Panoramic view brings pleasure

Albert Sword loves living in the city - being above Victoria Avenue, but being a part of it at the same time. Photo/Stuart Munro

Albert Sword adores living above Wanganui's main shopping street Victoria Ave where the thrum of city life reaches his second-floor apartment.

"I have so much space here - it is as big as a five-bedroom house," he says.

He now walks everywhere, and testament to this was his latest warrant of fitness that showed he had only driven 169km in six months.

Mr Sword took the Chronicle on to the roof of his apartment block for a view over the heart of the city.

And like all those in Wanganui with views, he waxed lyrical about the fantastic sunsets seen from the roof top.

"I look over the whole city and at the planes going overhead. I have so many different choices, and I can follow the sun around."

There's the view over Majestic Square and the War Memorial Hall to the museum and the Sarjeant Gallery.

And to the southeast over Victoria Ave, the view is to Hipango Terrace on Durie Hill and the tower on the skyline.

Mr Sword is passionate about Wanganui. After visiting a friend who had moved here, he returned to Auckland, packed up his house and bought a house on Shakespeare Rd on Bastia Hill within four days of arriving. That was in 2004 when he opened the Bard and Breakfast and kept it going until 2009.

Of his current home, Mr Sword says he simply walked into the apartment and decided to buy it because the then-owner was moving to Wellington to live.

"I love the idea of living in the city, being above it but being a part of it at the same time."

And there are the stairs up to his apartment which he says keeps him fit.

The former photographer and wine connoisseur - and also a troubadour of 10 years with Operatunity - Mr Sword says the great thing about living in an apartment is you can shut the door and walk away.

"There are no lawns."

One of his favourite views is looking out from his kitchen across the city.

"I get to see so many tourists who come to Wanganui and hear how they appreciate what is so commonplace to us - the heritage buildings, clean streets, hanging baskets, absence of graffiti and friendly people."