On Monday 8 February, Tanya and I celebrated 36 years since we first had dinner together in 1985. On that first evening we discovered that we shared many values in common, but also recognised we had very different personalities and lifestyles. To some people’s surprise – and our own at times – we have managed […]
A Feast of Films…
February 19, 2021 by Leave a Comment
There are two exceptional films on at present in Tāmaki Makaurau – both made in Aotearoa. Rūrangi– written by Cole Meyer, produced with Oliver Page and directed by Max Currie: “one of the most beautifully drawn evocations of romance I’ve seen..” and “a ground-breaking production from New Zealand” are two of the media comments. […]
Wrangling with Racism
February 19, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Although many Pakeha people in Aotearoa have become more aware of the racism we’ve inherited and continue to perpetuate, and more inclined to call it out, we still have a long way to go. A few recent examples- and the reactions to them: Racism in Parliament: Trevor Mallard, speaker of the House, made a blunder […]
Toi Tū, Toi Ora
February 19, 2021 by 2 Comments
We’ve been back to the Toi Tū, Toi Ora exhibition in the Auckland Art Gallery a couple of times now, and our appreciation of the diversity and significance of the Maori art works has deepened. There are paintings, of course, and sculptures, models, kinetic features, flags, jewellery, computer images and all manner of visual objects, […]
Adventures in Te Waipounamu
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Tanya has just returned from a stunning adventure in Te Waipounamu …here’s her story and pictures… It began with an unexpected invite from our younger generation of Cumbos – Barney, Jo and 8-year-old Ellie – to my older brother, Garth, and me, to join them on a cycling adventure (A2O: Alps 2 Ocean) in the […]
Being at home…
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Charmaine had no wish to ride a bicycle for three days in the mountains, and decided to stay home and get her mind in order. (“Mind has mountains, cliffs of fall” wrote poet Gerard Manley Hopkins- and she had definitely been feeling anxious about bike-riding, and in need for some sustained quiet time to re-order […]
Christchurch Whanau
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Before starting our cycling adventure in the South Island, Garth and I spent two days in Christchurch. Our first date was with our cousin Philip Carter, who took us on a guided tour on electric scooters (an exciting first for Garth and me!) of the new city developments in Christchurch. Philip is one of the […]
An hour from our front door…Rangitoto Island
January 22, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Back to the simplicity of bach life in summer… On New Year’s Day we hopped on a bus downtown, then a ferry across the Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island for a stay in Bach 52, five minutes walk from the wharf. Bach 52 is another small 1920s bach which has been lovingly restored to near-original […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
Public Good