It’s years since I visited Monavale Homestead out on the Cambridge Te Awamutu road (all of 5km from home). I came here from time to time to photograph weddings. It’s now home to Capernwray’s Monavale Bible School. What a neat setting for Carols by Candelight.

I had forgotten how Monavale draws you into the world of it’s creators. I’m not too hot on architecture and gardens – influences and terminology – I understand the house is American – the grounds are Waikato English – if that’s a genre. There is an other worldliness – set as it is in flat, conventional Waikato farmland. Especially at dusk.

Highlight for me is Hilly Boyce‘s solo Holy Night. And a sublime choral piece – refered to as a Nigerian Christmas carol – I think – (I see from the programme it is called Betelehemu) Very WOMAD. Very beautiful.

And it all happens again tomorrow evening at 8PM. Do go. (If too many turn up they may need to rejig their parking arrangements).

There is a gallery or slideshow; your choice. The frog, in full croak in the last frame, is in the pond at 69 Milton Street – go and look.