Vacation – Page 2 – Sandy's Views

One of the fantastic things about New Zealand is the epic vistas we have all about us. A vista being a large piece of scenery although I’m not sure that description would stand up to examination in a dictionary. I think vista is actually a distant view. What I’ve put together here is a selection of some of the amazing sights you see when you travel from A to B. Like my other posts, no special trip required, this is the scenery we see every day if we leave the house. It also helps if we leave the city but it’s not a long journey from anywhere to this stuff. Once you travel to New Zealand that is. This is winter time round here.

That's a farm paddock, not a golf course, this is where we grow your Sunday Roast lamb. This is winter, those are the Ruahine Ranges. — That’s a farm paddock, not a golf course, this is where we grow your Sunday Roast lamb. This is winter, those are the Ruahine Ranges.

Sheep, four of them. Manawatu — Sheep, four of them avoiding the oven. Manawatu

It's a hay barn, but I call it a high barn. Manawatu Hill country, Ruahine Ranges backdrop. Most people think the Manawatu is flat. Taken from the Waituna-Tapuae Road — It’s a hay barn, but I call it a high barn. Manawatu Hill country, Ruahine Ranges backdrop. Most people think the Manawatu is flat. Taken from the Waituna-Tapuae Road

The photo is straight, the trees and power pole are on a lean. Rangitikei farm land

Late afternoon, looking across the Rangitikei from Kauangaroa Road. It's the road from Hunterville to Fordell. — Late afternoon, looking across the Rangitikei from Kauangaroa Road. It’s the road from Hunterville to Fordell.

Looking down at the Rangitikei River cliffs from Otara road. There is an Otara in Auckland, it's quite different to this Otara. — Looking down at the Rangitikei River cliffs from Otara road. There is an Otara in Auckland, it’s quite different to this Otara.

The Ruahine Ranges looming large over a fetching piece of farm land. Manawatu High country. There is high country in the Manawatu contrary to popular opinion.

That's a 'Southern Cross' Windmill. I think it's best days are behind it, as are the mountains. — That’s a ‘Southern Cross’ Windmill. I think it’s best days are behind it, as are the mountains.

Low cloud, early morning in the Rangitikei River Valley. Makes for a cool island in the cloud

That’s the Kiwi Rail Northern Explorer, passing through the Rangitikei. The only passenger train that runs between Auckland and Wellington. It runs each way, every second day. We aren’t really a nation of train travellers.

Mt Taranaki through the trees. Those trees are just in front of me, Mt Taranaki is over 180 kilometres away

Rangitikei landscape. Lot's of it. — Rangitikei landscape. Lots of it.

Look! It's New Zealand, all of it in one photograph. Putorino Road, hardly anyone will know where that is but every one who has driven from Taihape to Bulls has driven past it. — Look! It’s New Zealand, all of it in one photograph. Putorino Road, hardly anyone will know where that is but every one who has driven from Taihape to Bulls has driven past it.

A green barn with no doors at a place called Silverhope.

Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from here. Here being Fordell in this particular instance.

Let's have a closer look. That's still Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from Fordell but I used the zoom lens a bit on my camera. I don't have a big zoom lens, just 200mm. Luckily Mt Ruapehu is massive. — Let’s have a closer look. That’s still Mt Ruapehu 130 kilometres away from Fordell but I used the zoom lens a bit on my camera. I don’t have a big zoom lens, just 200mm. Luckily Mt Ruapehu is massive.

It’s Winter time but spring is coming already. See you when it’s warmer.

I spend a lot of time in the car, by choice. It’s my happy place. When I’m out driving I have one eye on the road and one eye on the scenery, keeping a look out for any place that might offer a nice photograph. Here’s a selection of sights I’ve seen lately, while out and about.