It’s a kind of magnet in the late afternoon. I think we might have to keep it on after the Rugby World Cup.

When else, where else is the light so beautiful?

Of course, most of the people are more interested in the other attractions than the way the light runs across the buildings and scampers up the hill sides.

In the world headquarters of the verb, even the light is an activity.

Manifesto
14. Every day the ordinary can be the extraordinary.
24. Every day is a journey. Not a destination.
50. Every day has an ending.

Other than the bright blue skies on those magical clear days, Wellington is not a brightly coloured city. That’s not to say that the town is colourless, rather that Wellington specialises in a fine range of muted tones. The combinations are often subtle, but often very beautiful. There’s also a rich fusion of Victorian and more modern architectural styles – it’s terrific – very inspirational.

As I walk around hunting for the elusive shot of the day, I wonder what the stories are behind the façades and windows. If this building was in use by time travellers, is this the light fitting they’d use?

Manifesto
36. Every day be still. Connect to your inner being. Listen and be guided by it.
41. Every day use your mind. It is the greatest technology ever created.
45. Every day you are a different person.

From there it to the eye-candy Myst series and then nothing – I haven’t played a computer game for years and years, diverted by writing web pages, drawing, photography, and more writing. I’m very sure the graphics that wowed me in Myst must look absolutely dreary now compared to all the new 3D software apps. Progress starts somewhere…

This morning walking to work I was entertained to see some active person had raided the stationery cupboard and bit mapped the office windows using Post-its. I love the contrast between the old steampunk style building and the bit maps – I hope the idea catches on across the city.

Manifesto
32. Every day have a laugh.
33. Every day try something new.
42. Every day celebrate. Who you are. What you have achieved. Things that matter to you.

Everything we have, everything, can be whipped away in a second. Most of us know this in a kind of theoretical way, but we still bumble through the hours in something of a dream, seemingly oblivious to reality. It’s only when there’s a crisis of some kind that we suddenly wake up to reality and to ourselves. For some it’s fantastic thrilling good news opportunity, for others it’s more of a shocking and tragic loss.

Either way I think it’s still something of a loss. We miss the every moment opportunity of being right here, right now, fully attending in the present, as we scurry on to the next “more important” moment. As if the anticipated moments are somehow going to be more important. More valuable. Somehow.

Manifesto
35. Every day focus on what matters to you.
48. Every day there are things you can’t change. You can change the way you think about them and deal with them.
49. Every day is a good day.

As I was walking down towards the parade I noticed from a reflection on a building one guy had managed to get a private viewing loft. I smiled to myself and thought how cool it would be to have the entire parade laid out at your feet – viewing just for your pleasure – on a perfect day in the capital.

I guess it’s just a choice we make – every day as a parade just for you – or some sort of sneaked peek out a grimy window at someone’s else’s parade.

Manifesto
05. Every day is now. The present moment.
23. Every day retain your personal power. It belongs to you. No one else.
25. Every day your light shines for others to see.

Good decision.

Manifesto
06. Every day you make choices.
14. Every day the ordinary can be the extraordinary.
17. Every day look through a new lens.

I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath, when I am at home again–I do like it so very much…. Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?
Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

I can now say that I know exactly how Jane Austen’s character in her book felt because I too found Bath a very special place.

Back in November my daughter Zofia, my husband Lynsey and I visited the historic city of Bath which is located in the south west of England. We travelled to Bath by train from London. As we rocked and rolled our way through the English countryside the autumnal colours were spectacular. I particularly loved the backdrop of the many barren trees that framed the landscape. It was so unusual to see so many deciduous trees because back here in New Zealand our trees are mostly evergreen.

Bath was much colder than London had been and we definitely needed our winter accessories of gloves, scarves and hats. However, the cold didn’t stop us from making the most of being in this magic place. We spent our days walking, exploring and taking loads of photos of the many places we visited. Along the way we discovered little treasures and surprises.

There was the incredible Georgian architecture that looked familiar (even though in reality it wasn’t) thanks to the many movies and television programmes I had watched and the books I had read over the years that depicted these types of buildings and the associated life style of days gone by. I could imagine horse drawn carriages on the streets. I could see the women, men and children walking along the pavements and in the parks and even see what they were wearing. Think Jane Austen and you’d have some idea of what I’m talking about. Apparently Bath features prominently in two of Jane Austen’s books – Northanger Abbey and Persuasion.

A personal highlight for me was visiting the site of the original Roman Baths. It was fascinating seeing the actual baths where thousands of years ago people came to soothe their weary bodies. We walked on the same paving stones they walked on. An amazing amount of work has been done excavating this site and trying to understand exactly how the baths looked and functioned. As we looked at pipes and heating systems I marvelled at the engineering skills of the Romans. I even tried a glass of the waters from the spring in the hope it would cure me because I had lost my voice due to a cold I had been fighting.

As we walked around you couldn’t escape the fact that Christmas was fast approaching. There were brightly coloured decorations and lights everywhere. Since it got dark so early (the light started fading at 3pm and by 5pm it was black outside) these festive adornments added some life and sparkle. The shops did a spectacular job of trying to lure us inside to spend our money as did the many street vendors that were busily touting their wares. Buying Christmas presents was on the minds of many. Unfortunately we were too early for the Christmas craft markets which aren’t held until later in the month. I have it on good authority that these are worth going to.

As we were walking back to our accommodation one evening we were drawn towards the Minerva Chocolate shop. For many people stopping at a chocolate shop would seem quite normal. For my husband, who is allergic to chocolate, this is the last thing he would usually do. Yet on this occasion he too stopped to take in the scene before him. In one of the shop windows there was a display full of chocolate treats. The item in this display that instantly demanded our attention were the chocolate breasts and the sign, “Order you breast for Christmas”.  In the other window we could see the chocolatier at work and he happened to be making some chocolate breasts. We smiled as we watched this skilled master at work. Obviously the orders were coming in for these fake breasts! They sure beat the silicone variety.

On Christmas morning there will be more than one person opening their presents to discover a pair of chocolate breasts staring back at them. I wonder what their reaction will be? Did they wants breasts as a Christmas present? Were these the kind they wished for? What would it be like to bite into them? Oh, the mind boggles at the thought of it.

Manifesto
17. Every day look through a new lens.
29. Every day eat, drink, rest, work, exercise, play, love, create for your own good. And the good of others.
32. Every day have a laugh.

Some plants will join up and grow together – the roots of olives, as an example, will grow together and support the two (or more) trunks and leaf canopy. Carrots will grow together if the seeds are planted close enough. I think this is also how it works for humans. If two people are compatible, given enough time and mutual support they will grow together. It’s hard to work out where one starts and the other stops. Friends and lovers. Together. Forever.

Manifesto
06. Every day you make choices.
10. Every day connect with somebody.
18. Every day express love. Some people need to hear it. Most people need to see it. Don’t take it for granted.

Wellington provides some exquisite contrasts between the natural landforms – the hills and harbour, and the man-made architecture and engineering. Add in some art, and the people themselves, and the combinations can be very interesting – at times even beautiful, especially in the early evening with the moon rising.

It can be so lovely.

Manifesto
14. Every day the ordinary can be the extraordinary.
20. Every day say thank you.
25. Every day your light shines for others to see.