Sidney The Seagull

A Kororo

(Maori For Seagull)

 

Sidney's sibling in Nelson

Today I visited the potters  Ralph and Sally Hetzel  to thank them for the wonderful seagull, Sidney, shipped to me in London last year as a Christmas present for Mr Whizz kid. These wonderful potters specialise in gulls with unique expressions, which can be seen adorning many of the beach side properties in the area. Ours lives in a conservatory in London.








Sidney Seagull at home in London
He was a Christmas present for Mr Whizz Kid from me.
He has a stripey fish in his mouth.



I love his pop-eyes.
Isn't he cute?

These rather large pottery birds, (gulls ARE rather large), are made in a mould and then the beaks, eyes and fish are individually put on by hand, their expressions all unique, and then they are dipped and glazed. Metal legs are then attached and the bird is then ready to fly all over the world.

The Hetzels own a boutique hotel overlooking the sea in a stunning part of the coastline of The South Island,  Nelson, NZ . I assume that from their vantage point they see many real gulls every day. Lucky them! These are a few pics of my visit ...









Spot the gull?

Spot the gull?

The view out to sea from their studio

Spot the gull?

Spot the gull?











All ready to fly

 

Talented Ralph Hetzel in his studio

 

 

 

What a fun life! 

NZ - The 'Lord Of The Ring' Country



Did You Know ...

 

 

 

 

I arrived in the beautiful Nelson, South Island, New Zealand after three long flight (two were twelve hours each) and the sun was shining and the countryside as amazing as ever. This area is well known throughout the world because of the filming here for The Lord Of The Rings series.

The flight from Auckland to Nelson takes place in a tiny twin engined sixteen seater (with propellers) plane, which flies very close to the sea (The Cook Straits - aka Captain Cook) and I sprinkled some fairy dust over Wellington as we flew over as requested by Hadley for her sister. The flight in such a tiny plane always makes me a little nervous but I survived without too much discomfort.

Did you know that much of  the filming for 'The Lord Of The Rings',  J.R.R Tolkien's masterpiece was filmed in and around the three National Parks of Nelson, in The South Island of New Zealand?








Middle Earth

The War In The North

Mount Owen (Dimril Dale) and Mount Olympus (Eirigion Hills) provided many of the fantastic settings in and around Rivendell and Chetwood Forest. The rough country of Kaharangi National Park, where some of the most spectacular filming took place, was so inaccessible that all the film crews and equipment were transported by helicopter to these remote sites. (Nelson Helicopters now provide a special 'The Lord Of The Rings Tour').

The One True Ring

Nelson is known as a creative destination and the local artisans provided many of the props for the film. 'The One True Ring' was made by local jeweller  Jens Hansen  as were the rings for Hugo Weaving (Elrond's 'Ring Of Power'), the ring for Viggo, the ring for Cale and an adorable band with an Elvish inscription. All these beautiful rings are now produced as replicas and can be bought at Hansen's The Jewellers.







Bag End




Pottery used throughout came from local potters and carvings, steelwork, glasswork and costumes were all provided by the accomplished artisans in the region. Even the beer served at 'The Prancing Pony' in Bree, was brewed at the local Nelson Brewery, Harringtons, something of which they are particularly proud.

The Animaajes



Edoras

The Misty Mountains