[MarkJerling]

Yeah - hard to know who is just winding up! The one you "liked" is a bit hard to fathom.

Yes, pretty odd. Which is why I felt it deserved a like!

[Class A]

Manual flashes, I'm limited to 1/180 sync speed, ...

Yes, with most manual flashes you are.

However, there are lights (strobes and flashes) that support both HSS and manual power control at the same time.

[Kiwizinho]

Hey a bit of a random question with nothing to do with photography (although quite a bit to do with photons, although in a rather different part of the electromagnetic spectrum).
I know one or two of you fellas are around the Wellington region. Does anyone have any contacts with accommodation of any kind that mere mortals can afford, that is child and pet friendly with transport to Wellington Hospital?
My wife is attempting to be turned into a super hero there over the next three weeks (if comic books are anything to be believed), and my daughter is missing her mum.
The actual procedure only takes about 10 minutes a day and weekends are free, but the ministry of health only pays for transport at the beginning and end of the procedure, and the accommodation they provide doesn't accept children or pets.
Our pup is fully vaccinated, but probably a bit young to be put into a kennel, and we specifically chose a highly sociable breed because my daughter is an only child and wanted a substitute for a sibling, but that has an impact in terms of accommodation.
My wife's spent a lot of time looking online including Airbnb and so far turned up nothing, and we've put the word out amongst friends here, so far with no luck, but I thought it might be worth putting the word out a bit further afield particularly where there are some Wellington locals, in case someone knows someone amongst their networks.

[MarkJerling]

Hey a bit of a random question with nothing to do with photography (although quite a bit to do with photons, although in a rather different part of the electromagnetic spectrum).
I know one or two of you fellas are around the Wellington region. Does anyone have any contacts with accommodation of any kind that mere mortals can afford, that is child and pet friendly with transport to Wellington Hospital?
My wife is attempting to be turned into a super hero there over the next three weeks (if comic books are anything to be believed), and my daughter is missing her mum.
The actual procedure only takes about 10 minutes a day and weekends are free, but the ministry of health only pays for transport at the beginning and end of the procedure, and the accommodation they provide doesn't accept children or pets.
Our pup is fully vaccinated, but probably a bit young to be put into a kennel, and we specifically chose a highly sociable breed because my daughter is an only child and wanted a substitute for a sibling, but that has an impact in terms of accommodation.
My wife's spent a lot of time looking online including Airbnb and so far turned up nothing, and we've put the word out amongst friends here, so far with no luck, but I thought it might be worth putting the word out a bit further afield particularly where there are some Wellington locals, in case someone knows someone amongst their networks.

We're a bit far. When I had my operation in Wellington Hospital, my wife stayed at an Airbnb literally 5 minutes from the hospital, but when I search on Airbnb it does not come up so I guess it's no longer an Airbnb. But, also no pets, so would not have worked.

[Arpe]

No idea re accommodation, I live here so don't usually need it!

If you get desperate contact me, but we're a half-hour drive (off-peak) to the hospital, or 1.25hr by train and bus (according to Google).

[zkarj]

Same... I have no need to know because I live here. Plus, I'm of an age that most people I know own their own homes. I have asked a couple of people — no joy sorry — and if I can cross paths with my son soon I will ask him.

[MarkJerling]

We visited Mt Bruce on Tuesday for the first time in years. The one kaka photo is shot through thick mesh. How the camera managed that, I don't know.
The kiwi photo is poor, but the best I could do with very, very poor light and the entirely wrong lens.

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[MarkJerling]

A few interesting trademe listings, all by one seller:

Trade Me 645Z body
Trade Me D FA 645 55mm f/2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW Lens
Trade Me smc FA 75mm f/2.8 Lens

[Kiwizinho]

I've heard from my wife and apparently Ronald McDonald House will have three of us. I have a client who runs kennels, and need to find out whether it's appropriate for our pup to be in kennels at her age, otherwise I'll have to find a dog-sitter, but that's progress.

Just thinking, if I'm going to be in Wellington, after all Alistair's photos, I think I'm convinced I'll have to organise a family trip to Zealandia.

[MarkJerling]

Good to hear, re Ronald McDonald house. It's my understanding that they provide a good service.
How old is your dog?

[zkarj]

I think I'm convinced I'll have to organise a family trip to Zealandia.

I highly, highly recommend!

You can get quite a lot out of it simply by sticking to the "main drag" called Lake Road. However, I have a few tips to really make the most of it, depending on how adventurous you are (or can be, given medical status etc).

* The best value "other track" to take is Te Māhanga Track. It's easy going and runs somewhat parallel to Lake Road but is very different, being in the trees, alongside a stream. I'm struggling to think of any species I've seen at Zealandia that I haven't seen on this track. It also, at the north end, takes in the Takahe area and the lower lake wetlands and pontoon walkway. Just be aware of quite a few stairs at that end, though very sturdy and with railings. If you've come north along Te Māhanga and these look too challenging, you can back track for some other exits to Lake Road. Or go down them for starters and come back along Lake Road. For a quick visit, I usually scoot up Lake Road to the upper Kaka feeders, then head back along Te Māhanga.
* If you're up at the upper Kaka feeders, look for the Beech tracks, off Lake Road, just north of the far end of Te Māhanga on the opposite side. Barely a few metres along this track there is a feeder which is probably the most successful single spot I have found in the park. And there is a seat there, too.
* If you continue to the top of Lake Road past the upper Kaka feeders, it gets a little steep, but a walk across the upper dam is pretty spectacular — if you have a head for heights — and it leads to the suspension bridge (which is way wider, way lower, and amongst the bush, so less scary). This will bring you down the Beech tracks. Still easy going for most, but definitely steeper than the others so far mentioned.
* One of the steepest tracks, but very much worth it if able, is from the end of Lake Road (pretty much adjacent to the dam entrance) up to the Heritage Discovery Area. It's not a long track, but it will test your lungs on the way up and your coordination on the way down. The heritage stuff is interesting, but more so, I feel, is this is where you're most likely to see Hihi. Of the three times I've been up there, I've seen them twice and both of those times there were multiple and up really close! They're one of the rarest species in the park and I find them amazing to watch. You'll have seen my photos. The only other place I've seen Hihi, and that fleetingly, is on the Te Māhanga Track.

You can study the map ahead of time to get a feel for where the tracks are. Lake Road is just over 1km long

[NZ_Ross]

Good to hear, re Ronald McDonald house. It's my understanding that they provide a good service.

Having spent quite a bit of time in the Ronald McDonald house in Auckland over the past few years as my youngest has had major surgeries, I can say that they are fantastic, and in my opinion represent the very best of NZ.

Zealandia also has my vote as a must visit

[Kiwizinho]

How old is your dog?

She's just over 4 months old. I spoke with a client who runs kennels, and they'll take her as she's just over the minimum age they'll accept. It's going to be a bit of a shock to the system after being in a highly stimulating and social home environment, but they assure me she'll cope. I had a look, and concrete floors and steel walls, so not much for stimulation, but warm and dry.
I might still ask and see if any friends are prepared to puppy sit, but at least we have an option.

[MarkJerling]

Here by us there are a few "kennel" options that are not really kennels, but more like a "homestay". In my view, such an environment is far better for dogs than traditional kennels. I'd suggest you may wish to see if such a service exists near you.

[Kiwizinho]

Here by us there are a few "kennel" options that are not really kennels, but more like a "homestay". In my view, such an environment is far better for dogs than traditional kennels. I'd suggest you may wish to see if such a service exists near you.

I checked out the kennels owned by a client, and they admitted themselves that our pup wouldn't enjoy it. She'd be fed and exercised, with some socialisation with other dogs during her exercise breaks, but it looked more like a prison than a holiday home.
It would accommodate our pup, but wouldn't be great for her.
More of a 'homestay' type environment would be far better for her, as she's extremely sociable, to the extent that as part of the questionnaire from the breeder, we had to indicate whether someone would be home during the day, as the breeder didn't want her pups going to homes where they'd be left alone all day.
It's funny, when we were looking for a pup, my wife and I both said we didn't really want an indoor dog, but begrudgingly relented for our daughter, "but she'll sleep on the floor."
That changed to , "OK, she can sleep on your bed, but definitely not ours." to finally a resigned adding an older blanket on top of the duvet for her.
I think we realised we had something special when we've had teenage girls go totally gaga and want selfies with our pup wherever we go, and even other dog owners want to stop and give her attention.