Watch out for Squalls, Lubbers!

This evening at 6.30 on Ohope (or-hor-pay) Beach.

Easter Sunday at Ohope Beach

The Maori knew that the mild climate and fertile soils around here were very valuable, and many a territorial skirmish had been fought in these parts long before the European came in their big ships and named it 'Bay of Plenty'.

Such a long growing season means that even the kumara - the sweet potato, brought from Hawaiiki, could always be grown with chance of a big crop. New Zealand was generally short of good food in winter, and once the moa had become extinct and coastal shellfish stocks had become depleted, the Bay of Plenty had even more appeal to the Maori.

But although the introduction of spuds and pigs, which could be grown almost anywhere, largely took away the reliance on kumara, this part of New Zealand still remains a pleasant and bountiful place to live.

Here it is early April and still warm enough to wear a teeshirt at dusk on the beach.

Homage

I have just finished a small painting of William Morris's design 'The Strawberry Thief'. Sometimes I like the rigid unthinkingness of copying a design. I don't know how much artistic advancement it gives me, but it is relaxing and almost like a meditation.  I have intentionally left this unfinished as were William Morris's own watercolour design originals, which I have had the great pleasure of seeing.

Here's a simpler version I did for a friend while I was in Melbourne.
I think the bird looks a little more friendly.

Now I have stayed up late enough to see the start, the middle and the end of the total lunar eclipse.
It's also time to put the clocks back.
And to remember my dear Russian Baboushka who loved Easter so much.

Back at the Beach

Last year I spent about five weeks here at Ohope Beach. This is a shorter time, but I intend to do the same things: plenty of walking with the dogs, some painting, and lots of chilling out in these lovely surroundings.

I walked for 90 minutes yesterday.  There were lots of people out enjoying a stunning late afternoon Easter Friday at the beach.

This IS what Ohope Beach crowded looks like!

Where there are people, there are gardens.

See?  Here are the crowds.

This morning was lovely too, although there were fewer people and a completely different atmosphere. We have had an hour walking. The light was soft, the air is warm, the dogs are now fed and are fast asleep snoring, and it's time for my breakfast.

You are Here

onism - n. the awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience

Imagine standing in front of the departures screen at an airport, flickering over with strange place names like other people’s passwords, each representing one more thing you’ll never get to see before you die—and all because, as the arrow on the map helpfully points out, you are here.

Go here:

https://youtu.be/J4dEw1bQ_TE

Eye Candy Day 51

Life Styles

Today I was flicking through one of the kids' books at lunchtime (I am still progressing on my big clean out, but I won't throw this one away) and reading the page on animal lifestyles.

After careful consideration, I have decided that my lifestyle has a definite cycle. Winter is a time of hibernation. I emerge periodically, blinking in the cold wind, at least down to 12 or even 10 degrees centigrade at times, chop another wheelbarrowload of firewood, make a quick sortie to the supermarket for supplies of chocolate from Belgium, snowpeas from Africa, and bananas from Tonga, and disappear inside again. Summer is hot and dry, and I stay inside much of the time then too. (No air conditioner but the house is very well designed and sited to be delightfully cool in the back rooms). This is apparently called 'aestivation'. Between the two, in spring, and, as now in autumn, I am active, cleaning out my burrow, scratching around and marking the corners of my surrounding territory, and preparing for the next season. It's all here. Quite simple, really.