Unravelling Complexities

There have been many milestones in trying to navigate the complexities created by our rulers over the last two years,

I have certainly accumulated a mountain of issues and questions to be addressed and answered. Will this ever be possible ? I don't believe so.

I am reminded of the Great Gordonian Knot .

My desire is to be like Alexander the Great and cut through the complex mess created by those who take no responsibility .

My fellow residents were tied up in Gordonian Knots following the flood and while we were all stunned at the blow from nature the suits were planning their escape.

Not my responsibility. 

My MP was quick to pass the parcel. Labour made all the decisions post flood so I have no responsibility and don't intend revisiting .

Vacillating  is my specialty now I am in the hot seat.

There were some big calls made immediately following Gabrielle .Who made those calls and why?

For a start the speed the 'mark' appeared and coloured paper  was taped on every house and the speed every car had a number emblazoned on the windscreen was extraordinary.

I don't complain about that as safety was paramount but try and find out who did it. Crickets.

Teams of  strippers moved in just as fast and houses were ripped apart by unknown groups of  hi vis workers who came out of nowhere. Who called them?    No one knows. Where did they get there instructions from? No one knows.

In many cases they caused damage and more grief.

 So I have  a growing list of queries that are intermingled with Council rules and Government directions but no way of cutting through.

So many have packed up and moved on .They do not want to know anymore. Trouble is this could happen again. Should we plebs be learning from this catastrophe ? 

One day soon I am going to commit the act of Alexander the Great and cut through this tangled web with a single blow and expose the chocolate centre.

If only it was.   

 

Spring

Hot and cold.

Fine and wet.

Spring is a challenge when you are growing crops along with natures fluctuations and beauty. It is always a pleasure to see the first buds burst forth and spread some delight after the depths of winter cold and often the first flowers are snuffed out with a cold snap that has fooled them in to showing their beauty before time.

There have been some magic days recently and working amongst the emerging growth and colour has been a pleasure and to see the trees move again after the stress they have been through is remarkable.

There is still evidence of the struggle however with some stonefruit trees on their last legs. They haven't  made it. One of my favourite varieties has succumbed after an amazing effort last year to carry some fruit only to lose it at the last hurdle. The root systems  were drowned in the flood and have lost the fight.

At least the plums have survived and the flowering is amazing. It has been a little cold for the bees but a couple of days have seen plenty of activity so along with bumble bees , birds and insects fingers crossed for a crop.  

The apples had a massive crop last year and look as though they are lacking new growth. It has certainly been a rough three years.

Spring is so important in laying down the foundation for the year. Even though we face many challenges in the coming months fruit set and returns will be determined this month for stone fruit and next month for apples.

Growing tree crops is satisfying but one has to be ready for anything that nature throws at us. Please no major events this season .

When the birds start their spring talk and start chatting up their mates it will be an indication that the weather is more settled and warming up enough to build some nests and lay some eggs. Of course the pukekos are already flashing each other and  building pathetic messy platforms of grass they hope you can't see.

Maybe after this cold snap we will make another leap forward and be able to shed some clothes again.    

  

Nature

About 100 years ago when I was at school, I was introduced to 'nature study ' by a somewhat different teacher who roused my enthusiasm for the world around me at the time.

I wanted to be an ornithologist from an early age and anything like an insect or bird spider or butterfly had me investigating .

One of the first writing assignments I remember producing was in nature study. It was probably the whole page or two of an exercise book but to me a mini book.

Nevertheless the seeds were sewn.

From here on I was a dedicated follower of nature while others were in to fashion .

I mention this revelation because I saw an item on some television programme where a guy was being interviewed about ' nature'.

I thought the term had been superceded by 'environment so it was a pleasant surprise to hear the word mentioned again.

For years we have seen the hijacking of nature to enable factions to grab funds for a multitude of causes , not the least climate change.

It's always good to keep your feet on the ground  in this complicated world and that's why I mention nature.

The obsession with climate change has meant the loss of perspective and the loss of the recognition of the natural environment.

Natures cycles .Natures seasons . Natures many major events.

Something that can't be modelled.

When I talk to locals (some of the few that are left) it is a pleasure to hear the based views and the common sense approach they have to the natural state.

The elite know it alls dampen our lives with legislative power and money to clamp our vocal vehicle but we know deep down. 

Nature rules.