Thursday Challenge for fun and learning.

My friend P got married in this church.

WOOD (Buildings, Furniture, Toys, Trees, Boards, Pencils,...)

Thursday Challenge is a place for photographic fun and learning.

http://www.spunwithtears.com/thursday.html

This was what Auckland looked like in the 1890s. Lots of wooden buildings. I took these photos at MOTAT. Museum of Transport and Technology.

In fact, many of these buildings are still inhabited. I lived in a quaint little villa like the one in the photo. It was in Kingsland, and friends joked that we were kings.

ABC Wednesday: Letter T :Phoenix Palm Tree

http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/

Phoenix canariensis
Everywhere you look around in Auckland, you see the giant Phoenix palms. These palms are kingpins in the booming subtropical style of gardening and feature in parks and expensive housing developments.

Introduced to Auckland a century ago, their recent surge in popularity for landscaping projects is alarming native tree advocates. They argue that it is evading the native nikau palm. New Zealand's Landcare Research has classified the palm as a 'sleeper weed' - "a plant that spreads slowly and goes unnoticed until it becomes widespread"

It is hardy, adaptable and spines can inflict poisonous wounds. The average height that the Phoenix canariensis palm grows is between 50 to 60 feet. The Pineapple palm flowers late spring early summer and has numerous orange seeds which ensure its population.

These trees are found at a central city park, Meyrs park.

Outdoor Wednesday: Snow drinks

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

12 flavours of snow drinks, which shall I choose?

Spotted at the Parnell Rose Garden Festival.

Watery Wednesday: Picton Ferry terminal

http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

New Zealand comprises of two very big island, one smaller island and lots of tiny island. The Cook Straits divides the North and the South Island. You can drive from Auckland in the North. Catch a ferry at Wellington, land at Picton, and then journey south.

Interislander’s Cook Strait Ferries travel between Wellington and Picton New Zealand. The 92km voyage takes 3 hours and has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world"

My sister Margaret will be travel soon from Christchurch.

I hope the weather is good, and the sea is not choppy. Most of all, I hope there will be no cancellation as she is on a very tight schedule.

If you are renting a car, you can arrange with the car rental company to leave you car at Wellington Terminal, and pick up another car at Picton. This saves you from spending a hefty sum to ferry your car, and also you don't need to queue up to drive your car into the ferry, and out of the ferry when you reach the other terminal. This was what we did.

http://www.interislander.co.nz/

Ruby Red: Inflatable Jandal

Hurray, Summer is here, the lifeguards are officially at the beach to rescue you if you get into trouble.

http://www.slsnz.org.nz/NationalJandalDay/Front/Front.aspx?ID=9939

Jandal is a hybrid word in New Zealand for Japanese Sandals, and is very popular and well loved that the Jandal is a national Icon.

Three summers ago, they sold key chains which I still use for my car. It's bright red and yellow means it is easy to locate, and at the right size too.

My students were pumping up these inflatables and emphasized to me that it is not meant to be a floatation devise. It is a toy.

My colleagues J and A both have children who are volunteer life guards.

Yellow Mellow: Gorse

http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/

Common Name: Gorse

Scientific Name: Ulex europaeus

Gorse is not native to New Zealand, but was introduced as a fence. But it's prolific growth meant that it grow profusely all over the country. It has become an obnoxious weed, and the prickles means that the animals would not be able to graze the land.

One December, we came back with the kids. All along the desert road, the road sides were full of what we thought were beautiful yellow flowers. Then we were told they were gorse. A pain to the farmers.

Below is from the http://www.biosecurity.net.nz/gorse.html

Description: Gorse is a perennial shrub that is distinctive by it’s bright yellow pea-like flowers and evergreen spines. It can grow to 3-4 metres tall. Found throughout New Zealand it is a very hardy plant that can survive hot and cold weather conditions. Positive attributes include; the plant has nitrogen fixing ability and that it can act as a nursery plant for forestry seedlings or regenerating native bush.

Problem: The main problem is the affect the plant has on farm pasture. The first is that it is quick growing and due to it’s spiny nature, it forms thickets that are impenetrable to stock and humans. It produces large numbers of seeds in seed pods which explode open, enhancing seed distribution. Seed may last 100 years in the soil before conditions become suitable for germination. Burning stimulates regrowth.

http://www.biosecurity.net.nz/gorse.html

Christmas at the Park, Mt albert Rocket Park

http://ann-mythoughtsandphotos.blogspot.com/2009/11/ruby-red-christmas-at-rocket-park.html

I have also posted photos on my other site: http://annkschin.blogspot.com/2009/11/christmas-at-park.html

It has been a successful night, 2-3000 people came to celebrate this Christmas in the Park organised by my church, Mt Albert Baptist Church. A lot of people worked very hard behind the scene, and many local companies sponsored the event. The students from the ESOL class came to help sell ice cream and drinks.

I made a new friend. She is a professional photographer. Her lens were very impressive and I went to talk to her. Guess what, she invited me to join her group of Chinese professional photographers. My photographs should become better and better, and I shall start praying for a high resolution camera for my birthday. LOL