When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu
Dame Lynley Dodd is quite a hero to New Zealanders and I suspect to children and grown-ups everywhere who have had the incredible pleasure of reading her Hairy Maclary books.
Recently in Tauranga an outdoor exhibition opened of sculptures of some of her most beloved characters. I went to see them and fell in instant love. I can’t wait to go back once the grass has grown and they take away the barriers. While I was there it was with delight I watched toddlers and children squeal with pleasure and caress and cuddle these beautiful works of art. I noticed a few Mums & Dads give them a quick pat while the kids were busy.
If you want to learn more about the sculptures click here.
These are some of the images I took when I visited. I hope to go back at night when the sculptures are lit up and take some more. For now…I hope you enjoy them, and if you don’t know the stories you might be persuaded to click on the links and discover their delights. With a little luck you might get one of the books to read to your children or grandchildren. I promise you will never be sorry you did.
Of course if you are ever in Tauranga…you must pay these guys a visit !!!!
![A living statue [who tried to steal my phone] in Tauraanga](https://jobryantnz.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/11052012800.jpg?w=365&h=346 "11052012800")
For more Statues…visit Ailsa’s Travel Theme for this week.
Now that I am back I am busy trying to catch up with everyone…and check out all that happened during my absence. Over at Sonel’s Corner there is a weekly black and white photography challenge which sounds like fun. So this week’s theme is…da da da da…
1. (Engineering / Civil Engineering) a structure that spans and provides a passage over a road, railway, river, or some other obstacle.
This is one of my favourite bridges in Tauranga…and I think the black and white gives it something special.
Last week I spent the afternoon out on Tauranga Harbour. As we toured around we came close to a landslip that occurred a couple of years ago. I couldn’t imagine how the family felt as they looked out from above at the damage done to their property.
I couldn’t actually take a shot ‘from above’, as it is too dangerous. But I am hoping you can see the enormity of it and appreciate what they saw that morning.
I wondered how they felt leaving their family home.
I wondered where they are now.
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What do you get when you combine a sporting franchise run by an egotistical bozo that is feeling the economic downturn, a female billboard model on the verge of getting fired, and a reality TV show?
A Dash of Reality.
Tauranga based author Lee Murray’s newest book comes under the ‘chic-lit’ heading. So I opened the first page with a bit of trepidation. Reviewing a book of someone I know in a genre that I usually only turn to when I don’t want to tire my brain, and having offered to review said book, well…I wondered if I had really thought this through enough. So, what is A Dash of Reality about?
When Melanie, a billboard model, is given a month’s notice she comes up with an unlikely scheme to keep her job and catapult herself in to the realm of famous people. You know the ones, people, that when someone says their name everyone know who you are talking about.
A reality TV series is born where a bunch of everyday New Zealanders will take part in six running events that ends with a marathon and one winner who will get cash for the charity of their choice.
Melanie has more in mind than just cash for her charity. Winning will mean staying employed, paying the bills, being the face that everyone recognises. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Ahhh…but we are talking about a Lee Murray book where nothing is as simple as it first seems.
As well as a few corporate douche bags who seem intent on making Melanie’s life hell there is her family. An absent father, a mother who seems preoccupied with appearances, a stepfather who calls her Flakey, a stepsister who would rival either of Cinderella’s stepsisters, and finally a stepbrother who I actually liked.
Luckily Melanie has Jack, her boyfriend and biggest supporter. Melanie’s best friend Janeen’s disabled daughter Caro is also Melanie’s goddaughter. I was so glad that there were at least a few nice people in this girl’s like.
Once or twice I found myself wanting to shake Melanie, and wondered how anyone could do something that dumb. Then I remembered that in my lifetime I have seen a lot dumber things done by a lot smarter people. I have to be honest and include myself in that category. I have also met a few of these people. The ones that seem terribly one sided until you take the time to look deeper and realise they are just as insecure and flaky as you are.
What is also nice to see is a book set in New Zealand as I know it. Too many times books like these are set in such a generic locale that it could be anywhere, or they are written by someone who has never set foot in the country they are writing about. A Dash of Reality has a distinctive New Zealand flavour in the setting, the humour, the language and the way its characters live and interact.
Chic-Lit sounds like an easy genre, but to get the right mix is a little more difficult than it looks. Too light hearted and I get bored, to deep and it crosses right out of the genre. Luckily for me I really liked A Dash of Reality. Is it War and Peace? Thank God no! That book may be considered a masterpiece but I have never got passed page ten. Every genre has its place. Chic-Lit, when done well can be a great read. A Dash of Reality is done well.
If you find yourself interesting in running, at the end of the book are some tips on starting. And Lee should know. Not only is she an award winning writer, but Lee has competed in 18 marathons, a bunch of half marathons and an ultra marathon.
Where you can find Lee
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Article first published as Book Review: A Dash of Reality by Lee Murray on Blogcritics.
I have been thinking about 
lately. Yes I do think occasionally. About how we take it for granted we will have time to do the things we want…later. Too often we let it slide past us without making each second count.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with two gorgeous ladies at an event in Tauranga to celebrate not only life but TIME as well.
Watching the afternoon unfold made me remember an important truth. No length of time seems long enough to accomplish all we want to. But if we make the most of it, live in every second as it happens…it is an eloquent sufficiency we leave behind in the memory of others !!
The Relay for Life happened in cities all over New Zealand.
Both of my friends are cancer survivors. They are beautiful, bright, feisty women who have made my TIME on this Earth better for their presence in my life. As they walked the SURVIVORS HONOUR LAP I had to run to keep ahead of them.
That doesn’t happen often with these ladies…me keeping ahead that is. But as I sure have fun trying, for now I will just keep hanging around them !!
Related Posts: Travel Theme: Time
The surf was up – they ended up closing the beach. I ended up in hospital that night with suspected sunburn to my eyes. Possibly from taking photos without sunglasses. The eyes are all better now and at least I got these shots out of it all.
Want more water…then hop on Cee’s smiley face.
Ailsa has more great links to view at her Travel Theme: Festive this week.
