I've noticed over the last few years that quite a few cities both here in New Zealand and, also, overseas, have wind wands, even though sometimes they've been called different names. The one in New Plymouth is The Wind Wand, the one in Wellington is The Zephrometer. They're classed as sculptures. They are very high, point to the heavens, and they sway from side to side according to the powerfulness of the wind. Once or twice I have actually seen our wand all but horizontal. Wellington is notoriously known as 'Windy Wellington'.
Our wand is in Kilbirnie which is the suburb between me in Miramar and Hataitai beach where I swim with my friend J.
Lightening struck our wind wand a week or so ago. The top few metres got hit directly, burnt and split. See above picture.
I hope the wand gets ressurected. The artist is overseas at the moment but he will reassess the situation next month.
I love the delicious feeling of bravery I get when I drive under the wind wand. I have often thought it could crash down on top of me in a really terrific wind storm. I never once visualised lightening. It's sad to see it tied down horizontally nowadays (see below photo).
Hataitai Beach is about 400 metres behind the wind wand in the bottom photo.
Swims:
J and I have now done our 5 minimum swims for August, at Hataitai Beach. - August is the coldest month of our winter and it has been tough to get in those five swims. It has been especially cold the last three times. My toes have been like blocks of ice for hours afterwards.
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