Brook Waimara Project

A Wildlife Sanctuary Walk

View from the old dam into the hills


 

Into the distance

Down into the bush

Wild natural habitat

The Maitai from a walkway

The widlerness of The Brook Waimara Sanctuary

Nelsons old water reserve in the Brook Valley has been a protected place since the late 1800s.
There are 715 hectares of  lowland forests  just on the outskirts of the lovely city of  Nelson - a perfect spot for a wildlife sanctuary. The site has historically been used for walking and camping beside the beautiful Maitai River. The Dun Mountain Walkway (the site of the original railway) and the Forests of  Richmond are connected to the site and a Botanical Reserve (with the The Centre Of New Zealand climb) are alongside the area.

It is on this site that a project to fence the area is proposed. The purpose of the fencing is to restore the natural habitat and keep out predators. The flora and fauna in this area are in danger of being lost and already many native species are endangered. Many birds, reptiles and insects are already extinct and it is hoped that by fencing the area many more will be able to safely reproduce and others be reintroduced from other areas. In preparation for this renewal a programme of trapping is underway to rid the area of predators. Little wooden box traps are everywhere.

The Brook Sanctuary is proposed as a place where animals, birds and insects can flourish alongside a safe and beautiful environment for humans. The stunning flora and fauna too will also benefit if it can then be safely conserved.


"Imagine a place where native plants and animals thrive, without threat from introduced pests.
Alive with birdsong, where rare species such as kiwi, tuatara, and kakapo roam freely.
Where you can get involved and help make a difference.
Where visitors can see native flora and fauna close to home".
www.brooksanctuary.org.nz


I found the area very beautiful and strange in that it was like walking for the first time in a desolate and uninhabited world. One of the endangered species here in need of protection is the rare Kakapo, the worlds largest and strangest parrot.  This bird cannot fly, they walk and eat in the dark, and they only breed every two or three years and they can only be found in New Zealand.  At present only eighty five birds and six chicks have been found and it is this type of problem that the wildlife sanctuary hopes to rectify.

Via Kakapo Cottage NZ



Via Teranature.org

They are so cute!

Sadly we did not see one.

Fairytale Glass

 

Glorious Glass

 I so love sparkling glassware and am a huge fan of  the original works of   Flamedaisy  in Nelson, NZ.  The studio, gallery and shop are a magical place to visit and I always manage to bring home safely some of their exotic glasswares.

Anthony Genet and Berintha  Binnie-Genet run an amazing glass blowing studio and gallery in Trafalgar Square where they make and display some truly original pieces - beads, funky goblets, and huge sculptural pieces to delight the eye.

"Like any lifelong passionate affair the act of glassblowing can leave the gaffer feeling exhilarated and triumphant or as inadequate as a jilted lover" Anthony Genet.

Anthony Genet master glass craftman

The glass blowing studio

Some works of glass art

Sadly pics do not show the beauty of the pieces

This piece, in particular, was stunning

These goblets were to die for!

Poor pic of perfect work

Tiny frontage to a treasure trove

Irridecent juice glasses

These magical little juice glasses really bowled me over. Each was an individual size and shape with irregular markings and colours. They just sang out to me "Take me home" ... so I did!  I now have six of these little beauties to add to my stock of Flamedaisy treasures at home in London. The glasses cost around NZ$60 each (about UK£30 each) - very reasonable for the time and trouble to make such original works of art.

Aren't they amazing?
And now for another charming fairytale.

Nuts About Soap

 Going Nuts

 

 

 

 

Here in Nelson is a wonderful store called  Global Soaps. They hand-make beautifully perfumed natural soaps, shampoos and fizz bombs. They also sell an unusual product called soap nuts, an eco friendly natural product for clothes washing. These 'nuts' are actually a fruit which grows on trees in Nepal and India.

The small fruit, cherry sized, contain natures own natural detergent saponin. The saponin is a natural 'sudsy' substance which repels dirt, pests and bacteria. When the inedible fruit falls it is harvested, the seeds are removed and the husk dried and it is then used for washing, where it makes mild suds with absolutely no chemicals. The nuts can be used time and again until they dissolve and flake naturally. The remaining husks can then go into the vegetable garden where they are known to repel mice and slugs and snails.


The Sapindus Mukorossi Tree grows mainly in the Himalayan region and is rather acacia like in appearance. When harvested, the fruit, or soap nuts, are then Fairtraded throughout the world.

Sapindus Mukorossi Tree
Via Pohon Lerak

Soap nuts

To use in a washing machine, four or five nuts are placed in a small muslin bag and put directly into the warm wash. As no detergent is used, and there is no residue,  the rinse cycle can be omitted (ie. wash and then spin) and afterwards the same nuts can be used up to a further six times.

The Maitai

The Maitai River, Nelson, South Island, NZ



Maitai River

Maitai River and The Bryant Range

These river views are directly outside my family's home in Nelson. This is the beautiful Matai River, which flows for seven miles through the hill country to the west of The Bryant Range, through the city and right through to the Tasman Bay. The river is generally shallow enough to walk across and is a great recreational place for children and fishermen. Further downstream is the Great Maitia River Dam, constructed to supply fresh water to the whole city.

Each morning I see fishermen on the banks trying to catch the whitebait, a local delicacy. These 'whitebait' are not the same as we have in UK but more like an 'elver' -  very small and see-through. White strips of plastic are placed in the river and when the shoals swim across they are caught with a net by the fishermen. They are then sold to the local fish markets and restaurants where they are cooked into fritters, a local delicacy.

There is a very limited season for whitebait (15th August until 30th November) to try and preserve the fishing stocks, which are low due to over fishing and pollution of their natural habitat.

English whitebait are small herrings or sprats and are deep fried whole, also a delicacy, but much more acceptable to the eye!

Whitebait fishing in the Maitai



Whitebait UK
 Via Google



Whitebait NZ
Via Google

Not any similarities there that I can see other than they are both a type of fish!

Whitebait fritters NZ
Via Google

Fried whitebait UK
Via Google

Sharp As Knives

Making Knives

 

 

While driving through through the surrounding countryside a few years ago we saw a sign to The Blackbird Valley Forge.  Never one to miss a craft opportunity we drove along a rickety lane until we reached a pair of tumbledown sheds - all apparently made from recycled or 'found' objects (the way in NZ). The outside of these imposing 'sheds' were covered in knives - carving knives,  kitchen knives, craft knives,  hunting knives, bush knives, fishing knives, etc.,  in every shape and size.








The Forge
Via Google

Here we found the craftsman knife maker, Ross Johnston, whose once hobby has turned into a good living. Ross makes his original and beautiful knives using any recyclable material he can find - old engine parts, filing cabinets, old saws and car parts. No two knives are ever the same and each is a personal work of art. The handles are all mostly made of native NZ woods found on his own land - a perfect eco tool.

The knives are sold from his Home Gallery and also from a Saturday Market held in Nelson. Most people in this rural community own one of his unique treasures, and many are commisions made for a particular person, in a certain style and material.

This year I found Ross Johnston selling his knives at the local craftsman's Saturday Market where people from the surrounding countryside come to sell their produce and handmade wares. In the back of his van, and on a rickety old tressle table I found some lovely handmade steel and wood knives.

Ross Johnston master craftsman - knife maker

A selection of his bushmen knives

Kitchen/paring knife

Gift for Mr Whizz Kid

I particularly liked this knife.  All knives are made from recycled and found objects and this beautiful piece was made from an old Honda car seat. The handle comes from the horn of a dead deer, which he found on his property and the rivets are brass. I like this unusual bachground touch!

All knives are unique and although really rather expensive they should last a lifetime. This small blade costs $80 - around £40. The knife maker has been selling his hand made knives for over a quarter of a century in the South Island and very few homes will be without one of his individual pieces. He sure is a local character.

Isn't it a lovely work of art?

Fibre Arts in NZ

The Fibre Spectrum

Today I visited  The Fibre Spectrum,  a co-operative of fibre aritsts from the area. I was amazed at the beautiful works on display and for sale. There was a huge variety of crafts to see, from painting, weaving, knitting, crochet, felting, and so much more. I particularly liked the felting works of Mary Andrews and the patchwork of Karen Brodersby. (Sadly no website). A very simple design, easily machine quilted by Karen caught my eye - do take a look and be inspired.

Patchwork Quilt by Karen Brodersby

Simple quilt with raw edges but so effective

Mary's felting was also very inspiring and she had many articles on display and for sale. She is a local artist who specialises in felting and weaving and also gives tuition at her  Spiral Studio  in town. Do take a look at her website.  I think I may have to give felting another try!

Felt purses

Felting and fibre arts have come a long way in terms of colours and designs and now have a very contemporary feel.   Another interesting craft to pursue!

Potters Extraordinaire

Local Potters

Katie Gold and Owen Bartlett

 

 

 

 

Via Nelson Potters

 

 

 

 

There is an amzing local potter called  Katie Gold, who along with her husband  Owen Bartlett produce some of the most original works that I have ever seen. They work together in the most enchanting setting in Upper Moutere Village - a true paradise.

Welcome to the studio

I visited their studio this week and was blown away by the magical works and location. Do take a look and be amazed ...







Views to die for

The artists historical house and gallery

Come into the gallery

Stunning goods to drool over by Katie

The ultimate gift for a bag collector by Katie

Candlestick heaven by Katie

Glorious views from studio

Amazing magical pots

A real collectors piece by Katie

Katie's work - which to choose?

Katie's husband Owen Bartlett is also an accomplished potter and also produces some colourful works, which are sold throughout the area. I particularly like his spotty wares and stick figures.

Owen Bartlett splash of colour spots

Owen Bartlett fun stick figures

 

I so enjoyed this visit!