Off the Grid

I have just come back from a week off the grid at Parihaka, back in Tarakani about 40mins round the coast from New Plymouth.  The community there was established in the late 1800s and is well known for it's history as a community of peaceful resistance.

First was the monthly Rā or Days which are held every 18th and 19th and then I was part of hosting the annual Māori Librarians and Information Workers conference.  On our first day we heard stories of the history of Parihaka and from local people who are working to record, preserve and pass on history, practices and taonga/treasures.  On the second day we walked the land, visiting spots that we had heard about the day before.

On top of one of the surrounding lahar or volcanic hills looking out to sea

From the same hill looking inland over the community

And I finished my weaving project too! 14 little baskets for speakers gifts.  The Anzac poppy brooches were woven by another committee member and the little mountains made for us by a local potter.

Stocking Up

Wellington Fashion Rule #1 - Black tights go with everything and everything goes with black tights.

A bit like Melbourne, the dominant colour in winter Wellington is black and although during the summer you do see lots of other colours black tights are a regular feature.  Something to do, no doubt with the ever present southerly wind.

So, the days are getting shorter and the mornings are crisp and cool.  Winter is on the way and I've realised that my small collection of black tights is probably not going to be enough.  Thank goodness that they are such a staple that they are in the supermarket - at the end of the biscuit and coffee aisle.  Coincidence?  I think not.

A Productive Weekend

All that prep work over Easter has led to a productive weekend, two thirds of the way through the 12 that I need to make.

R and R

Last weekend I was back in New Plymouth for Womad which of course meant fried bread and festival footwear...

 as well as some crowd participation on the Sunday morning - everyone getting down to the Patea Māori Club's Kiwi classic Poi E.  It's on Facebook under Stepup Taranaki if you want to watch a hillside full of people working off all the fried bread they have eaten.

 and the Peacock ladies who did an amazing job of stepping though the crowd on stilts.

This weekend I've been in recovery mode and using the extra days over Easter to prepare some flax for a weaving project; 12 little baskets to give as part of a speakers gift for a conference at the end of April.

New Wheels

When your mechanic suggests that it might not be worth doing major work on your car my experience is that the time has come.  So, having done more than a few thousand kilometers I have traded in my car and am now the proud owner of a lovely little second hand Renault.
  

Catching Up

Mum and Dad have been here the last two weeks so there has been lots of stuff going on but no time to write about it. Opera in a private garden...

the annual street fair...

and a visit to Napier that along with catching up with family included street art and the famous Rush Munro's ice cream

Weird Food!

Among my many favourite things 'weird' food is very high on the list.  Today I made it to one of the places I had been told about that makes Petone a bit of a foodie heaven.

The upshot of enormous restraint was this; Gorgonzola, black sesame crackers, baklava and one happy camper.