At the end of the year message…

…..reflecting on the fact that our region, Nelson Bays at the Top of the South (of NZ’s South Island) is all about the three “F”s ** ….I thought it was timely tonight (after travelling widely thru the region over the last 3 days) to remind everyone, rather re-introduce something that the three “F”s forgets….and that is….FARMING.

NZ as a nation is proud of its “can do” attitude, and over the last 150 + years, this has never been better epitomised, than by our “men of the land.”

With those thoughts in mind, the call today by NZ Federated Farmers president, Bruce Wills could not have been more pertinent or timely. Every paper or website in the last few days is full of predictions for the “next great thing” in 2013, either in a case of “what to put your money on (stocks/shares)” or “spend your $ on.”

Herewith, I suggest for the sake of this great land, at a time when we all need to be reminded of our heritage…. I quote the Farmers Presidents words here….

“It would be great to see Kiwi farmers dust off their high definition video cameras, write a script and similarly get out there in 2013.“

Why?  Well I echo his thoughts on this one…and here they are ….

“It is quite remarkable and their videos (the Peterson Brothers USA videos…the one above is up to 11m views already)  are full of positive messages about farming delivered with humour in a clever and stylish way.This also inspired me to think about my top-10 positive farming memories for 2012, which I have included below,” 

“Can I take my hat off to those Kansas arable farmers known on YouTube as the ThePetersonFarmBros.  Their video, “"Farmer style,” might be a Gangham-style parody, but what it says about farming is priceless,” said Bruce.

** Fishing, Fruit, Forestry

Nelsons new “entry” sculpture

some are mentioning it as a landmark already.

Xmas Lights have been popular this year…

as can be seen by the amount of traffic in our street this week visiting one of the homes (the one on the right, although it appears to have 10 times the lighting when you view it front on) entered into the annual “Christmas Lights” competition.

Garden Power Tool on sale….goodie…but wait…

I hate it when they do this.

Just hanging around, having a drink downtown…

…were these hanging baskets the other morning.

On Xmas Day 2012 in Nelson...

I thought I’d found a cold spot down at Tahunanui Beach last night.

There were hundreds of beachgoers still down there at 7pm last night, and the water still felt like about 20 degrees.

Ships passing in the…

….well in this case it was of a morning actually.

With Nelsons AIS seemingly not in operation, ( sadly I suspect as a carryover of the notification it would have given some folk as to when some Nelson based fishing boats were to leave port ) I’m guessing that is ANL Benalla heading out to Auckland with a load of containers, whilst what looks like The Spirit of Endurance pops into Port.

Looking at the amount of boats …

…..out on Tasman Bay this morning. I’d say there are plenty of folk enjoying a real healthy start to their day….

….something that these incoming Air NZ passengers would’ve also noticed out their side windows.

Essence of Xmas here...

In this one photo taken this morning, the young 4-5-6 yr olds even had a lamb up on stage.

Slightly different angle from yesterdays Santa Parade photos…

 

…..here’s the before photo of the Main Rd north of the Stoke shops…

and the after.

Turns out that a Record was broken….

seems that over 400 bikers made the official 2012 Xmas run………..

the best ever…along with the most bikes ever.

Big pat on the back guys and girls.

Good timing in this one…

 

even if I do say so myself. Managed to not only pick up the youngsters & their yachts visiting the Boulder Bank near the lighthouse with their school sailing day out, got a car carrier and a fishing boat in the shot too.

Puzzled, but love to know…..

why these boats leave Port Nelson with all their loading/cargo cranes in the upright position as pictured. Surely it can’t be the best situation “balance wise?”

Rural Scene ~ Nelson

…and yes perhaps not your favourite food….but…

Country meets city…

….in Nelson, just 4km (as the crow flies) from the CBD, and just 650m from the main thoroughfare, Waimea Rd, between Nelson and Stoke. You too could live in the country, in Nelson City.

Just the right elements today..

sun, warm water, wind, and a day off. Looks like these kite surfers are making the most of it this Sunday afternoon.

In Nelson this summertime…

you’ll be able to skate on ice outdoors! As the photo shows the assembly of the ice rink looks like it is going ahead as planned.

And in the morning…

An Artists Dilemma in Nelson town…

…and that would be…this

that if you happened to be lucky enough to live here there

then what per-chance could encourage you to pick up a pencil / brush / pen…

because on the odd chance…you had decided that to encapsulate a moment in time ….

….right about….….

Surprise…..I think my love of landscapes…..

and especially local ones…

is showing through tonight.

Faced with just this setting sun (“moody”) scenery from just the one night….why wouldn’t I feel that way? I feel, painted right, anyone of them could make a great wall painting/hanging for a living area.

Now, that’s the spirit….

spotted on Queen St, Richmond.

That oughta stop ‘em….

What a fabulous place to exercise in the morning…

to say nothing of the soft sand on your feet

or the real fresh ocean air you’re breathing.

If you park like this…

…then….