Poppy in the Post

My Mum has been knitting poppies for ANZAC Day and yesterday one arrived in the post for me.

This morning it was worn to the dawn service.

Graduating

Last Tuesday night we graduated with a Level 4 Certificate in Raranga/Weaving.  It was wonderful to see everyone again and celebrate completing a lot of work while having a lot of fun.

Much Ado

The last two weeks have given a whole new meaning to March Madness.

Straight after Womad we unexpectedly got to welcome home a treasure that has a long and interesting history; smuggling, kidnapping and appeals to the House of Lords among the high points.  The 5 carved panels of the Motunui epa are now back and you can read a bit about it here.

http://pukeariki.com/Exhibitions/Motunui-Epa
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/67462225/Motunui-panels-returned-to-Taranaki

The next week we welcomed back another treasure, this time a beautiful carved canoe prow, not with quite the same level of ceremony but significant all the same.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/67535152/Rare-canoe-prow-to-grace-museum

Last week we hosted a visiting American librarian as part of her trip around the country.

An now it's Easter and I'm sleeping and doing my best to support the local hot cross bun industry.

Tick, Tick and Tick

 Festival friendly footwear - Tick

All the food groups (fried bread, goat curry and donuts) - Tick

 Beverages - Tick

It can only be WOMAD.  Apart from the food it was another great weekend of music, dancing and thankfully fantastic weather.

Wow Factor

A bit over 18 months ago the work began on the new Len Lye Centre.  This week was the first reveal of the stainless steel facade that will grace 2 sides of the building.  Three panels on the western corner.  And?  It looks truly stunning.  Not sure how the grinches will feel about it but I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by how fabulous it looks.

The Tron and Gizzy

aka Kirikiriroa and Turanganui-a-Kiwa or Hamilton and Gisborne.  I've been travelling so that's why I haven't been writing - to the Tron for fun (an exhibition of korowai/cloaks) and to Gizzy for work although work does have an up side wne you are visiting significant sites to iwi...

 and then last night there was another concert at the Bowl, a lovely night with Sol3 Mio, 2 tenors and a baritone, beautiful music and wonderful Samoan humour.

Not quite 4 weddings

Today is Waitangi Day, our national holiday and although there were no weddings there were:

• a celebration at the local marae - music, food and friends
• 2 tangi (funerals) - family and more food
• a trip around the mountain anti-clockwise going between the above
• and a frog (technically spotted last night but, close enough)

 Her name is Lulu and she and Gaston le mouton (below), carved locally, are currently sitting at Paris Plage cafe on the coast, the perfect place for a glass of wine to start a long weekend.