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In summer I make up for my slackness during the rest of the year by having marathon reading sessions. I read in the garden, on the beach, in the park, on the sofa during the heat of the day, and late into the night if it’s a rippin’ good yarn.
This year I started with the tome “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett. Set in the 12th century, Pillars tells the story of a stonemason and his family building a (fictitious) English cathederal, against a backdrop of politics, religion and war. Meticulously researched, extremely bloodthirsty in places (there were six pages of a bear-baiting scene I could not read), overall it gets a thumbs up.
Next, something completely different “Another Bullshit Night in SuckCity” by Nick Flynn. Reminds me why I love American literature. Semi-autobiographical, adult Nick builds a relationship with his homeless father.
SuckCity inspired me to re-read my copy of “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, picked up in a bookstore in San Francisco for a dollar. It’s exciting to think there may be more to come from Salinger, hidden away for all these years.
Finally, I returned to the 12th century with “Rubaiyat (Poetry) of Omar Khayyam”, a little suede-bound book I found amongst my grandmothers’ possessions, with a handwritten dedication inside the cover to “Little Jimmy” (my long-gone uncle, perhaps?)
28/02/10 - Godwits flying out of the Manawatu River Estuary, Foxton
Flying back to Alaska - or Siberia, signalling the end of summer.
The most beautiful sunset I have seen -
ever.
Yes, really!Hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic Sunday.
Matiu/Somes Island, viewed from Seatoun; vise versa; Wellington city viewed from Matiu/Somes
Wellington is finally enjoying summer, and the weekend in the city was buzzing with the Rugby Sevens (aka crazy costume party), One Love music festival, and final days of the excellent Yayoi Kusama exhibition all happening at once.
We packed a picnic and escaped the madness by taking a 15 minute ferry ride to Matiu/Somes Island in the middle of Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington harbour). Walking briskly, the island can be circumnavigated in about an hour; a leisurely stroll allows a deeper appreciation of the history, wildlife and views. No baby Tuatara sightings, unfortunately.
Top: Birdseye view, Middle (left to right): Kakariki disguised in the bush; Oystercatchers on the old wharf; Rare Little Blue Penguins in nesting box; Bottom: Sheep enjoying the shade in the heat of the day; Stingray at Queens Wharf.
Watched an unusual fog rolled in over Lyall Bay and the city yesterday evening, unusual because it didn’t cover us on the Miramar peninsula.
Created quite a spectacular sunset an hour later.
Tomorrow is Waitangi Day and once again there’s a debate raging about a new flag for New Zealand.
I don’t feel as though I’ve seen a design yet that has leapt out and said “I’m the one”, and therefore am reluctant to support a change at this time. Of the options, Hundertwasser’s Koru design, although dated, is my favourite, and with a little modernizing could become acceptable to me.
Head over to nzflag.com to see the other designs.
In summer I make up for my slackness during the rest of the year by having marathon reading sessions. I read in the garden, on the beach, in the park, on the sofa during the heat of the day, and late into the night if it’s a rippin’ good yarn.
