Notice the young flower in the beak!

On another trip to Wellington.  I find it the easiest place to chase Tuis!  They seem much more tame in Wellington, and allow one to come quite close.

Had a chance to travel to Switzerland then to Italy.  Just been reminded how hot Italy can get in peak summer in June!  It was over 30C everyday.  In the main cities I stopped on this trip, namely Milan, Florence and Rome, there was a heightened sense of vulnerability to terrorism.  Most of the large Cathedrals had armed soldiers forming part of the security.  These cities are packed with tourists.  Nevertheless, if one wants to find peace and and reflective moment to pray in the Churches and Cathedrals, it is still possible.

Armed soldiers outside the Milan Duomo

Spending a few days in Wellington catching up with friends and a bit R n R…….  weather turned bad!  It went from spring back to winter, and it has been windy and wet.  Luckily, on the odd occasion, I managed a few photo outings.

No chance to chase Tuis (a kiwi native bird) as originally planned. Sigh!

On a dark, cloudy night…. and it was mysterious …

This is not the first time i travelled on the ferry.  The trip from Picton, through Queen Charlotte Sound, and the Cook Straight is full of photo opportunities when the weather is right!

Taken from the ferry

Not Strictly Wellington, but the bottom of the North Island. Windy Bottom!

Had a couple of weeks in Australia.  ‘Seed-Knee’ is indeed a beautiful city.  After Sydney, it was Noosa again.

Coming from NZ, I could not help noticing that there are more species of wild life, and especially birds, in Australia.  The birds (feathered variety!) are definitely more colourful that what we have in NZ!  Jealous, jealous…..

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