What is in a view
Tony Milne from Rough Milne Mitchell views the landscape from the clouds as he ponders the ephemeral highlights and temporal nature of our seasons.
The plane I am in has just successfully managed to dip through the inversion layer that shrouds, envelops, and hangs heavy in the valleys of Central Otago. The plane I was supposed to be in did not take off as successful penetration of the layer of dense strata cloud was not an expected outcome. Prudent.
A cloud inversion tends to happen when you have a cold layer of air trapped at ground level, overlain by warm air. Below the cloud, the day is damp, dreary, and colder than a mother-in-law’s love. Or so some, and certainly not my partner, would say. Not a day for a heliophile.
Above simply majestic. Imagine clear and long views over a sea of cloud, with the jagged profile of the Southern Alps punching the sky. Aoraki standing tallest, Mt Aspiring elegant and alluring. At a lower elevation, the snow-covered top of the Pisa Range sits island-like just above this downward extension of cloud. Imagine a well iced, but creased, long sticky Swiss bun.
On its broad crest, the tell-tale signs of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds for automotive testing show through the snow. From above, the pattern of figure of eights, circles, and ovals created in the snow and ice appear sculptural to the eye. Not too dissimilar to the doughnuts we once carved in the damp paddocks of our youth behind the wheel of the Falcon Wagon. Artists we were.
Our ever-changing landscape presents us with plenty of opportunity to appreciate its beauty. We may stare, observe, glance, gaze or catch a glimpse for varying reasons. Bondi Beach in summer appeals, without a doubt, while for the more discerning, the first blossom of spring catches one’s attention.
I have spent the last month or so in resource management hearings giving evidence relating to views, changes in views resulting from changes in the landscape, visual effects and how these are perceived. Of course, we see things differently and appreciate elements within the landscape for a variety of reasons. Knowledge, experience and expectation lead us to react and respond to the things we see the way we do.
Last summer, along with my sister, brother and father, we hiked up and down Mt Arthur. A second attempt for some, foiled by lousy weather the first time around. Clear skies this time, and from the top, along with a much-needed rest, we took the time to savour the view.
I imagine my father and sister, both schoolteachers, looking down, checking the apple trees had their legs crossed on the mat of productive plains and hillocks. After checking out his own shoes, my brother searching for love, gazed longingly at the same trees seeking Eve. And myself, I couldn’t help looking for the spatial patterns of occupation and use and how the landscape dictates that.
Or we simply looked out and enjoyed the view while wondering whose sandwich tasted the best.
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