We have been up to Orewa for 3 days - there was a historical society trip to outer Rodney which was very interesting. We visited two sculpture parks - Kaipara sculpture gardens, a one hour walk with 59 sculptures all for sale by NZ sculptors, arranged strategically in beautiful gardens. The first two photos are from there. The second sculpture park was on Alan Gibbs's farm on the Kaipara Harbour, a stunning location and fabulous sculptures by international artists - huge works strategically placed around his farm. It was a drive by viewing. On his farm is the grave of a Maori chief Te Hemera whose life we learned all about, which was the real purpose of the visit, however the sculpture was amazing and to be savoured as a real privilege to experience in such magnificent surroundings. They had obscure breeds of animals there - saanen goats we saw, emus, giraffes, yes real live ones, black faced sheep and yaks and there are others we didn't see. I am noty sure if it usually open to the public. He came by in his jeep and spoke a bit about Te Hemara whom he commissioned a book about in 2005.
Then we went on to a historic house at a place called Glorit. It belonged to the Gardiner family who had connections to the Clark family who were in the early pottery business in the New Lynn area. The house was beautifully furnished with colonial antiques and people can have functions there and stay overnight if they want to. It is out in the middle of nowhere though.
After that we went on to a mosaic artist near Wellsford, Joy Bell. She has a pet pig and a tame mynah bird who took a fancy to Dieter and perched on his head for about 20minutes. I would have screamed and frightened him away like I did when the birds at Currumbin landed on me. She does amazing mosaic sculptures, using broken china - not just little pieces but uses lids of things, large pieces of mugs, most of them are large outdoor sculptures or wall panels .
I also had a big skip waiting in Orewa to be filled up with garden refuse and household inorganics. Today was a Waitangi Day and a brilliant warm day which we spent doing the normal Saturday things we always do plus swimming in the afternoon. I had two wonderful swims. The waves and warmth of the water were very much to my liking. D very kindly cut the hedge and right through the extension cord - thankfully no shock. I did it once too a few weeks ago and it is easily done. Last time it cost over $50 to repair which is not so good. The place looks quite nice again - inside and out. One less armchair which makes the sitting room less cluttered, the garden has lost 2 old wheelbarrows, the sun loungers - we never had time to lounge on them - an old heater, no 2 old heaters, etc. Also gave 3 bags of stuff to the Historical Society for their garage sale.
I am getting used to paring my life back. While I was on the last cruise I read a very interesting book about the spirituality of growing older and how it is a process of letting go. There was an exercise to do - to think of something that you valued and then realising that sooner or later that thing may have to be relinquished, then thinking of another thing and another, then realising that people are going to disappear too, until there is nothing left. It got me started on practising it while it is not really essential so I don't find it too hard (ha ha) when the time comes.
Watched TV this evening - good programmes on Maori Television - a debate on whether NZ should close its doors to immigrants Led by John Campbell , Team Kiwi, and Team Iwi said no it was people who were important and there was room for many more. I thought they would win, but the affirmative won, saying we have enough people for the time being - close the doors for a while and get our act together. Judges were Tom Scott, Sir Paul Reeves and the Chinese- NZ mayor of Gisborne, whose name escapes me.
Then there was a programme about 6 artists, 3 Maori, 3 with other heritages and they were paired up to create art works which addressed the issue of the Treaty of Waitangi. So I started thinking about the art work I am going to create next week at the collage course I am going to and now that is probably the reason I am awake at 1.30 in the morning.
Arrived home to find our new fence has partly gone up. Dieter had primed quite a few of the palings on the sides at least which will be harder when they are in position but only did 50 when there must be 300 maybe to go. We may have go do a spot of servile work tomorrow to cope with the painting before the builders come again to put up even more than they have already done. It is not easy to get tradesmen (read painters) when you want them , but at least this builder we have is an angel in disguise for which I am eternally grateful. I keep thinking of more and more things for him to do.
