New Plymouth Buildings

Some pictures from our recent trip to New Plymouth.

Portrait of Dieter and Tigger

Elisabeth did this portrait and gave it to me on Valentine's Day. I like it.

Collage Creations

Over the weekend went to a collage course with Thomas Pound at Artstation. I was very productive and made several pieces some of which I will be submitting for the House to House exhibition the Domestic Craft Group is organizing next month. My main one is the oblong picture which has various memorabilia on it from houses of my present and past and some childhood artwork of Elisabeth's - the orange and yellow printed doyley and the pottery duck as well as photos. I am pleased with the collaged cork table mat with the villa on it too. The three little arched collages look good too. The weetbix box is supposed to be a house collage too and has bits of familiar packaging motifs stuck to the inside and jwill contain some bits and pieces of memorabilia I have kept for years - maybe some of my textile art/craft.

I gave the large collage to Dieter for Valentine's Day which he was pleased about.

Mosaics and Gardiner Homestead with Rose Bush

Large garden mosaics. Dieter with the tame mynah bird on his head.
Gardiner homestead at Glorit. l A beautiful climbing rose which I wouldn't mind having.

Mosaics and Gardiner Homestead

Outer Rodney

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.

Wedding at Karapiro

Last Saturday was our goddaughter Jane's wedding to Adam which took place at her parents' lodge in Karapiro. It was an idyllic setting overlooking the river, an outdoor setting where the wedding ceremony took place. I did a reading from Isaiah about God being with you even when you are going through water or flames. I told Jane, marriage is not as rough as that. They looked very happy together. Eddie's sister did the reading from Corinthians. She is in her last year of ECE and will make a good teacher and mother! The priest said to Adam - I see it says on the licence oc ccupation, Landscaper what does that involve? He said we are building a golf course. Then the priest said How will you use that to contribute to the marriage? - and quick as a flash he swung some imaginary golf clubs and said Lots of golf. He said to Jane and you're in early childhood education how about you? Are you going to teach him a thing or two?

Guests mixed and mingled over a glass of bubbles and nibbles, then adjourned to the marquee for the wedding feast which indeed it was. Lov ely antipaste platters, followed by beef filet, roast pork and salad greens also arranged beautifully on platters with potatoes and baby carrots. Dessert was a sumptuous cheesecake garnished with cherries. Eddie and Ann worked very hard before, during and after to give Jane a wedding to remember.



The photo of me in my glad rags was taken outside our more modest motel in Tirau.

Town and Around

January was a very hot month which we spent mainly at Waiheke, backwards and forwards in between other people going over for a few days. Took some photos of Katie Gold ceramics at the Artworks Community Gallery. She is from Upper Moutere and I bought one of her vessels a few years ago when we were visiting Nelson and environs. Dieter liked the metal pukekos just outside the gallery door.

Dieter explored Onehunga one day and took photos of the old library building, which was formerly the Council building many decades ago. The other building was a school and may still be if I am not mistaken.

Last Saturday was our goddaughter Jane's wedding to Adam which took place at her parents' lodge in Karapiro.

Happy New Year

Hope the New Year has got off to a good start. We had a very restful week in Waiheke, with me leaping into action on the jam-making front once D went back to work on the Wednesday. I made a batch of plum and feijoa jam two days running so will be well-supplied for the year ahead. We are not usually over there when the plums ripen and the tree is laden this year. Stewed some for the freezer and took home a couple of kilos for eating, leaving the rest for our guests and the birds.

Ponsonby is very quiet - people are in holiday mode. D retires tomorrow and has mixed feelings. Hope we have a harmonious time at home and he is not dissatisfied with my company. Will have to plan some trips away for the following months and go on local outings every few days.

Yesterday I went to Titirangi to the Colin McCahon house. It has been restored and reminded me very much of our original Waiheke bach. How a family of six managed especially in winter I can't imagine. Will go back and have another look and take in the sight and sound presentations which you can experience if you open cupboards etc.

Also called in to see an artist friend who has a very eclectic house with retro contents and wonderful subtropical and lush vegetable garden out that way.

Christmas Eve and Day

Spent the day getting ready for the evening, making the mince tarts during the afternoon. The fruit mince is mixed with crushed pineapple. Had a nice meal in the evening then after some carols and candlelight opened our presents which are now all over the table. One of the problems I am having with my condition is that my perception of time seems to be affected so time is going twice as fast, which is not so good when you are trying to make the most of it! Before I knew it, it was midnight.

Mass at the Cathedral today which was quite memorable with the choir singing beautifully. It was chocka with standing room only at the end. One of the last seats near us was occupied by a portly gent bearing a carton of bottles of wine(?} and another bag of them. By the time the choir got to Ave Maria he was overcome with emotion and started sobbing, kneeling and beating his breast with remorse{?}. I asked him if he was alright at the sign of peace and he said he was. He said his prayers very loudly from an antiquated mass book.
Came home and had our ham and cheese croissants , then went off to visit an elderly friend, and then to the beach for a swim with friend Margaret, whose boys weren't coming round until the evening like Elisabeth.
Had our cold turkey, ham, salad and cheese potatoes and now this very nice Christmas is drawing to a close. Off to Waiheke tomorrow for a week.

Waiheke Weihnachten

The top pictures are views of the bach sitting and dining area. The mural used to be in the old Post Office. It now hangs in the Community Art allery, Artworks. Forgotten who painted it.

The reclining nude was a painting for sale at the Palm Beach art and craft fair last weekend.

The pohutukawas are in full bloom and the bush is nice and green with all the rain we have had.

Mid-December

The choir performance went off well. There were a lot of graduate students and staff there, all very youngish looking. The performance sounded good and strong and some people were quite moved, they said. One women who had had a stroke sang a solo verse of Silent Night. There was nice food there which I took advantage of, then trotted off home again on the bus. Of course I was very tired in the evening and had to fight the temptation to go to bed after tea.

Altar EGOs

These are Elisabeth's latest four artworks - acrylic on hardboard.

Advent Venturing

Marked the second Sunday of Advent and St Nicholas Day with a little celebration of our own in the evening. Earlier we went to St Mary's chapel for the usual Christmas carol concert performed by present and past students of the college. Former Sr M Leo students this year were Lindsay Freer and Patricia Anne Shaw, who reminisced about her school and singing days. I am sure she said she was overcome with emulsion instead of emotion! I remember my own singing days at St Mary's when on one occasion Sr Leo sent me down to the primers to get them to show me how to sing, a humilation I barely recoved from, certainly not in my school days. The present-day Schola and the Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Hamilton, NZ composer of note, and teacher of composition at St Mary's performed some of the old familiar carols like O holy night which brought back a flood of memories of the school prizegivings. We were all lined up in the blazing sun in front of the old brown convent (now demolished) for what seemed an interminable length of time singing these carols and getting through the prizegiving. Last night's offerings included several David Hamilton pieces, the highlight for many of us.

And I have now joined a choir myself - this is a choir for people with neurological conditions that meets fortnightly and is under the auspices of the Centre for Brain Research in Auckland. Many of us have conditions where pathways in the brain have stopped functioning properly and music may stimulate them or other pathways giving us a lot of pleasure and rediscovery of the joy of making music ourselves. I certainly feel stimulated by the exercises and songs we have been singing, mainly Christmas carols which we are performing at the Centre for Brain Research Christmas party later this week.