Buddha at Kaukapakapa in Devonport.

This is a small in stature photo
but it was it was enriching for me to see
it on a Devonport wall. Framed
and with a perfect background.

Apple Tree

I've been travelling a little bit
around the North Island
beyond New Plymouth, lately.

One of my pleasures
is to come across a photo
of mine and to see it
settled into a loving home in
another part of this
country, in this case Whanganui.

Two Studio Views

I've been organising the walls of my studio
in recent months.
Here are a couple of views
although the stairs are really a
large scale photo pinned to the wall.
Over two years ago I took this photograph
in a B & B in Oamaru and have not yet
printed it up into an edition.
Mainly I would like to see it made
into a 1000 piece jigsaw.


The monarch was born in
my studio. I collected chrysalises
from Swan Plants in my garden and brought
them inside where I could watch them
develop. My studio is sunny, warm and
safe.

This particular butterfly was only a
few minutes old. Once its wings
had unfolded fully and
set in place, I put it back in the wild.

Coleus

My mother grew these plants, and even as an ignorant

scoffing teenager they impressed me.

Now I find myself growing them.

Jerusalem

Again.

When in Jerusalem N Z a week or so ago I had several attempts at photographing this church. Took, don't like that word, if I were ever a photography

teacher I would be tempted to ban it. Luckily I am not.

Of the 5 or 6 strikes I had at the subject this I think is the tightest.

I notice my shadow in the foreground. In photography of the 60's and 70's this was

almost a signature eg Gary Winogrand.

More Jerusalem

Here are two more photos that I took at Jerusalem last week.

I went there partly as a pilgrim to visit James K Baxter's grave

and the site of the famous commune, which after his death

in 1972 did not really continue.

The top photo shows his modest headstone, carrying his

maori name: Hemi.

The second photo is of two trees placed perhaps fifty paces from

where he lies.

I was told that the right hand one is the skeleton of a very old

Chestnut. That would make sense because between his grave and the tree is

the Top House. Rather careworn now and even then I imagine it was an epicentre

of the commune.

Baxter wrote a poem worrying about the leaking spouting and

deciding to go and pick chestnuts instead. Off the ground I think.

Jerusalem

A few days ago I stayed at Jerusalem, about about an

hour and a quarter's drive inland from Wanganui.

Jerusalem was the site of a famous commune centred

around poet James K. Baxter. It is also the site of a

community of nuns belonging to the Sisters of Compassion.

Begun by Mother Aubert it is the only Order to have been

founded in New Zealand.

It is possible to stay overnight at the convent. It is necessary to take

your own linen and food. I would recommend it. Google Home of Compassion

for information.