Auckland’s CBD from Westhaven boardwalk. Late afternoon walk while waiting for a takeaway from our favourite restaurant. Image: Su Leslie
I’m not feeling wordy this month, so I’ll keep it short.
I had my first chemo session earlier in the week and am feeling reasonably well. Five more, at three weekly intervals are to follow; then I guess it’s all down to what the scans and blood tests say.
Auckland’s “pink path” cycle and walkway. Covid-quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Image: Su Leslie
Auckland is still in Covid lock-down. It’s been 45 days now, and although restrictions have eased a little (hooray for expanded bubbles, takeaways and click-and-collect DIY materials), it’s hard not to feel totally stir-crazy.
Takeaway coffee — because we can. Image: Su Leslie
I turned 60 last week, and instead of a party and an extended trip around the South Island, I found myself deliriously happy to be able to see my son and share a meal with him — albeit a takeaway and a homemade cake.
Orange cake with dark chocolate ganache, passionfruit and orange buttercream filling, and freeze-dried mandarin shards. A birthday cake that gave much pleasure in the planning, making — and eating. Image: Su Leslie
My garden is a source of both frustration and pleasure. New growth is abundant, but I’ve neither the energy or the materials to do much of the work that’s required. So I content myself watching the native birds enjoying themselves (always when I’m camera-less), and taking the odd flower photo.
While the city is quiet, the Big T and I have enjoyed walking parts of the CBD we don’t often visit.
Early evening in the city. The Sky Tower from St Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Road. Image: Su Leslie
Early evening in the city. Image: Su Leslie
Westhaven Marina, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie
Sometimes I despair of humanity. I’d just seen the owner of these rods put several fish in their car. Image: Su Leslie
Timely. This beautiful and very welcome card from my friend Sarah arrived the day of my surgery. Image: Su Leslie
Where to begin!
When I left you last month I was preparing for surgery for suspected ovarian cancer.
I join you this month a few body parts short of a game of Operation, a pleasing number of kilograms lighter, and with a long, but largely healed scar running the length of my abdomen.
The surgeons are confident they removed the visible tumours, but as the cancer had spread beyond my ovaries, I’ve been referred to an oncologist to discuss chemotherapy.
That should be enough for me to process and deal with.
But.
Four days after I got home from hospital, New Zealand went into a nation-wide Level 4 Covid-lockdown. The initial cases were pretty close to home, and for the first time since the pandemic began, I felt afraid. The possibility of illness — particularly a coughing illness — was terrifying while I was held together with staples and medical tape.
We’re now on Day 19, and my initial fears of becoming sick have been largely replaced by a weariness brought on by all the extra hassles of daily life (particularly one involving frequent medical appointments).
I’m incredibly fortunate to be locked down in a comfortable home, with plenty to eat and the wonderful Big T looking after me. I just wish I could DO more.
I’m not quite healed enough to work in the garden or finish restoring the armchair I had begun, and, as you’ll see, I’ve had a fairly limited choice of subjects for photography this month too.
Flowers began arriving not long after my return home. Image: Su Leslie
Double exposure. Image: Su Leslie
Still beautiful in decay. Image: Su Leslie
Throw in a little editing. Image: Su Leslie
Care package from my sister in law — kindness, goodness and supporting local business. Image: Su Leslie
Not missing these. Bye bye daily injections of anti-coagulant. Image: Su Leslie
Storm surge, Tapeka Point, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
I like visual metaphors, and the shot above does rather sum up my month.
Several whanau members are experiencing health and other crises; the most serious being my seemingly indestructable mother hospitalised twice in the last couple of weeks. It’s made me very aware how much on-going worry and helplessness destroy motivation and productivity; despite my best efforts to manage anxiety by keeping busy.
Eco-printing on silk with eucalyptus and pohutukawa leaves. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Work in progress; felt slippers for the colder weather ahead. Image: Su Leslie 2021
It’s only taken a year to get around to it … Refurbished telephone table. Image: Su Leslie 2021
The “before” shot, telephone table. Image: Su Leslie 2021
There have been some high points in the month, including a rainy, but relaxing weekend in the Bay of Islands with the Big T.
Russell, Bay of Islands, NZ. Once described as “the hell hole of the Pacific.” Image: Su Leslie 2021
Sunset, Russell wharf. Image: Su Leslie 2021
On the car ferry, Opua, Northland. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Late afternoon, Langs Beach, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Langs Beach, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Mangawhai Heads, Northland, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
And an afternoon wandering around the Auckland waterfront, enjoying the last of the sunshine.
Viaduct basin, Auckland NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
I’d thought that taking a break from blogging would re-awaken my enthusiasm, but — perhaps because there’s so much else going on — I’m not really feeling more inspired or engaged than before. And while I don’t plan to abandon ZimmerBitch altogether, I suspect that posts will continue to be fairly infrequent.
I am happy to carry on hosting The Changing Seasons for a bit longer, but if there is anyone else who’d like to take it on, that would be wonderful.
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
“The whole world before you, and a horizon that’s always changing.” — Kenneth Grahame. Image: Su Leslie 2021
It’s a strange contradiction that while April has been my most sociable and outward-looking month in a long time, I’m remembering these thirty days mainly as a time of introspection.
The month began with a trip to the theatre. Dreading the CBD’s nightmare roadworks, T and I caught the ferry from Devonport, had a meal, strolled around the waterfront and sat down to one of the most interesting productions we’ve seen in a long time.
The Haka Party Incident was visually stunning verbatim theatre (1) that tells of a few moments in history which changed race relations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
In 1979, after enduring several decades of Auckland University Engineering students staging a highly offensive mock “haka” as a capping stunt, a group of young Maori activists confronted the engineers during a rehearsal. Punches were thrown, arrests were made, and institutional racism was laid bare.
But the engineers never again performed their “haka”.
T and I are both graduates of Auckland University (T of its Engineering School) and though the haka party incident was before our time, it is part of our collective history. To see events that we understood from the perspective of Pakeha teenagers, re-told 40-odd years later was a sobering and quite empowering experience.
An evening in the city. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Carved entrance to Te Wero Island, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Really, April has been all about a road-trip to visit my father and attend a workshop on eco-printing/dye on fabric. I love solo travel, and having seven days to visit people and places I love — and learn a new skill — was absolute bliss.
I’ll write a separate post on what I learned in the workshop, but here a few shots of my efforts on the day
Laying out the plant material to be “printed”. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Bundled, “cooked” and then unrolled to reveal what’s been imprinted. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Hanging the results out to dry. Image; Su Leslie 2021
Looking back on the photos I shot while away pretty much confirms my obsession with desolate landscapes, lowering skies, quirky buildings and food.
Celeriac soup at The Kirk, Hamilton, NZ. Delicious! Image: Su Leslie 2021
Homemade preserves for sale at The Creel Lodge Cafe, Turangi, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Carrot cake and a flat white. The Black Stump Cafe, Pahiatua, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
You know you’re in the country when … Reading material at The Black Stump Cafe, Pahiatua. Image: Su Leslie 2021
“By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.” — Socrates. Seen in Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Love the name! Probably just as well they were closed. Whanganui, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
A great Arts’ Centre, and ‘Ghost of the Huia’, sculpture by Paul Dibble. The Square, Palmerston North, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
What were they thinking? Brutalism in The Square, Palmerston North, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Tui Brewery, Pahiatua, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Pohuturoa; volcanic rhyolite plug. Waikato, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Because … why not? Replica Dutch windmill in Foxton, NZ. Opened in 2003. Image: Su Leslie 2021
It didn’t seem as run down when I stayed here in 1980. Gretna Hotel, Taihape, New Zealand. Image: Su Leslie 2021
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen.
Douglas Adams
Well, that pretty well sums up my month.
Ok, so that’s not quite true. It’s more that my days seem to contain fewer moments I want to photograph. That’s partly about the rhythm of my life, and partly that I’m increasingly focused on photography as an expression of creativity, rather than a place-holder for memory.
In other words, I still want to record the fact that my scarlet runner beans are growing, but damn it, I want the shot to look pretty!
New shoots; scarlet runner beans. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
Robert Louis Stevenson
So perhaps my month has been less a Douglas Adam’s quote than a Robert Louis Stevenson one.
Almost literally.
With the temperatures dropping a little and a bit more moisture in the air, I’ve been spending more time in the garden, and it seems to be springing back to life (ironic, given that it’s autumn here).
Flower buds are appearing; beans are offering us a second crop; figs and feijoas are ripening — and we have so many chillies I’m in serious need of some new recipes (or more freezer space).
Poblano chilli. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Scarlet runner beans. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Feijoas. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Feijoas. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Fig. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Just picked. Image; Su Leslie 2021
Chrysanthemum buds. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Hibiscus. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Cosmos bud. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Chrysanthemum buds. Image: Su Leslie 2021
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement. (1)
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
“Try to represent … the notion of time without the processes by which we divide it, measure it, or express it … We cannot conceive of time except by distinguishing its different moments.” — Emile Durkheim, French sociologist
I quote Durkheim here because I’m struggling with the experience of time right now. In the seemingly relentless cycle of hot dry days and humid nights, time is hardly more than arbitrary changes in the calendar date on my phone, and a slowly increasing number of images in the folder labelled February.
Those images tell me that I’ve baked quite a lot, visited a couple of cemeteries to research Headstones and Hidden Histories posts, and enjoyed a couple of spectacular sunsets.
Coconut cookies. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Raw caramel slice. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Scottish oatcakes; recipe here. Image: Su Leslie 2021
After a bit of experimentation, I have an oatcake recipe I’m happy with. I’m posting it separately here, so if you do want to try it, you won’t have to wade through my ramblings first (one of my pet hates with online recipes).
I’ve been meaning to write about Ellen Melville for a while. She was one of the country’s first woman lawyers, a city councillor for many years and a powerful advocate for women’s participation in public life. I’m still doing research to add colour to her story, but will post it as a Hidden History when I’m done.
A story to be told. Image: Su Leslie 2021
The stories of Freda Stark and Thelma Trott could hardly be more different to that of Ellen Melville — but are totally fascinating. This post may take me longer, as there seems to be a resurgence of interest in Freda Stark, and I’m determined not to just re-hash old material.
As a clue to how interested I’ve become — T and I made a 200km round trip last Saturday to see a play called Freda Stark — The Musical.
I hate musicals.
And to be honest, I hated this one more than most — but that’s another story to be told.
A story to be told. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Freda Stark — The Musical may have been disappointing, but we had a really good lunch at Saigon Noon in Hamilton.
Ok, not as interesting as our food, but when it arrived I was too busy eating to take photos. Image; Su Leslie 2021
And a stop at Mercer on the way home offered a beautiful sunset.
Sunset, Waikato River at Mercer, NZ. Image: Su Leslie
The following evening, a walk on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive produced a similarly spectacular sunset.
Auckland CBD from Tamaki Drive, Orakei. Image: Su Leslie
And a little later … Auckland CBD from Tamaki Drive, Orakei. Image: Su Leslie
Sunset, from Okahu Bay Wharf. Image: Su Leslie
Sunset, Okahu Bay Wharf, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement. (1)
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
January was a quiet month for me. An introspective month.
A largely stay-home time of tidying and organising and making.
Sewing days, and some new shopping bags. Image: Su Leslie 2021
… and the scraps from experimentation. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Alcohol ink experiments. Saving the “good bits”. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Alcohol ink experiments. Some pieces just work. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Alcohol ink experiments. Some pieces just work. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Scottish oatcakes; feeling pleased with my first attempt. Image: Su Leslie 2021
When I did venture out, my Covid-tracking app tells me that I travelled a narrow circuit between supermarket, DIY shop and library. Maybe that explains why there are so few photos this month?
But the last weekend in January marks Auckland’s Anniversary, so the Big T and I laid down tools and, on the last day of the month, went to the beach.
Port Waikato is a small settlement of mainly holiday homes at the mouth of the Waikato River. Even on a busy holiday weekend, it felt peaceful and uncrowded.
Estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Fishermen, estuary at Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Slightly more exciting place to fish. Sunset Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Sunset, Beach, Port Waikato. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Far from the madding crowd. Countryside inland of Port Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
Far from the madding crowd. Countryside inland of Port Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2021
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
But in the end, it is your changing season, and you should approach it however works for you.
There are no fixed rules around post length or photo number — just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement. (1)
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
Raglan Harbour, Waikato, NZ. Image: Su Leslie 2020
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by. — Douglas Adams
You know when you have a great idea, and it seems quite straightforward.
So you invest a bit of time. Then it starts to get complicated, and there’s a deadline.
But damn, it’s a great idea and you’re not going to be beaten or back down.
Or maybe that’s just me.
Anyway, the idea was simple. With Covid and whatnot, it’s been a very virtual year, and I thought it would be nice to post people actual Christmas cards (with hand-written messages), instead of just sending emails or texts, or trying to remember my FaceBook password.
And because I’m quite arty, I thought I’d make the Christmas cards.
But since I didn’t fancy doing 20 or so watercolours, and my lino-cuts were a fail last year, I thought I’d take some nice photos and get them printed onto cards.
And then, because I love food, I thought the photos should be of Christmas goodies. Which of course I’d have to bake.
You see where I’m going with this?
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be. — Douglas Adams
Plan B 1/2 — the baking left a bit to be desired. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Suffice to say, I’ve learned a lot about cookie-making, royal icing and bokeh.
But. I barely managed to post my overseas cards before the van arrived to empty the box on the last day NZ Post claims they will deliver them by Christmas (and no, I’m not holding my breath).
And. I am rather pleased with them.
I would show you, but as I don’t know your postal addresses, I’ll almost certainly end up using the images here anyway, by way of a Merry Christmas to you all.
So from where I’m sitting now, my November has been one long baking, icing and photographic session.
But the month started with a short trip to the Waikato, during which I did no baking or icing and very little food photography, unless you count shots of food trucks at Gourmet in the Gardens, at Hamilton Gardens.
This is a weekly event, run every Sunday night over summer, and it was fabulous. The Rhododendron Lawn becomes a vast picnic area, ringed by food trucks serving some really nice food.
I chatted to one of the organisers and was really impressed by how carefully thought-out the whole event is. They even bring in a caravan containing a couple of dishwashers, so that all of the cutlery and crockery can be reused. Apparently the forks and knives came from cleaning out practically every thrift shop in Hamilton.
We spent the night in Hamilton, and drove home via Raglan (only a short detour), which became a longer detour as we explored the Te Akau area on the north side of Raglan Harbour.
One road in, one road out. Thirty or so kilometres of gravel road through some really pretty countryside, and a wharf at the end with some very cool rock formations.
I don’t know if our trip counts as supporting the local tourist industry, but it did confirm that we probably won’t be buying land at Te Akau — unless we also bought a boat that would get us across the harbour to Raglan (about a 10 minute trip).
That’s unlikely, as neither T nor I are natural sailors.
Rock formations, Te Akau Wharf, Waikato. In the background, Raglan. Ten minutes by boat; 90 minutes by road. Image; Su Leslie 2020
The Changing Seasons, contributor’s guidelines
In the last couple of Changing Seasons posts, I’ve talked about the guidelines for this project and sought feedback on them.
Based on this, and my own thoughts I’m suggesting the following — only slightly amended from the Cardinal’s original — guidelines.
The Changing Seasons is a monthly blogging project where bloggers around the world share their thoughts and feelings about the month just gone. We all approach this slightly differently — though generally with an emphasis on the photos we’ve taken during the month.
For many of us, looking back over these photos provides the structure and narrative of our post, so each month is different.
Others focus on documenting the changes in a particular project — such as a garden, an art or craft project, or a photographic diary of a familiar landscape.
Or you might like to share a recipe or instructions for something you’ve made — or just show us what you’ve done.
Post length and photo numbers
There are no fixed rules around this; just a request that you respect your readers’ time and engagement.
If you find you have more than 20 or so photos, you’ve either had a pretty exciting month, or should consider not showing them all.
Similarly, if you’ve already posted an image on your blog, it’s probably not a good idea to use it again — unless it really helps to tell your story.
Tags and ping-backs
Tag your photos with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them
Create a ping-back to this post, so that I can update it with links to all of yours.
No hamburger for me. I celebrated the end of Level 4 Covid 19 lock-down by getting my feet wet. Image: Su Leslie 2020
The concept of The Changing Seasons should be more appropriate this month than ever before.
Aotearoa New Zealand has, in the last few days, moved from the highest level of Covid 19 lock-down, to one in which a great deal more freedom of movement is possible, and where a large number of businesses have been able to re-open.
In some ways, nothing will ever be the same again. But as I woke to the sound of early morning traffic, to read about ridiculously long queues of cars and people outside fast-food outlets, any hope that 33 days of lock-down would promote reflection about how we might live better lives has been dashed. It seems that we are a nation of impatient, car-addicted, junk-food guzzlers.
Though I may not have joined the 3am queue for a burger or three (who does that?), nor have I learned a language, mastered the guitar or even cleaned my ovens. In fact, I can’t really point to anything in particular and say “I did that as a result of Covid-19.”
Apart from a few days at the beginning when I almost believed that Some-Good-Will-Come-From-This, I’ve really just spent the last month fretting about work, income, my son, real estate prices and how long it would take before we collectively start trashing the planet again.
And I think my gallery of images for the month reflects my mood; a bit of sunshine, a lot of dying leaves — and a trip to the beach this morning.
Sunshine and kowhai leaves. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Image: Su Leslie 2020
Image: Su Leslie 2020
Image: Su Leslie 2020
Pohutukawa leaves. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Pohutukawa leaves. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Taking part in “The Bear Hunt”. Image; Su Leslie 2020
No hamburgers for me; but I celebrated
At the beach — finally. Image: Su Leslie 2020
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Update
Please visit Pauline’s beautiful garden at Living in Paradise. She and Jack have been hard at work and as always it’s a visual delight.
Lani at Life, the Universe and Lani shares some thoughts and interesting images from her month in Rayong, Thailand.
A Wonderful Sheep brings us a lovely hopeful post with beautiful images of her “side of the mountain” in glorious springtime.
Tish at Writer on the Edge has been busy in her garden and allotment. Please pop over and see the fruits of her green fingers.
Sarah at Art Expedition has not only taken some beautiful photos, but also baked the most delicious-looking …. No. I’m not going to tell you — you have to visit her post to see for yourself.
Come and enjoy a walk with Tracy from Reflections of an Untidy Mind. As always her photos are lovely and her thoughts clear and well worth hearing.
A moment of reflection. Spider monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Welcome to the third fourth attempt I’ve made to write this Changing Seasons post.
It’s not that there is nothing to say about March 2020; just that I’m still trying to process an extraordinary 31 days that began with a visit to Auckland Zoo and ended with me spending an entire day trying to buy groceries (to be fair, I was shopping for two households).
Standing in a queue that snaked around the supermarket car-park, I caught a tiny glimpse of what everyday life must have been like for older friends and family members who lived through World War II rationing, or in the Communist regimes of Eastern Europe. The difference is that when I reached the front of the queue, there was still food to buy — and at a price I could afford.
It’s been just over a month since the first case of Covid 19 was reported in Aotearoa New Zealand. Even though we’d watched and read about what was happening overseas, life carried on in much the same rhythm for most of us for another couple of weeks.
But March has been a month of two halves; and all of a sudden, the number of new cases each day began to rise alarmingly, our borders were closed to all but returning nationals, and finally on March 26 the nation was placed under a four week rahui (1)
My thoughts about this extraordinary situation are muddled and constantly changing, so instead of inflicting my confusion upon you, I am simply going to share photos from the slightly less weird part of the month — when visits to the zoo and community fun days were still possible and normal.
The Stillwater Raft Race was held on March 17th; a reminder of how small communities are so good at getting together and having fun. T and I stumbled upon this accidentally, thinking we’d just go for a quiet walk along the estuary path.
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Community fun day. Raft race at Stillwater, Auckland. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Both T and I largely grew up in Auckland, so zoo visits have been part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Today’s zoo, with its emphasis on animal welfare and involvement in several conservation projects, is a world away from our horrible memories of bears and big cats endlessly pacing small cages.
The latest project is a South East Asian Jungle Track — a massive new development that is providing a more natural high canopy habitat for orangutan and siamangs, with further developments for tigers, otters, crocodiles and other Asian reptiles. It was due to open about now, but as the zoo is also under rahui, the animals are able to explore their new home without human visitors.
Inland Bearded Dragon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Inland Bearded Dragon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Red-tailed black cockatoo. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Red-tailed black cockatoo. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Ring-tailed lemurs, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Squirrel monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Squirrel monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Lion, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Flamingo, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Flamingo, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Hamadryas baboon; adult male and juvenile. Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Male Hamadryas baboon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Female Hamadryas baboon. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Not posing for the camera at all? Male Hamadryas baboon, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Female Hamadryas baboon. Image: Su Leslie 2020
Spider monkey, Auckland Zoo. Image: Su Leslie 2020
And now, with my horizons narrowed for at least a few weeks, I treasure and enjoy my garden even more.
Kakabeak (clianthus maximus). Grown from seed and looking stronger every day. Image: Su Leslie 2020 Kowhai seedlings (Sephora microphylla). Reforesting NZ one roasting dish full of plants at a time. Image: Su Leslie 2020 And still we have tomatoes. Su Leslie 2020
About The Changing Seasons
The Changing Seasons is a monthly challenge where bloggers around the world share what’s been happening in their month.
If you would like to join in, here are the guidelines:
The Changing Seasons Version One (photographic):
Each month, post 5-20 photos in a gallery that you feel represent your month
Don’t use photos from your archive. Only new shots.
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so that others can find them.
The Changing Seasons Version Two (you choose the format):
Each month, post a photo, recipe, painting, drawing, video, whatever that you feel says something about your month
Don’t use archive stuff. Only new material!
Tag your posts with #MonthlyPhotoChallenge and #TheChangingSeasons so others can find them.
If you do a ping-back to this post, I can update it with links to all of yours.
Rahuiis a Maori word which means to put in place a temporary ban or restriction on an area, resource, stretch of water — or in this case a nation of people. It is a form of protection, and seems like a much kinder and more positive word than “lock-down.”
