Time To Smell The Roses

Perfumed Roses

I am so enjoying the gardens here - particularly the roses - something I am not usually a fan of. Generally they seem to have little appeal unless in a big bunch given as a gift. I think my change of heart is due to the fact that the roses here are all of the old fashioned variety and highly perfumed. It is impossible to walk through a garden without a wonderful overpowering aroma.

Gather Ye Rosebuds
J. W. Waterhouse 1909

Robert Herrick








To The Virgins, To Make Much Of Time

Robert Herrick

1591 - 1674

 

 

 

 

“GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.

The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun,
The higher he ‘s a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he ‘s to setting.

That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
Times still succeed the former.

Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.”

Gather Ye Rosebuds

Another Day Another Potter

New Zealand's Leading Potter

Royce McGlashen

 

 

Ceramic Weka
Via Royce McGlashen

This area of the South Island NZ is known for its artisan community. The sunshine, sea, beaches and wild countryside provide inspiration and many natural materials are to be found in the surrounding areas. None is more prevelant than the clay soil, which is considered very special for the local potters, of which there are many.

Royce McGlashen is well known as the NZ leading potter, with a wealth of experience and an MBE for his services to New Zealand's pottery services and natural heritage. He specialises in pots that evoke the natural NZ flora and fauna and is especially keen on items that display the beautiful shells to be found locally. He uses a combination of styles with wet shiny and dry slips to imitate the textures found in nature.

On previous visits here I have visited his studio and this was no exception. Royce was away but his wife, Trudi, kindly showed us the studio and the new contemporary works being developed.




   I loved these
                                                                                                       And bought some





   And these too
                                                                                                       The spoons are cute!

The McGlashen Studio

Where all the goodies are made

Trudi McGlashen in their shop

Colourful tableware

Perfect pots

This sea/sky blue was amazing

It was hard to choose

Pottery and paintings by Royce McGlashen

I do hope you enjoyed this visit to a famous pottery as much as me.

A Hobbit Yarn

Dressing Bilbo Baggins

Today I met an amazing couple whose wonderful lifestyle has to be admired.  Selwyn and Mary Hall  are sheep farmers, who also spin, dye, weave, felt, and knit and crochet the wool from their sheep into amazing NZ goods. They also produce and sell their own yarn from their lifestyle block with a studio and a fibre shop in Brightwater, a very picturesque part of the South Island, NZ. 

Studio and shop in Brightwater

View from the studio

(Bad pic of) Mary in her studio

Selwyn, the dancing farmer

They were approached during the making of The Hobbit and asked to produce wool to be made into the garments for the films. Mary enthusiastically explained the long and detailed process of choosing the wools, dyes, and spinning of all the natural fleece ready for the production teams to make into the finished clothing and furnishings - and in some cases even the wigs.

Other local crafters were also asked to produce items for the films, (as with The Lord Of The Rings), which is very commendable. A local resident told me "the film company wanted to share the love" : a great idea to give everyone some reason to feel charitable towards the the production teams and film crews, and also for the local community to benefit financially. 






The Hobbit
Via Google

The farm has over six hundred sheep, with eight different breeds, so there was plenty of raw materials available and Selwn got to work providing enough fleece for Mary to work with. The whole process took them over two years and now their finished work can be seen throughout the film, something of which they are both very proud of.





       Some beautifully draped wool garments.






The yarns available in the shop were many and varied and mostly handspun, and the knitwear was beautifully done by Mary and other local craftsmen and women. All kinds of yarns, looms, spinning wheels, drum carders and equipment and accessories were for sale along with a huge amount of books and patterns for all types of wool crafts. A truly amazing spot for any crafter to visit.

This beautiful piece made with solvy, silks and yarns

 

 

I do hope you enjoyed this visit as much as I did!

Kumara

The Sweet Potato Of  NZ

Kumara

I first discovered kumara, the sweet potato, many years ago on my first trip to this beautiful island. It is widely grown in the area and can be found as often as the ordinary potato in homes and restaurants throughout the region. The word kumara is the Moari for sweet potato and hence its name in these islands. It was originally the staple food of the Maori until they had European contact when other foodstuffs became more readily available. Later it became more popular worldwide and is now commonly found throughout Europe. I love the taste of it cooked in any way suitable to the ordinary potato and find its slightly nutty flavour very attractive.

Fried

Mashed

Roast

Soup

Jackets

 

 

Sweet Kumara Pie

 

 

 



Recipe for this lovely sweet kumara pie, which is very similar to the American pumpkin pie.


Ingredients:

Half cup mashed cooked kumara
Half cup brown sugar
Pinch salt
Two beaten eggs
Tablespoon allspice
Tablespoon lemon juice
Cup evaporated milk
Pecans or walnuts
Pie shell

Method:

Mix all ingredients together and put in pie shell (I use shortcrust pastry but could be any pastry or sponge - homemade or shop bought).
Bake at 180 degree for 30 minutes.
Decorate with nuts and serve with a dollop of cream.

I told you it was very popular here!

 

 

 

 

Sidney The Seagull

A Kororo

(Maori For Seagull)

 

Sidney's sibling in Nelson

Today I visited the potters  Ralph and Sally Hetzel  to thank them for the wonderful seagull, Sidney, shipped to me in London last year as a Christmas present for Mr Whizz kid. These wonderful potters specialise in gulls with unique expressions, which can be seen adorning many of the beach side properties in the area. Ours lives in a conservatory in London.








Sidney Seagull at home in London
He was a Christmas present for Mr Whizz Kid from me.
He has a stripey fish in his mouth.



I love his pop-eyes.
Isn't he cute?

These rather large pottery birds, (gulls ARE rather large), are made in a mould and then the beaks, eyes and fish are individually put on by hand, their expressions all unique, and then they are dipped and glazed. Metal legs are then attached and the bird is then ready to fly all over the world.

The Hetzels own a boutique hotel overlooking the sea in a stunning part of the coastline of The South Island,  Nelson, NZ . I assume that from their vantage point they see many real gulls every day. Lucky them! These are a few pics of my visit ...









Spot the gull?

Spot the gull?

The view out to sea from their studio

Spot the gull?

Spot the gull?











All ready to fly

 

Talented Ralph Hetzel in his studio

 

 

 

What a fun life!