Life at No.22, Snapshots of Tauranga

Snapshots of Tauranga #58 – Up before Dawn

Suzanne

It seems that the sun and I are in competition to see who rises first.

This particular week, I was the jubilant winner.

In this sort of race, I usually prefer to be equal winners, but no, it seems my mind is way too active for it’s own good. Something that has weighed heavily on me is the decision to drop out of the Masters Games on the Gold Coast in Australia with my basketball team.

It was becoming a blardy nightmare to sort out whether I could leave Les for a week. Ultimately, it wasn’t tenable and not something I could live with, and as time went on, not something I wanted to do. Neither did I want to let my team down, even though I’m not one of their star players and only just began to learn the game in my 60s, which was hard work and perhaps my team’s nightmare.

Though secretly, I am a basketball star on some game days; just don’t spread the word.

The lack of opportunities for further travel adventures when I’m on my own won’t be lacking, as I’ve promised Les not to mope around and go and fulfil those adventures we had planned before life went pear-shaped.

So, here I am tapping away on my keyboard, pretending to be as happy as I am to do so. No, I much prefer to be in dreamland at this ridiculous hour of 4.30 am. Though getting up way too early seems to be the thing for people with too much on their minds.

Fast-track a few hours, and I’m off out the door, rugged up like a snowball on two sticks; you get the picture, it’s cold compared to our usual temperate winter temperatures.

Moving south, I stare at the semi-darkened sky; I see an assortment of Meccano-type construction, which brings me back to when I was first introduced to Meccano and to how my brothers had boxes of the stuff, not that I ever had a look-see into that world of construction. Funnily enough, two sought that out as professionals, with adult real-life Meccano sets like the cranes above our ever-changing CBD and the other a plumber.

The Crane doing it’s thing

Anyhow, I do like those tower cranes, rickety Meccano-like monoliths that don’t look physically up to the job they’re expected to do.

The Museum building site and part of the Te Manawataki o Te Papa complex – the library (opening up in October 2026) and other facilities are to the left of this image.
Walking up Devonport Road and another stunning mural, Kōtuku, the white heron, created by Erin Forsyth, which beats a bare concrete wall.

My ‘Way Forward Tour’ and not my usual estuary or beach walk. This one started and ended on the fringe of the CBD, near the domain and what some people consider the sharpest building on Cameron Rd.

Where you can clearly see a big sign that screams “BLOOD”.

Captured last year. Our new Blood Donor Centre on the first floor; commercial building spaces aren’t being snatched up to rent in this financial climate.

Not the legend of the blood-sucking vampires of Transylvania playing out, but the blood service phlebotomists doing their noble work, and a place I regularly frequent, and where I went early that morning with no cranes in sight, sitting down with a needle in my arm.

Just so I can stuff chocolate peppermint biscuits in my gob, without guilt, and just sit without anything requiring my attention. Sort of pleasurable bliss between walking the tightrope of life.

Other snapshots, Other places, Other times

Kulim Park at low tide and ideal weather for moving the body quickly.
Harbourside at sunrise
Sunrise reflection on yet another commercial construction site nearly completed – winter 2026. I’m standing on a pontoon to capture this image.
Rainbow at sunrise – captured from Matapihi bridge – winter 2026

Something followed me home the other morning.

Back home, feet up, resting up, as I need to after giving a plasma donation, and enjoying the winter sunshine as I watch the world go by; well, a few dog walkers, a group of cyclists and the odd worker or student.

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Published by Suzanne

I'm a lover of creativity and movement, expressed through photography, words, travel and sports. . . . . . .

31 thoughts on “Snapshots of Tauranga #58 – Up before Dawn”

    1. You’re right my mind wouldn’t be on basketball which would’ve been totally unfair to the team if I had gone. There is a lot of construction going on, Jim. It will make a significant positive difference to our inner city, especially the new library and museum. Many of the buildings needed to be torn down due to earthquake risk, and, to be honest, most weren’t attractive or architecturally valuable.

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  3. You can’t donate blood after the age of 65 here, Suzanne.
    I can feel all the pent up energy, hon, but no outlet other than walking. It’s nice to step it out with you. It’s all we can do for the moment xx

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    1. I’m not sure what the age limit is here, perhaps late 70’s. We have less population so having more recipients is best. Though the younger a person is the better the donation in quality. Hopefully, we won’t get the predicted wind for spring and I can do more cycling. Thanks, Jo.

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    1. Yes, I think most people are hoping it’s all money well spent. I must be a bit slow today as not sure what you mean by your witty teleport comment, cheeky 😉

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      1. A couple of photos have winter 2027 on them and I took that to be the date of the photo. Reading the post thus morning I see you probably meant the date the construction will be finished. Teaches me not to comment at midnight… 😂

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        1. Haha, you’re right, and I’ve made the mistake. It should’ve been 2026. Good grief, I didn’t even pick it up. On that wee revelation, it’s time to say goodnight😁

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  5. Nice photos. I especially like the rainbows. Tauranga is certainly moving ahead. It won’t be long before the Tauranga, Hamilton, Auckland area will be meeting at the edges and hold half the country’s population. It is exciting and nice to visit, but I am happy to stick with Wellington.

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  6. What a poignant post Suzanne. I felt like I was there with you as you passed all the city buildings, cranes, and all your musings as you ended up at the blood bank. What a shame you missed the Masters, but understandable too. A beautiful rainbow is always an uplifting sign. xx

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  7. More fine pictures and this neat observation: “What some people consider the sharpest building on Cameron Rd.
    Where you can clearly see a big sign that screams “BLOOD.” As always, your love shines through in your decision to stay local

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  9. It must have been a difficult decision to miss the games but I’m sure it was the right one. And your early start certainly yielded some great images, especially the sunrise reflection and the rainbows!

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