Summer reading

I read four books over the holidays - here they are ranked in order from absolutely brilliant to a good read. (I will add them as time permits.)

#1 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Set in 1940's Germany, Zusak introduces some memorable and delightful characters, Liesel, Rudy, Max, Hans and others who live in desperate times with honour and hope and quite a few references to pigs. Zusak's way with words - minimal - makes its own statement in the context and invites the reader to savour each word. It was necessary to read slowly to savour the experience for as long as possible - I didn't want the experience of reading this book to end.

I talked to a woman camping at Anauru Bay (north of Gisborne) who felt that this book was not good holiday reading. Thematically I can understand why a story narrated by Death might seem a bit morbid in the summer sun, but the images of light and the ability to live hopefully in the lives of these people was anything but morbid despite the tragic circumstances. I found it to be deeply moving and among the best things that happened on my holiday!

Tasman Bay on the way north

Oh yes, on our way north Anne and I had five very pleasant nights at Little Kaiterteri when I conducted the wedding of Anna & Andrew. Early one morning I headed around the hillside walkway and captured these images... Kaiterteri Beach, Nelson

Trig Station at Little Kaiterteri overlooking Tasman Bay

Pohutukawa in flower

The view from our apartment of Little Kaiterteri, Tasman Bay
& the distant Marlborough Sounds

East Cape 4

Looking back towards East Cape

Father & Son on Tokomaru Bay wharf

Man on horse in Tolaga Bay

East Cape 3

We camped for two nights at Te Araroa Bay near the East Cape

At 6am on the day we left the light was magnificent

stream meets ocean at dawn

anne contemplates

marram grass seed (like tumbleweed)

east cape travels

These are pictures of the Raukokore Church and environs. The church is a quite magnificent landmark on a beautiful bay on the Bay of Plenty side of the Pacific Coast Highway.

North Island sojourn

Anne and I had 3 wonderful weeks up north this summer - first to Nelson for a wedding then over Cooks Strait to Taupo, Waihi Beach and then around remote East Cape. I snapped quite a few pictures around the Cape - mostly in black & white. I'll load the ones I liked the most on over the next few weeks.