You know those times when you just stop, be still and listen. You can hear the earth singing! This is one of my favourite places, Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island, a good place just to slow down and stop, breathe into the silence….. watching the late sun sink into the sea.… Continue reading Be Still and Listen…
Category: Trees
The Long and Winding Road
Bringing it on home part two: As dawn breaks on the big day the house pods are lifted onto the trucks at David the craftsman-builder’s yard for the long and delicate trip out to our place at the Kenepuru Heads. Normally it would take about an hour to drive this beautifully picturesque road. As it… Continue reading The Long and Winding Road
The silent observers…
Recently returned to the studio briefly for a varnish, ‘The Watchers’ is one of my favourites from the Heaphy Track on the West Coast. The last day of the five day hike is heading South along the beach through the forests of Nikau Palms (the worlds most southerly palm species). They stand like guardians… Continue reading The silent observers…
Behind the Vail
My little painting of the Aspens in Vail is now winging its way to New York, sold at the fundraising auction during my latest Diamond Approach Retreat. Together and yet alone, venturing behind the veils into the universe of the unknowing – relaxed and confident? “The clearest way into the Universe is through a… Continue reading Behind the Vail
For the love of it!
It’s harvest time in the olive grove at ‘Hou Ngahere’ and its been a whirlwind of activity on the hillside! I’ve just returned from my Diamond Approach International Retreat Group and getting out among the birds and trees is a great way of integrating the work. It’s making me very happy indeed! There is something… Continue reading For the love of it!
New life…new hope
A forest in the car, taking delivery of the first batch of the season, 225 new trees…… In an attempt to mitigate the carbon burnt on travel to retreat in San Francisco, our Diamond Approach retreat group, the IRG, regularly contribute to a ‘Trees for Travel’ fund to purchase trees…. And here they are! I… Continue reading New life…new hope
Fireworks in the snow
Kate and I had a very happy New Year with friends in Norway. They have a stunning cottage (a part of which dates back to the 16th century!) in the mountains about three hours north of Oslo near the Hemsedal ski resort. After spending four weeks in the very mild and wet northern winter… Continue reading Fireworks in the snow
Summer’s promise
I love the delicacy of the Rata flowers. They speak to me of the promise of Summer and of hope, which is kind of what we need right now with the climate talks going on in Paris. The belief that we can live ‘with’ the earth, and make the necessary changes to the way we… Continue reading Summer’s promise
Planting the seed
The last of the spring planting is done at ‘Hou Ngahere’! We got the final 30 Kowhai trees in the ground (part of the 270 from the Easter planting) before it dries out for the summer. Now we’re watching the Kereru (Wood Pigeon) shred the older Kowhai trees. Its not all bad though, having them visit… Continue reading Planting the seed
One small step…
They’re in! Every single one of the 500 trees supplied by the Wellington City Council are now happily ensconced in their new home, the Buckley Road Reserve. Thanks to all that gave a helping hand. We had some good weather and a great mix of new and familiar faces, young and old, Maranui scones and… Continue reading One small step…