15th January 2005

Flying out of Nelson as I write, the Saab is over the Tasman Bay, Golden Bay off to the left. I got a lovely send off. Margaret and Barry Scott, Theresa and Bob Ducker, Helen and Kemp, Angela and Dad. Of course, it was quite emotional. I intend to return to Nelson before too long.
Farewell Spit in view now, and the Bay in full. I'm in seat 1a by the door, looking over the turbo prop which is making the light have a colour shift. The luggage is .2 kg under the allowance including my bike.
It's been great to share my 50th, Christmas, New Year and some hot days with my family of whom I've seen so little over the years. From the first few days I was in Nelson, there were strong family bonds and feelings which my life and situation has impeded. Naturally I would like to return to work in New Zealand.

The North Island in view now, not as clear as Nelson or Golden Bay. Mount Taranaki stands proud and snow capped.

LA AIRPORT 2.30pm local time, cueing 'in transit'. Really is crazy after a long flight to stand in a cue for over an hour to pass through an immigration check then reboard the plane without entering the USA. New post 9/11 security arrangements. I cannot see what useful function it serves, except for adding passenger's identities to a US database. I'm not the only one to feel this way, see other peoples' comments: Passenger Opinions - LAX
Photos: 15th & 16th Janaury

14th Janaury 2005

Left Patons Rock at 10.30 after shooting the breeze with Bernie for an hour. Arrived in Takaka at 11, fastest journey yet on the bike. 45 minutes to kill before the K-Bus left for Nelson. Best weather today, kind of a shame to fly out tomorrow. Arrived Nelson at 3.15 and checked with Chris at Natural High that he was set to pack the bike for flying. Had a quick Chinese meal before going to pack my stuff for return to the UK.
Photos: 14th January

13th January 2005

Another hot bright day in Golden Bay. Hung out at Bernie's mostly, although had a brief one to one with Dad which was great. Collected more stones and finished the arrangement at the back of Bernie's, looks great now with some finer stones from the Onekaka River.

Then over to Helen & Kemp's place for a meal of salmon with Rory, Christine, and their children Michael & Jennifer who caught it today at the salmon farm.

On returning checked out Bernie and Bunce and came back to the little pink blamange house for my last night in Patons Rock. Who knows?

Maybe I'll be back one day, but something in me tells me I won't. We'll see.
Photos: 13th January

12th January 2005

The best weather so far was today in Golden Bay. Not a cloud in the sky, very hot with a very high tide. It was a beach day for the whole family. We swam, saw dolphins, played beach cricket, (I got 26 runs and 3 wickets), even Dad batted and bowled!
Helen and I took out Gin & tonics to the beach and we all got nicely sozzled, Bernie turned up and he and I went to get another ton of round pebbles from the Parapara Riverbed and returned to a wholesome bar-b-q. The best day ever!
Photos: 12th January

11th January 2005

We went for a long drive today past Collingwood up to the Visitors Centre at Farewell Spit. The tide was very high when we got there and as we ate a beautiful lunch we could take in the splendid view of the full length of the spit, shifting sand dunes and the clump of trees near the other end of the spit. We went into the binocular room after eating and could make out the lighthouse and watch the thousands of birds including many black swans.

We then made our way back south through Rockville to Bayham and the old shop and Post Office then onto the historic Salisbury swing bridge near the start of the Heaphy Track.

We popped into Helen and Kemp's wee house, met up with Kemp's brother Rory and his wife Christine and two children with whom I played frisbee while the oldies had their tea. Was great fun.

Then returned to Paton's Rock for dinner. After, I took Bernie's Isuzu Trooper and met up with him, Doug, Johnny, Helen, Kemp, Rory, Christine and the kids at the Mussel Inn, drank chilli beer with a real hot chilli in it.
Photos: 11th January

10th January 2005

After breakfast, straight next door for coffee and unload the rocks we collected and arranging then in the garden, Bernie shouted a meal at the Wholemeal Cafe. Then Angela & Dad took me on a drive over to the Wainui Inlet, passed the Tui Community and the entrance to the Abel Tasman National Park. I resolved that the next time I come here, to do some walking (tramping as the Kiwis call it) through here. We stopped off at the shop in Pohara and got ice-creams.

Called in to Takaka Organics shop for herb tea to help Dad to sleep and I bought the Selected Writings of John Dewey - On Education and started reading it on the way home in the car.

Then home for dinner and out to the Village Cinema in Takaka to watch the 2nd Bridget Jones Diary movie, Angela's choice, but I enjoyed it. Dad couldn't "take the noise", and left the cinema and sat in the car. The Village Cinema has a very nice community feel, highly recommended, especially the frozen eskimo (choc ice) we had in the interval.

Then I caught up with Bernie and his two guests, Doug and his son John. We chatted over some Jack Daniels.
Photos: 10th January

9th January 2005

Did 2 hours flute practice, occassionally imitating the Tuis, who would imitate me, what musical cross species fun that is!
Spent a lot of the day with Bernie, went to the Parapara River to collect riverbed stones for his garden, quartz, shist, mudstones and metamorphosed rocks and bits of iron slag washed down from the old iron workings, then after dinner at home, went out to the Mussell Inn to listen to some 'live' music which wasn't that interesting. The Mussell Inn is a pretty cool place though.

Then back to Bernie's house, played his Roland digital piano and drank some wine. Bernie's a dentist and nice guy, his girlfriend Sharon is real cool too, but she's gone back to Christchurch, so we've been keeping each other company and it's been good to hang out with him.

Got to bed about 4am.

8th January 2005

Woke at 5.16 am to the sound of heavy rain. Think I must have imagined thunder, but no mistaking the smell of bacon.

After a few more hours sleep, woke to more rain, torrential rain, then as if by magic the rain stopped and the sun came out. All the pooled water was dried up by 11 and we went in the car to Takaka and a book fair at The Village Cinema.

Home for lunch then set off on the bike. The wind was heavy but the sun very hot. Highway 60 wasn't pleasant at all so after going North for a while, turned left up the Ward Holmes Road towards the beginning of the Parapara Track. By the road was a swarm of wild bees on a small Manuka tree.

Then turned around and returned to cross main road down to the Grant Road and then the beach at the mouth of the river Puramahoi.

Clem and Mona came for dinner of roast beef & Yorkshire pudding. We talked about the internet, theatre design, sound enhancement, Hillman Humbers, DC3 Dakotas and all manner of things. They invited me to their place at Parapara when I next go up to cycle in the forest there. Hopefully that will be next week sometime.

Dad has been on much better form these past few days, Angela is a wonderful host, I count myself very fortunate to have been given this holiday opportunity.
Photos: 8th January

7th January 2005

A nice bright warm day on the bay. Large bank of clouds over the mountains in the west, but here it is very warm and dry. So glad I got peanut butter yesterday from Organics, very tasty.

After an hour of flute practice, then a snooze followed by lunch, went on the bike to Takaka. Bought insect repellent, brake pads and gloves. Took a couple of VBs and rode to Waiputo Pier, then sat under the bridge at the Takaka Riverand watched the water level rise in blazing sunshine with a cool wind and read Scientific American article Music and the Brain to the sound of bellbirds and tuis and cars clinking overhead on the bridge.
Photos: 7th January

6th January 2005

A much better day all round. The sun was bright and warm. Woke early without a hangover and after breakfast, we took June to Takaka to get her K-bus to Nelson airport then Christchurch. Did a little shopping in Organics, my favourite shop, for limes & herb teas including; Manuka, Echinacea and St John's Wort, also visited chemist for more First Aid supplies for bike emergencies (just in case) and sun block factor 30.
Smudge, one of Angela's cats, reappeared. We were worried about her because there was a pool of blood and some fur that looked like hers on the doorstep, but she was OK.
Dad has had a better day today, having been for 3 walks.
At about 4 pm I went for a bike ride of about 11km to Rangihaeata beach and inlet. Past some horse riders near the beach, a mother and two daughters, I assume, the eldest was rather tasty. On approaching them from behind, I'd given a gentle ring with my bell, which caused a lovely smile and prompted some conversation as I passed by. The wind was hard at the beach and after reading a little, then proceeded along the spit and sheltered behind a dune and sat there for about half an hour. My life seems to be one of almost complete solitude now. No change from the last years in Edinburgh, then this last year in Birmingham. Yes, I am beginning to feel very lonely in my life, who knows if this will change. I feel myself so isolated now, the party last night was fun, but it felt so out of the ordinary to be in company. At the end of the party I played the Roland digital piano, which entertained folk. It was a reminder of another part of my life that's missing, i.e. playing music, jamming, I do miss the trio. Ok, you see I'm feeling pretty blue so I'll sign off for today.
Photos: 6th January

5th January 2005

Besides a short walk to Patons Rock and admiring the glowing blossoms of the pohutukawa tree and sharing the dull day with two black oystercatchers, I've been stuck inside again today, serious 'cabin fever' so by meal time, dad and I had our first upset for 33 years over cabbage and table manners!

Simultaneously, Bernie & Sharon invited us all to their house for a community party. After a tense meal, we all (with the exception of Papa) went to drink, dance and let the frustrations of the past few days melt away.
Photos: 5th January

4th January 2005

A grey day.

Dad, Angela & June went to Takaka while I surfed - the internet, then lunch, then read Chomsky book Understanding Power then fall asleep, only to wake in time for supper and more rain.

The surf, rain, black oystercatchers and sparrows provide the only soundscape.

I plan my next big ride on the bike and consider routes away from Highway 60.

3rd January 2005

Angela flew the kite I gave her for Christmas on the beach, it soars easily into the sky. The weather is still spattered by 'monotanous' rain.

Dad & I are listening to a CD of Symphony No.2 by Sibelius on the tiny portable player, I cannot fail but be moved. Methinks this CD set was a good present for Papa. Clearly we share a love of this stuff, it is a dense music, carefully balancing contrasting musical ideas in an ever widening narrative.

Sillyme! Papa just told me, "this was the piece that turned you around. Don't you remember? You played the flute part in a summer course at Pulteney Grammar with John Hopkins. I still have the program somewhere."
I vaguely remember this, naturally, Papa is shocked I don't remember this as well as he. It is my love of him which prevents me from raking over the past, when I was a young teenager trying to find my way. I am happy to just be here and make the most of the now.

Margaret and Barry have left now, June still has a couple of days, we hope the weather will brighten up, meanwhile Angela is enjoying her new digital camera and using iPhoto and showing us her slideshows. They were good company, and interesting and inspiring people who are open and adventuresome.
Mostly slept today then began watching the Lord Of The Rings DVD trilogy Helen gave me for Christmas. While the NZ locations are lovely, the story is so irksome, seems to be about war only, but then, at the time Tolkein was writing, Europe was in the midst of the military struggle of fascist peers.