Living in New Zealand: The Lyttelton Timeball Drops Every Day at 1pm (Probably)
The timeball has been a landmark in Lyttelton for over 100 years. It was one of only two working timeballs in the world until the earthquakes destroyed it.
It was fantastic to see it restored and working again in 2018. Sensibly, only the tower was rebuilt.
Lyttelton’s timeball in 2019 (Click to see options for using the image)
I have seen the timeball drop a couple of times, but just missed it dozens of times.
Lyttelton’s timeball station today
I'm glad that in 2006 it was one of the things I chose to draw as part of my Lyttel Lives series of line drawings (The Deluxe Cafe was erased by Coffee Culture, but the boyf's restaurant and St David’s Street steps’ benches were also victims of the earthquakes).
Living in New Zealand: Slip Slap Slop Against the Sun's UV
Click to see options for using the image
Thanks to New Zealand’s latitude, its closeness to the sun in summer (a real thing, see here), its cleaner air and the lower ozone levels, the UV radiation from the sun is very strong in summer in this part of the world. There is a high incidence of skin cancer and it is common to have your moles checked (sometimes mapped) to catch any that might become a problem.
Though I grew up in England and didn’t even go abroad until I was 18 (a trip to France), or get on a plane until I was 20 (when I went to New Jersey for a year), I thought I should have my moles checked and went to a clinic in Christchurch. I love this graphic in the waiting room:
I had one suspect mole (1989 lying on the beach at Durdle Door on a windy day in summer?) and the doctor recommended it be taken out, so my doctor did (Molecheck charges $270 for the procedure and my GP charges $150).
The mole in question was very small
I’m now writing this with the mole gone leaving some stitches that will be taken out tomorrow. Hopefully, that’s it!
Update: it was an intradermal naevus - not malignant and no further treatment needed - phew!
Living in New Zealand: You See More Kingfishers Looking Up
Spotted overhead on Ticehurst Terrace, Lyttelton.
Click to see options for using the image
If you want to hear a recording of a New Zealand kingfisher, head here:
http://www.kuaka.co.nz/birdcalls
Living in New Zealand: Christchurch Has Fantastic Libraries and Tūranga is the Best
Tūranga is the best thing about the post-earthquake Christchurch city rebuild (Click to see options for using the image)
I love libraries. They are the original community-sharing resource, but even if you never borrow anything, they are great spaces to be in. The new library in the middle of Christchurch, Tūranga, is incredible. It is a beautifully designed space, with lots of different areas depending on what you want to do in the library. There are quieter areas as well as areas for kids to play around in or for people to collaborate in.
The children’s area on the first floor of Tūranga library
There are a couple of cafes, a computer lab and a room for making music. As well as books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and CDs there are also games, puzzles and interactive displays. And there are incredible views over a city that is changing before our eyes.
Looking south from Christchurch Central Library over the cathedral towards the Port Hills
https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/turanga/turanga-floor-by-floor/
The earthquake has also meant a rebuild of many suburban libraries like the one in Lincoln.
Lincoln library
Some libraries weren’t destroyed in the earthquake. One of my favourites, New Brighton library, is one of them.
Unfortunately, the ugly Lyttelton library is another.
