PLACES

Not Some Fantasy Land

Thom Gower - May 2015

Exploring The Catlins Coast

There is a place I used to go as child where dolphins surfed perfect barrelling waves, rare penguins nested above a stone forest, and from the same spot you could watch the sun rise and the sun set over the ocean. This was not some fantasy land of my own imagining, this place is The Catlins Coast in the far south of the South Island.

Signal Hill, With Dogs II

Laurence Fearnley - September 2014

A walking diary - read part one

I spend a lot of time trying to put words to sounds and it is never very successful. There are distinct bird zones on the hill. The top half —where the forest has been cleared — is home to sparrows, chaffinchs, greenfinchs, cirl buntings, paradise ducks, and eastern rosellas.

Signal Hill, With Dogs I

Laurence Fearnley - September 2014

A walking diary

As soon as I open the car door the dogs jump out. The smaller dog is attached to the headrest by its lead but never learns to wait. It dangles by its collar, legs scrabbling against the sill and seat until I unhook it. Immediately it runs towards the monument car park, looking for boxes of Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds and pizza, discarded during the night.

Just a Dot

John Summers - August 2014

In and around Arthur’s Pass

We left Christchurch early on a frosty morning, the shuttle bus rattling along empty streets as the sun was rising. Hours later, it was still morning, still cold but bright now and we came to a stop in the mountains. The driver slid the door open, and my friend and I carried our packs out. ‘Enjoy Cass,’ said one of the passengers. ‘There’s nothing there.’ He laughed as the door slid shut.

The Drowned Valleys

Bill Nelson - June 2014

Paddling the Marlborough Sounds

There is always water.
Every track, half-road or hilltop
Throws a view of the labyrinthine
Seeping and effortless sea
Undulant, insidious, creeping
Round hill and promontory
Unexpectedly.

Denis Glover

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