Sandhills Magic

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2010-09-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

This is a test to see if I can post from emails. I am sorry, very sorry for neglecting you, mr Blog

There's a crack in everything - Part 2

2009-12-27T11:44:00.000-08:00

Sam Hunt referred to the joys of living on that edgy margin between land and water that we love so well. Ever since i saw the sun shining through clouds over a stormy Tasman sea north of Rapahoe and believing that was God in heaven shining his light, I have been fascinated with those shafts of light.

My recent re acquaintance with Leonard Cohen linked back to those early experiences where sun strikes sea - There is a crack in everything, ... that's where the light gets in

The Sun is shining right up my Back Passage

2009-10-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

So said Aunt Daisy once upon a time to much mirth about the double entendre, intended or not?

But i always celebrate when the morning sun shines in through the south window, spring has well and truly sprung!

The language of Tradesmen

2009-07-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Well I am learning the meaning of "soon" and "sometime next week" when it comes to tradesmen. Frustratingly so in the case of my heat pump, which had some wires chewed by a mouse, then fried to a crisp by the service guy who forgot to turn the power off, who then returned with a series of misdiagnosed fixes and no timeframe provided for the next visit. Long story short, he took 6 visits and 8 weeks to fix the thing... in the middle of winter. If he had bothered opening the cover on the first visit and turning off the power it would have been fixed in minutes.

Better news with the new bedroom - Trevor started on it this week. It will take a couple of weeks for the windows to be built, but I can wait that long. I continue my quest for a shed to put the bike and tools in.

The Westering Skies

2009-07-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

The norwesters are here, with their energy and light, inspiring in the morning, muscular in the evening.

From same day recently. Sunrise from the back door, looking past the clothesline to the path to the beach, Zac never obeys the speed limit.

Afternoon looking out at the city from the top of the sand hill.

"Anthem"

2009-07-20T01:04:00.000-07:00

The birds they sang
at the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what is yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
of every government --
signs for all to see.

I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they're going to hear from me.

Ring the bells that still can ring ...

You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.
That's how the light gets in.

Midwinter Sun

2009-07-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was the first fine day since about 23 June. The midwinter sun almost felt too hot, its brightness surreal after the days of grey. I celebrated this luminous day with a midwinter surf, nice wee swell, dolphins on the beach further down by the pier and the snow laden Southern Alps looming huge over the city as i walked back over those ever present Sandhills.

More Poetry from Aidan

2009-06-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

I love hearing about Aidan's creative methodology. Apparently during his latest creation, he had Zac in there, but he didn't get out and another creature emerged instead.

His latest poem was read out at school assembly again. Guess what the creature being pursued is. Big Cousin Jordan might know, because it featured on his birthday card this past weekend.

Tree Glider

In the forest all is still.
Silence, complete silence.
Then all of a sudden
a rustling sound fills the air.

A shadow is seen,
darting this way and that.
In pursuit is a forest cat.
The shadow takes shape.

Up a tree gliding from branch to branch
in the night unseen.

The forest cat gives up
It's tired and weary.
He'll come back tomorrow
awake and refreshed.

Wow, the sun shines so much during week days

2009-06-19T01:39:00.001-07:00

This pic about sums up most days, coffee from Switch, beachcombing with the dog... and cleaning up afterward

All good

That was the River...

2009-05-31T20:24:00.000-07:00

...this is the Sea...

Time to start another new chapter in my life... It feels right. Haven't a clue what is out there and it is a wonderful feeling.

Sundays with Aidan

2009-05-28T01:26:00.000-07:00

It's just the men. Sunday is the day that Aidie and I get together.

We fix the bike and play soccer with Zac, eat spaghetti bolognese and watch Top Gear together on TV. On Monday mornings, rain or shine I give Aidie a ride to school on the bonnie, sweet!

Kayla wrote this...

2009-04-29T16:30:00.001-07:00

SOUTHSHORE

In the morning, bare feet freeze as they run in tiptoes over the wet, frozen grass and hard as ice sand hills to watch the sun rise. The waves roar as the golden orb of warmth slowly hoists itself out of the distant horizon. The rays spread across the land, illuminating the dew covered grasses and tree-laden hills looming to the south. The salty scent of the ocean drifts through the crisp morning air. Bird song, sweet as sugar, pierces the still morning as beach towels are spread out on the coarse, softening sand, an explosion of bright colours. Teenagers tearing up the giant waves out the back on surfboards featuring swirly neon patterns while mothers and their infants splash in the shallows. Miniature wavelets reaching out for the sandy jandals of the adults leisurely strolling down the length of the beach.

Couch Potatoes on winter days, camped out by the telly to have a DVD marathon. A warm, full aroma wafts throughout the house. Chicken soup - Yum! Chatting to friends on msn and bebo and playing online games. The storm has fits of rage outside; beautiful sunshine one minute, rain bucketing down and lightning crackling the next. Bundled up in our warm winter pjs, snuggling into our thick, soft duvets; we don't feel the cold, harsh wind that is blustering outside.

Dancing in the warm twilight breeze, bombshell roses creep up the fences that border the pavement. Their sweet fragrances grabbing all of your senses and refusing to let go until you seize the light green stems and inhale the floral scent of the brightly coloured petals. The sunset lights up the sky, luminous pink and golden flying saucers floating up, up, up, until the darkness settles in, engulfing them in its shadows. Stargaze. Lying in the long grass, staring up at the creamy full moon. The Southern Cross bears down on us as clouds roll across the beautiful night sky, bringing chills up your spine.

Special occasions and celebration. Having our Christmas party. Sitting at the table outside to catch up with our relatives and just chat about anything and everything. Playing pool and watching the telly until our dinner is ready. Our Christmas meal. Turkey, chicken, gravy, roast veges, mashed potatoes; all sorts of food. Desert is the best part! Making the trifle with dad, letting me lick the custard carton. Ice-cream, jelly, trifle and cream. Easter time! Searching for Easter eggs in the garden and the long grass. Having banana cake with cream in the middle of it.

My dreamspace is the best place in the world to me.

Welcome the madhouse Zac

2009-04-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Zac has joined our family. He is a 14 week old Jack Russell with bitsa Pomeranian and Papillon. An absolute little smoocher and a live wire to boot, loves the kids, loves the beach. Will put up some better photos of him soon.

Easter trip to Hamilton

2009-04-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Kayla and I journeyed to Hamilton at Easter for the national Inter Provincial Competitions. I was a manager for the team. It was a great trip, the other managers and the kids were all fantastic and we came third overall. Kayla won her section of the high jump and is now ranked around 4th in NZ for her age group.

I think we have both made some life long friends on this trip.

Well Done Chicky

2009-03-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Kayla has continued a great year in athletics by winning the Canterbury Secondary Schools U14 high jump title. She recently won the Canterbury U13 title and also set a new U14 record for the high jump at Avonside Girls' High. She now goes forward to represent her school at the SI Secondary championship in Invercargill and we then go to Hamilton where she will represent Canterbury at the national Inter Provincial championships. I am a very proud dad and coach. All three of my senior athletes won Canterbury Secondary school titles this weekend, they have worked so hard this year.

Summer Daze

2008-12-31T00:24:00.000-08:00

We had a short hot summer this year. Kayla and Aidan both had friends come to stay and camp out in the back yard. Great times. lots of laughter and the sound of the sea at night and a paddle in the morning.

Gardening alone today with Tracy

2008-10-25T21:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so on the face of it, this is a chick's song. But the sentiments resonate within me; and they radiate out to at least four or five other people who are special in my life and who have been in my thoughts as I gardened by myself today.

Christmas Day?

2008-10-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sitting out on the deck, it is 8am and 23 degrees already. this morning Kayla and I have been spinning up some of the vinyl on my old turntable. She is fascinated that you turn records to play the other side. K has experienced for the first time the exasperation that a scratched record can cause.

I was playing an old favourite Able Tasmans record Hey Spinner and on came one of my favourites called Michael Fay, I couldn't suppress a serendiptious smile.

Overnight the US senate has voted in the Wall St Social Welfare Bailout Bill. I chuckle when I hear people going on about nanny state and railing against taxes, wanting to emulate the US. When as soon as the going gets tough their fat cats shout themselves a trillion dollars worth of taxpayer dollars while their ordinary people are moving into tents in Nevada.

It was Christmas Day,

When Michael Fay gave his money away,

And he just didn't have a lot to say,

We'd all forgotten his birthday...

Here's one for you Andy

2008-09-27T02:18:00.000-07:00

I got a great letter from Andy today. He asked how I believed the perfect cup of tea should be made. We used to have some good cuppas when we flatted together in Papatoetoe in the '80s. It tasted best when drunk from some purloined railway cups, which I had until recently.

Well, I use Choysa tea and a metal tea pot.

Unfortunately Andy, for the perfect cuppu you need pure water like the stuff we get down here in Christchurch. However, I know you are used to drinking that chlorinated recycled Waikato stuff, so read on.

Always fill the kettle with fresh cold water.

While you wait for the kettle to boil, rinse and warm the teapot.

Just before the kettle boils chuck a couple of heaped desert spoons of tea leaves in the pot and pour the water over just as it boils. Give it a bit of a stir, leave to draw for five minutes and then pour into your railway cup.

Off to make one myself just in time for Marie, Eileen, Lee and Richard to arrive to watch the Warriors.

Eat your heart out Marlon Brando

2008-09-27T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, I went for comfort, with my Cordura jacket and my Zeus helmet, rather than a leather jacket and a jet black helmet. But with my prescription Ray Bans on, I felt quite cool, walking out to my bike, its chrome gleaming in the sun. I am just reaching for the starter button, ready to hear those modified pipes wake the neighbours up, when I hear a chortle from behind me:

"Heh heh, Space Man!"

Gee thanks Dad.

Pink Flying Saucers over the Southern Alps

2008-08-26T20:23:00.001-07:00

Originally the name of a Flying Nun album, this phrase is evocative of those amazing Norwest sunsets we get over the Southern Alps. It is a phrase which I can utter to my children and they know exactly what I mean without glancing Westward.

The phrase resonated with me a couple of mornings ago, during that rainy Easterly spell when NW sunsets were furtherest from our minds. We were getting ready for school and I was playing Baxter, a collection of songs based on good old JK's poems, which once again resound with shared experiences for our family. There is a wonderful lilting version of "High Country Weather" which has in the past lifted my spirits and this week reminded me how far we have all come

Alone we are born
and die alone
Yet see the red-gold cirrus
over snow-mountain shine
upon the upland road
ride easy stranger
Surrender to the sky
your heart of anger.

Iceblock Feet

2008-08-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Today dawned fine and clear, one of those Spring mornings that you can only get in Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Gissie and the Wairarapa - a towel left out hanging under the eaves bone dry, but underfoot a cool dew.

Time to give the board a go. Armed with the knowledge that you use supermarket bags to slip the wetsuit over the feet... I grabbed the board and walked through the cold town side of the sandhills and then paused at the top of the hill, basking in the sun and feeling the temperature much warmer than the valley below.

I felt that exquisite anticipation I first had as a 13 year-old with my 7' Quane board, what will it ride like? Will I be able to get up? The new suit was so toasty, but the feeling in my feet disappeared straight away in a calf-cramping spasm. There was still snow on the shady parts of the Port Hills and yesterday's norwester had sent a shot of glacial water from the Waimakariri right down Pegasus Bay. I paddled out and the board glided easily underneath me. After the first channel a nice wee wave bounced up and started to reform right behind me. I turned and paddled and managed to get straight up, riding a clean wee face. It felt as though I had been riding this board all my life, it responded beautifully. With a whoop I flicked off and paddled back out. With no legrope and a new board I decided to be prudent and stay between the first and second channels and I had a ball, the board will catch the little sloppy ones and goes like a cut cat in the clean stuff. I felt as big a thrill as I had all those years ago. A bucket of water over my head, hung the wetsuit up on the line and lay out in the sun with the steam rising from my skin... Bliss.

Memo to moi - get a leggie and some booties ASAP. I sent a text to Andy and Ric, who understand this thrill... As Andy replied - "Ah a new stick. Always a great day"

I blame the City Council

2008-08-19T02:34:00.000-07:00

I have finally worked out why it is snowing more in town and why we never get snow in South Shore. Here is absolute proof that snow tussock attracts snow. Note - no snow anywhere except around the tussock, planted by the Council!
I used to be miffed that the council mainly beautify the leafy suburbs in the north west while we in the east missed out. However, we self sufficient denizens of the seaside suburb have been busy growing palm trees and banana plants and what do you know - we don't get snow on the spit - go figure.
So all you citizens of the northwest, who think that living in a frosty swamp near the airport is better than the beach - get planting tropical plants, boot out the council and you will get rid of the snow - pity you still won't have a beach, but you can't blame the council for everything.

Icecream Headache Anyone?

2008-08-17T02:44:00.000-07:00

Ric took me on a mission today to gear up for the new surf season. My aging Body Glove 3n2 had worn so thin that I could feel the wind through the sleeves and while I dearly love the mal which I have ridden since the '70s, its lack of a leg rope was a definite inhibitor to meaningful sessions. As I get a bit older, the swim back to shore after wiping out on the first wave tends to be a feat which can be only repeated so many times before I feel the need to beat a tactical retreat to the shore.
We battled the road works to visit Exit in Ferrymead and I am glad we did. I picked up an Xcel 5n4 for under half price. After I worked out how to get my feet through the very tight legs, it fit perfectly and is very toasty, just the thing for early Spring.

We then went back to Outer Island in New Brighton, where they were having their final day's trading. It was a day to mark the passing of one of our local icons, having traded from the same site in New Brighton (firstly as Gracie's) for longer than I can remember. So it was great to buy a board from Alan Cockburn and talk to him about his retirement, hopefully I will see him out the back one day on his 10 footer. So what did I get? A 9'1" X 23" 6 oz glass Na Papa board for about half price. It has a double concave in the tail and a single concave in the nose. The tail is a bit wider, just the thing for our sometimes mushy waves here on the east coast, but with potential to perform on the bigger stuff. And take note Kayla, it has the flower on it that you requested.

Tonight it has pride of place on my lounge floor. It has been lovingly waxed with a base coat and topped with good old Mrs Palmer's (and her five daughters) cold water wax. It looked so shiny before the wax.

Alan could not even sell us a leg rope, being close to shutting his doors for the final time, so I will have to wait to get one. Mind you, have not had one for 20 years, so would I really need one... I have this insane desire to go out now (at 10pm, freezing southerly howling in, snow to 300 metres) - barking.

To cap off the excitement of getting my first ever new board, I had two new experiences on the Bonnie today. The first was that lovely feeling when you are sailing along under full noise when you get the running out of gas sputter. No problems I thought, just reach down and flick her over to reserve... uh oh! She had already been on reserve when I drove her out of the shop. Good old Ric drove down and topped up the tank for me. Then fun times number two - I drove back through a southerly storm, got smashed by the rain. I had the choice to cut for home or just go straight to the Bach where I was meeting Re and Ric for dinner. When I got the bike I decided that I should experience whatever the elements threw at me, so the pub won. It was a blast going home in the rain and then drying off, I just felt so alive and glad I did it.

Although there is such a thing as too much life - memo to self, buy some leggings.

Happy Birthday MummaNanaBel

2008-08-14T03:24:00.000-07:00

We all gathered at Ma and Pa's to celebrate Mum's 67th birthday. 67 years ago today she was born in storm on the West Coast, just after midnight. If she had been born before midnight, she would have shared birthdays with her dad, who would have been 105 yesterday if he was still alive. Even though Granddad was christened Lawrence, he was known to one and all on the West Coast as Pat - a very good choice of name.

As usual Mum started the day off with her jog down the beach and the morning ritual of watching the sunrise. We had a great party with all the family around, it was great to see the older kids making the effort to get there, that is what it is all about.

By the way, Mum nailed both cakes with one breath - and we got exhausted clapping her age!

I sat on her!

2008-08-08T03:29:00.000-07:00

We are inching closer to that bike, I visited Just Motorcycles this evening and Ian started the bike. She has modified pipes, so the exhaust had a gorgeous, throaty note. I took these pictures with my phone, the quality isn't that good - but at least they provide some proof that it exists! All that chrome...

It felt great to sit astride the bike, feathering the brakes, testing the weight to guage at which point you would drop it...

It's bloody cold down here tonight and expected to pour tomorrow. But hopefully on Sunday I will be able to take her for a spin.

Is this where you live?

2008-08-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

Remember the song by The Church? They didn't have Google Maps back then did they, so I guess they had to keep asking the question? I purchased Of Skins and Heart from Marbecks in 1982 when I was living in Auckland and played it in the dark on my Akai mini system; it blew me away. I was flatting in half a villa in Epsom with my good friend Christine Hailes. The villa had been used in the filming of Constance. It was set on the side of One Tree Hill. Anyhow, this is where I live now

View Larger Map

Wax up the Board?

2008-08-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

Magic over them there sandhills this morning. The sun rose out of a sea which was so smooth and the tide so full it looked like a giant bowl of mercury brimming to the horizon. The glow of the sun on the Kaikouras and the snow-capped Southern Alps receded into the distance all along the backbone of our land, it looked as though you could see all the way to Southland.

Won't be long until the spring surf sessions start.

The Long Awaited Bike

2008-08-07T03:41:00.000-07:00

My poor workmates, first there was my desktop picture featuring a green and silver Triumph Bonneville. "You're dreaming!" my boss said. House wouldn't sell, lots of reasons why I shouldn't buy it, and that is exactly why I have. I could have had one by now, exactly the one I want at a bike shop in town, but the guy just did not want to sell it to me, even though I was literally waving 11 grand under his nose.

"I haven't ridden a bike for years, how do I take it for a test ride?"
"Oh, you'll be OK"

What year is this one?
"Dunno, think it is a 2005"

"T100, that's the 865cc one isn't it?"
"Nah, they're all 790cc"...

So went back to my local bike shop here at New Brighton. They don't usually stock Bonnies. They couldn't have been better, we got on the internet, picked one out.

"We'll get you out in the car park, then one of the boys can follow you around the block until you are confident with it"

Since then nature has conspired against me. Last week, "I get my bike tomorrow" I confidently tell my workmates. Then I get a call, with all the floods, the truck bringing it from Dunedin is turned back by a slip around Palmerston. Will have to go back...

Then yesterday - "I get my bike tomorrow, I say at our morning meeting" Get another call, it had been sent around the West Coast, there are delays of five days but it can be here at 11.30 tonight, we are going in especially to take delivery. The one sitting in the window at the town shop is still there, mocking me...

I called today, it is actually in the shop! But they have put a non-compliant tail light on it and there is a dent on the headlight rim, they will fit a new one and try to get a replacement tail light... we agree to wait till Saturday. My workmates are no longer amused, just bored by the continual saga.

Then tonight when I am taking the kids back to mine, we decide to check out the shop, even though the bike is likely to be in the workshop. And there she was, tucked behind the sad Harleys, silver and green tank, chrome bumpers shining... Kids were laughing at how excited I was, jumping up and down. Two more sleeps, tail light permitting...

Icons of Summer

2008-03-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

These are some things which are closely linked to South Shore and summer in particular.

Tuatua on fresh bread with a dash of vinegar and black pepper.

The Bach

2008-03-15T03:55:00.000-07:00

I moved in at the beginning of March, it has two bedrooms and is constructed of creosote-coated weatherboard. The deck is magic in late afternoon

we are in the sandhills on a full section where the front yard once held a full sized lawn tennis court