
{ 0 comments }
It started last Friday. The white stuff. A few flakes here and there while I walked to work…
By lunchtime, Spa Fields, the park behind the studio was covered, so Rosie and I went frolicking.
Funnily enough, when it snowed last year Thom and I went to the Barbican to see a film. Same again in 2013!
The next day I went to Jen’s place in Hackney Wick for breakfast. Everything was icy and cold. I slipped along the canal (spot the Olympic Stadium in the background), praying that I wouldn’t hit any black ice. The smell of wood-fires burning in the bellies of the canal boats filled the air.
Saturday night saw Thom and I head to Oxfordshire (emphasis on shire) for the weekend, where we basically spent the weekend hanging out with ponies and puppies, and having snowball fights. Best time ever, although I did get bitten on the hand by an overly enthusiastic Blue, when I was trying to give him Polo mints.
Not pictured – the biggest drooliest dog you might ever meet. Happy days, but looking forward to getting back to the South Pacific next week.
{ 2 comments }
City Road Basin is on the Regent’s Canal, between Angel and Hoxton. Sometimes I wander past here on the way to work, just to look, and say hi to the ducks. This morning the black water was smothered with an oily sheet of ice. One of those rare London moments when you look up, and realise you’re all alone.
{ 0 comments }