When we saw this public sculpture on the Embarcadero (west side) in San Francisco we figured that it probably would not meet the KCDC’s requirement that art must not be “muddled and ambiguous”. 🙂

With showers predicted for the next three days we had a beach stroll today, although there was a stiff breeze and the temperature of 13ºC was below what you could consider pleasant (well, it’s what you expect in July.)

This view is from a bit to the north of the Waimeha Stream.  Blue posts on both the street frontage and the sand dunes mark access paths.

This is a café fridge we saw in America with an illuminated logo for Monster drinks.  But the translucent M itself has no lights; the source of the light are the LED strips around the edge of the door.  Neat, we thought.

Even better, LED technology has minimal UV emissions and no toxic emissions.  Obviously, it has big commercial applications, but also for home art pieces too.

It clearly is when there is a deluge, when the three stormwater pipes in a group at the outlet by the beach access at the end of Te Moana Road have the effect of scouring out a reasonable amount of sand.

There is another such outlet a little further north.

In the post on the mentions of Waikanae in the council’s Long Term Plan for the next 20 years, we noted that an Exeloo will be built to serve Mahara Place in 2020-21.

The price mentioned of $318,000 suggests that it ought to be a pretty fancy facility, although that figure may include the cost of removing the existing facility in the west end of the Mahara Gallery building to increase the floor space for the gallery.

It’s not mentioned exactly where the new loo will be sited.

Anyway for those interested, the website for Exeloo — with pictures of its versions bearing the names Titan, Orbit, Jupiter and Saturn (!) — is here

If you, a friend or a family member drive one of these, be sure to pick up a free fluoro flag from a council service centre (the Waikanae one is in the library) or Well-Able at 110 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu. These increase visibility so they can be seen easier by motorists on the roads, reversing out of driveways, and in parking lots.

The owner Sue died in February, so it may have taken this long for estate matters to be settled.

At the time we expressed the hope that this Kiwiana shop would continue.  The property, however, doesn’t just consist of the shop, but also a beach house designed by architect Jim Beard and more.

Della Randall’s effusive description is below and her webpage with full details is here.

From the iconic frontage of the famous Ma-mite studio, to the Jim Beard designed unique Olde Beach retreat at the rear, this impressive offering epitomises the timeless appeal of vintage Waikanae.

The studio may have passed into the annals of Kiwiana, but the two plus bedroom, 71sqm* home combines a classic bach lifestyle with stylish, easy-care modernity on an exquisitely sunny 697sqm* section.

You’ll love the polished concrete floors, well-appointed galley kitchen, vaulted ceiling with exposed rafters and stunning bathroom with mosaic tiles. A versatile mezzanine and a seamless indoor-outdoor flow to a private deck and flat lawn with a big leafy gum tree for summer shade.

Across the road from the tennis courts, mere metres from the shops and cafes, and only moments from the beach, this captivating collector’s piece offers the ultimate location for leisure or pleasure!

By Karl Maughan (1964 – ) who has specialised in garden art.  This is the only one stated to be Waikanae, but as Waikanae is noted for its gardens we’ll post a few more examples in due course. 🙂