William Shakespeare at the beach in honour of the people of Christchurch…..and a plaque that explains more

Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time will remember my posts( here, here, here and here) about the brick-work installations along the sea walls at Plimmerton Beach.

Russell Plume created these quotations from the works of William Shakespeare from pieces of brick that wash up along the beach.

This quotation was installed on a sea wall earlier this year and alongside it now is a plaque explaining the purpose of this particular installation.

As beach walkers pass by and read the quote and the explanation I hope their thoughts and good wishes will turn to the people of Christchurch to support and encourage them.

There is a Facebook page here for more photos and information to like and share.

Advertisement

Friday photos from Plimmerton Beach

Sand and water patterns from Plimmerton Beach this week.

More Shakespeare quotes at Plimmerton

I’ve copied and pasted a comment by Russell Plume on Tuesday this week about his creative work piecing old weathered pieces of brick into quotations from Shakespeare and what may yet appear in a setting for all to enjoy.
Good morning Lynley,
The comments attached to your post are very touching. Thanks to you and to your readers.
I have three more settings that have yet to appear along the wall.
“There is a tide in the affairs of men” from Julius Caesar.
“Out damn’d spot, out I say!”. A desperately unhinged Lady MacBeth giving a gentle reminder to dog owners… .
“Ahakoa iti he pounamu”. A Māori proverb: “Although small it is precious” (another reference to Plimmerton…).
The complete collection is still a work in progress.
The ‘tide’ setting has a home which hasn’t been constructed yet. The other two are orphans.
Were you aware that “Brevity is the soul of wit” is above the surge wall 4 or 5 houses south of Queens Ave (down to the end, turn left)?
Thanks again for being so supportive.
Cheers
Russell

I have blogged about them here, here, here and here.

However in my haste on the chilly beach earlier this week I missed this setting.
On a glorious summer’s day yesterday I took a photo to ensure a complete record from the beach front.

I also walked to the local amateur dramatic theatre nearby to record this quote.

I follow the Facebook page that Russell has set up here so I will post updates as new settings find a home. My blog statistics always lift dramatically when I post about these quotes by the sea. There is a real interest in them globally.

Here are the rest of the settings along the surge walls at Plimmerton Beach, Porirua, New Zealand.

Shakespeare by the Sea, Plimmerton….in honour of the people of Christchurch

I first posted about Russell Plume’s creative use of washed up pieces of brick to form quotations from Shakespeare here here and here.
Here is a piece of brick in the sand from my wanderings today.

Just the same as those Russell has picked up in his wanderings and used to form the quotations.

Russell had intended that this quote be permanently placed somewhere in Christchurch to recognise the people there and all they had experienced and endured from the 12,500 (and probably more) earthquakes since 2010.

I follow the Shakespeare by the sea Facebook page and learnt a day or so ago that this setting of the quote has been erected on one of the sea walls along Plimmerton beach in honour of the people of Christchurch. From the Facebook page: What is the city but the people? Dedicated to the people of Christchurch. Installed January, 2014 by Porirua City Council. Many thanks to them and to the Mayor Nick Leggett.

This setting is installed on the fence at the property on the north side Queens Ave (go to the end of the street, walk down onto the beach, and turn right).

And so I followed the directions this morning and here is the quote for Christchurch.

Here are some of the other quotations Russell created along this stretch of my favourite beach.

Mother’s Day afternoon on Plimmerton beach

Titahi Bay today

Here is another beach that I live near. Titahi Bay is a little south of Plimmerton.

Lots of people(and dogs) were enjoying the summer conditions there today.

Plimmerton beach

Plimmerton beach is one of my favourite beaches. I played and swum here as a child and I have lived for more than 20 years in a nearby suburb.

It has a lovely large sandy bay with very safe swimming.

And on some of the sea walls there are quotes from Shakespeare made from old pieces of brick that have washed up on this beach.

Read about those here, here and here.

It also has rocky areas mixed with sand.

It has views across the opening of the Porirua harbour to Whitireia Park.

And around in the next bay there are wee sandy coves and lots of rocks with rock pools to search in.

Hot and dry by the beach

While I was at the beach yesterday I took these photos. Plants are dry right now and many flowers are not looking their best after howling winds, humidity and low rain fall have done their damage.

But Pelargoniums and Geraniums love the heat and provide a welcome splash of bright colour to mirror the heat and the light of the moment.

The theory and practice of summer

In theory we get summer weather here when large, slow moving high pressure weather systems move over the Tasman Sea and settle above our small homeland. This seasons such systems have been very rare.

The good news for us is that right now we have such a one and we are enjoying blue skies, sunshine, hot temperatures and balmy wee breezes. This weekend has seen people out in droves enjoying our beautiful beaches and outdoor areas, putting summer into practice.

Today we headed to Plimmerton and walked along the path by the sea. I sat and relaxed for a bit and took some photos.

This red-billed gull came over to see whether I had any food on offer and rather quickly dismissed me when all I could give him was my attention and the lens of a digital camera.

It was very hot on the beach and someone had set up a make-shift area of shade using an old rain umbrella firmly attached to a long piece of driftwood.

In a very surprising turn of events the umbrella did not move. Usually it is too windy for umbrellas at the beach!!!

In the hazy distance sat Mana Island and faintly in the background the outline of the South Island of New Zealand.

And these people were really enjoying swimming and paddling in the water.

Now it is time to eat our barbeque dinner outside. It is our third meal of the day to be eaten outdoors. Mmmmmm summertime.

On a cold and frosty morning

We had a heavy frost here this morning. However it also meant that the air was crisp and clear and the light was good for taking some photos at my favourite beach at Plimmerton.

Another frost is promised for tomorrow.