The West Coast of South Island, NZ

The West coast of the South Island of New Zealand is a most interesting place with lovely scenery and a very interesting history.  The top picture is of re-generating bush which was logged about seventy years ago and is now filled with ferns and young trees.  The lovely lake Mahinapua is nearby and is used for recreation by campers and sailors.

Flowers

The top picture of a lily, which is flowering now, is a bit late to be a Christmas Lily and it is more colourful and not as highly perfumed as I remember Christmas lilies to have been.  The lower image is of a very pretty Cistus we have in the garden.

The Heron Migrates

After a false start in December I am now happy to introduce my book "The Heron Migrates" which is the story of how a Japanese anagama kiln came to New Zealand.  It is from Estelle's and my diaries from our times in Japan and the building and firing of our Kamaka anagama.  It is a soft cover book and there are about 400 photographs and drawings contained in its 160 pages.

The Heron Migrates can be purchased from me at anagama@clear.net.nz.  Price is NZ$45.00 plus postage.
Postage costs are for New Zealand $6.00.  Australia NZ$13.50.  Rest of world NZ$25.00. Payment by Pay Pal to anagama@clear.net.nz  Please email me with your postal address and a copy will be on its way.

Firing of Kiln at Taradale, NZ

Last weekend the Taradale kiln was fired.  These two photos seemed interesting - one taken during the firing and the other when the front was opened.  The pots came out well from this chamber and most of those from the second chamber looked very good.

House Fittings

John Scott's design for the cupboard and drawer knobs is quite distinctive.  Turned from Matai, a New Zealand native wood, they attain a wonderful natural patina.  The pull cord light switches against the pillars are also unusual.  I can enter the house and turn the lights on and off as I go as most are two-way switches.