Visiting family, friends and old haunts

Wow, a historical tour of places I've been and people I've loved and places I've loved and people I've been!  Today I'm in Corona del Mar where I lived while married to Knox. I'm visiting my friend Kathy and we walked through the lovely Sherman Library and Gardens where we worked when we met.It is a gorgeous, perfectly manicured 2 city-block big botanical display garden with a superb succulent section, colour area, tropical plastic houses and a herb garden. It was a pleasure to do my horticulture internship there so many years ago when I studied at Orange Coast College.

It is 5.30pm here, wine o'clock, and one hour from skyping into my ukulele class with Bob and the Flaming Ukes of Waipu.Gotta go.

Time flies when you're having tsunami warnings!

Gosh, there's a whole lotta shaking going on down under, but this sunrise was still.  We've had huge winds and big storms and hail and...not that we feel any shaking up here in Northland, we are the least shaky part of the country, but there are constant shakes in Christchurch and there have also been a couple in the North Island recently and then the Kermadec Trench.  THATput Civil Defence on alert, but we made it though with minor tidal surges.  Whew!

Meanwhile...

Omapere Volunteer Fire Brigade

I've been up to Hokianga to visit the Omapere Volunteer Fire Brigade where we have a new, and female, chief Fire Officer, Mere Morunga.

And further south, about half an hour's drive from Waipu, there was a momentous opening of a new tourist and cultural project.

Paa site at Te Hana Te Ao Marama Maori Cultural Village

Te Hana Kapa Haka Group is fab!

Friends and I attended the opening of Te Hana Te Ao Marama, a new Maori cultural village, built as a replica of a 17th century village.  It will be a fabulous place to visit.  The building of it has been a major task with minimal funding and the project is being run by CEO Linda Clapham who I used to work for in Auckland. She is an architect and we worked together with landscaping as our commonality.  There is more to that story, but another time.

17th Century Maori Village, crafted by hand.

Madrid meets Hokianga

 My Godson Kahu from Rawene in the Hokianga up even farther north in the Far North of New Zealand,  is GORGEOUS, even when grimacing.  He is very clever and verbal and not yet even 2!  He met some of my friends from Madrid when he and his mum and Auntie Hebe visited recently...read on!

Madrid has featured overwhelmingly in my now - ending summer. My last guests from Madrid called in again and met my Hokianga whanau (extended family) and we had a terrific evening.  Chico and Jose slept in their van - their home away from home  in which they are living/travelling over the next 7 months while they tour NZ.  The house was full up with Karen in her bedroom (she's renting in the house now), Hebe (Jessie's sister who managed to avoid the camera) on the window seat and my comadre Jessie and her son (my Godson) Kahu downstairs.

We sang and danced and enjoyed the beautiful evening. Chico and Jose have a band (are a band) in Madrid... not as famous as 2 Sexy Chico's sister, Bebe, but hey, maybe more fun?  I haven't met Bebe, but Chico and Jose would be hard to beat for fun and I'm hoping to spend my birthday NEXT year with them in Madrid!

Meanwhile I love this time of year when these Aloes bloom and attract silver eyes, tui and fantails.

Ciao for now... it's a work day!

Sweet Sunday Ukulele Jam was awesome!

We had a great time at Y-Not Restaurant in Waipu last weekend when 17 plus ukulele players got together for a jam!  I organised the event, the Flaming Ukes of Waipu started it off. young Alex Gordon did a couple of solos and then we had the jamming fun and sweet desserts!

We also had friends Andre Labonte on clarinet, Janeen Soederling on keyboard, Bob McNeely on bass guitar and a mystery man on harmonica... he said he was only learning, and he joined us for a singsong on La Bamba!

That's our teacher Bob McNeely, an extremely talented musician... sitting between two of his young students...9 year old Alex Gordon on his left and 11 year-old Ruben Grant on his right. (That's Peter & Alice Grant's son. Peter is Knox's brother for those of you in the know). Alice is above and to the left of this text, and I don't know some of the others in the pictures. 

I've already had a phone call from someone who found out too late and wants to know when the next one is.  HOORAY!  It was just so much fun standing and playing and rocking out like a real muso in a band!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert in Waipu

What a fun ladies' night we had and our own Queen of the Desert, Robyn Dobbs was visiting us from Karratha in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia where she is working as a nurse and her husband, Pete, as a mechanic. Boy, the stories she can tell of stabbings in the wild west of Aussie!

Marilyn Henneker, (far left) my long standing belly dancing chum from 20 years or so ago - when I lived in Auckland - was here too and with some of the Flaming Ukuleles of Waipu (Maggie's at the back), we dressed up for the ladies' night. To my left, I'm in purple, is Karen Cullen soon to be my flatmate.

There were others there, not dressed up, but we all joined in the fun for the modest but tasty three course meal and Abba!

Romance and Women's Literature

What a great weekend I had at the last Kara School of Romance Writing Workshop.  Tutors Daphne De Jong and Robyn Kingston (who writes as Robyn Donald) have published many titles each - Daphne in many genres (a fabulous writer who can create gut wrenching scenarios) and Robyn - 84 delicious Romance novels - Mills & Boone sorts.  Have you read any?

I have a story in mind as my first novel and I've begun it... now will I finish it? The support of the other writers in the workshop (2 from Australia and 2 others from NZ) and Daphne's and Robyn's encouragement make me think it is a worthwhile endeavour!

 Meanwhile, I've been waiting YEARS for my first white King Protea, and here it is! Stunning, eh? My first plant never prospered, then died, so I tried again with a second and to my great pleasure, the white ones have been opening for months outside my bathroom window.

Below the white is the King Protea with normal colouration (coloration in America).  They are huge - big as a baby's head anyway.

So now I've got to go as I've been asked to speak to the Waipu Lion's Club tonight, about growing up on the US/Mexican border and I've got to do some research plus make up a slide show. oooh, I can feel butterflies - I haven't done much public speaking for a while.

Property easier to manage with helpers

The weather has been fantastic and its planting time... with Jorge's help, and now Erina from Sweden, lots has been happening.  Erina is 21 and has been working and travelling three years since she left high school. She's come to NZ after living in Aberdeen, Scotland and Amsterdam, then  travelling through Australia, India and Nepal, with friends. She is a vegetarian and we've been having yummy meals and its nostalgic for me to recall being 21 and a vegetarian, so I've shared with her recipes I have from back then plus got her baking bread.  Her first focaccia was fab!

Yesterday we moved some dahlias and created a planting bed for salad greens up near the house.

Today's feature in the Northern Advocate will be a story I wrote about Freddy Wilkinson who grew up in Waipu in the late 1930s, studied horticulture and floristry and went off to England 49 years ago where he began working as a gardener with the Constance Spry Flower School.  Google her, she was very cool, and Fred, though he arrived two years after Constance died, is still with the organisation and does flowers for royalty, amongst other things. He did flowers for Lancaster House for Prince William and Kate's wedding (that's where dignitaries had dinner the night before and were collected to be taken to the wedding) and for Di and Prince Charles's wedding, for Princess Anne and Mark Philips and for the Queen's residence. He has met the Queen many times and thinks she is a marvellous and very hard working woman.

Today I get to cover the unveiling of a commemorative monument for the HMS Puriri, which was sunk by a Japanese mine  planted during World War II, the only ship sunk with loss of lives in NZ waters. It was hushed during the war and family members started agitating recently through David Wistrand, a Waipu friend and VP of the local Returned Servicemen's Association (RSA). I helped them get some press and letters went to the NZ Navy and now, 70 years to the day the ship sunk, Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Tony Parr will unveil the monument at Ocean Beach.

Then I'm off north to Okaihau for the retirement of their Chief Fire Officer Colin Thomas, after 34 years as CFO and more in the Brigade. This picture is Colin Thomas, a kind and dedicated man!

So.. got to go, will post more pictures next time. Ciao

Comedy

The opening of the NZ Comedy Festival in Wellington was great last night and thanks to Sarah, Angie and I also got to the after party. 'Twas very cool to be in comedy greatness, just hoping some has rubbed off! www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Terry Alderton was absolutely fantastic - his schizophrenic arguments with himself show his mega talent for voice and personality. Carey Marx, who was funnier last year when he abused a stuffed toy,  was still cheeky and maliciously clever and I would still love to see his whole show. 
Sam Wills, whose act is the boy with tape on his face is a terrific and a wonderfully expressive mime who draws the audience in and thrills without any swearing at all!  It can be done.
It seems to me that comics are swearing a bit less often, not relying on it for humour but using it as we woudl in any conversation. I was pleased.
The show was hosted by American Arj Barker who plays Dave on the Flight of the Conchords. He did a brilliant job, sharing his humour and insightful comments, not to mention his blues harmonic... Jamie Bowen's ukulele blues was cool,  'You Tube Sensation' Matt Mulholland's hilarious singing trio of guys is not to be missed - a delicious voice with a wicked sense of humour and some pretty groovy choreography.
Those are just a few of the highlights. They are all worth seeing.
Ciao for now... and did I tell you the one about?

Off to Wellington

This week, while Jorge looks after the house and property, I'm off to Wellington for a working holiday.  During the day I'll work on my trusty laptop and at night, thanks to my lovely pseudo-daughter Sarah Crowe, I'll be attending and reviewing comedy events at the 2011 comedy festival which she is managing!
Check www.comedyfestival.co.nz to see the line up.  I'm flying away today and have an hour to pack so must away.

Yesterday I (and 150 other volunteers) was at a Northland Civil Defence workshopwhere two of our NZ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) heroes who have been risking their lives in Christchurch and Japan spoke... Above, second from left is Mike Harwood ("RINGO" who I've been in a helicopter with!) and Colin Wright in the dark USAR suits - good on you two, you are heroes! On the far left is Mike Lister, NZ Fire Service Area Commander for Whangarei-Kaipara District and far right is Allan Kerrisk NZ Fire Service Area Commander for the Far North, Muri Whenua.  I work with these guys at Northland Region. All these emergency services staff and volunteers are heroes, really! Who do you call when you need help?

I'm thinking of the victims of the tornadoes in the midwestern US and how I used to think it was weird that my mother was afraid of wind and lightening. Cripes, I now understand why and why they had an underground hiding place stocked with preserves. I'm concerned about Anne Jones who may be in Tennessee, are you ok?

Also, last week my friend Martha's dad died and recently my friend Michele's dad... last year Jackie and Marie's dad and Charles's mum, and Libby's mum... and it makes me feel sad not to have spent more time with all of you and your wonderful parents.

Love you all,
S

Gund goes to Africa: Gund goes to Africa

Friends of mine, Nora and Tobi, plus their wee Gund are off to Africa to see EVERYTHING and photograph a lot. What a g orgeous picture they have on their blog! Check:
Gund goes to Africa: Gund goes to Africa: "Gedday, oim GUND and oim off to Aafrica with me mates Nora and Tobi. Choice mate! Oi reckon we're off to Jafa city tomorrow. You know, ever..."

Quiet time

Still no guests and I have accomplished HEAPS in the house... many papers filed, taxes done, you know the tedious bits of life. Outside is being ignored, but Jorge from Madrid  returns today so after he's vacuumed and tidied, he'll be outside collecting fruit and using the chain saw, something my first husband forbade me to do, which I am now contemplating. Main problem is, I get distracted easily.

In the meantime, I've just interviewed a local artist, Karen Cullen, for my Northlanders at Play column and I thought I'd share her view with you... It's the same islands you see from mine, but hers if from farther back.  On the left is a group of islands known as the chicks. In Maori each has its own name, and on the right is the Hen or, in Maori it is Taranga, which does not mean hen.

Yesterday was the season wrap up and thank you by the Department of Conservation (DoC)  for the volunteers who look after New Zealand's rarest bird, the NZ fairy tern during its breeding season. The DoC workers dug a pit to cook a hangi here at my place - they made a fire and heated 'hangi stones' then put the stones in the bottom of the pit, banana leaves from my garden on top of them, food (pumpkin, chicken and lamb) wrapped in foil in metal baskets on top of them,wet burlap on top, then wet sheets, then covered in dirt and steamed, effectively for several hours.  It took hours to do the whole thing and Matiu, Duncan and Whiria kindly burned my garden rubbish pile at the same time.

The meal was delicious and the Maori oral history of our area was so interesting, but more of that later when I relocate my notes..

 

Now I'm off to mail the CD of pictures I took at the 50th celebration of the Ahipara Volunteer Fire Brigade and the retirement of their Chief of about 38 years, Rodger Beatson, a most inspiring man who has dedicated hundreds of thousands of hours to looking after people in his community through mentoring young people, being a Chief Fire Officer and volunteering with St John Ambulance Service. He's particularly proud of being involved with starting the first women's fire brigade back in 1974 when all the men were working in Kaitaia and there was no one at home to fight the fires during the day.

That's Iri, Rodger's wife and Rodger.  Above is the brigade and I've got to get to the post office before the mail goes.  Ciao for now,
Sandra

PS Happy Birthday Ann Jones!

No guests

For 3 weeks I had 2 to 6 people here, working on the Glorious Tangle - 4 1/2 acres being whacked into shape... weed eaters going, chain saws, kikuyu grass being pulled.  Then it rained, for 3 days, now the kikuyu is back in the trees, delicious feijoas are strewn about the ground under the trees, fruit trees bending under the weight of the fruit, are cracking.  SO Much to do AGAIN.  I am supposed to be writing a novel, doing a newsletter, exercising, looking after myself - what do I do?  Is it time to move down to a simpler life?  Anyone want to come and do a LOT of gardening in my paradise?

All shook up, or Don't worry, be happy!

While the world goes crazy with natural and man-made political disasters with dictators, life goes on in Northland and I've had a United Nations of my own here with wonderful visitors from Spain, Scotland and France plus my 18 year-old nephew who was in Christchurch during the earthquake.

Thanks to www.helpx.net and the misfortune of Gordon and Kelly's van breaking down because it overheated in the Bryndyrwyn Hills on their way north from Auckland, my 4.5 acres is looking pretty darn tidy.  It's amazing what a team of six 30-something year-olds can do! Gordon and Kelly came to stay after they fizzled into Liffy's Glencairn Garden Centre in Waipu and had to have their van repaired over a few days.  They stayed in my cabin and were here over the time Carlos and Jorge from Madrid were scheduled to come (they'd been down at Angie and Rowan's in the Wairarapa, after coming to NZ to study English) and Axel returned from France with his beloved Anouk. All visitors were here "for a few days" but loved it so much they stayed on...and the Spaniards are still here!

Axel was here last year when we had a tsunami warning and this year he brought another warning with Japan's devastating earthquake occuring the day he arrived. Friends up the road did time-lapse photography of the tide going in and out at the beach in front of my place... I used to think the wee bluff that my home is built upon would protect me, but having seen the footage of Japan, and having joined civil defence,  I know that if the earth moves here, I will instantly head for the hills behind me.

Howie was here too, for a rest, while Canterbury University was closed due to the earthquake. He's back at school there now and it seems the earth may be settling down. However, given that NZ, Australia, Antarctica and a few other islands down here were once all attached "Gondwanaland" we must consider that these terrifying natural events will occur.

So, enjoy your friends and your daily lives... live each day as if it was your last, or as close to that as you can. and be happy... after all even at 60 good friends like Jesus (Jesse) De la Rosa get married and visitors like Carlos Sanchez get to see Carlos Santana in New Zealand.

The picture, from left to right, is Kelly, Gordon, Howie, Jorge and Carlos with Mouse.  Axel and Anouk arrived later and will be added soon.

Don't worry, be happy!

Politics and summer in NZ

After our drought we've had two days of serious rain...20cm (about 8 inches) in 48 hours, surface flooding and lots of wind... my niece Mia's 6 camping friends came round and slept indoors for a night, joining Ian, myself and our French HelpX guests - Gael (from Brittany) and Benedicte (from Leon) - making a full on return after my week in the Hokianga.

At North Tec summer school in Rawene (on the Hokianga Harbour in the far North) I did the Flaxroots low budget film making course again... this time taught by Murray Nathan (my Godson's father) and Lavinia Kingi.  I must get to know the editing software, and to this end did the course and will do again, probably.  Together, each of the nine people in the course made a short film  Mine was my first episode of Sundays with Sandra, which I will post before too long.

Another pleasure of being in the Hokianga was spending time with my wee Godson, Kahu, and watching his mother Jessie and her team members train for the NZ National Sprint waka ama (outrigger canoe) championships (held last week) where they (the Hokianga Solids) made the semi-finals!
 

 

Anyway, regarding politics, this morning I was watching Al Jazeera news regarding the Palestinian Papers that were leaked to the station and have been released to the public via their website.  These have to do with Israeli/Palestine negotiations, mediated by the US.  There are riots and bombing and lives lost, futures at risk.  I changed the channel to New Zealand's TV 1 where the talk show was covering a nudist group seeking new members.


Hmmmm, same planet?

Summer fun

It's been full on at The Glorious Tangle with guests, gardening, music, swimming, making cheese, cooking, dancing and going to concerts.

Here are some photos of Angie and Rowan cooking (in a light rain, hence the umbrella) and Angie with the Brazilian cheese we made, it's hard to see white cheese on white plate, but was tasty.

My niece Ruby and her friend Sofie from Sweden were here and we took them to a KatchAFire and Black Seeds concert, thanks to Sarah and Craig (Black Seeds manager). Sofie was pretty excited to meet some of the Black Seeds on her 21st!






I've spent this morning watering and pulling kikuyu grass and after vacuuming and a computer tidy up I'm off to a video editing course.  I did one a documentary making course a few years ago but need HELP with the Adobe editing software so Monday through Thursday this week that is what I'll be doing.



I had a guest a couple of days ago... a surprise guest I hadn't seen in 14 years or so..an Israeli woman from Auckland, Tame Vazey... who has opened up a new group of friends here in Waipu with middle eastern ties who make delicious food and have built a Moroccan castle up in the hills.  I am so often amazed by the circles life makes here in New Zealand, but more about that later as I must concentrate on getting ready for my course tomorrow.

Spare a thought for the poor Aussies and Brazilians and the rescue crews helping them.  What a nightmare mother nature can be.

Ciao for now,
xS