Getting Lost - October

A couple of weeks ago, I headed to Waitangi for the SEPANZ Conference (Special Education Principals’ Association of New Zealand). My Principal and I were on the 6:45am flight out of Rotorua, so it was a very early start! We arrived in Auckland to pouring rain, and after a quick stopover, we boarded our second flight of the morning - landing in Kerikeri bright and early to beautiful sunshine.

My Principal had organised our flights, so I took care of the rental car. It didn’t take long to collect our luggage, sign the paperwork, and locate our vehicle - a lovely car with all the bells and whistles you could want.

We made our way into Kerikeri for brunch, then spent a bit of time exploring the local shops (which may have included a little retail therapy). I couldn’t resist buying a couple of small things, including a fabulous set of wooden mushrooms emerging from a piece of driftwood.

 

The next three days were full of connection and inspiration - mingling with other school leaders from the 27 specialist schools across New Zealand, listening to insightful guest speakers, enjoying delicious meals, and taking part in some great local activities.

Knowing I’d be up north, I made sure to pack my camera - and I’m so glad I did! I came home with almost 300 photos to sort through. Some were for specific prompts, some for a little arty project I’ve been thinking about, and others simply to capture memories of the trip.

And now… onto the October prompts!

#1 Get macro and portray the season you are in with just a leaf or flower.

While out exploring, I came across a very healthy Bird of Paradise plant - its vibrant orange and blue petals glowing in the sunshine. But what really caught my eye wasn’t the flower itself… it was the googly eye that someone had cheekily stuck onto it!

A closer look revealed that a few other things in the nearby area had also been “eyed.” Whoever did it clearly had a sense of humour - and it definitely made me smile. It was such a fun and unexpected detail to discover while focusing on the beauty of the season.

We left Kerikeri and took a short 24km drive to Paihia, where we’d be staying for the rest of the week. Our home base was the Copthorne Hotel — a beautiful spot right on the waterfront. Once we’d checked in and found our rooms, we caught up with a few of the other participants before I decided to slip away for a bit of exploring (and, of course, some photos).

#2 Take the number of photos you’ve taken today and head north that many kilometres.

Thankfully, at this point, I hadn’t taken very many photos - and since I didn’t want to venture too far, I decided to swap kilometres for walking steps instead. That little stroll took me out through the hotel gardens and onto a beautiful grassed area where the sun was shining, the sky was a stunning blue, and the palm trees made it feel more like a tropical island than a corner of New Zealand.

#3 Put a frame around a landscape using whatever you find around you.

As it turns out, I didn’t need to find anything to make a frame — the Copthorne had already taken care of that! Wandering through the gardens, I discovered a perfect wooden frame positioned to capture the stunning water views beyond. It was made for exactly this purpose… and who was I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

 

Later that day, a group of us headed into Paihia for dinner. I can highly recommend Zane Grey’s - the food was fabulous, the service excellent, and the views absolutely spectacular. I had the Panko Fried Goat Cheese Salad, which came with mandarin segments, edamame, mixed greens, candied beets, fried shallots, and caramelised walnuts. It was every bit as delicious as it sounds!

While we were waiting for some of the others to arrive, I decided to tackle another prompt card:

#4 Take as many steps as you have battery percentage left and frame your shot.

Nice and simple - and perfect for filling in a few minutes before dinner. I had a bit of a wander along the waterfront, and just as I reached my target number of steps, I spotted some beautiful wooden dolphins along the walkway. I’ve always loved dolphins, so stumbling across them felt a little bit special.

 

After dinner, my boss offered to be the designated driver for everyone, which gave me the perfect chance to look around a bit more - and squeeze in another prompt or two!

#5 Take a photo upside down (you or the camera).

While I was wandering through town, I spotted the perfect photo opportunity for this prompt - a vintage bike perched on the roof of the CBK restaurant. It’s not every day you see a bicycle sitting proudly on a rooftop, so of course I had to capture it (right way up and upside down!).

 

#6 Cloudy day, head for the coast. Sunny day, head inland.

How easy! The clouds had started to roll in quite heavily near the restaurant where we’d eaten, so before my ride turned up, I took the opportunity to capture a few photos of the sky. Most of the clouds were soft and fluffy at first, but before long, a few greyer ones drifted in — adding a slightly moodier vibe to the shots. Thankfully, the clouds never turned into rain!

 

As we were driving back to the hotel, I had the chance to look around - and out the car window, I spotted several waka (canoes) near the bridge we’d just crossed. I mentioned to one of the other Principals, Shirley, that I was going to head down to take a few photos. She was interested to hear about my Getting Lost project, so we decided to pull another card and do a prompt together.

#7 Take three photos of the same thing with shadows or light changing how it looks.

Oh my goodness - I couldn’t have picked a better prompt if I’d tried! Shirley is also quite keen on photography, so the two of us spent a while experimenting with angles and chasing the changing light. Between us, we captured quite a few shots, but here are my three favourites for the prompt.

The light was getting really interesting as the sun began to set, so we decided to do “just one more” prompt card before calling it a day.

#8 Stop, look behind you and take a shot.

The obvious choice was the bridge - the sun was hitting it beautifully, casting warm tones and reflections across the water. I had a feeling I was going to love this photo even before I pressed the shutter… and I was right!

 

The next day was another early-ish start. We were all privileged to take part in a pōwhiri at Te Tiriti o Waitangi - such a special experience. We walked across the bridge (yes, the same one from prompt #8) from the Copthorne to the marae, and while we were gathering outside, I pulled out a prompt card that felt perfect for the morning.

#9 At the next direction signpost, take a photo and head in that direction.

Once the pōwhiri was finished, I knew we’d be walking back across the bridge - in the exact direction the signpost was pointing! It couldn’t have worked out better. I even managed to capture a few photos of our group still making their way over, which felt like a lovely way to round off the moment.

My next real photo opportunities for the October prompts didn’t come until the following afternoon. While all the Principals were attending their AGM, the AP's and DP's were treated to a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Having grown up in Northland (Waipu, specifically), and returned many times throughout my adulthood, I had visited Waitangi more than once - but this experience felt truly special. Our guide was a delightful mix of humour, knowledge, and warmth, which made the tour even more enjoyable.

I knew immediately which prompt to tackle (so I handpicked this one) - because honestly, one photo was never going to be enough!

#10 Stop at the next signposted attraction and take 10 photos.

That evening, we headed over to Russell via ferry for dinner at The Duke - officially the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. They had created a bespoke menu for our group, offering three delicious choices for both entrée and main, plus two tempting desserts. I went with Te Ika Mata (a raw fish salad) to start, followed by the most delicious lamb, and finished with tiramisu for dessert. Absolutely perfect!

With more than 70 of us to manage, it was quite a challenge getting everyone through the door at the same time. I took a moment for myself to soak in the stunning scenery in front of the hotel - no prompt this time, just a quiet moment worth capturing.

After catching the 10 pm ferry back to our hotel (singing loudly all the way!), I had a wonderfully restful night - just as well, because the next morning we were up bright and early for the drive back to Kerikeri, followed by two more flights to get back to Rotorua.

We had a little wait at Kerikeri Airport, so I decided to tackle two final prompts.

#11 Find a building. Zoom your lens to the widest angle. Move in close to make dramatic angles.

No problem - I was already at the airport, so why not make the most of it? The weather was still gorgeous, so I wandered outside to explore. I even spotted a wonderful vertical garden along the way. I took a few photos, but I didn’t quite get what I wanted until I noticed the batten wall out front, proudly displaying the airport’s name. I loved the mix of wood and metal - it created the perfect combination of textures and angles for this prompt.

#12 Time to start editing all those photos - head for home.

I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I pulled this prompt from the pack. It doesn’t come up very often, but this time it appeared at the perfect moment. I decided to make the airport my subject once again - this time focusing on a model airplane. It felt like a fitting way to wrap up the prompts and mark the end of a wonderful trip.

 

Of course, I needed a title card for October - and what could be more perfect than a photo of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Marae, taken just after our pōwhiri on Wednesday morning. It felt like a fitting image to capture the spirit of the trip and set the tone for the month’s prompts.

 

Reflecting on the trip, I feel so grateful for the rich cultural heritage we experienced, the amazing food we shared, and the wonderful people we met along the way. It was a fantastic opportunity to gather ideas and inspiration for both professional and personal projects, and to see familiar places with fresh eyes. Now that I’m home, it’s lovely to take a moment to reflect on all the experiences, the photos captured, and the memories made - a truly unforgettable journey.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet.
Until next time,
Shelley

Getting Lost September

This month’s Getting Lost adventure had been quietly waiting in the wings for a while, but the right moment finally came last weekend. I was off to Whanganui for a crafting retreat with friends - a whole weekend of creativity, conversation, and catching up. While everyone else set up their scrapbooking pages and cardmaking supplies, I unpacked my quilting and settled in.

Whanganui felt like a trip back in time for me. The last time I’d been there I was just a girl, visiting Uncle Merv and Auntie Flo, and Uncle Bob, my Nana’s brother. Driving back into town all these years later, I couldn’t help but think of those visits and how different the city feels now that I’m exploring it as an adult.

The retreat itself was everything I’d hoped for: long chats, plenty of laughter, a gorgeous venue, and food so good it deserves its own mention. By Saturday afternoon, though, I felt the pull to head out with my camera. After lunch I slipped away, following that little spark of curiosity that always comes with these prompts.

Two hours later - and 110 photos heavier - I wandered back with the kind of quiet satisfaction that only comes from chasing light, colour, and texture until you know you’ve captured something special.

So here we are - this month’s prompts, shaped by a weekend of friendship, memories, and a little wandering in Whanganui.

Prompt #1: Early birds head east, night owls head west

I’m very much an early bird, so when it came time to choose a direction, I turned out of the driveway and headed east. Not long after, I found myself down by the Whanganui River, and the moment I saw it I knew I’d found the shot I was after - the wide stretch of water framed perfectly by the railway bridge.

The sky was heavy with clouds, soft and overcast, and it turned out to be the perfect backdrop. Those moody skies gave the whole scene such atmosphere - exactly the kind of detail that makes a photo come alive.

Prompt #2: Take 3 photos of the same thing with shadows or light changing how it looks

When I’d driven into town on Friday for a look around the shops, I couldn’t miss the massive pencil sculpture - it instantly caught my eye, and I knew I wanted to work it into the prompts somehow. This challenge turned out to be the perfect excuse.

There’s something wonderful about its sheer scale, these oversized pencils towering playfully above everything else. I loved how the bright red of the pencils popped against the greens and blues of their surroundings, shifting in mood as the light and shadows moved across them. It felt whimsical, a little unexpected, and so much fun to photograph from different angles.

 

Prompt #3: Use camera blur to make something appear different to what your eye can see

Just across the road from the pencils stood a beautiful old building. In fact, one of the things that struck me about Whanganui was the architecture - so many character homes and historic buildings that give the city such charm. It’s one of the reasons I’m already planning another trip back.

I’d snapped a few shots before I even pulled out the prompt cards, but this one felt like the perfect chance to experiment. I played around with camera blur, curious to see how it might transform what I was looking at. The result surprised me - in the best way. The final image didn’t really highlight the architecture itself, but it captured something softer, more abstract, that I never would have seen with the naked eye.

Prompt #4: Camera in manual – head north, in automatic, head south

Back in the car, I carried on south - or at least I’m fairly sure it was south! My wandering eventually brought me back into town, where something unexpected caught my eye: an old telephone box.

You don’t often see these around anymore, and spotting one felt like stumbling across a little piece of history. A reminder of how quickly things change, and how objects that were once part of everyday life have quietly slipped into the past.

Prompt #5: Head in the same direction as a car the same colour as your last photo

Red seemed to be the colour of the day. After a quick wander through a few shops, I hopped back in my car and waited for a red one to pass. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long - though I couldn’t help but think how tricky it might’ve been if my last colour had been purple!

The red car only made it about five blocks before turning a corner, so I pulled over nearby (without feeling too much like a stalker). That’s when I noticed the sweetest little park tucked right in the middle of the buildings. It felt like a hidden gem - such a perfect spot for a picnic lunch in the middle of the workday. And, as if that wasn’t lovely enough, there was even a coffee cart nearby.

Prompt #6: Find a building. Zoom your lens to the widest angle. Move in close to make dramatic angles

I’ve tried this prompt a few times earlier in 2025, usually focusing on more modern buildings. But Whanganui offered the perfect chance to capture something with a bit more history.

I was drawn to the lines and curves of this particular building - the way its architecture seemed to stretch and twist when viewed up close. Even the small bits of vegetation pushing their way out of the concrete and brick added an unexpected layer of texture and drama, making the image feel alive in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

Prompt #7: Find a busy spot. Set a 10-second timer and see what wandered into your shot

Not far from the last building, I stumbled upon the perfect spot - an historic roundabout, complete with stunning lighting that made the place feel almost cinematic. Across the road, another old building hosted people enjoying drinks and snacks in the afternoon sun.

I set up my camera, hit the 10-second timer, and waited - ten seconds feels like an eternity when you’re trying not to look obvious! But it was worth it. The final shot captured a little slice of life, the movement and energy of the place weaving naturally into the frame. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

 

Prompt #8: Leading lines or rule of thirds?

I’ve done this prompt before, but I wanted something a little different this time. As I started walking back toward my car, the movie theatre was just letting out, and a stream of people poured onto the pavement. I stepped aside, and that’s when I noticed a little alleyway tucked nearby.

I waited until the crowd had moved on and then took my shot. I love how it turned out - the lights strung overhead, the textured brickwork, and the iron gate all came together beautifully. I can already imagine how magical it would look at night, the lights glimmering against the dark sky.

Prompt #9: Take as many steps as you have battery percentage left and frame your shot

With 73% battery left, I took 73 steps - which brought me to a bustling little stretch of the street. At first, nothing really jumped out at me as photo-worthy. But then I turned around.

It’s amazing how a simple change in perspective can transform a scene. Suddenly, the view before me felt entirely new, full of angles and light that weren’t obvious from where I’d started.

Prompt #10: Drive until you see water and then stop and take a photo of the reflections

Not far from my last shot, I found myself back at the Whanganui River. At first, I wasn’t too sure about getting reflections - the water looked a little murky - but then I spotted the Wairua River Boat floating at her dock.

It made for the most lovely reflections on the water, and I couldn’t help but pause for a moment to take it all in. Sometimes the simplest scenes, with a touch of luck, end up being the most rewarding to photograph.

Prompt #11: Stop, look behind you and take a shot

Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed this big building at first. But when I turned around, I was so pleased with what I saw - the stark blackboards set against the old brickwork.

It’s clearly a fruit and vegetable market, though I’m guessing the boards had been wiped clean, ready for the new week. That unexpected combination of textures and shapes made for a simple yet striking shot, one of those moments that reminds me to always keep my eyes open.

Prompt #12: Get macro and portray the season you are in with just a leaf or flower

As I walked around the other side of the fruit and vegetable market, a stunning kōwhai tree in full bloom caught my eye. The bright yellow flowers were absolutely gorgeous!

Instead of crouching down on the ground like I usually do for macro shots, I was able to get right in close while standing. I love how going macro blurs the background completely, making the kōwhai flowers the undisputed focus of the shot. It felt like the perfect way to capture the season in a single frame.

Prompt #13: Take the number of photos you’ve taken today, head north that many kms

If I’d followed this prompt literally, I would have ended up all the way in Taihape! Instead, I took a more flexible approach and headed to Kōwhai Family Park - how perfect, given the focus on kōwhai flowers in the last prompt.

Apart from memories of visiting my aunt and uncle’s houses in Whanganui, this park is one of the few other spots I remember from childhood. Some areas are brand new, while others have clearly been around for decades. When I spotted good old Humpty Dumpty, I couldn’t resist - sometimes a little nostalgia is exactly what a photo prompt needs.

Prompt #14: Take the hour of the day your last photo was taken. Head south that many kms

I couldn’t help but laugh when I pulled this prompt card - it basically sent me right back to where I’d started! I parked a little further up the street and soon heard something familiar in the distance.

A short wander later, and I stumbled across a kapa haka group performing in one of the parks. A crowd was gathering, and it was wonderful to be part of the audience while still remaining anonymous. I love listening to kapa haka, so I stayed for a while. With so many people snapping photos and videos, it didn’t feel intrusive to take a few of my own. It was one of those moments where being in the right place at the right time just feels perfect.

Prompt #15: Last photo an action shot – head east, if not head west

By this point, I wasn’t entirely sure where east, west, north, or south even were, so I just set off in the general direction of the retreat. I even considered calling it a day and turning off the camera.

And then I came across this - the Whanganui River and the very same railway bridge I’d photographed for my first prompt, but from a completely different angle. The clouds had darkened, and I loved the stark contrast of the pavement and fencing against the natural environment. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up my photography session - a full circle, yet entirely new.

 

As always, I like to choose one of my photos to serve as the title image, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished photo book at the end of the year! While I was down near the riverfront, I also spotted a massive sculpture called Bearing. I took quite a few shots of it—not for a prompt, just because it caught my eye and I thought it might make a striking image. I had plenty of photos to choose from, but this one ended up being my favourite.

 

All in all, it was a wonderful day of wandering, photographing, and rediscovering Whanganui. From nostalgic memories of family visits to unexpected discoveries around every corner, the city offered so many little moments of beauty and inspiration. I’m always amazed at how a series of simple prompts can lead to such a rich, creative adventure - and I can’t wait to see how these images all come together in my photo book at the end of the year.

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet.
Until next time,
Shelley

It's been a while

Hey there... remember me?
According to an online calculator it has been this long since I last blogged:

• 1 years 4 months 4 days
  or 16 months 4 days
  or 69 weeks 6 days
  or 489 days
  or 11,736 hours
  or 704,160 minutes
  or 42,249,600 seconds

I don't know who makes these online calculators but they sure do come in handy when you want to find out all sorts of information.  I came across the calculator recently when I was trying to work out how old the students in my class were... super helpful!

So yeah I'm back... and things in my life have changed a lot... some for the better... and some in 'character building' ways.  Let me just say that I feel I have enough 'character' for now and I'd like a few less lessons to be learnt in the upcoming weeks!

So what brings me back to Blogger? To be honest I don't know... I think it's the need to connect with others... and in part to give me a voice... there are people in my family that would argue that I have quite enough voice for one person LOL

It's also the desire to get back a piece of myself that has been missing for quite some time.  Even as I write this, I can feel a little bit of myself creeping back in... and quite frankly that's a good thing.

So rather than be all mysterious about what's changed I'm just going to put my cards on the table... not all of them mind... after all a woman needs to keep a little hint of mystery about her don't you think?

I've spent part of the morning revamping my blog a little bit and you'll be able to see some changes straight away.

Here's the 'before' banner:

And here's the new one:

• Michael (Mike) is no longer part of my life. Without going into detail, he recently decided that there was someone else he saw his future with and he has moved on to pastures new. That was 'character building' for sure!

• Nivea (Michael's dog) has also moved on to pastures new in the form of going to live with his mother in another town.  She is still getting out of fences in her new home so nothing much has changed for Miss Nivea.

• Toby is now an 'only child' at home once again and he is super happy about it! If you've never seen a dog 'smile' you need to see this photo:

• I have a new hobby... geocaching! I discovered geocaching early last year... in fact I logged my first find on January 2nd 2018.  Since then I've found 873 caches and had some amazing adventures. Michael and I traveled to Norfolk Island via Sydney, Australia in July 2018 and located every cache on Norfolk which I am super proud of... check out this map from our trip... all the little smiley faces are the caches we found... they represent hours and hours of hiking and exploring as well as hundreds of amazing photo opportunities!

• One of the biggest changes is that my little Doodlebug has grown up a LOT!  She's now over 18 months old and such a delicious little bundle of fun.  I get to see her regularly and we have developed a fantastic bond.  Family dinner nights are held every Monday night which gives Nana a definite night to see Miss Chloe along with her Mummy and her Auntie Krystal. She also comes to stay with me on a regular basis which is so much fun... and more than a little tiring at times.  She has so much energy!

• There have been changes at work too.  I still work for a local Special Needs school however I have changed location.  I'm lucky enough to work in a Satellite class and this year I have five boys in my care with lots of autistic needs and talents to explore and develop.

•  I have also joined the Marie Kondo revolution for tidying, de-cluttering and bringing more JOY into my home and life... and I'm a convert.  I'm not a naturally tidy person... my family will attest to that wee character flaw... but since learning about Marie's methods and actually putting them into practice I've been living with growing levels of JOY... it's a good thing!

So there's my current status in a nutshell... it certainly hasn't all been smooth sailing in recent months... and there were times I thought the oncoming lights were a train about to run over me... turns out it was more of a lantern showing me the way... and now that I'm out the other side there is a great view and more adventures heading my way.

Thanks for visiting and I hope life is treating you well xx