MV Westport departing Onehunga Wharf (2013)

I've been meaning to start making some ship videos on the various ships that come to Auckland. Last year i shot loads of footage of cruise ships but never got around to editing anything.
This year I've been out shooting some cargo ships and today i finally edited a video of Holcim's MV Westport (a bulk cement carrier) leaving Onehunga Wharf.

Video Screen Shot 1

Video Screen Shot 2

Rail Safety Week

So I'm reading about this Rail Safety Week thing that's happening on 12th of August in Auckland, and Mainline Steam's Ja1275 will be running a special train, sounds like it will just be doing one loop around the city, so i might go check it out and see if i can get enough shots to make a video.

This has reminded me about how trains in New Zealand don't sound there horn at level crossings or when they do they are just little squeaks, i wonder if the Rail Safety Week will make a change to that? Like the crossing at Horopito where i heard the Northern Explorer hit a car, sure people should always stop and look before crossing a railway line but when i was there a few weeks after this accident the Northern Explorer came silently through with no horn at all to warn motorist and this is a level crossing with no bells or barriers.

South-bound Northern Explorer speeds through Horopito's level crossing without sounding its horn.

Field Days Steam Express (2013) SLPNZRail

Finally the video for Mainline Steam Field Days Steam Express is done and online. Back on the 15th of June Ja1275 lead the train to Hamilton as well as to Te Kuiti and return, I followed it as far as Pokeno then went back to Pokeno to get its return trip.
I wish i had know that the Northern Explorer was to be passing the steam train on the other track at Takanini so i could have got a shot between the two tracks that would have been cool.

So heres the video on YouTube

The train leaving Otahuhu

Passing through Drury

Coming into Pokeno

Snow

More editing done today on a video of a last minute trip to the snow at Mt Ruapehu. And again this is another video that won't be online, but posting here to keep the blog active and put some pics up.
There wasn't a whole heap of snow by enough to make the trip worth while, was hoping to get some train shots but ended up missing one freight, but did get one freight at Waiouru and the Northern Explorer at Horopito.

NIMT at the Last Spike Rest Area

Snow Plow

Snow on the gate

SH1 Looking South at Waiouru

North bound freight at Waiouru

Paraglyding at Muriwai

So i was out at Muriwai the other week wanting to get some photos of the walkway but the clouds would not cooperate and it was dark... that was until i had got back to the car then out comes the blue sky, sunshine and.... paraglyders.
I got shot some video of them for awhile so it wouldn't be a complete waste of time going out there i might be able to get some good stock footage or maybe a quick video, I did a quick edit but nothing worth uploading so I'm just posting some stills here.

Video Still 1

Video Still 2

Video Still 3

Clevedon Scenic Reserve

I took a walk up Clevedon Scenic Reserve today, there was a bit of rain and fog. I needed some inspiration to begin writing the episodes for Anywhere Auckland Season 4 which will begin shooting in the next few months.



The Clevedon Scenic Reserve walkway can be seen here on YouTube

Light fog in the trees, the track was a little muddy but not too bad.

Introduction Post

So I have decided to start the blog again... Not that it really got started before.

It's to have all sorts of stuff like smaller projects that don't get mentioned on the web page and whatever other fun stuff I can think of.

And so it begins... Lets see how long it will go for :)