Flower
Tropical Heat
Little did I realise that I would be living in the tropics when I shifted to Matamata. The last week haas seen 90% humidity and temperatures in the high 20’s with the heat index (what it actually feels like) around 35C. This has meant a number of things for us;
However, there are a few upsides;
So, the second list actually outweighs the first!
The image below is of my first flowering frangipani - I am very happy!
- We need air conditioning
- It is impossible to sleep at night
- There are tropical insects everywhere
- The flys are VERY annoying
However, there are a few upsides;
- The garden is flourishing
- I can grow Frangipani
- I can grow Hibiscus
- I can grow Gardenia
So, the second list actually outweighs the first!
The image below is of my first flowering frangipani - I am very happy!
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Happy New Year
01/01/10 12:12 Filed in: Garden | Photography
As 2010 dawns I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy New Year. May it bring you all that you wish and dream. I start the New Year with some of my favourite verse from my favourite poet, Sir John Betjeman. I think it fits nicely with the image below.
Verses Turned...
Across the wet November night
The church is bright with candlelight
And waiting Evensong.
A single bell with plaintive strokes
Pleads louder than the stirring oaks
The leafless lanes along.
It calls the choirboys from their tea
And villagers, the two or three,
Damp down the kitchen fire,
Let out the cat, and up the lane
Go paddling through the gentle rain
Of misty Oxfordshire.
How warm the many candles shine
Of Samuel Dowbiggin's design
For this interior neat,
These high box pews of Georgian days
Which screen us from the public gaze
When we make answer meet;
How gracefully their shadow falls
On bold pilasters down the walls
And on the pulpit high.
The chandeliers would twinkle gold
As pre-Tractarian sermons roll'd
Doctrinal, sound and dry.
From that west gallery no doubt
The viol and serpent tooted out
The Tallis tune to Ken,
And firmly at the end of prayers
The clerk below the pulpit stairs
Would thunder out "Amen."
But every wand'ring thought will cease
Before the noble altarpiece
With carven swags array'd,
For there in letters all may read
The Lord's Commandments, Prayer and Creed,
And decently display'd.
On country mornings sharp and clear
The penitent in faith draw near
And kneeling here below
Partake the heavenly banquet spread
Of sacramental Wine and Bread
And Jesus' presence know.
And must that plaintive bell in vain
Plead loud along the dripping lane?
And must the building fall?
Not while we love the church and live
And of our charity will give
Verses Turned...
Across the wet November night
The church is bright with candlelight
And waiting Evensong.
A single bell with plaintive strokes
Pleads louder than the stirring oaks
The leafless lanes along.
It calls the choirboys from their tea
And villagers, the two or three,
Damp down the kitchen fire,
Let out the cat, and up the lane
Go paddling through the gentle rain
Of misty Oxfordshire.
How warm the many candles shine
Of Samuel Dowbiggin's design
For this interior neat,
These high box pews of Georgian days
Which screen us from the public gaze
When we make answer meet;
How gracefully their shadow falls
On bold pilasters down the walls
And on the pulpit high.
The chandeliers would twinkle gold
As pre-Tractarian sermons roll'd
Doctrinal, sound and dry.
From that west gallery no doubt
The viol and serpent tooted out
The Tallis tune to Ken,
And firmly at the end of prayers
The clerk below the pulpit stairs
Would thunder out "Amen."
But every wand'ring thought will cease
Before the noble altarpiece
With carven swags array'd,
For there in letters all may read
The Lord's Commandments, Prayer and Creed,
And decently display'd.
On country mornings sharp and clear
The penitent in faith draw near
And kneeling here below
Partake the heavenly banquet spread
Of sacramental Wine and Bread
And Jesus' presence know.
And must that plaintive bell in vain
Plead loud along the dripping lane?
And must the building fall?
Not while we love the church and live
And of our charity will give
Ian Brodie's New Zealand
After many months of waiting I am thrilled to announce the release of Ian Brodie’s New Zealand. It is now available in all good bookstores in New Zealand or from Amazon in the UK.
I am so pleased with the book, and very proud to have a book that shows the diversity and uniqueness of our country.
Over the next few weeks I will be promoting the book via television and radio in many towns. One interview I am really looking forward to is with Kim Hill on National Radio. If you would like to listen please tune in at 11-00am on Saturday 06 December.
I am so pleased with the book, and very proud to have a book that shows the diversity and uniqueness of our country.
Over the next few weeks I will be promoting the book via television and radio in many towns. One interview I am really looking forward to is with Kim Hill on National Radio. If you would like to listen please tune in at 11-00am on Saturday 06 December.
Three reasons I know Spring is on the Way
At this time of the year there is a distinct nature gear-change as the cold winter weather is overtaken by the Spring Equinox. There are three things in Wanaka that tell me it is Spring.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
1. The mad-dog nor-wester begins to blow and the rain comes but the south-wester that follows just doesn’t seem to have the polar bite with it. The mountains take on a tinge of green as the spring rain irrigates the tussock for a brief time before the heat of summer arrives.
2. The pale slivers of trees that have stood ghost-like for the last 4 months start to show tendrils of green.
3. The Winter-Rose stands defiantly against any frosts and demands attention from its simple colours of green and white.
The First Sign of Spring?
04/08/08 10:50 Filed in: Garden | Photography
This last few weeks all we seem to have had is damp, misty weather. Saturday we had some sun for a little while and it seemed as if the garden rejoiced at this change. My snowdrops seemed to lift their head, these fore-runners of spring are a welcome sight in the garden.
London in Summer
05/06/08 20:48 Filed in: Travel
London in summer is a fantastic escape from the winter chills of Wanaka. To recap, travelled across from Hong Kong to London with
The 12hr 45min flight seemed to pass by in a blink. There is just so much room in these huge seats with multiple recline positions that it really does feel you are on a magic carpet. After take off the meal starts to be served and with such attentive service and expertly prepared and cooked food there is no way this feels like you are on an aeroplane.
Then it's time to watch one of the many hundred films available on your own personal screen before an English afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and clotted cream.
The lie flat bed provides an easy afternoon nap before dinner is served and then in the twinkle of an eye our descent begins.
I should add that whilst all this is happening in the air, outside the window is a continuing geography lesson. China, Russia, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands and then the North Sea glide by with easy pinpointing of landmarks provided by the on-screen navigation system.
The above does not even start to adequately explain what Business Premier is like. After this all other forms of travel will be a disappointment. Thanks, Air New Zealand for the flight of a lifetime.
Our arrival in London was typical of their summer I guess. Drizzle, low cloud base and mirk everywhere.
We had another day of this on Tuesday but spent the day quite easily exploring the shops of Oxford Street. I must admit, being a bit of a country boy the number of people were totally overwhelming. Yesterday was more my style. We awoke to clearing skies so decided to take a stroll in Hyde Park. Sun, flowers and coffee by the lake are much more my idea of a holiday. A visit to the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner was a highlight. Placed gently beside one of the memorial stones was a tribute to a New Zealand fighter pilot. Warrant Officer Burke from Matamata, killed in France flying a Typhoon and remembered in London. Truly from "The Uttermost Ends of the Earth".
We had a commentator meeting last night for the Biggin Hill Air Show this weekend and what an eclectic mix - an American, an Englishman and a Kiwi. I can see we are going to have a lot of fun.
Today the sun shines again, time for a coffee al fresco I think.
Land of Hope & Glory
02/06/08 00:04 Filed in: Travel
Off to the UK again! I can't wait. This time we have decided to travel via Hong Kong. Never been here before and it has been an interesting diversion. Really a cross between Singapore and Bangkok. The Air New Zealand flight on Friday was excellent. Wonderful staff on board and the joy of traveIling Premium Economy. For not a lot more that normal economy you get a cabin of your own with much more room, the seats recline a LOT more and you get great food. Highly recommended!
We arrived yesterday morning in Hong Kong and spent the normal first day walking zombie-like around as the jet lag clicked in. Today much better and the opportunity to actually photograph something.
Tomorrow morning on to Heathrow. This trip is a bit of a busmans holiday as I will be commentating at two airshows. Biggin Hill this coming weekend and Kemble the following. A great opportunity to see some different aeroplanes and see how things run on the other side of the world.
Early start tomorrow as we leave at 0845hrs . In the meantime some images from today.
We arrived yesterday morning in Hong Kong and spent the normal first day walking zombie-like around as the jet lag clicked in. Today much better and the opportunity to actually photograph something.
Tomorrow morning on to Heathrow. This trip is a bit of a busmans holiday as I will be commentating at two airshows. Biggin Hill this coming weekend and Kemble the following. A great opportunity to see some different aeroplanes and see how things run on the other side of the world.
Early start tomorrow as we leave at 0845hrs . In the meantime some images from today.
Intersection near Nathan Road
Red
Travelling the Typhoon Shelter at Aberdeen.