Southerly by David Haywood

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Southerly: Life at the Edge of the Southern Ocean

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  • Deborah,

    How old is that child? And he's saying 'dog' already! He's clearly gifted.

    As are you sir, when it comes to Photoshop. That's the only explanation for those colours over Foveaux Strait.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • Paul Dowden,

    mmm cheese rolls. They don't exist in Australia. Does the Thyme Out Tea Rooms recipe have that soupçon of finely chopped onion? That's the best.

    Why is it something so simple to make is something I don't think I've ever cooked?

    Canberra • Since Dec 2007 • 38 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Deborah wrote:

    How old is that child? And he's saying 'dog' already! He's clearly gifted.

    "Dog" appeared at 10.5 months -- but I fear that this is more a tribute to an obsessive personality than any degree of giftedness. His limited brainpower is entirely devoted to dogs, trucks, doors, lights, and food.

    As are you sir, when it comes to Photoshop. That's the only explanation for those colours over Foveaux Strait.

    Ha! The colours in the first photo of Foveaux strait are actually a bit funny for some reason, but the second is reasonably accurate I think.

    Paul Dowden wrote:

    Does the Thyme Out Tea Rooms recipe have that soupçon of finely chopped onion?

    Hell, yes! Nola's stated ingredients are cheese, evaporated milk, mustard, chopped onion, and also Worcestershire sauce (I think). There may be pepper and so on in small quantities.

    I don't know why Cheese Rolls aren't more widely publicized. Can't they teach anything useful in schools?

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant,

    Tea rooms? Nyarlothotep, it really is like going back in time twenty years down there.

    And that baby is wearing a hoodie. Clearly they're going to grow up to be a tagger or murderer or NZ First MP or other such undesirable.

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Don Christie,

    He's clearly gifted.

    I reckon. And judging from the reported screaming of the baby hero in "my first stabbing", a chip off the old block.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1645 posts Report

  • Pauline Dawson,

    STOP - you are makign me homesick. I am going to make some cheese rolls today. I grew up in Inverc argill but we had holidays at Riverton. Only thing I DON'T miss is the COLD

    Mosgiel • Since Feb 2008 • 26 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Good writing, fantantastic photos
    But......
    On Friday we drive south, cross the infamous Foveaux and spend the weekend on Stewart sland
    I have not as yet been sea sick but your description of the southern sea did not steady my nerves

    I am really looking forward to the trip actually amongst really interesting things we are going to a Pantomime, probably the most southern in the world?

    And as for that kid what a great start in life he is getting (apart from all the world knowing toilet habits)

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • Danielle,

    Tea rooms? Nyarlothotep, it really is like going back in time twenty years down there.

    Erm... I think those commenting from Palmerston North can't exactly throw stones. ;)

    I like tea rooms. They're comforting. There are baked goods. People know to give you extra hot water with your pot of tea. And milk in a wee jug. I also love cheese rolls. (As I recall, you can buy frozen ones in the supermarket in Invercargill.)

    Once, on a rare occasion when we encountered another walker -- a suitably salty-looking chap -- I asked him what they were. "Those," he replied, with the air of a man giving an explanation to an imbecile, "are a type of bird."

    There is usually an uncontrollable 'bwah!' moment for me during each Southerly post. This was it.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report

  • Graeme H,

    Ah yes cholest -er - rolls, the North Valley scarfies staple diet. Well it was before cheese became an expensive item.

    Cold! it's only May, it hasn't started to get cold yet. Cold is when the water drops on the shower walls freeze on impact.

    Whangarei • Since Feb 2007 • 4 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Those birds
    Probably the mutton birds who escaped

    Sooty shearwaters and their various relations

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • David Slack,

    I have not as yet been sea sick but your description of the southern sea did not steady my nerves

    I swear this is true: On my one and only trip across Foveaux Strait, in the summer of 1977, the sky was clear and blue, the sun was shining and the sea was as calm as the Waitemata Harbour.

    It was a marvellous day. I was 16 and it was the farthest I had ever been from home. I can't remember if I found a cheese roll, but I know I would have enjoyed it if I did.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Great sunsets! Have you seen an aurora, or do they not really happen that far north (!)

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Just heading off to the big city (Invercargill), but want to quickly register my profound rejection of IS's unworthy comments. Shame on you! I'm hoping that Southland is twenty years ahead of the rest of NZ: low crime, low unemployment, high per capita income, and plenty of tea-rooms. Possibly too many cows, I admit.

    Raymond: Thanks for the tip on the mystery birds...

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

    Somehow you make the daily routine sound idyllic, in a tough-ass hard-boiled way. Wait til Bob gets a taste for mutton-bird. There'll be no going back.

    more a tribute to an obsessive personality than any degree of giftedness.

    You're too modest on Bob's behalf. In fact a great deal of genius IS what we call "an obsessive personality"- when it takes a direction we don't value. I guess it's unsurprising the boy is a linguist, given his parentage. "R" comes somewhat later, but lets hope he rolls 'em like rocks down a bluff!

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • Ian MacKay,

    A really clever writer can capture even simple things and create a clear tangible image. I think that you David (and Bob) do give us that clear tangible image with humour. I have passed your writings on to to my sister and her husband for them to enjoy. Your words deserve a wider audience.Thanks.

    Bleheim • Since Nov 2006 • 498 posts Report

  • Peter Martin,

    Aaah just wait until Bob is at kindy. Cheese rolls are the fundraiser of choice and you will either spend hours making the wee beasties or months eating them. Your freezer ( or just anywhere outside, this time of year) will have a dedicated space for them. Don't confuse them with mousetraps though...

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 187 posts Report

  • Bob Munro,

    Starting from this article in __ Notornis __1991 of a bird survey on Pig Island (just off the Riverton coast) and Omaui Island, we should be able to figure out what the large flocks are. I reckon they are possibly, Turnstone, Southern Black Backed Gull or White Fronted Tern. Seems like Sooty Shearwater aren’t that numerous. Other numerous birds like shags are presumably pretty obvious.

    I agree with Danielle about the ‘bwah’ moment. One of these a day on Public Address is all anyone can really ask of free entertainment.. Yesterday’s for me was Angus’ comment about how disappointed he was in the lack of Nascar action on Idiot/Savant’s site.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report

  • FletcherB,

    Re: Bob's hoodie wearing...

    He's deliberately projecting an aura of menace through his attire. It's harassment I tell you!

    West Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 893 posts Report

  • Tim Michie,

    "Who am I to say there isn't a Slovenian Mail-delivering Wolfhound that resembles our postman?"

    Indeed. But, if so, don't tell the posties they've enemy infiltration...

    Another great post well worth reading and, I hope, worth the effort in your long days (lengthened by the closer proximity to Antarctica no doubt).

    Auckward • Since Nov 2006 • 614 posts Report

  • Emma Hart,

    Sunrise over Foveaux Strait is a chocolate-box artist's dream, but as Jennifer observes: "I've never seen any sunrise so pretty that it makes me glad to be awake this early".

    Wise woman, that Jennifer. Looking at the photos over a leisurely brunch will do me just fine.

    Jennifer goes to bed at midnight. But I continue to type -- occasionally stoking the fire to warm my wife and son as they slumber on towards morning.

    ...

    It's not unusual for Bob-the-baby to cry "Door! Door!" (the signal that he's ready for his morning walk) at 5.00 am.

    Appreciative as I am of the absolute bliss of being awake and creative while everyone else is asleep, I'm a little worried that on this schedule you're going to come home, sack some miners, impose a poll tax, and demolish the welfare state.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report

  • daleaway,

    From a woman in Gore:

    Cheese Rolls
    1 packet onion soup warmed with 1 cup of water over low heat,
    add 2 packed cups grated cheese,
    ½ tsp paprika,
    ½-1 tsp curry powder.

    Cut the crusts off bread slices and spread one side (lightly) with butter or margarine. Spread the cheese mix on the other side, roll up with the cheese mixture on the inside, place in plastic bag in fridge for 1 hour, then grill.

    Really handy things to keep in the freezer for last-minute snacks. Quantity of spread is enough for approx 2 loaves of bread. (she says)

    Since Jul 2007 • 198 posts Report

  • Paul Rowe,

    The end result is rather like changing the nappy on an eel -- accompanied by the sound-track of a pig being clubbed to death.

    My daughter is 14 months and she is still in this mode. She's number three, so we have it down to a one-person job.

    Such excellent writing - your descriptions are so poetic and so accurate David. A pleasure to read.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report

  • dc_red,

    Appreciative as I am of the absolute bliss of being awake and creative while everyone else is asleep, I'm a little worried that on this schedule you're going to come home, sack some miners, impose a poll tax, and demolish the welfare state.

    To which, of course, a midwife would reply: "all perfectly normal."

    On the topic of eels and pigs, one would think babies would be more appreciative of being changed. Especially bad ones, whose parents might readily be tempted to say: "well, fine, then, have it your way"?

    Oil Patch, Alberta • Since Nov 2006 • 706 posts Report

  • David Haywood,

    Thanks for the kind comments everyone -- I'm very glad that my words have provided some entertainment...

    Raymond A Francis wrote:

    On Friday we drive south, cross the infamous Foveaux and spend the weekend on Stewart Island. I have not as yet been sea sick but your description of the southern sea did not steady my nerves...

    I'm sure it'll be great. Bob and I shall wave across the strait to you on our morning walk -- look for us about 30 minutes after sunrise (sunrise = 8.15 o'clock-ish down here).

    Graeme H wrote:

    Cold! it's only May, it hasn't started to get cold yet. Cold is when the water drops on the shower walls freeze on impact.

    Hooray, something to look forward to...

    Rich of Observationz wrote:

    Have you seen an aurora, or do they not really happen that far north?

    We haven't -- but I've seen aurorae several times in CHCH, so they definitely come this far north. Will keep you advised...

    Bob Munro wrote:

    ... we should be able to figure out what the large flocks are. I reckon they are possibly, Turnstone, Southern Black Backed Gull or White Fronted Tern.

    I shall study the document that you've identified, Bob. The flocks must be in the tens of thousands, I should think. They seem to be diving for fish (if that helps pin down their identity).

    dc_red wrote:

    On the topic of eels and pigs, one would think babies would be more appreciative of being changed. Especially bad ones, whose parents might readily be tempted to say: "well, fine, then, have it your way"?

    Such a thought has definitely crossed my mind. I'm hoping that as the years pass -- and as Paul Rowe suggests -- we'll somehow become more skilled at the job.

    Emma Hart wrote

    Appreciative as I am of the absolute bliss of being awake and creative while everyone else is asleep, I'm a little worried that on this schedule you're going to come home, sack some miners, impose a poll tax, and demolish the welfare state.

    As you've rightly guessed -- like my hero Margaret Thatcher -- I only require four hours sleep each zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

    Dunsandel • Since Nov 2006 • 1156 posts Report

  • Brent Jackson,

    If you want an auroral forecast, so you know when to look, check the space weather and part way down on the left hand side, you can click on "New Zealand" to see the current auroral oval in our neck of the woods.

    Cheers,
    Brent.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report

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