Checking the Shot

Early this morning a dozen Camera Club members drove to Welds Hill, a well-known high country property around 50 kms from Blenheim. We had been looking forward to this field trip for some time.
“Welds Hill, named after Sir Frederick Weld, was established in 1850. It was once an extensive run of 15,662 ha, but is today much reduced in size – all the hill country has been incorporated in adjacent properties and it now comprises a vineyard and irrigated flats. .. Welds Hill has been in the hands of the Checkley family since 1920, with the current owner being Godfrey Checkley.
While a number of the original farm buildings on Welds Hill have been replaced due to fire and old age, there is still a lot of character in the existing buildings, the old smithy being of particular interest to camera enthusiasts, as are the large eucalyptus trees.
The property is situated in the Awatere Valley, and is accessed from the Molesworth Road and Medway Valley Road. After turning off the Medway Road onto Welds Hill Road, you pass the beautifully planted Awatere Downs, once part of Welds Hill. Admire the landscape as you travel in: the Black Birch range, the Awatere River with its papa cliffs, the Medway Vineyard [now incorporated in Yealands vineyards].”
Welds Hill was one of the Marlborough properties included in the field trips enjoyed by attendees at the Photographic Society of New Zealand Convention, “Colours of Marlborough” held in late April this year.
There were far, far too many images that would be suitable for blipping today. I finally chose this one of Eunice, one of our members, checking one of her images in the very old and interesting woolshed on the property.