Today is a tough day for me because it is 15 years since my mother was killed in a car accident. This anniversary comes just over a week since a terrorist killed 50 innocent people at prayer and wounded so many more in my homeland.
My words are absent but this piece written by Simon Wilson has spoken deeply to me today. I would encourage you to read it and absorb it and go more kindly and peacefully in the world.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12213687
The Government of my country have decided that we need a new flag. Apparently the new flag, if the country votes to change it, will be a “Brand” that can be used as a marketing tool around the globe.
Here in the Hall of Memories at the National War Memorial in Wellington is no place for a Brand.
Not far from my home on the West Coast of the North Island, New Zealand, there is more wild coastline.
Views from above this coastline can be gained from Whitireia Park, a reserve area which some years ago was farmed.
Standing on the high cliffs in the park there is almost always a wind blowing across this exposed site. It is bracing and exhilarating.
This high vantage point offers great views of Mana Island, a wildlife sanctuary.
The rocks are rugged and treacherous here as the Tasman Sea washes into the Porirua harbour entrance.
People use this stretch of coast and this park for all manner of recreational pursuits, both in the sea and on the land.
My visit was to record more of the beautiful landscapes that are found in the area in which I am fortunate enough to live.
On the first anniversary of my brother’s death I visited the Wellington Botanical Gardens where he and I had left small footprints as children, visiting with our parents. And where in the mid 1970’s he left more footprints when he worked there as a gardener.
During my visit I wondered if perhaps had he stopped work and stood and enjoyed this view
Or perhaps he had rested in the summer heat under this Weeping Willow tree
Or trudged up this path amid the greenery
Or cut this long, steep, grassy bank.
And behind me as I took these photographs was A Field of Remembrance.
866 white crosses bearing the names of Wellingtonians who were casualties of WW1 between 1914-15.
This field is but one of many that have been established around our country to commemorate those who lost their lives.
In April of 2015–2018, part of Wellington Botanic Garden will become a place to reflect on and remember those who died World War I. Sited on Salamanca Lawn, towards Salamanca Road, the Fields of Remembrance will feature replica Flanders field poppies and 866 white crosses to commemorate the Wellingtonians who died in service in 1915. We’ve worked with the Fields of Remembrance Trust to make this event possible. 10–28 April.
Gallivanta in Christchurch has posted about visiting the one in her city.
A steady trickle of quiet, sombre, reflective visitors moved amongst the crosses and spent time with their own thoughts, feeling and memories.
Many readers of my blog will know how much I enjoy feeding the Tui and taking photographs of these iconic and special New Zealand birds.
As word has got about in the Tui world that we have two sugar water feeders on offer, the number of birds visiting each day to drink their fill has risen. Antics at the feeders have increased substantially too.
Moulting season has come and gone this year and with it a small but delightful collection of feathers have been left in my garden.
Here is a selection from my collection:
Filamentous feathers of a Tui’s white, double tufted curled feather wattle
Filoplume feather from a Tui’s “shawl” around its neck and across its upper back
Wing or tail feathers showing some iridescence
Soft brownish breast or underbelly feathers showing some iridescence
Possibly fledgling’s soft downy feathers?
And in other feathery news I have spotted a Bellbird investigating the feeder and also checking out the bottle brush bushes….no photos…..or Bellbird feather treasure……yet…..
Summer has hit here with a capital “S”! Temperatures have been high and being out in the blazing sun for too long is not advisable. Sun hats, sun block, covering up, seeking shade and plenty of fluid is the order of the day.
The sky has been a deep, clear blue for days on end without a cloud in sight.
Yesterday an errand took me near this vantage point and I thought I would share some photos of the Porirua Harbour and views over Porirua.
Mana marina, Porirua
The entrance to Porirua Harbour and the Pauatahanui Inlet. Mana Marina to the right of the photo.
The flat top of Mana Island on the horizon, beyond Whitireia Park and Onepoto, Porirua
The view across Onepoto to the hills of the South Island looking blue in the heat haze.
Across Porirua Harbour to Elsdon and Takapuwahia, Porirua
A section of Porirua City
The steep, parched hills beyond Porirua city. The highest point is known as Colonial Knob. It is a muscle stretching climb to that point.
A local resident was using his vantage point to fly the Union Jack.
And finally this Black Backed Gull decided to use this vantage point near me!
For those of you reading from beyond New Zealand, the Maori word “Hui” means a gathering.
Yesterday the local Tuis flocked to the sugar water feeder. It was something of a competition to see how many could perch on the feeder and gain access to the sugar water.
I think this photo shows the maximum number who had artfully arranged themselves on the structure.
Others were on the fence or in the nearby Magnolia tree awaiting a space to open up!
Male chaffinch
On the days last week when the sky was expansively blue and mostly empty of clouds I did notice one cloud that seemed to stretch in a narrow band across the sky.
New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa and one translation that has been popular in my lifetime is “Land of the Long White Cloud”. This certainly was the case at times last week.
For more thoughts on possible meanings for Aotearoa check here.
Kingfisher on a Blue Sky day.
ordinarygoodness 