We've finally managed to get a break in the weather and work projects to get to the installation of the rusted steel sculpture John and I purchased in Nelson from Brendon & Jane Harley earlier this year. It's now out in the paddock here at Struan Farm, set on a concrete pad and into a huge concrete pipe with (what else?) concrete. John spent quite a bit of time pondering the perfect location and what to use for the base. We ended up getting a drainage pipe from Hynds in Te Kuiti. Thankfully nephew Mike has the strength to help us with this sort of heavy work.
The site is just out from the garden gate of our house, on the top of a rise not far from where the huge poplar was recently felled. It looks amazing, doesn't it? What's interesting is that it can be seen well from various angles, including our bedroom and different points around the gardens. (I was joking with John that it was almost like the Mona Lisa, with that smile following you around the room.) John's favourite vantage point is from below, looking up to the sculpture from the Old Road. I prefer the view from the gardens with our native QEII bush in the background, since the shape of the sculpture mirrors the shapes of the trees.
Once the concrete is set and dry I will be painting the base with special Porter's Paints to achieve the same rusted look. If the weather cooperates, that might be next week.
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