Cambridge, NZ......

.......is a town which sits on the banks of the Waikato River. It's known as 'The Town of Trees and Champions' due to the number of tree-lined streets and Thoroughbred studs and stables which have produced many champion horses in the sports of racing and show jumping. Cambridge is popularly known as the 'equine capital' of New Zealand. 

The prominent building is Cambridge Town Hall. It was built in 1909 in the centre of Cambridge and incorporated borough offices and a library. Over the years it was the venue for many theatrical and musical performances, and civic occasions. It was also a picture threatre and dance hall in the early 20th century and an emergency hospital during the 1918 influenza epidemic, currently it houses an information centre and is an events centre. The hall and nearby war memorial are at the centre of annual Anzac Day commemorations.    

I've seen many beautiful photo's of this building and the memorial when trees have been dressed with green and yellow leaves during the seasons of spring and summer and the gardens full of lovely vibrant flowers. Today's it's winter.....the air is cold and the weather mostly wet with the light dull, all is looking a bit grim but it does depict the day well.

My extra is of the Leamington Band Rotunda in Cambridge. The two-storey, octagonal band rotunda is unique in New Zealand. It was built in 1910 on the Leamington Recreation Reserve to house a dressing room and tea room, with a space for the band to play on top. In 1983 there was fierce local opposition to plans to demolish the lower storey and site the band rotunda in central Cambridge. It was saved and renovated, and in 1992 moved to another position in the reserve as a way of preventing vandalism.  

Although not seen in my blip journal I have a passion for band rotunda's, being an ex-bandsman, this one had to be seen and blipped, our first stop for the day. Once upstairs there wasn't really much room to perform, I would say standing room only with no music stands apart from the conductors, perhaps bands were smaller back in 1910.

The day started out with showers rolling through, bright light, blue sky but moody and cloudy beyond, it was rain here on in for most of the day, a real winter wander.

This has become a backblip and the day couldn't be more different, a scorching 30C outside. It is the start to summer and I'm wishing I was back in the North Island to see this lovely scene dressed for summer......that will be for another time :)