The lost tribe of They
A recent issue of Wilderness magazine carried an article with this title (The Lost Tribe of They, Mark Jones, Wilderness August 2005). The article was reminding us to accept responsibility for our actions and not blame others or “they”. We are all guilty of this - they should do more to reduce the road toll, they should do something about student behaviour, they should keep this hut tidy. A number of interest groups and politicians frequently blame the Department of Conservation for “locking up thousands of hectares of our land” or being responsible for “a massive land grab”. These people are guilty of placing DoC in The Lost Tribe of They. Land which is placed in the conservation estate belongs to all of the people of New Zealand. The code of recreational users should always be to take care of the land and each other when we are in the outdoors. Mark Jones reminds us that another facet of this code is to educate the uninformed so that they to may enjoy the great outdoors, accept responsibility for their actions and not keep blaming The lost Tribe of They when things aren't as they would expect them. We have a job to do.
Tussock & Beech News
Images of a Frozen Landscape
It had to happen. This year, the third in which we have run this programme, was anything but frozen. But we enjoyed a very successful programme. The air was clear and still, the reflections were stunning and the mountains, although with less snow than normal, were still impressive. We think that next year's programme will be focussed (no pun intended) on photography. Please get in touch if you are interested. (7 - 13 July 2005 ).
8-day programmes
There are some vacancies in the following 8-day programmes which we run each summer:
Lost World of Erewhon II (1-8 December 2005)
Akaroa Idyll I (13-20 January 2006) and II (13-20 March 2006).
Our first Erewhon programme (18-25 November) is full.
Please contact us if you are interested in joining any of these programmes.
Blands Bluff hearing
The application for a resource consent to quarry limestone from this unique limestone landform was declined. The developer then decided to appeal to the Environment Court. However we have just learnt that they have withdrawn their appeal. Thank you to everyone who helped us in this case. The area is now under consideration for a QE II National Trust covenant.
Ross Cottage
Now painted. I chose to paint it in May and June, which was difficult because it was cold. When I finished it got warmer!
New Newsletter format
Thanks to the skill and expertise of Cabbage Tree Creative, our website designers, we now have a new format for this newsletter. I hope that you find it more user friendly.
Winter Highlights
Warmest winter for 50 years
There has been no ice (hence no curling), little snow and the warmest winter for 80 years. Some snow fell in mid-August and more is predicted soon. Mt Somers has had little snow all winter and the Walkway has been popular to trampers which is an indication of the mildness of the season.
Stop Press! Snow arrived today, 19 September. 10cm so far, more expected.
Holiday break
Marita and I enjoyed an 8-day break in July in Nelson and Golden Bay, in the northwest of the South Island. We enjoyed the coastal environment, different native plants (such as tree ferns) and birds. It was especially enjoyable to see many tui (but only 2 bellbird), kotuku (white heron), royal spoonbill, cattle egret, kingfisher, bar tailed godwit, as well as many more familiar native species.
Natural History News
Bird observations
The mildness of the winter has been evident in the birdlife at Staveley. Fantail/piwakawaka, bellbird/korimako, silvereye/tauhou and welcome swallows have been present throughout the winter months, which has not happened before. In early August I saw two black-fronted terns/tarapiroe at Deep Stream, Erewhon.
Annual winter bird survey
We had our annual bird survey in all of the Ashburton Lakes and Lake Heron. I chose a different beat this year - the northern part of the Cameron Fan. It was a good choice and an excellent experience of largely unmodified wetland. Only 21 crested grebes were counted (I saw 3 on my beat). Other significant and interesting counts were 2289 New Zealand Scaup, 444 Australian coot, 11 black-billed gulls, 532 New Zealand shoveller, 330 paradise shelduck, and 4 falcon.
New Zealand Falcon
I had a close encounter with a falcon beside the Cameron Fan on my way to Lake Heron for the bird survey. It landed on a nearby fence post and allowed me to take a photograph - or two. Thrilling to see this beautiful bird at close quarters.
Yellow mistletoe
My second attempt at establishing the yellow mistletoe (Alepsis flavida) may be more successful than my first effort. Collected around 40 drupes and squeezed them onto mountain beech trees near the lodge. 10 have germinated, helped no doubt by the mild winter.
Future Newsletters will update their progress.
From the kitchen
A delicious interesting square and so easy to make. Serve with coffee or take out on a picnic.
Walnut Prune and Apricot Slice
1/2 c sugar
1 c flour
1 c fine coconut
1 t baking powder
100 g butter melted
1 c prunes cut up
1 c dried apricots cut up
1c mixture walnuts, shredded coconut & pumpkin seeds
1 tin condensed milk
Pre-heat oven to 180ºC (fan bake 150ºC). Line a sponge roll tin with baking paper. Combine first five ingredients in a bowl and press into tin. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with fruit and nuts in a single layer. Drizzle over condensed milk to evenly coat fruit and bake a further 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and cool in tin. Cut into squares when cold.
Ka kite ano,
Marita & Warren Jowett
Ranunculus crithmifolious
