Scots culture in the park

Upper Hutt Scottish Highland Gathering kicked off with  loud bagpipe music coming from the other side of the hills at Harcourt Park.

Highland dancing

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bagpipes

 

 

clan tents

Highland cattle

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sword fighting

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Arrow shooting

 

 

The rest…

Male highland dress includes kilt (or trews), sporran, sgian dubh and ghillies. Ghillies, or ghillie brogues, are traditional thick soled shoes with no tongues and long laces.

The sporran (/ˈspɒrən/; Scottish Gaelic for “purse“), a traditional part of male Scottish Highland dress, is a pouch that performs the same function as pockets on the pocketless kilt. Made of leather or fur, the ornamentation of the sporran is chosen to complement the formality of dress worn with it. The sporran is worn on a leather strap or chain, conventionally positioned in front of the groin of the wearer.

 

Female highland dress includes women’s shoes, also called ghillies, that are tied in the same way but have thin soles for indoor wear and dancing. Traditionally, women and girls do not wear kilts but may wear ankle-length tartan skirts. A tartan sash or shawl may also be worn. Women may also wear dress tartans which are modified versions which include white in place of a more prominent colour.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_dress

Rainbow: Skywatch Friday

A place to enjoy skies and views from all around the globe. Skywatch is only as good as the people who post here. It is a “not for profit, not for awards” fun place to post and link from. Simply take a picture which includes the Sky, post that picture on your blog and then come here and put your preferred name and link in the relevant places. Try to visit others on the links, those at the beginning and the end.

http://skyley.blogspot.co.nz/2014/08/skywatch-frieay-august-28-2014-edition.html

RAINBOW in the sky.

This afternoon – about 17:30 it look like this from my front door.

 

 

Horizons – Travel Theme

HORIZON

Kapiti Island

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Kāpiti Island is a small but conspicuous island about 5 km (3 mi) off the west coast of the lower North Island of New Zealand. It is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) long, running southwest/northeast, and roughly 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) wide, being more or less rectangular in shape, and has an area of 19.65 km2 (7.59 sq mi).

The conservation potential of the island was seen as early as 1870. It was reserved as a bird sanctuary in 1897 but it was not until 1987 that the Department of Conservation (DOC) took over the administration of the island. In the 1980s and 1990s efforts were made to return the island to a natural state; first sheep and possums were removed. In an action few thought possible for an island of its size, rats were eradicated in 1998.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapiti_Island

Somersal B&B (wedding 3)

Somersal B&B/Wedding venue

We had a wonderful time at Somersal B&B

John and Jenny treated us as princesses.

It was wonderful to be there for 3 nights.

They were also willing to accommodate Bertus, my son, on Friday night.

Somersal B&B / Wedding Venue

Somersal is an idyllic Bed and Breakfast Accommodation / Wedding Venue near the famous Waitomo Caves. Perched on the banks of the Waipa River in Pirongia, Waikato. It’s just 30 minutes north from the Waitomo Caves, 20 minutes from Hamilton and only 10 minutes drive from Te Awamutu. Stay in farm style comfort under a sky rich with stars, then wake to an especially prepared breakfast and the song of native birds in the garden.

http://somersal.co.nz/

I took some lovely photos.

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Entrance gate.

My room entrance. Right hand the kitchen and dining area.

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More garden photos!

 

 

 

Virtual Blog Tour

Aletta at http://nowathome.wordpress.com/about/ Invited me to take part in a Virtual Blog Tour on Monday August 04, 2014. Thank you Aletta for inviting me.

Aletta is a retired Primary teacher from Cape Town South Africa. She says: ” I love to discover new places, being outdoors and exploring the surrounding areas with my camera, family and friends!” Please visit her wonderful blog on many different  loves.

Virtual Blog Tour

The Virtual Blog Tour is a relatively new project for bloggers.  The rules are fairly simple:

  • Compose a one-time post which is posted on Monday (date will be given to you from whoever passes on the tour)
    1. What am I working on? 
    2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
    3. Why do I write/create what I do? 
    4. How does your writing/creating process work?  
  • Answer four questions about our creative process which lets other bloggers and visitors know what inspires us to do what we do.
  • Then pass the tour on to up to four other bloggers. Get their permission first and give them rules and specific Monday they are to post.

Well Here we go

  1. What am I working on?

I am still doing my advanced photography course which is going to end soon. I have taken many photos around my son’s wedding this past weekend and still need to sort them out.

Here is one taken from just outside my room at the guest house where we stayed for the wedding weekend.

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       2.  How does my work differ from others of this genre?

I try to take photos of every day experiences while walking my best friend Trompie. I have a special blog just for him http://scrapydodog.wordpress.com/

I also vary my subjects/projects by giving extra information or sometimes just a photo.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I am an animal behaviorist (specialized in dog behavior). I use my everyday information on my Scrapydodog blog. I also need a lot of practice in English writing that’s why I follow some writing blogs and take part in Daily Post challenges. Photography also gives me the opportunity to capture special moments.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

I usually start with a photo and then build some interesting information around it. I sometimes take at least a week to formulate some of my ideas. While I am walking Trompie my brain works overtime and sometimes it as if a light turns on and I would just do it as it comes up.

This is what we saw when we passed Mt Ruapehu on Thursday 31 July 2014

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Ruapehu is one of the world’s most active volcanoes[2] and the largest active volcano in New Zealand. It is the highest point in the North Island and includes three major peaks: Tahurangi (2,797 m), Te Heuheu (2,755 m) and Paretetaitonga (2,751 m). The deep, active crater is between the peaks and fills with a crater lake between major eruptions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ruapehu

Now I also have the pleasure of introducing you to Ann-Christine at  http://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/

Ann-Christine says : “I have some experience of life as I have already been here for the first half of it – provided I will have an average length of life. A great deal of it, so far, has been dedicated to travelling, and travel experiences will be quite apparent in many of my posts.”

She takes beautiful photos not only from her travels but also at home and her orchids. Thank you for joining us on Monday

August 11, 2014 Ann-Christine. I am looking forward to your contribution.

Skywatch Friday: Snow on Rimutakas

Today was a clear day and I could take some photos of

the snow-covered peaks of the Rimutakas near where I live.

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The Rimutaka Range (often called the Rimutakas) is one of several mountain ranges in the North Island of New Zealand that form a ridge running parallel with the east coast between East Cape and Wellington. The ridge is at its most pronounced in the southern part, where it consists of the RuahineTararua, and Rimutaka Ranges.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimutaka_Range

Join me and many others on a Friday at

http://skyley.blogspot.co.nz/