Tanya’s four-day adventure with Stephanie.. On the last morning of our recent tramp out of the magnificent Whirinaki Podocarp Conservation Park (located between Rotorua and Te Urewera), Steph’s acute eyes spied a whanau of whio, the rare native blue duck – parents and six ducklings – preening themselves on a log, far below us in […]
Bike Auckland
September 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Bike Auckland’s AGM was the best AGM I’ve attended! Over in 5 minutes-” totally rigged!” as the dynamic silver-haired chair, Barbara Cuthbert, announced gleefully, ” because all the current committee members want to continue,” – “but”- she added “we can easily coopt any other keen bikers!” An evening to celebrate a busy year of hustling, […]
Rangitoto…
August 19, 2019 by 2 Comments
“Where shall we go for my birthday treat, I wonder? Somewhere not too far away, close to nature, simple to arrange, and with a low carbon footprint. How about Rangitoto Island?” Tanya asked herself…and Charmaine … So here are Tanya’s reflections on 14-17 August 2019… For both of us, the skyline of Auckland has […]
Tanya’s Tale
June 19, 2019 by 1 Comment
Midwinter approaching. Cabin fever creeping up on me in the apartment. Yearning to smell the sweet fragrance of the damp forest…so I contacted my old tramping friend, Steph, and we decided to take off to Maungatautari, near Arapuni, 3 hours drive south of Auckland. www.sanctuarymountain.org.nz Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a remarkable mainland ecological island protected […]
Friday 15 March 2019: a day to remember with pain
March 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
You will all have heard about the terrorist attack on Muslim people praying in two Christchurch mosques last Friday, 15 March. Our hearts go out to the families who have lost dear ones, and to all Muslim people in Aotearoa, whose hopes for a safe country to live in have been so cruelly shattered. E […]
Friday 8 February
February 19, 2019 by 1 Comment
34 years ago today Tanya came to dinner for the first time at Charmaine’s little cottage in Clarence Street, Ponsonby. And that, as many of you know, was the beginning of our relationship. We still share strong political beliefs and values in common, and mostly enjoy each other’s very different strengths. So we happily weave […]
Our neighbourhood…
May 18, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Grey Lynn neighbourhood is diverse, colourful and fascinating. We go to the Farmers’ Market at the Community Centre every Sunday morning for our weekly fresh produce, and every Thursday for a Tai Chi session; and relish a coffee at one of the many cafes now and then. Charmaine walks, reacquainting herself with plane-tree-lined avenues, […]
Earthsong Eco Neighbourhood
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