Pukeora photos (part 2)

Margaret of "Alice and Camilla" commented on my last entry that she liked the special atmosphere that the Pukeora photos conveyed, and so I have posted a few more of them. Margaret, you are so right about the strange stillness that resonates in these old hospital buildings (can stillness resonate?!) I don't have many interior photos, unfortunately because I felt so selfconscious taking photos with lots of people around. But I have posted what I did take.

As you wander around inside the building there is a strange combination of large open rooms that feel too big and hallways with lots of little rooms that feel too small. A perfect place for accommodation. I have heard that some artists get together to have retreats there. They sleep in the little rooms, use the kitchen facilities to eat, and the larger rooms to spread out all their art and craft. Because they are in one building they can craft to any hour of the night that they want before they go to bed! Sounds like heaven!!

Pukeora photos

I love taking photos since I got a digital camera! It is just so easy! You can take as many photos as you like without the worry of wasting the film. I have had many artist's dates with my camera since I got it.

These are a few photos from a trip to a wonderful festival held at the old Pukeora Estate on the San Hill behind Waipukurau in the Hawkes Bay of New Zealand. The old Sanatorium was first built to care for the soldiers returning from World War 1, later it became a Tuberculosis Sanatorium. In the late 1950s it was redeveloped as a home for the disabled and physically handicapped. The hospital was closed in 1998 and the property is now used as a vineyard, winery and function center with accommodation.

The old hospital feel to the buildings is eerie and the perfect location for the Festival. I took many many photos while I was there. Here is a tiny sampling.