Natives

 

Recently when we visited Murchison I spotted this colourful mural on the front of the local skatepark building. The artist is Sean Duffell it was initiated by the Murchison Youth Council as phase 1 of refurbishment of the area. I call this one "Natives" as I can see many New Zealand icons in there such as Trout, Kea, a Wood Pigeon and a Morepork (Ruru).

Linking up with Monday Murals.

Murchison War Memorial

In Murchison is this war memorial, I haven't seen many where is a statue of a soldier at the top. On on side it is dedicated to those who fought in the great war from 1914 to 1919 and on another side it has names of those who died who were from that area . One of the inscriptions says "Greater hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". 

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

Another visit to Murchison

 

Last week we drove up to Murchison to visit our favourite op shop. We also had lunch at one of the nicest cafes we've been to. This was my brunch; eggs benedict and bacon with a mocha.

And last time we were there just over a year ago we tried to visit the Dust and Rust vintage store but it was closed back then.

This time it was open. Sadly everything in it was a bit overpriced for my liking - I did see an old metal washing/bath tub out the front I was interested in but I wasn't going to pay over $300 for it. 

I loved everything inside though, so much to see but I'm quite picky with what I want to put in my house which was built in the 1930s and because I'm not made of money I didn't come out of there with anything.

Some of the cookie jars on the shelf look like ones that my Nana use to have when she was alive. 

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world, Wordless Wednesday.

Maruia Falls

This is quite a lovely but dangerous place. Maruia Falls is located just outside of Murchison, we stopped there recently. At first glance it looks like a great swimming spot but don't let that fool you.

Photo not mine.

Local residents have put up this sign to show how many people have drowned there due to the fast moving current and whirlpool full of timber that we saw while we were there.

 I do have some good news though. Earlier this week my first grandchild Hailey Maree was born weighing in at 7lbs 6oz. We will be flying up to Auckland in November to see her and spend some time with my oldest son and his partner - very excited.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, All Seasons and Tom's Signs.

Dust and rust

I don't know about you but I love a good vintage shop. I spotted this one in Murchison earlier this week but sadly it was closed.

Aptly named dust and rust it looks like judging from the objects outside, it lives up to it's name.

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Blossoms

So today we drove out to Murchison to meet up with B's sister and her husband for lunch. The idea was to meet at the local pub as they had a really good looking menu. Sadly they were closed so we instead walked to a nearby cafe where the food actually was pretty good. I ended up ordering my favourite Eggs Benedict.

Lots of trees covered in blossoms at the moment - this one was in the garden outside the cafe.

 And we stopped to pat the cafe's dog who was extremely friendly.

Linking up with Through my lens, All Seasons, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Stock car racing

We spotted this stock car in Murchison last time we were there about a year and a half ago. Looks a bit beat up and well used but I do enjoy going to events where cars like this race. The signwriting on the car suggests to me that it's from Nelson.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Blue house

I spotted this little house for sale in Murchison last year. A very pretty wee stucco house from the 1930s era, there are a few properties around the country like this. This one painted blue stands out a mile but not sure I would keep the colour if I owned it. I'd probably be a bit more traditional.

Linking up with Blue Monday and Mosaic Monday.

Dinosaurs

A mural from Murchison - this one I saw on the side of a small old building that was selling Pounamu and wood carvings. It's slightly faded but I can just make out scenery, trees and a Dinosaur so I'm guessing that whoever the artist was, they were sharing a glimpse of what New Zealand once looked like.

Linking up with Mural Monday

Somebody's Treasures

 I walked through this scene with B and the kids when we stopped in Murchison. It was quite a chilly 10 degrees and the locals that we talked to remarked on how I had a t-shirt on - well I don't feel the cold much so I explained where we were from (the far north where it is much warmer). In front of this second hand shop there were 2 veterans selling poppies in preparation for ANZAC Day (Australia, New Zealand Army Corps) so we donated all the coins we had and wore a poppy each.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.