Dawn sky from Albert Park

This morning I decided on a different course, one that took me into and through Albert Park in the central city.

Albert Park is situated on a knoll, the remainder of volcanic activity many hundreds of years ago in this area. Before 1840 a Maori village (Rangipuke) occupied this site; there was also a fortified Pa site known as Te Horotiu. At the far north end of the ridge (and now outside Albert Park) was a sacred spring (Te Wai Ariki; the water of Ariki). The High Court is situated there now.

In 1845 the British established the Albert Barracks, creating their own defence post on this site, the Maori inhabitants having been moved. In 1879 the land was ceded to the Auckland City Council which established a park, known as Albert Park after the Queen's consort.

The eastern edge of the park is Princes Street, and wealthy merchants established large homes along that street. On the eastern side of the street is the city campus of the university of Auckland..

This picture shows the university Clock Tower which I blipped three weeks ago from the north east. There are various palms, leafless trees and an old fashioned lamp standard. Behind it all is the early morning sky, which is also passing through the aligned windows in the tower.