Building Steps

We're not there yet, but I can begin to see how it all will be. These are the steps, still in draft form, but giving the idea. And there will be another set down to the paving-to-be. After all these months and months of a ramp, this bit is quite exciting. Although I might wait until the builder has finished them and attached them and made footings before I get too carried away and actually walk on them.

Mail Delivery Trees

You can buy anything through the internet these days, peastraw and Queen bees (which 'sing ' in their boxes), and plants. So here are my latest fruit trees. I haven't unwrapped them yet to ooh and aah over them, but they look pretty good through the gladwrap.

Maybe the internet is the place to get chickens as well? Wouldn't want them couriered though, I wouldn't think.

Building a Wood Shed

There comes a point in a building project when it all starts coming together. And instead of mess and mud and feeling like you are going backwards, you start to see glimpses of how it might be in the end. And this is the point. 

So what is basically some steps down from my street level to my backyard, I have a wood shed tucked underneath the landing (the steps haven't gone on yet). I thought that would be good and useful, but but but...it is AWESOME! As in, awe inspiring. It is so big, and I'll be able to put lots of stuff in there. Maybe wood stuff. Maybe other stuff (my bike, my lawnmower?) And the top railing along the planter, just the right height to sit on. Or put your cup of tea on when you are sitting out in the sun.

Gardening Great Barrier Island style

From checking out the shops, you get the distinct impression that the locals all grow their own vegetables and fruit. Certainly this lovely bach we stayed in was set up for vegetable production on a big scale.

Bearing in mind that it was the middle of winter when we visited, only mustard greens were still growing. But the fortressing of the gardens with wire netting and lower ground protection, and netting would imply that there are a few animals and birds that might be interested in helping consume the produce. I would pick possums, maybe rats and stoats and such. You wouldn't think birds would do much damage, but that might explain the roof netting. I noticed other gardens similarly attired, so it must be a regular thing.

Great Barrier Island transport options

Because we flew in, we hired a little car to get around. All the hire cars are 4WD.

And this is why - this is our driveway, 2 km long, and very very steep. It seems like people all share driveways, so several houses come off this one, way off into the bush.

This remnant of a track looks like it used to be their driveway before the shared thing started working for them. Even more scary than the one that exists now!

And I guess if you don't have road access at all, then you put your ute on a barge, go home for lunch while you wait for the tide to come in and the barge to float.

I think the Barrier is a haven for boaties in summer. So here is wharf number 2. There is a bigger wharf that the ferry comes in on. And another one too. Plus all the private jetties and such for boat only access places. More wharves than roads almost.

Great Barrier Island - where to stay

This gorgeous bach is where we stayed. A lounge, bedroom and bathroom, all that is required.

Invisibly on this hill is a small house - well that's the neighbour's bigger place. Ours is a tiny dot to the left. Not a lot of noise from much apart from the birds. And the whole island seems like this. Half of it is owned or managed by DOC, so is totally 2nd growth bush, manuka mainly.

And of course, everybody needs their own private beach. Just down the track.

And the sun setting on the horizon.

What exactly is it about being in isolation that gives you such a rest in your soul?

Great Barrier Island

I went to Great Barrier Island on the weekend. Its a big island out to the west from Auckland. Here it is from the air as we flew in. Its about the same size and population as Niue.

To get there you can go on the car ferry, which takes about 5 hours and crosses a fairly rough piece of sea. Or you can catch this tiny little plane.

Here's the plane again. Can't see it? Well it's the tiny dot below the top left cloud. Tiny being the important word. Seats 12, including the pilot, a passenger sits in the co-pilot seat. You can tell I'm not normally on such small planes, this one was quite something else. Noisy too.

And flying home right on sunset, we got an excellent view of all around Auckland. The thing with flying on such a small plane is that it flies really low, and you can see everything below, in perfect detail.

Compost Bins

I've had compost bins before, and in fact these are the same bins. But I've never been very successful, mainly because emptying the scraps into the bins is so....well...scary. All those creepy crawlies, worms and bugs and even a family of mice once. But, here I have just the perfect spot for some bins, so I thought I would try again. They've even got the sun on them, to help with the composty-ness of it all.

Peastraw

My peastraw is beginning to break down and go all black. In theory it'll turn into lovely mulch quite soon. Looks like it might be working too.

These ones look just like huge lamingtons to me.

 

Vitamin C for Winter

They say that vitamin C is good for warding off colds, and what better way to get it than with a fresh orange?! Such a great crop I've got this year, it seems like the tree has finally got old enough to produce. Last year I only got about 6 oranges in total.

Winter Flowering Hebes

A couple of my newly planted hebes are starting to flower in winter. Hebes all seem to flower at different times, so it is a bit of a lottery as to which type you get. Winter flowering will be good for any bees that are still out and about, give them something to snack on.

Magnolias

 One of my magnolias has started to flower. So it must be winter. The other magnolia got trimmed at the ground by the neighbours, so time will tell if it is still alive. But this one is such a welcome sight as we head into the depths of winter.

And the soft soft buds, like lambs ears, but on a tree.

How is your imagination?

Squint your eyes a bit and pretend that all this gloopy clay is in fact beautiful hand made terracotta pavers, and that the sun is shining down, and you have a cool drink in your hand, skimpy clothing on, and are reclining in a comfy chair.  Got it?

The hebe hedge

It's winter! Things are supposed to stop growing! But everything seems to be shooting along. These little hebe plants, which are to become my hebe hedge creating my safe enclosure around my Harmony garden, are just powering up. I'm not about to get the hedge clippers out yet, or even make some cuttings from them, but they must have doubled in size since I planted them.

More enterprising students

 At the Clevedon Markets this week there were some students who have finished an assignment (I presume) and created a business selling bug houses for your garden. They had the whole works - business cards and banner, and printed t shirts. Plus a range of bug house styles, a bird feeder, and kitset ones if you don't want one of their lavishly decorated ones.  They had built the houses from up-cycled materials, and considered their environmental impact. Good work to them!