The Wind In The Willows

 

Ratty and Toad.  Mole and Badger.  How can one not love these little creatures in Kenneth Grahame’s adorable children's classic, “The Wind in the Willows”?

There are many books that publish this tale, or parts of it, but I was thrilled when I received this unabridged version.  It is many years since I have read the whole story – and I doubt many youngsters today would understand some of the archaic language!

It is only a small book, barely larger than a photograph, but it is light to handle and the print is easy to read.  I have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with my old friends in this edition, put out as a Collectable Classic by Flame Tree Publishing.

Our weather today is sunny and fairly calm, a bit different to the gales we were punished with yesterday.  But apart from the slamming of a couple of windows (which thankfully didn’t smash) we had an enjoyable day doing very little.

Our comfrey is growing well (almost too well!) and the bees are loving the flowers.

I even had time yesterday to create this in my journal.

Happy Holidays everyone 😊

Margaret.

 

A Forgotten Sketch

 

I was doing some cleaning up this morning, as you do, and found a watercolour sketch I began several months ago and had forgotten about.

It is in the Porters Pass area of the Southern Alps, a place I visited in the autumn of 2019.

I finished painting it, and looking at it brings a smile to my face as I remember the happiness of that day.

After all the rain we had last night, today has been fine and mostly sunny.  I sat in my garden for a time and nibbled on some of the spring onions that are growing – I quite like to pick a little bit off different herbs or plants and nibble at them while sitting in the sun and contemplating the world around me.

It is Monday again tomorrow.  I wonder what this week is going to bring?

May your day be a happy one 😊

Margaret.

 

How To Hang A Horseshoe

 

I discovered a new charity shop last week but today I couldn’t find it!  So I went to another one instead and came home with a book, a horseshoe, and a pasta cutter that I thought might make a good cutter for crackers.

I am not superstitious but the idea of hanging a horseshoe in the garden for good luck sounded like a good plan – but which way up is it meant to go?

I have read that it should hang open end upwards to “hold in the luck” but also that the open end should be at the bottom so that “luck is poured out on you” – so am not quite sure what to do.

I also visited Rototuna shopping mall and deposited $300 into my Kiwibank account from loose change that I have been dropping into a tin for the last eighteen months or more.

My way home took me past this sculpture of eels (a long fresh-water fish traditionally used as a food source) and waka (Maori canoes), and this time I stopped to photograph it.  

This 2011 sculpture (by Dion Hitchens, in collaboration with James Ormsby) represents “The awaking life force of Matariki.”  The central cluster of eels reflect the name of Rototuna (Maori for Lake of Eels) and the seven waka are placed to represent the star constellation of Pleiades (known by Maori as Matariki).

I hope someone can tell me the right thing to do with my horseshoe!

Margaret 😊

 

Lava Glass

Lava Glass Studio and Gallery is near Taupo and we stopped here over the weekend.  Lynden Over is the resident glass artist, and he uses a technique of trailing coloured glass in layers over each piece he creates, resulting in a totally unique and collectible work of art. 

There is a Sculpture Garden attached to the Gallery that contains over 600 individually blown pieces of glass artwork.

Glass rainbow

Glass tulips

Glass balls

In his Volcanic Series, Lynden Over explores the geological landscape of New Zealand for inspiration and has created collections representing the colours and shapes he has discovered.

While wandering the Gallery I found a small vase that I immediately fell in love with.  It belongs to the Wonderful Wai (wai is Maori for water) collection with vivid turquoise and blue colours and I was unable to resist purchasing it.

My friends and I never went to the glassblowing demonstration but we did have a bite to eat at the café before continuing our exploration of Taupo. 

I hope you day is a happy one J 

Margaret.

Visiting Mapua

Not that long ago, Mapua was a sleepy little village nestled on the edge of Tasman Bay between Nelson and Motueka.  Now a lot of people have discovered what a pleasant place this is to live in, and the town has increased accordingly.

There are now many shops and eateries built in the vicinity of the wharf.  This photo shows one end of the area.

The wharf still operates for small craft, and cafes in this area are a great place to sit with a cuppa and look out towards the sea.

The spot is shared with Hamish the Heron, a lovely wood sculpture.

Around the back of Mapua village is the Waimea Estuary, a safe harbour for launching and mooring small boats.

Next door to Mapua can be found Ruby Bay.  Whenever I visit this area, a trip to Ruby Bay is a must-do, and I always leave with a rock or two.

The whole beach is stones, many of different colours and frequently having streaks of quartz running through them.

Leaving Mapua and heading up into the apple orchards in the hills, there is a good view back over the Estuary.

The Tasman District, where Mapua is situated, is a pretty area to visit and well worth the time if you are ever in the area.

Enjoy your day J

Margaret.


LINKING TO My Corner of the World

Autumn

Autumn is my favourite season, only this year I must stay at home and I feel I am missing out on it completely.  So I thought a look for some photos in my archives might remind me what autumn was all about.

Firstly, there is the glorious colour of the trees as they prepare themselves for winter hibernation.  These beautiful trees are Aspens in Arizona, but you get the idea.

Harvest is another great aspect of autumn.  These Queensland Blue iron-bark pumpkins have very tough skins.  We harvested these out of our vegetable garden in 2004.

Autumn is also when the hot summer weather turns decidedly cooler, the nights grow longer, and the first dusting of snow on the mountains appears.

Once harvest is completed, the big Garden Clean-up can begin.  Shrubs are pruned, dead leaves are raked up, weeds are gathered together – and the fun of garden bonfires begins!

One of my favourite activities is walking through piles of fallen leaves.  They crunch and crackle and scatter around you, and they always seem to have that damp earthy smell about them that I typically associate with the autumn season.

Many plants have berries on them at this time of the year – these ones are the hips of a rose.

Finally, I found this painting I had done many years ago and it also reminded me of autumn – in fact, it is titled Autumn Leaves.  It was created using watercolours and fallen pin-oak leaves.

I know many readers are heading into spring with the hope of summer just ahead, but I hope you will forgive me for enjoying these last vestiges of warmth before our winter arrives.

Let us be thankful and appreciate the diversity of nature and the beauty of our different seasons J

Margaret.

Japanese Garden of Contemplation

One of the more peaceful gardens in the complex known as Hamilton Gardens, is the Japanese Garden of Contemplation.

Rather than displaying itself all it once, this garden reveals itself in stages.  

An entrance path leads into a foyer-type area that then goes on to a Pavilion.

On the left of the pavilion is a dry-landscape zen garden, depicting the movement of water through the raking of the stones.

Inside the pavilion are seats where one can sit in contemplation of the beauty of water itself.

 Sunlight reflects the water up into the eaves, perfectly captured in a poem placed in this area:

Fluid echoes dance –

Ripples of sun and water

Hold dreams in the eaves

~ Vonnie Hughs

There are turtles living in this body of water, but they seldom show themselves.  I think the reflections often found here are beautiful.

Sometimes I like to sit and sketch, and here is an ink sketch I made recently while sitting in the pavilion.

I hope you enjoyed this little wander around the garden.

Cheers,
Margaret


Linked to My Corner Of The World

A Summer Poem

We have hot summer temperatures here today, expecting to hit 30C later this afternoon.  I just wilt in this heat and have been trying to find something to do inside.

So far I have begun reading two different books and discarded both of them.  One was plain boring, the other was too hard-going.  It is too hot for serious reading at the moment.

Browsing through some of my old notebooks I came across some poems I had written.  The following one is about Summer, so I thought that was appropriate for today.

Mt Maunganui ocean beach (2010)

SUMMER

Skies are blue, washed pale with heat,

Fluffy clouds form and just as quickly flee.

Cows swish tails to chase away flies,

And cicadas chirp loudly from their tree. 

Next door’s children squeal with delight,

Squirting each other with the hose.

Gardens swelter beneath the sun,

As one by one we shed our clothes.

By the sea the crowds gather;

Claiming to have fun on the hot sand.

Splashing in the cool ocean waves,

As summer spreads across the land.

* * * * * * * 

This photo was taken in Napier during 2009.  I think it is a great way to disguise the functionality of public toilet facilities!

Linked to Monday Mural

Empty Shops

Yesterday I had occasion to go into Hamilton’s CBD area, something I haven’t done for a long time. 

Twenty years ago I was a frequent visitor here, and there were always plenty of people out shopping and all types of shops available.  There are still plenty of bars and restaurants for those seeking a night life, but I was surprised at how many actual shops were standing empty and forlorn.

I mentioned this to my cousin last night and he said Tauranga City was the same.  A shopkeeper friend of his had told him it was because the buildings themselves did not meet the new stringent earthquake code specifications, meaning they were deemed a risk in the event of a major earthquake.

So the question is, do I want shops or do I want safety?  I think I will go for the safety aspect, and stick to my usual shopping malls.  They are newer buildings, presumably safer, and parking is free – I paid $8 yesterday for parking for 90 minutes.

Garden Place, the centre of Hamilton city

My visit, however, did allow me to stop and view the new wall mural that is now being painted.  When finished it is expected to be the largest mural in New Zealand, so it will be interesting to see what they paint there.

The start of a new mural

We have a lovely summer day today.  Not too hot as there is a little breeze and some clouds around.

Puffy clouds on this lovely warm day

 I enjoyed eating my lunch outside, after a morning working in the kitchen.  I am still moving things around, taking my time organizing the cupboards and sometimes moving something for a second time.  Makes me feel very domesticated!

Our new fuchsia is in bloom

Take care everyone,

Margaret.


Linking up with My Corner Of The World

Not Much Today

This mural is painted on a public toilet block at Waipu Cove, Northland.  It commemorates the history of the area.

Linked to Monday Mural

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One of the first authors to write naval fiction books in historical context was Captain Frederick Marryat (1792-1848), who served in the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.

One of his last books, published in 1847, was Children Of The New Forest which I have just finished reading.  Some of the language is a little difficult to understand, reflecting the age of the book. 

The story follows four children who must survive alone after their father, a loyal Royalist, is killed.  Their mother dies, and then their home is burned down by Cromwell’s men.  They live in Hampshire’s New Forest and have many adventures before regaining their rightful place in society.

The actual book itself was presented to my mother in 1939 as a school prize for Arithmetic, when she was eleven years old.

Several books I own are a lot older than this.  I love the feel of an ancient book, but I wonder if my children will appreciate them when I am gone.

Margaret.

Lake Pukaki

The day I visited Lake Pukaki, in last May, the weather was not very conducive of photographs, which was a shame because this naturally formed lake is famous for its incredible blue colour and I was unable to see it at its best.

The unearthly blue comes from glacial flour (a fine silt of pulverised rock) that is suspended in the icy cold lake waters and which reflects blue light and gives the lake a luminous appearance.

Lake Pukaki

Lake Pukaki is situated in the Mackenzie Country in the central South Island and I approached it from the south, driving up from Twizel where I had spent the night. 

Salmon farming is big business in all this area, and I purchased some fresh king-salmon fillets from a farm near Twizel before beginning my journey.  They made an awesome present for my host that evening.

Driving beside the Southern Alps on my way up from Twizel

I stopped at the Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre for views of the Lake.  On a fine day there apparently are beautiful views to be had of Mt Cook Aorangi away in the distance, but this day the mountain was shrouded in rain clouds.

I could, however, visit the thar statue beside the edge of the Lake.  This bronze statue was created by Murray Matuschka in 2014 and commemorates the passing of the Game Animal Council Bill, which allows recreational hunters to have a say in the management of public conservation land.  Thar are described as a kind of goat-antelope and were introduced to the area in 1904, but I cannot say I have ever seen one.

The Thar statue beside Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre

Upon leaving Lake Pukaki, the road heads for Tekapo village and its lake.  The long straight roads were a dream to drive on, being too early for too much traffic, but it was rather strange to be driving toward blue skies and sunshine when all I could see in my rear vision mirror were ominously black rain clouds.  Those clouds chased me for a long time, but eventually I drove clear of them and into a beautiful sunny autumn day.

On the road to Tekapo

My timetable for the day had not allowed me to detour from the Highway to visit Mt Cook Aorangi itself, which was perhaps for the best considering the weather.  Maybe next time …..

Margaret.

The Bay Of Islands

After a restless night at my accommodation in Awanui, in Northland, I left early in the morning and headed down the east coast to the Bay of Islands.  I had to call in to see the Mangonui Wharf as I had heard so much about it and its fish-and-chips shop. 

The fish shop is on the right of the picture

Unfortunately the shop was not due to open for another two hours and I could not wait that long.  A sign outside advertised that they sold “king prawns, kina tubs, Mangonui chowder, Pacific oysters, hot coffee and cold beer, raw fish salad, smoked fish, marinated mussels, calamari, and kid’s meals.”  It sounded like a great place to buy fresh kaimoana (food from the sea).

I eventually arrived at Kerikeri, a place I had not visited since being on honeymoon fortysix years ago.  I had thought to visit the model Maori Village there, but it too was closed.

The gateway entrance to the Maori village

Across the river from me (accessed by a footbridge) was the historic Stone Store and Kemp House, part of the Mission Station that was established here in 1819.

The Mission Station at Kerikeri

The Stone Store was built in 1832 and has served as a warehouse, trading post, library, army barracks, boys’ school, and general store (not all at the same time!).  Today it operates as a gift and souvenir shop.

The Georgian-style Stone Store

On the outskirts of Paihia is found the Raruru Falls, a five metre high waterfall on the Waitangi River.  I was lucky to find a car park as the place was busy with tourists and families.  There were many people swimming in the rock pools above the falls, and the rest of us were busy taking photographs!

Raruru Falls near Paihia

A visit to Waitangi was another must, and I went there next.  The Treaty of Waitangi was signed here in 1840 between English colonists and Maori chiefs, and is regarded as our nation’s founding document.  A lot of controversy still surrounds this Treaty, and I was pleased to see that the Museum presented both sides of the history in a fairly unbiased manner.

The flagpole on the large sweep of lawn

The building now known as the Treaty House was built around 1833 as a home for the governor James Busby and his family.  It is one of New Zealand’s oldest surviving buildings.

Waitangi Treaty House

Beautiful cottage gardens have been established around the outside of the house, including fruit trees and grape vines.  So very different from when I last visited and the house was a lonely lifeless building that smelt musty and echoed badly.  The restoration of house and garden is great to see.

Part of the cottage garden surrounding the Treaty House

Close by the Treaty House is a Maori Meeting House, built in 1940 to celebrate 100 years since the Treaty was signed.  Together the two buildings are meant to symbolise partnership between the British Crown and the Maori people.  The house itself reflects the stories and carving styles of different tribes around New Zealand, and, after removing my shoes, I had a quick look inside.

Carvings and woven panels inside the Meeting House

The evening was calm and warm and perfect for an evening stroll.  I wandered down from my motel to downtown Paihia and drank in the atmosphere.  There were a lot of people around, patronising one of many different eateries or doing some souvenir shopping.  I thought this statue of a swordfish beside the wharf was rather appropriate, as a lot of deep sea fishing excursions begin here.

Swordfish statue on Paihia Wharf

Paihia had a lovely holiday atmosphere, and one day I hope I can return and explore it further.

Bye for now,

Margaret.