Winter Solstice

Surely, where tibouchina petals fall, mid-winter conditions cannot be too severe?  Not in glenny Kelburn under the eaves of the Botanic Gardens.
But admiring the view from the top of Mt Victoria, I was glad to have brought my feather-down jacket with me to Wellington. 
Mindful of Christchurch sinking two metres around the coastal areas over the past nine months, it is heartening to consider that earthquakes can also gift land to mankind.

This isthmus straddling the water, was lifted out of the sea by the 8.2M earthquake which struck Wellington in 1855, providing flat land for housing and eventually Wellington Airport.

The topography of Wellington - including the scene above - is richly inhabited with taniwha and their tales of endeavour and despair. These dragon-esque creatures from Maori folklore are found everywhere that the land humps and heaves and folds around water.  This one on the gates of Paekakariki School wears flowers in its hair.

But the real reason for my
visit to Wellington, was to join other New Zealand Morris dancers for some Solstice levity.  Based in Paekakariki, we danced in Porirua and Pauatahanui, and into the night at our Saturday Ale. 

These Winter Solstice festivities are hosted annually, by Wellington Morris sides: White Rose, and Brittanic Bedlam Morris Gentlemen.

Purple glory bush, Princess flower  Tibouchina urvilleana