Mark Braggins
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markbraggins.bsky.social
Mark Braggins
@markbraggins.bsky.social
850 followers 630 following 940 posts
A keen walker and fan of #greyhounds #dogs, #wildlife, and the countryside. #localgov in a former life, now retired.
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markbraggins.bsky.social
A Tui near Picton with just a tiny part of its repertoire.
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
One of many high points in day 3 of walking the Queen Charlotte Track in #NewZealand
October 31, 2025 at 6:50 AM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Really enjoying walking the Queen Charlotte Track in #newzealand
A sheltered bay with clear blue water, surrounded on three sides by hills covered in trees and vegetation. It is sunny, and the sky is blue A swing bridge over a stream. Dense foliage is on either side of the bridge. Captain Cook's monument with a cannon on either side, and the barrel of a third cannon on a platform in front. There is a motif and the word "Cook" in large letters. A bearded man, wearing a tan cap and dark glasses. Blue water and trees are in the background.
October 30, 2025 at 3:20 AM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Timed that well.
October 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Off we go.
A close-up view of the middle section of the Interislander ferry. A view from the deck of a ferry. In view are a handrail, lifeboats, the sea, and land in the distance. Happily, the sea looks calm.
October 27, 2025 at 8:18 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Wellington is rightly referred to as the 'windy city'.
October 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
One man and his dog. In #Wellington #newzealand
A statue of a man and his dog. The man is wearing a top hat, frock coat and is carrying a walking stick. He is looking at the dog and smiling. The dog looks happy, and is looking up at the man.
October 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Don't do it, mate.
A statue of a man, standing on the edge of a platform, overlooking the sea. In the middle distance is a statue of what appears to be a mermaid diving. The man appears to be about to jump into the water.
October 27, 2025 at 5:24 AM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Spending a few days walking on the very beautiful Great Barrier Island
Scrub, trees, and a path in the foreground, with mountains in the background A 60 year old man, pretending to be a 40 year old. Hs is wearing black walking trousers, a black t shirt, and a tan cap. He is standing on a track, with trees and scrub either side, and hills in the background. A bearded man, wearing sunglasses and a cap. Hi is standing in a rugged landscape, and looking a little smug.
October 21, 2025 at 8:03 AM
markbraggins.bsky.social
On the move again. Brief stopover in Auckland, then on to Great Barrier Island.
A large rucksack at a bus stop. Also visible are part of a leg and walking boot, pavement, road, and local town map.
October 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Bit of an 'arty day' yesterday. Lots more walking by the river, through mangrove. Impressed the town has a free dog park, drinking fountains have integrated dog bowls. Also managed to grab a photo of a Kingfisher when it paused on a cable by the water. #Whangarei #NewZealand
A drinking fountain, with integrated dog bowl. A sign reads "Water is the best drink". A Kingfisher perched on a cable A shelter, painted Bright blue. Inside is a table with seats. The windows resemble eyes. The whole structure resembles a smiling face. A tree with yellow leaves stands overhead. In the background is a river. A yellow dome sits above a viewing platform. Beneath is a rooftop garden with various small trees, bushes, and other vegetation.
October 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
markbraggins.bsky.social
A few snippets from Whangarei.
A log that resembles a face surrounded by wild flowers A viewpoint high above the town of Whangarei. As it's a photo, you can't hear me puffing. A footbridge surrounded by trees A bearded man wearing a peaked cap. He is smiling slightly. In the distance is a footbridge and a waterfall
October 17, 2025 at 6:24 AM
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Really loving Whangarei Falls.
October 17, 2025 at 6:16 AM
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I have headed north to Whangarei. I much prefer this pace of life, and sort of traffic.
A yellow road sign which shows a drawing of three ducks walking. The sign reads: "Ducks crossing" A duck walking on a tarmac road, with grass verge and Rick. M8xed vegetation, including nasturtiums, trees, and bushes, with the sea and hills in the distance. The sky is blue with a few clouds.
October 16, 2025 at 6:24 PM
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Very confident Pukeko wandered over to say hello at Western Springs Lakeside Park, in Auckland.
A blue and purple bird, with quite long legs and red top of its head, walking on grass.
October 15, 2025 at 10:01 PM
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A lovely moment at Maungawhau / Mount Eden in Auckland. Shame about the strimming in the distance.
October 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
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Ho hum.
Screenshot of a weather map for North Island, New Zealand. Text reads: Heavy Rain Watch Period: 5hrs from 9am - 2pm Tue, 14 Oct Area: Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, and Waikato about and north of Raglan to Cambridge Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Rain easing from the south. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning. Issued: 9:01am Tue 14 Oct Next update: 9:00pm Tue 14 Oct
October 13, 2025 at 8:10 PM
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I do like a bit of Park Art. This was in Victoria Park, Auckland.
HOMAGE TO WILL Sculptor Fred Loopstra U.S.A. Sponsor - New Zealand Railways International Sculpture Symposium Auckland Centennial 1971 New Zealand Society of Sculptors and Painters Inc. A wooden work of art in a green space. The artwork resembles an old fashioned plough
October 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
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Ok, it may be raining, but the sounds are still gorgeous (particularly after 24+ hours of travel). Finding my feet at Western Park in Auckland.
October 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
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I have every intention of 'roughing it' while in New Zealand. Starting, er, tomorrow, obviously
A table and two chairs on a balcony overlooking Auckland Harbour. It is nighttime. A bottle of champagne with a tall glass on a table. In the background are illuminated boats and houses. It is nighttime.
October 13, 2025 at 5:23 PM
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Currently at Heathrow. I deposited my big bag and was treated as 'special assistance' as I had a 'proper' rucksack with straps and not a wheely case. Saved me lots of time and palaver! I also did a pretty good job of looking helpless.
Terminal 2 | The Queen's Terminal at Heathrow Airport.
October 11, 2025 at 6:33 AM
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Off on my travels sans dogs for a few weeks. (They are, of course, being looked after). Took a couple of last minute photos. Sniff.
A brindle greyhound lying on a quilt with his mouth open, and a playful expression on his face. A black greyhound lying with his nose resting on a footstool. He has a slightly beseeching expression.
October 10, 2025 at 11:47 AM
markbraggins.bsky.social
Jim and Tigger, delighted to be back on the beach.
September 25, 2025 at 7:05 AM
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Vote with your butt. Local democracy, of a kind.
An outdoor cigarette bin. It has two glass-fronted sections labelled: "What goes first onto a scone". Left hand section reads" "Cornish way: Jam". The right hand section reads: "Devon way: Cream". Devon is slightly ahead, though Cornwall also has a kitKat wrapper.
September 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
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Clearly stressed.
A black greyhound relaxing on a sofa. A brindle greyhound relaxing on a sofa
September 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM